Chapter 46
Lexie
“Oh, Cy. It was the most amazing night. Ken was so charming and sweet. I think you’d really like him. After the whole embarrassing scene with Gabriel, Ken swooped in and saved the day.” I carefully pull Sheila’s green dress off and hang it on a padded hanger. It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. I thought my green dress from Maybelle’s was gorgeous, but it’s nothing compared to this. It’s not just vintage Balenciaga. It’s the real deal––like Sheila bought it in the 1950s.
Her dress has a deep green underdress in crepe with a sweetheart neckline and an A-line skirt that starts at the natural waist. That part of the dress is very simple. It’s the tulle overlay that is the amazing part. The sheer green bodice covers the under dress all the way up to my neck and extends out into cap sleeves. Both the collar and sleeve are adorned with tiny embroidered flowers of the same deep green.
There are two layers of tulle on the skirt that makes it flowy and ethereal. The same embroidered flowers are on the inner layer of tulle, and deep green three-dimensional flowers are tacked all over the skirt. It’s gorgeous, sophisticated and playful at the same time. The other part that amazed me about the dress was how perfectly it fit. Sheila and I are the same size and height. Heck, even her shoes fit. I wore the matching green satin pumps that she must have worn.
In the end, Ken was pleased as punch to have me wearing her dress. I promised I’d get it cleaned and returned to him as soon as possible. And I will. When we have dinner next month. “He’s taking me to his favorite restaurant, Cy.” Cy squawks. “I told him I didn’t like super fancy food.” I walk over to his cage and whisper, “I’m so excited that I made such a wonderful friend tonight, Cy. I think you’d really like him and he’s like you.”
With the dress hanging on my door so I can look at it for a while longer, I wash my face and prepare for bed. Tomorrow is Sunday, and it’s sure to be a hectic day. Hungry, I know there’s nothing in my fridge, so I splurge and order Thai food from the restaurant around the corner. They will deliver, no matter the time of night. Calling my order of Pad Thai, I wrap myself up in my quilt and wait for my food. Dozing on the sofa, I almost miss the knock. I quickly jump up grabbing the cash to pay for my food. I can taste the yummy goodness already.
“Just a second.” I unlock the deadbolt and unlatch the chain. I accidentally drop my loose change onto the floor. Reaching down to pick it up, I’m momentarily distracted. While bending down, I see patent leather covered feet and the cuffs of black dress slacks. My eyes follow them up until I see his face. Standing up quickly, I snap, “Gabriel? What the heck are you doing here?”
