“Why are you awake? Did you have a bad dream? What is all this?” she asked.
“It’s an absolute mess is what it is,” I told her. “Based upon what was said, my instincts suggest that this salmon shade is my color, but the lavender is new, and the lavender is also very feminine. Do we think he likes feminine?”
“Dowelike feminine?” she asked.
“I don’t know, do we?”
She hesitated a moment and then went to it, running her hand along the ends. “I like it more than the orange,” she said.
“For me or in general?” I asked.
She shook her head. “In general, I guess?”
“Because I’m not able to convey feminine, or?”
“No, of course not,” she said. “I just like the edging here. I think it’s lovely.”
“But not on me?”
“No, I’m sure it’s lovely on you. I just meant…”
“I’m nervous,” I said.
“About the day?”
“But the dress? You like it?” I asked.
“Yes. It’s very nice.”
“Grand, then you can have it, and I’ll keep the one that you hate. Which is fine by me, because I actually prefer it.”
“What?”
“The dress, Josie. I like the orange,” I said, motioning to hers. “Your repugnance of it is just the clarity I needed. Do you need help with the back?”
“I… I don’t hate your dress, nor can I accept the other!” she said.
“Right,” I told her, nodding. “But it’s not my dress, is it? I just gave it to you.”
She paused. “AmIasleep?” Then she looked around, confused.
“No, Jocelyn. We’re going out today,” I said. “Did you forget?”
“No. I remember, but…”
“But what?” I asked.
“I can’t… I’m fine to wear what I’m wearing, Miss.”
I looked over her choice.
“What?” she asked.
“Are you sure?”
Josie frowned. “What do you mean, am I sure? I like this dress.”
“More than my cousin?”
