Did they mean buy? The celebrations store at the mall had some jokey sweatshirts that said stuff like 'Professional Wrapper' with pictures of bows instead of microphones. Santa-esque aprons weren’t out of the question. Or even reindeer headbands. But Mom would normally call that stuff a waste and throw it into a donation pile the second the holiday was over.
Nothing could have prepared me for the outfit laid out on my aunt’s bed. The skirt was flowy and cute, almost like a bunch of scrunched-up flower petals. The main section of the dress was a modified leotard–the center portion covered by a tasteful, brightly-patterned corset.
Mom watched me intently, and Aunt Coral smacked my arm. “Do you like it?” she asked.
“It’s gorgeous. Did you make it?” As talented as my family was, there was no way they hand-constructed something so intricate for one holiday party.
“Parts of it. We also thrifted, calling around to different churches and theaters until we happened upon the base. No one knew what to do with it, so your mom suggested we modify it for your parties," she said.
I traced the silk and tulle, my veins thrumming with stunned excitement. “It’s…for me?”
Mom smoothed Aunt Coral’s bedspread. “You said you wanted to start your business. If you buy a nice hair piece and invest in good accessories, it might give you professional energy. Like your peppermint stockings.”
Laughing, I picked up the dress and spun around as if the whole thing was a ribbon to wrap me up in magnificence. “Oh my gosh, I’m the Sugarplum Princess.”
Aunt Coral beamed. “If you want to be a character year-round, you can change your accessories to fit the party theme.”
“This is amazing.” I hugged Mom, then Aunt Coral. “Thank you. This means so much to me.”
“Try it on,” Mom insisted. “We might still have time to stop by the hospital if we hurry.”
“Tonight?” I hesitated. “The outfit is gorgeous, but it is agift, right? No strings attached?”
“What do you mean? You said you wanted to visit the children’s hospital,” she said.
“I plan to. But I want to decide when, where, and how I do this. Same with my business.” Lowering the outfit, I let out a shaky breath. This was so beautiful. But I couldn’t live by their standards of service. This was a business. A passion. I couldn’t let anyone else dictate what I did with it.
Aunt Coral wrapped her arm around my mom’s tense frame. “That’s fine, Shelby. We made it for you. Use it however you wish. Mod it, sell it, leave it in your closet. Just take us out for lunch one day with your big profits.”
Oh, thank goodness she wasn’t upset. But Mom had worry lines all around her face. I shifted my weight. “Mom, does that sound okay?”
She looked from me to my aunt and back again.No. She didn’t need to say it.
Sighing, I moved towards the bathroom to change. “It’s fine. I’ll wear it tonight to hand off presents and donate–”
“No.” Mom set her shoulders back. “It’s yours. Do what you want to, Shelby.”
Swallowing around a lump of gratitude in my throat, I smiled. “I will, thanks.”
She held up her hand. “I trust you, but if it doesn’t work out–”
“School is always an option. I know.” That was her dream. For now, I was going to chase mine.
I reached for silk and tulle, ready for my transformation. The outfit fit like a glove, flaring and clinching in all the right places. The fabric breathed. I could sweat in it without everything clinging or staining. Smiling, I spun around. With a few accessories, this could tease out a professional, magical, boss version of me, a party princess worth hiring and embodying.
“Okay, I’m ready,” I said, stomping my foot and posing.
My socks may not have jingled, but Harvey zeroed in on me the second I walked in. He straightened his spine and stood, his lips slightly parted, his eyes wide and dark. “Hey.”
"Hey." I grinned and grabbed an armful of presents from under the tree. “Merry Christmas, everybody. Sugarplum is back out of retirement, as of today. Now, let’s get those gifts and celebrate." I
42
Magic
Somehow, I had to sneak Harvey out of my aunt’s house. Once my family was mostly in another room, I made my move. “It’s time for your gift,” I whispered, taking Harvey’s hand. His cheeks flushed and he nodded. Making sure my family was distracted, I left my bell-boots by the door and led my boyfriend outside.
My toes curled from the cold. Still, I hobbled through the snow.
