Page 105 of New Day at the Beach House

“Good,” Willie said. “Let me see them on you.”

As Trina went into one of the dressing rooms, Lisa returned. “Let me clear out that changing room then I’ll be back for the rest.”

“Take your time,” Willie said.

Lisa scooped up everything Willie hadn’t tried on and took it away. Willie admired the woman’s work ethic.

Roxie arrived then, arms full. “I really liked that linen suit we picked out for you. I hope you don’t mind, but I got one in my size to try on. Unless you think that’s too dressy for a wedding guest?”

“Why would I mind? I’m not buying it for me. And if that’s what you like, then it’s not too dressy. Are you thinking it’s something you could wear again?”

“Maybe. Ethan asked me the other night if I’d like to come to church with him sometime. Might be nice for that, don’t you think? Without the sequin top underneath.”

Willie nodded. “It would be very nice.”

Roxie nodded. “Yeah, I think so, too. Okay, off to see how it looks.” She went into the dressing room Lisa had just emptied.

Willie leaned back in the chair, resting her old body, and sipping on the delicious drink Trina had brought her. Lisa came back for the accessories and took them away, promising to have them all boxed and ready shortly.

Then Trina came out in a short baby-pink dress that had a pleated skirt and a smattering of rhinestones on it. “What do you think?”

“It’s pretty enough,” Willie said. “But I don’t know.” She sipped her drink. Something about the dress looked both too old and too young for Trina.

“Hang on,” Roxie called out. “I want to see.” She stepped out in the periwinkle suit with the sequin shell underneath. She looked at Willie. “Too much with the sequins? I mean, I’m not the bride.”

Trina let out a little squeal. “You look great, Ma.”

“Thanks.” Her gaze went over Trina head to toe. “You look nice. But I’m not sure that dress is you. It looks more Vegas brunch than beach wedding.”

“Yeah,” Trina said. “It’s not right, is it? No big deal, I have more.” She went back in. “Next!”

Roxie went to put on her next outfit, too.

When Trina came out again, she was in body-hugging strapless dress that stopped just below her knees. The dress was made up of fabric that looked like a million little flowers, all in shades of pink with accents of white. The centers of the flowers were small clear sequins so that the dress sparkled with every movement Trina made.

“Wow,” Willie said. “You look like a movie star.”

Trina grinned. “You like it?”

“I love it. If I had a body like yours, I’d wear that to get married in.”

Roxie came out of the dressing room again, this time in a mint-green tank dress with beading. “Oh, Trina. That might be the prettiest dress I’ve ever seen you in. You should get that. That is your dress.”

Trina nodded, biting her lip as she looked in the mirror. “It is really pretty.” She glanced back at Willie. “Maybe with some strappy high-heeled gold sandals?”

Willie nodded. “You’ll look like you just stepped out of the pages of a magazine.”

Trina laughed. “Maybe I can wear it to the grand opening of A Cut Above, too.”

“That would be perfect,” Roxie said. “Honestly, you have to buy that.”

Trina made a face. “It’s not cheap.”

“Neither am I,” Willie said, laughing at her own joke. Then she pointed at Roxie. “The suit was better.”

“Yeah, Ma,” Trina said. “That periwinkle suit was beautiful on you. Go put it back on so we can see it again.”

Roxie did that, coming out just as Lisa returned.

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