“I’ll make a note of it,” Marla says.
Robyn disappears behind the curtain to change.
Marla brings two dresses for me to try on. One is in a champagne color. She also suggested a soft green, saying it would be good for my skin tone.
I take the green one first and go into the open change room on the right.
I take off my clothes, trying not to look at myself in the harsh light. What is it about these places and the lighting?
I know it’s a bad idea roughly halfway through pulling it on. The silky material isn’t very flattering. It’s too tight and too shiny, showing off every lump and bump. The bodice does not meet in the way it’s supposed to. My breasts have plans of their own. I’m sure there’s escape involved because they’re trying really hard.
By the time I get the thing zipped, which takes a valiant effort, I have made peace with the fact that this dress and I are incompatible.
I look in the changing room mirror. The fabric pulls at my ribs and drapes in a way that does absolutely nothing for my middle. I look like a green sausage.
I wish I hadn’t been so careless with my eating habits.
“Carla.” Robyn’s voice comes from the other side of the curtain.
I look at myself again. Nope.
“Carla, come out.”
“I look terrible,” I deadpan.
“Let me be the judge of that.”
“No!” I bark.
“Yes,” she insists.
“You’re going to laugh.”
“I would never.”
I tug the curtain open with the energy of someone who has accepted their fate.
Robyn’s expression does not change at all.
“Not a word,” I warn.
“I wasn’t going to?—”
“I look terrible!”
“It’s the cut,” she says diplomatically. “It isn’t for every body type. This is entirely a dress problem, not ayouproblem.”
I laugh. “You’re a liar.”
“I’m not.” Her eyes widen a little. “Since when did you have such big boobs?”
“I have put on weight everywhere, including my chest area. You should see my ass.”
She laughs. “You’re being dramatic.”
“I’ve been dieting all week. I went to the gym every lunch break this whole week as well, and I’ve only lost one measly pound.” I hold up a finger. “I gave up alcohol. Not that I drink much, but still. I’ve given up chocolate too. I’m watching my macros like a hawk and don’t have much to show for it. I’m in a calorie deficit.”
“One pound is actually great,” Robyn says. “I mean it. Losing weight slowly is the right way to do it. You’ll keep it off that way. You should allow yourself a cheat day every few weeks.”
