India’s smile is genuine and satisfied as she looks in the mirror once more. “We’re done,” she says. “We’re definitely done.”
As the dateauction grows closer, so does my sense of dread—and it’s not because we’re unprepared.
Our numbers have turned out well; we haven’t sold out completely, but close. Even participation in the auction has increased. Everything is good to go with our vendors, we’re keeping an eye on the weather for the day of the event, and we’re coming in on budget.
It’s just that every time I close my eyes, I see myself standing on a stage, surrounded by total silence as I stare into a crowd of people, waiting for someone to want me enough to spend money on me.
When I shake my head and reassure myself that won’t happen, the alternative floods in instead: myself on stage being bid on by a bunch of random guys I’m not interested in. Being forced to go on a date with one of them.
“You still have a few days left to mentally prepare,” I tell myself as I sit at my desk at work. “You could prepare for anything in that time. A stupid date auction will be easy peasy.”
But it doesn’t feel easy peasy.
My eyes dart around the office as I debate, chewing on my lip. Mindy flits past looking very chic and adorable, as per usual, and I give her a nod, because I should. It’s enough to direct my eyes back to my computer screen, though, which I stare blankly at for thirty more seconds.
Then, finally, I pull out my phone and send a text to Juliet.
Me
I think I might go back to that dress shop and buy the red dress to wear to the stupid date auction.
Jules
YES GOOD
you would be such a babe in that!!!
Me
It’s been several days. Do you think it’s still there?
If they even have my size
Jules
I’m sure it is!!
let’s go when you get home!!!
Me
Alternate proposal so I don’t have to drive from work all the way to Lucky and then all the way back to Boulder: just meet me at my office at five. Bring Indy.
JULes
She’s with Felix but I still want to go!!
ME
See you then.
Because Juliet does nothing by halves, she gives my text a thumbs up, a heart, and a smiley face. I shake my head and put my phone down, feeling a bit more encouraged.
Thankfully the dress wasn’t horribly expensive, or I wouldn’t be able to justify buying it at all. And realistically, I could get by without it.
But no matter how much I try to banish the images from my mind, I keep seeing myself up on the stage in the Lucky town square, feeling absolutely humiliated.
A great dress would help.
