Jordy squared her shoulders with renewed purpose, tilted her chin back up high. And as she stuck her hands into her vest — which surprisingly Puma had not asked for her to turn over also — she felt the hard edges of something…..somethings, plural, that made her smile.
At last something was still going her way.
She had only given the metal keys back to Puma. Not the card keys, that granted her access to everything with electronic locks.
Jordy still had the keys to the kingdom.
* * *
Lily was helping Alfonso and two other 8 year olds with the comic book they were designing as a group, when Rika came into the Staff Childcare Center. The HR Director was carrying a large shopping bag that bore the name of one of Gardendale’s more fashionable stores. Or at least that’s what TraceyAnn observed. Loudly.
“Been shopping?” TraceyAnn asked Rika, and the HR Director beamed.
“Yes, but this is the kind of errand that I like, so I made sure to do it personally.” She gestured at Lily. “Simon asked me to purchase a dress and shoes to go with it, for your special event tonight.”
“Special event?” TraceyAnn sniffed information to be had, so she made a beeline over to where Rika was now standing next to Lily.
Lily blushed. Somehow asking Miller to take care of the twins, so she could go straight from the Center into meeting Col for their date, had turned into a larger production. Yet another sign of Simon’s thoughtfulness and generosity. TraceyAnn was still expecting an answer, so Lily chose her words carefully.
“I’m having dinner with one of the guys that Simon’s hired me to work with. He needs more experience with fine dining, smooth the rough edges.”
Rika nodded with approval at Lily’s tact. Lily’s blush deepened at what else Simon might have told Rika.
“Oh, is it with Aylwyn?” TraceyAnn was still giddy over how Aylwyn had kissed her hand.
“No, it isn’t.” Lily said, and before TraceyAnn could pry further, Rika smoothly interrupted.
“I hope you like the dress I picked out!”
“Oh yes, I can’t wait to see it!” Lily was in awe as Rika carefully pulled out from the tissue wrapping the most beautiful dress that she had ever seen. It was an ombre silk concoction in shades of red and orange cut on the bias, flowing like liquid heat when Rika held it up by its two thin straps.
“It’s gorgeous.” Lily breathed, and she looked at Rika, her eyes shining brightly. “Thank you so much for this.”
“I figured that color would work with your complexion and coloring,” Rika said. “I used the measurements you have on file with the costume department.”
Lily held it against herself, wishing that there was a full length mirror.
“The shoes are flat mules that you’ll be able to wear every day if you choose.” Rika said, and she revealed the shoes that she had picked out.
They were exactly what Lily would have chosen for herself, if she could afford it. And she understood what Rika was saying. This dress and pair of shoes were hers to keep. As was everything else that had been purchased for her back at the house. Simon’s generosity was seemingly limitless.
At that moment the door to the Center opened, and Lily was surprised to see Jordy walk in. She smiled at her former roommate, hoping that Jordy wasn’t just here to fix an Ops problem. The girl’s eyes flicked up and down over the group of three women, and the dress that Lily was holding up.
TraceyAnn’s bellow-like voice boomed. “You’d have to wear that with something strapless, and maybe thongs too to avoid the VPL.”
“VPL?”
“Visible Panty Line,” TraceyAnn explained, without lowering even a decibel, and Alfonso and the two other eight year olds who were nearby giggled.
Lily’s cheeks reddened the same shade as the deepest hue of the dress.
”Oh! I knew I forgot to get something!” Rika exclaimed.
TraceyAnn nodded smugly. “Can’t wear something like that with everyday underwear.”
Rika looked apologetically at Lily. “I’m so sorry. I won’t be able to go back into town. Would you mind terribly stopping by a specialty store before your dinner date? I’ll call ahead, and make sure that it’s all credited to Simon’s account. He’s footing the bill for anything you need, so—” She winked at Lily. “ Knock yourself out. I know for a fact that he’ll be happy if you did.”
Jordy quickly interjected, “I’ll be happy to take you to the store—which one is it?”
