Page 51 of Things We Left Behind
“Itchy but beautiful,” I agreed.
“You know what? I think I’ve had enough trying on dresses for one day,” Lina said, already unbuckling the crystal belt one of the assistants had lassoed around her waist. “Someone get me out of this thing before my skin peels off.”
“Oh boy. She’s gonna blow,” Stef predicted under his breath.
As Lina danced in place while an assistant began to work on the first of seventy thousand buttons running down her back, Naomi gave Ahmad a nod. He turned toward the back of the store and made a series of elaborate swooping gestures.
Two employees appeared, lugging a mannequin between them. The mannequin was already dressed in a strapless gown with black floral appliqués that began at the fitted bodice and spilled down over the full skirt.
“That goes in the window display, ladies,” Ahmad said to the women.
Lina glanced up in the mirror and froze.
“What’s she looking at?” Bonnie demanded from the phone.
I angled the screen so she could see the dress.
“That one,” Lina said, pointing at the gown.
“This? It just arrived this morning. No one’s even tried it on yet,” Ahmad said coyly.
“It’s a beautiful gown,” Bonnie prompted.
“I don’t know,” Stef mused.“How many brides could get away with wearing black on their wedding day?”
“I’ll try that one on, but after that, we’re leaving,” Lina announced, shoving herself out of the dress. She flounced away from the three-way mirror in a strapless bra and underwear.
Ahmad snapped his fingers at the women, who made quick work of disrobing the mannequin.
“Oh my God. That’s the dress,” I said.
“I know,” Naomi agreed.
“It’s freaking fabulous,” Stef said.
“I know,” Naomi said again with a smug smile.
“And so is Lina,” Bonnie agreed.
“Exactly,” Naomi said, perching on the edge of the cushion, eagerly watching the dressing rooms.
“You’re diabolical,” I told her.
“I only use my powers for good,” she explained.
“Here she comes,” Stef said, sounding excited for the first time.
Lina swept into view like a queen. I gasped. Naomi was already fanning her hands in front of her face to ward off tears. Stef’s hands shot out to grip my knee and Naomi’s.
Lina ascended the pedestal, dropped the skirts, and struck a regal pose.
“Dead. I’m dead,” Ahmad said, clutching his chest theatrically.
“Nash is going to be when he takes one look at her,” I predicted.
Bonnie let out a choked sob from the phone.
Lina whirled around, the skirt floating around her like it was alive. “Mom! Don’t cry. You have a meeting in twenty minutes,” Lina insisted.
