Page 13 of All of You

“Well, in that case, Delia, if you’re looking for an after-school job, let me know. I’ve been looking for someone to pick up some afternoon hours so I can pop out and run errands.”

“Really?” I ask. The woman nods. “That would be amazing,”

She claps her hands together. “Then it’s settled. When can you start?

“Anytime,” I say.

“Does Thursday work for you?” she asks.

I glance at Mom. “Sound good to you?” I ask her.

Mom smiles warmly. “Of course. What trouble could you possibly get into at a plant shop?”

The woman cackles, causing Mom and I to both startle. “If she reads the signs, I can assure you she won’t die.”

“Hey!” A deep voice booms from the back. “Where do I put this?”

“Sorry ladies, I’m being summoned. Delia, I will see you in a couple days. Happy shopping!” The woman sort of toddles, wild hair and all, through the back of the shop and out of sight, and when we’re sure she’s out of earshot, Mom snickers, quickly covering her giggle with the back of her hand.

“Sorry,” she murmurs, pressing her smiling lips together in a poor attempt to smother her laugh. “This will be an entertaining job for sure,” she says.

***

I have the posture of an old couch as I watch Mom get ready for dinner. “Why are we dressing up again?”

“Heath said dinner tonight at six and to look presentable. That’s all I know.”

“Well, I think you look fine. Stop caking on the mascara, it’s not a date. It’s dinner with your dad.”

“Ugh, you’re right,” she moans. I hand her a makeup-removing wipe, which she snatches from my fingertips and furiously begins to scrub her face.

“You know, you could wear some mascara. Your lashes are so long, it’d look beautiful on you,” she says, hopeful.

I flop back onto the bed with a grunt. “I’m fine.”

She raises a brow at me. “How I raised a kid who doesn’t love makeup like I do is beyond me. Just let me put a little on.” She approaches me as if I’m some skittish animal.

“Mom!” I squeak as I back up on the bed until my back ispressed against the wall. “Stop.”

“Nope. Tonight you’re letting me put mascara on you.”

I swat at her hand laughing. “No. Thank. You!”

“Give it up Delia, your eyelashes are mine now,” she says and swoops in toward my eye. I groan but let her coat my lashes in black. When she’s finished she sits back and admires me. “Look at that. Stunning.”

“Way to pat yourself on the back,” I say, scooting off the bed and straightening my skirt. It’s my favorite hot weather piece. Ankle length, elephant print in emerald green and white, with an elastic waist and a slit up one thigh. It lets a breeze in without being slutty looking and it is super comfortable and lightweight. Paired with a plain white tank and my flip-flops, I feel most like myself.

Mom tucks a rogue wildflower behind my ear as we walk to the house. “I hope there’s dessert again.”

“You already had ice cream today!” Mom laughs.

I wrinkle my nose and stick out my tongue at her. “There’s never enough dessert in my book.” As we round the house I notice two cars in the driveway instead of one.

“Is someone else coming for dinner?” I ask Mom. She stares at the car and shivers despite the evening heat. “Mom? You okay?”

Shaking her head she snaps out of it and looks at me. “I’m fine. I don’t know. Let’s go see.”

Heath cut off whole apple blossom branches and brought them inside the house. A floating fragrance now decorates the dining room table. There’s a lot of noise coming from the kitchen as we pass through the dining room.

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