“Why did you cut your hair when you havewanted it long since I can remember?”
“It was time for a change. I wanted itand I like it.” It’s not like I can spontaneously grow it back. Jeez, if Ithought I could, I’d glue it back on.
“Change is good.” Olivia pipes in.
“What do you mean, change?” My mother’snot giving up on this, grrr.
“I mean, I went to the spa and said I’dlike a haircut and the guy cut a couple inches off and put in a few layers,nothing big or drastic. It gives my hair more body, and the curl holds better.”What does she want me to say: That Olivia attacked me because she thought I wasblackmailing her with pictures of Kit. That we fought like cats and then shegrabbed a pair of scissors and managed to cut my hair?
If it’s not one thing, it’s another. “Iguess it’s a no on the dress.” I get off the pedestal and stomp back to thedressing room. I sit down, putting my head in my hands. I will not cry, I willnot cry. I look up at Becca. “Any other ideas?”
“Yes, how about this one?”
CHAPTEREIGHT
“It’s strapless.”
“Yes, but we can have alterations done onit.”
“The ceremony is in two weeks.”
“Anything is doable.” I nod, yeah for aprice. I haven’t even thought about how much these dresses cost. Yikes. “Untilthen, we will use this—it’s a sheer lace jacket.” Becca helps me put it on andthen escorts me out into the foyer.
“Oh, that’s so beautiful.” My mom walksover to me.
“You like this?”
“Yes, it’s got the corset and the rosesalong the skirt are beautiful.”
“I assured Kate that we can add sleevesin time for the ceremony.”
“This is the one Katie.” My mom beams.
“What do you think, Laura?” I ask.
“It really is pretty perfect; I like itwith the lace jacket, or even sleeveless.”
“Annie?”
I glance at Annie, who has tears in hereyes, and she comes up and hugs me. “I love it. You look so beautiful.”
I look at myself in the mirror. “Wow,okay—I,”
“Katie,” My mom stammers. “This is theone, yes?”
I look at Becca, “I think this is theone.”
“Now, the only question is, how much doesit cost?” My mom’s still beaming.
“This is a Jenny Lee dress and becauseit’s last year’s model, it’s on sale for fifteen five.”
The room goes eerily quiet.“Fifteen—five?” my mother stutters.
Becca can see this isn’t what my motherexpected. “Um, yes, fifteen thousand, five hundred dollars.”
“Holy shit.” Jill scoffs, “in yourdreams, Katie.”
The color leaves my mother’s face.
