Every Girl Gets Confused by Janice Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

already.” Her eyes flooded with tears. She pressed the chiffon down with her wrinkled hands, then looked at Alva. “What do you think, sister? And be honest.”
    Alva’s own eyes filled with tears. She stood next to Queenie, the two of them gazing into their reflections in the mirror, and tried to force out a few words. “I . . . I . . .” She swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “I think you’re lovely.”
    â€œLovely?” Queenie snorted. “Now there’s a word rarely used to describe me. Hardheaded, sure. Tough as nails, clearly. But, lovely?”
    Alva put her hand on her sister’s arm. “Oh, but you are, Queenie, and that dress is perfect for the wedding.”
    â€œRemind me again why I’m not running away to elope?” My grandmother looked at her reflection in the mirror, and I could read the concern in her eyes. “I was married for fifty years. I don’t need a big, fancy wedding. People will think I’m being selfish.”
    â€œS-selfish?” Alva sputtered. “Girl, this relationship with Paul is a new beginning, and this is just the dress to take youthere. Every woman deserves that.” She slapped Queenie on the backside. “Now stop carrying on like that.”
    â€œGood gravy.” My grandmother swished her skirt as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. “If you say so.”
    â€œI say so.” The two sisters gazed in the mirror together. In that moment, I saw just how alike they were. Same basic height. Same body shape. Similar skin tone. These sisters were two peas in a pod.
    Twiggy interrupted the moment. “Queenie, if you’ve got your heart set on this blue one, we’ll get Hibiscus started on the alterations. If you change your mind about the color, we have this same dress in a beautiful shade of eggshell.”
    â€œIt’s not really eggshell,” Madge reminded her. “More like buff.”
    Queenie cleared her throat as she turned her back on the mirror. “Speaking of buff, that reminds me that I’m absolutely dreading the wedding night.”
    A collective gasp went up from all in attendance. Well, all but Twiggy, who released a nervous laugh.
    â€œFor pity’s sake, why?” Alva put her hands on her hips and stared at her sister. “Like you said, you were married for fifty years. It’s not like playing the piano. You don’t forget.”
    â€œYes, but my sweet husband watched this old body of mine disintegrate slowly, over time. Paul is going to see it—all of it, in its glory—for the first time. Ever.” Queenie shuddered. “Horrifying thought.”
    Yes, it was a horrifying thought just to imagine my grandmother in a negligee. No doubt with her titanium knee and arthritic hips, the honeymoon night could prove to be problematic, but I’d never ask about it. Never. Ever.
    As she talked about her hubby-to-be with such an affectionate expression on her face, I couldn’t help but think that theirgolden years would be filled with amazing opportunities to find comfort, love, and joy.
    Off in the distance Brady passed by. I hoped he would look our way, chime in about how lovely Queenie looked.
    But he didn’t.
    He kept moving slowly toward the front of the store, a somber expression on his face. I could almost read his troubling thoughts: Surgery. Again. Basketball career over.
    It’s just a season , I reminded myself. One that would end soon.
    I hoped.
    In the meantime, I’d better stay focused on the bride-to-be. With a forced smile I turned back to my grandmother, ready to brave the alterations department.

6 N o Two People
    Doris Day was such a big movie and TV star, people overlooked her singing. The proof is in the package. She’s one of the best singers there ever was.
    Margaret Whiting
    T hings at Cosmopolitan Bridal continued to intensify over the next twenty-four hours, especially