Maybe she’d come with me if it wasn’t the very place she’s been avoiding for ten years. I can’t truly imagine what Ev feels when she thinks about our hometown. I know it can’t be the same warm, glowing, safe nostalgia that I feel. I imagine it’s more like disappointment. Betrayal, even. The people who made you, supposed to love you, abandoning you.
Even still, she must not want to be home alone for Christmas. If we went to my parents’ together, we could hibernate. She’d not have to see or do anything she didn’t want to. We could just be together. There’s no harm in asking… right? I wouldn’t want her to not have the choice, or feel welcome. I’ll ask her. After tonight, though. One thing at a time.
“Ready?” Evan calls out from the living room as I finish touching up my makeup in front of the bathroom mirror.
“Ready,” I call back, opening the door and giving her a small turn. My black dress, with a tattered tutu-style bottom, flounces as I do. Evan’s eyes bulge and I watch her lips quirk into a giddy smile as she takes me in.
“You look adorable.”
“What? No!” I drop my shoulders. “I was going for chic.” I study the dress, playing with the hem.
“Yes. Chic, obviously,” Evan overcorrects. “You look formidable.”
“How bad is it?” I sigh, begging her with my eyes to soften the blow.
“You lookbeautiful, Clara.”
I wince, seeing myself in her hallway’s full length mirror. “No! I look like I’m about to go sit on Santa’s knee.”
She comes up behind me and wraps her hands around my waist. She tucks her chin over my shoulder and we both look into the mirror. Evan’s wearing a vintage-style, navy dress that’s fitted on top with a silky skirt past her knees. Hot teacher vibes forsure.And way out of mydressed-like-a-toddlerleague.
“Clara, the dress is perfect. You’re perfect.”
“It’s childish.”
“It’s joyful. It’s fun. Like you.”
“The people coming to this thing will think I’m a joke.” I tilt my head into hers, pouting at my reflection.
“Let them. We know the truth. Loretta does. Next year when it’syourart and not Heather’s, they’ll see it too. I think this is my favourite dress you’ve ever worn.” She kisses my cheek and straightens, putting her hands inside her coat pocket. “And I cannotwaitto peel it off of you later.” Her eyes drift down my back slowly.
I fix my shoulders and face myself head on, the picture of confidence. “Yeah, okay.” I slide my heeled ankle boots on, let Evan help me into my coat, and kiss her as we walk out the door towards the gallery. Thank goodness I’ve got anactualdate.
_____________________________
When we arrive it’s just staff, their dates, and what I imagine are the fellow vampires Heather was spawned alongside that she calls friends. Loretta is upstairs, pacing in the conference room. Once we’ve checked our coats, grabbed a cocktail, and an appetiser or two—I leave Evan with Laurence and make my way upstairs.
Knocking on the glass door, I wait for Loretta’s signal before entering.
“Well you look precious.” She gestures to me with both hands before clasping them in front of her. “Like a little doll.”
I cringe but attempt to turn it into a smile. “Thank you, you look wonderful.” I gesture to her fitted tuxedo. “How are you doing? Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m just… waiting up here to make a grand entrance.” She rolls her eyes at herself. “My wife is downstairs, she refuses to play along with my bravado. Or miss out on an open bar.” She stares below with fondness in her eye.
I laugh, joining her at the furthest wall from the entrance that looks out over the party.
“That’s her.” She points to a woman with blazing red hair who’s wearing a near identical outfit to Loretta’s. “My Inessa.”
I watch as she slips past Evan to wrap her arm around Laurence’s shoulder. They kiss on the cheek in greeting and he introduces her to Evan, who shakes her hand.
“That’s Evan,” I say, my pride similar to Loretta’s.
“She’s stunning.” Loretta looks back towards me. “How did you two meet?”
“Childhood, actually. Our parents attended the same church.”
Loretta’s eyes flare. “Oh.”
