I sigh. It isn't that I don’t want to go to the party, it’s that I don’t like being invited because of a man. But I am Gabriel’s wife, and I will need to find my own way into this society without being dependent on him. I need to find my own path.
“What colors do you wear?” Clara asks. “No, don’t answer that. I have a sense of what you will say.”
I chuckle. “Oh, yeah. And what’s that?”
“Black.”
“I do wear other colors,” I argue.
“Sure you do. Fifty shades of black.” She laughs. “How about this?” She pulls a black, strapless dress from the rack.
“How long is the split?”
She looks at the dress and then at me. “Are you serious?
I cross my arms in front of me and raise my eyebrows. “So, let me get this straight. I’m now buying a dress?”
“Yes. You need a dress, and since you're here, why not get one?”
I shrug. “You're right. At least now I know there’s a party.” I turn toward the rack of dresses and pull one out before I look at Clara. “At least I know you can get me in if my husband decides I will not be attending.”
She laughs. “You mean like the other day? Sure I will.”
“Perfect,” I say as I look at the breathtaking dress.
“Why did I know you would choose that?” Clara chuckles from behind me.
“Because it’s black?”
“No. It just screams chaos.”
I laugh. “A little chaos can’t hurt anybody. Besides, elegance is just chaos on heels. I read that somewhere.”
“I’m sure you did.”
“I want to try it on.”
“Sure. Let’s go. I’ll help you, and you can help me.”
I follow her into the changing room, smiling when I realize how my heart skips a beat from the prosperity in front of me. The ability to go and shop like a normal girl with her friends.
With a smile, I change into the dress that I know not many will approve of, but the new me doesn’t care.
“This dress is too short,” Clara complains, and I smile. I know. But she will look beautiful in it.
“Let me see.” I peek from the curtains and, instead of Clara, my eyes catch a man who looks out of place in this fancy store. I saw that man just before I entered here and when I left the house. I thought it was a coincidence, but it sure doesn’t look like one now.
I turn toward Clara, who looks amazing, but not confident enough in the dress.
“Why do I feel this is too much?” She looks down at her feet.
“It isn’t. You look amazing. This dress looks like it was made just for you.” I take a step toward her and take her hand. “Spin for me.”
She exhales and turns around. I pull her in front of the mirror, not to fix her dress, but to make my next words have more effect.
“You look amazing, and this dress is going to mark your success. You will wear it with the knowledge that you’re rocking it.” My eyes hold hers in the mirror. “Do you want this dress?”
“Yes!”
