“You can wear my nun outfit from when I was inThe Sound of Music,”says Frankie.
“If I actually thought it would work, I’d wear it.”
Jane waves her hand. “Stop it. You don’t have to wear a nun outfit. One of your summer dresses is perfectly fine. She’s not a fan of jeans.”
“Neither am I. So, at least we have that in common.”
Jane smiles and pulls me up from the couch. “Come, I’ll help you pick something out.”
*
Driving into the Mill parking lot, I realize there aren’t any free spots left. Jane told me they had to move the ‘Welcome Home’ party to the Mill after several people requested an invite. Not only did the neighbors want to come but the whole town wanted to celebrate Casey’s homecoming. Nearly everyone’s forgotten this is Casey’s dad’s homecoming, too.
“Isn’t that the doctor and his wife from Bomanville? What are they doing here?” asks Frankie.
“I’m not sure. That’s at least a thirty-minute drive from here.”
As we walk up the cement steps to the front of the Mill, there are several new faces I don’t recognize. “I think word of Casey’s party has spread beyond the Falls.”
“I bet Mrs. Green is behind this. She has a sister in Bomanville. There’s no way she didn’t tell her about the party. Probably was bragging about it, too.”
I nod, agreeing that the word must have gone out through Mrs. Green.
Frankie smiles. “Well, this party is looking up. Hopefully we can meet new and eligible men.”
Frankie’s red heels click on the pavement. She’s paired them with tight jeans and a white blouse.
My sandals don’t make a sound as I walk through the front doors of the Mill, but there’s a small woosh in my long floral dress as the door opens.
“Your hair looks gorgeous tonight,” says Frankie. “I love it when you leave it loose like that.”
“I had time to properly break the gel cast from my curls and give them some bounce. It usually takes too long for my hair to dry so I just braid it and hope for the best.”
“Well, the curls are bouncing, and so are the girls,” she giggles.
“What? No. I wore a bra tonight.”
“You sure did. A lace one.”
“You can see it?”
She nods.
“Jane assured me that she couldn’t see it.”
Frankie shrugs. “Maybe under your bedroom lamp but this fluorescent lighting is unforgiving.”
“Ah, shit.”
We walk through the small foyer and into the Great Hall. This used to be where the original mill work was done before high-tech machines were brought in. Mr. Wentworth built an extension to facilitate the machines but never tore down this part. Instead, he restored it to look like a ballroom from the1800s. It hosts many weddings and large events each year, but never a homecoming. Not until Casey’s.
Everyone I’ve ever met in Cedar Brook Falls is here tonight. Even Mr. Robinson, and he hates all public gatherings, at least he tells us so every chance he gets.
I spot Casey across the room. He’s talking to a group of men including Austin, Dean, and Billy. Our eyes meet and my stomach tumbles. He says something to the group and then walks over towards me. Everyone around us disappears and it’s just Casey walking in slow motion, wearing a thin black jacket, white shirt, and jeans. With his broad shoulders and straight posture, he looks like a character out of a superhero movie. I swallow past a dry mouth when he finally reaches me.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey.”
