Page 57 of Imperfections Forbidden
“That friend of yours, the boy, did it work out?”
“It didn’t work out the way I thought it would.”
“That’s a shame.Do you think I have a chance since he blew it?”
“You’re nice and cute, but I can’t be in a relationship with anyone but myself right now.My life is very complicated.”
“That’s a shame, one dumb asshole messes it up for all of us.”
I laugh and look out the window.Comic relief, that’s what I need.
Cat
Ilove Christmas.It’s themost wonderful time of the year, songs and all.This Christmas is different, though.I don’t feel as happy as I did all the other years.Even when I didn’t spend Christmas with my family last year, I still felt excited and looked forward to my birthday.This year I don’t know what I should look forward to.It’s all a little sad.
Nick sends me a text every day.Once a day, like clockwork.I have to admit I look forward to his texts now.At first it was hard, but it’s gotten easier as each day goes by.It’s been three weeks now.That was the last time I saw him, at Thanksgiving.Every day I think about him; I try not to, but I can’t stop.He is my weakness.Hearing from him is easier than not hearing anything from him at all.It sounds weird, but it makes not being with him a little easier.If I reply to his text that I’m not fine, he will send me some ridiculous meme or lame joke that cracks me up.He knows how to make me laugh.
I haven’t spoken to my mother or Kate since Thanksgiving.I make sure I speak to everyone else and drop in once a week, discreetly avoiding them.It makes my father happy to see us all together; he’s oblivious to the discord between the women in his life.I have to make an appearance on Christmas Day, bright and early, to have a family breakfast and open presents.At least I know for sure Nick won’t be there.Unfortunately, he will be at the annual Christmas charity gala.A different charity is chosen each year, and this year it’s pediatric cancer.His mother is on the board.My family goes almost every year.It’s my first year back, and I’m expected to be there.It’s also the last year they’ll be doing it on Christmas night.
“Ava,we’ve been to ten different stores today.I’m tired of shopping.”
“How could you be tired already?We haven’t gone to half of my favorite stores yet.”
“Are you kidding me?I’m going to two more stores and that’s it, three tops.”
“How are you going to find the perfect drop-dead gorgeous dress?”
“I found three already, but you vetoed all of them.”
“They didn’t do your body the justice it deserves.What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t let you go out looking like the ten you are?”
“You can be a ten, but I think I will only make it to an eight if I try hard enough.”
“Shut your mouth!You don’t know what you’re talking about.When I’m finished with you, tongues are going to wag, and people are going to talk from coast to coast about the smoking hot babe who came to the Christmas gala.”
“Wishful thinking.”
“Girl, stop selling yourself short.You wouldn’t have had two sublime specimens of men chomping at the bit to get atcha if you weren’t amazingly you.”
I get up off the couch in the store and look at the ten dresses in Ava’s hand that she picked out.All of them short, shorter, shortest and too revealing.I’m looking at them skeptically.I don’t know if I can pull any of them off.
“Ava, I’m not sure if I can wear any of those dresses.”
“Why not?”
I take one of the dresses draped over her arm and hold it up to my body in the mirror.It’s a red, sparkly number that would make me look like a disco ball.“You have to have a certain amount of confidence to rock one of those.I think they’re more your style.You definitely have the confidence and body for any one of these little things.”
“Honey, I know what all this negativity is about.You need to stop it!Cheer up.Things with Nick might not work out, but there are other men out there.And you have all the right parts in the right places to get any one of them, preferably one with money, but we’ll settle for one who can just manage to tell the damn truth while sweeping us off our feet.”
“I don’t want another man.I might never want another man.”
“Shut your mouth again!”An exaggerated look of shock on her face, she cups her hand to her ear and throws it up in the air.“My ears don’t want to hear such blasphemy.”She points a finger at me.“From your lips to God’s ears, and I hope he’s not listening.You’re going to regret those words one cold, cold, lonely night.Thank goodness I’m here to save you from yourself.”
“Yes, what would I do without you?O wise one with wisdom beyond her years,” I drawl sarcastically.“Tell me, how are things working out with Chris?Is the date set for the wedding day?”
“Never mind, smart ass.”She rolls her eyes at me and I smile.“Just git yourself into that dressing room and try these on.”She shoves the dresses into my hand with a little more force than is necessary and smiles sweetly.She’ll forgive me.
I try on eight dresses and we both agree it’s a disaster, one after the other.One made me look like Little Bo Peep selling my goods.The red sequined one did make me look like a disco ball; you could spot me from two miles down.The next one I tried on was a pink frothy thing with way too much going on.I don’t know why I stepped out of the dressing room.
