Chapter 16. Juniper
Juniper
SONG OF THE DAY:
“Warm in December” by Samara Joy
Stella’s is one of those department stores
I wouldn’t normally set foot in
the first floor lined with glassy countertops
lipstick and skin-care displays
poster ads featuring gaunt celebrities
spritzing themselves dramatically
with some high-end scent.
Almost as old as Macy’s
only a local Michigan chain
it’s hard to imagine anyone but
Midwestern beauty queens and old white ladies
shopping at Stella’s.
But here I am
noon as promised
hair tucked into a beanie
wearing joggers a cream flannel
and high-top Chucks
waiting by the handbags
for Lyric.
At least they are playing
Samara Joy’s “Warm in December.”
I love this song.
I start to hum along.
Can I help you with something?
an angular, youngish white woman
with overlined lips
and a slick Kardashian-esque high bun asks.
Her eyes flutter over me
with disdain
and I know she’s decided
I don’t belong.
No thank you.
I’m just waiting
for a friend.
Mmkay. Well
my name is Hollis
if you need anything …
Thanks.
I know she doesn’t mean it.
I’ll let you know.
Hollis gives me a little nod
and finds a nearby display table
to hover over her eyes
sharp on my back
as she unfolds and refolds
the same sweater.
I move calmly into
the shoe section
even though I suddenly feel
overheated and uncomfy.
It’s not the first time
I’ve been followed in a store
and it won’t be the last.
Where the hell is Lyric?!
This place is suffocating.
I check my phone.
It’s 12:15 p.m.
I send a hurried text:
I’m here. Where are you?
Lyric: Sorry!
Running behind.
Go to the 2nd floor
and ask for Robbie.
Give them my name.
Be there as soon as I can.
I sigh
and find my way
to the escalators
Hollis close behind.
When I get to the second floor
I turn abruptly.
Hi again.
I force a saccharine smile
as Hollis narrowly misses
colliding with my face.
Do you know where I can find
a colleague of yours—
goes by the name of Robbie?
She frowns
but gives a short wave toward
a corner of the store
bursting with metallics
tulle and silk.
Thank you, I say,
I’ve got it from here.
I walk over fast
and ring a small bell
on the counter.
Hello, Robbie?
Then, like Houdini
a petite white person with long, baby-pink hair
a septum ring
wearing a mint button-down onesie
with octopuses on it
and heeled cream boots
pops their head out
from a nearby rack.
That’d be me,
they say warmly
coming over with
an outstretched hand.
Robbie Meade.
Hi, I’m Juniper.
Lyric sent me—
So, THIS is Juniper Jones
in the flesh,
Robbie interrupts.
You’re even cuter
in person.
My ears blaze with heat.
Uh—OK.
Don’t mind me.
Robbie laughs.
I’m taken. And despite
my youthful style
much too old for you.
But I will just say this—
I’m so glad Lyric has found
someone so special.
You really are adorable together.
I didn’t realize we’d be
pretending to date
during this outing.
Just another thing
Lyric kept to herself.
Thanks … we, uh …
Lyric is great.
How do you know her?
Hey, sweetie!
Lyric is all at once
at my side
and she brushes my cheek
with a light kiss
that sends a current
of electricity up my spine.
Robbie, she says, used to work
at one of my favorite
thrift stores downtown
and is an expert stylist—
now THE head stylist
for the teen department
here at Stella’s.
Robbie does a little twirl
and gives a small bow:
That’s me! Your slightly chaotic
always charming fairy godparent
stylist by day
drag queen by night
and I’m very fucking good
at creating a lewk!
We’re not supposed to curse,
Hollis, who for some reason
is still hovering, hisses at Robbie.
Hollis, dear. Don’t be a terror.
It’s not becoming of you,
Robbie says
leading me and Lyric
to a small but semiprivate sitting area
with a single dressing room
and wall-to-wall mirrors.
Don’t you have some panties
to fold in the granny panty department?
Please, go, do something. Anything else
than harass our customers.
I snort, because
Hollis’s face
has turned beet red
as she spins around on her kitten heel
and finally stomps away.
I do apologize for her,
Robbie sighs.
Nepo baby hires
just have no
sense of decorum.
If she wasn’t the owner’s niece
I’d fire her myself.
Now, my darlings.
What’s the theme? The vibe?
The story you want to tell
through fashion
on your wintry night of magic?
I look at Lyric
because—what—a vibe?
A story? I am lost.
I do most of my shopping
online or at stores
that also carry carabiners
pocketknives
and hiking gear.
Gold and black,
Lyric says instantly.
I’m going for a vintage
Hollywood vibe
with a modern twist.
And for Juniper here
I was thinking
an oversized blazer
black suit pants
and some fire wingtip shoes—
Yes! Oh, yes!
Robbie nods
as they begin running around
pulling pieces off racks
and hanging them in the
little room with us.
This new line has so many things
that I think could work.
Lyric—
Lyric!
The next time Robbie
leaves the sitting area
I lean over and grab
her hand
until her eyes meet mine.
Why does Robbie think
this is real?!
Lyric shrugs.
Look—she says hurriedly.
Robbie is good people.
It was their idea
for Stella’s to sponsor us
for some content.
They’re trying to help the store
appeal to a younger
more relevant clientele.
They follow me on BeautyStarz
and they’re really excited about
us as a couple
doing this promotion.
I couldn’t break it to them
about our little arrangement.
So, just play along, OK?
It’s free clothes
and we get to help Robbie out.
Win-win.
Except—I DIDN’T KNOW!
You have to clue me in
on these kinds of things,
I whisper-yell at her
as we watch Robbie make their way
back to us with more items.
Sorry! Lyric whispers,
leaning in close.
I just got—carried away.
Please, just play it cool.
We can do this.
Awww! You two are just
too stinking cute.
Whispering away like a couple
of lovebirds.
This glow looks good on you, mama—
Robbie says
pointing to Lyric.
Don’t let this one go.
I don’t plan to,
Lyric says
putting her hand
on my thigh
and smiling at me
with heart eyes.
Damn it. Why is she so annoying
and hot!
my head screams.
I match her smile lean in
and boop our noses together.
You’re the best, babe,
I say, the literal best.
Melt my heart, why don’t you.
Robbie claps. I love LAUV!
OK, but now we need to focus.
Do any of these clothing options
speak to you?
Make your soul sing?
Let’s get you both snatched and looking fab
for this dance.