24. Twenty-Four
Val
It’s been over a week, and Chase hasn’t acted any differently toward me. Maybe I overreacted. Everything else has been going well.
At work, we’re still ahead of schedule on the new software. And my uncle appears to be leaving us alone. The closer we get to completing all the testing, the more the excitement in the department builds.
There’s also a higher level of stress the closer we get to the go-live date in case anything goes wrong. It’s like this every time we launch a new software, but it’s still hard to get used to.
This Friday night, Chase and I will be attending a charity event downtown. I vaguely remember my parents used to attend some of the bigger galas around town.
My mother-in-law and Ellen both volunteered to go shopping with me. So, I meet the women here at the Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille and then Bonnie said we could walk to the different shops.
When the women walk through the door, I wave them over.
“Were you able to find a parking spot, okay?”
“I left my car parked about a block down the road because I knew it would be hard to find parking here.”
I get up from the booth and walk to the counter with Bonnie and Ellen. After we put in our order, we get drinks and our number and sit back down.
“Val, are you excited about the Gala this weekend?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never actually gone to one of these formal events. Dressing up in heels isn’t really my thing.”
“Val, I promise you and my son will both enjoy the event.”
“I’ll let you know once it’s over,” my mother-in-law laughs at the face I make.
Once our food is served, I dig into my fish tacos.
“These are the best!”
“They do have good food here. I like their hummus.”
“Bonnie, It’s a charity auction. So, do Chase and I need to bid on something once we get to the event? I just want to know what to expect.”
“Yes, there’s going to be an auction, but there will be dinner and dancing as well. Typically, these events only feature one charity, but this time, the Gala is promoting three different charities. The speaker will have a short presentation to tell you about each of them as soon as the dinner is served.”
Bonnie stops to take a few bites of her lunch. “As for the auction, you should be able to view the pieces before the auction begins. Then, if you want something, bid, and if you don’t, that’s okay too.”
Bonnie gives me a reassuring smile, “The charities accept donations at any time, and many people donate without participating in the auction. It’s all about getting the different charities recognized. Otherwise, you’d never hear about some of these non-profits. On Friday, you can expect to see many of Jacksonville’s finest.”
“Wow, Val, you are now part of The Rich and Famous,“ Ellen teases.
“At least I’ll be rubbing elbows with people who are.”
After we’ve finished our lunch, we walk outside and down the streets of San Marco. Ellen and I don’t typically go into these shops, so I’m glad Bonnie is with us.
“This is the one. The ladies here truly know their merchandise. They have something for all body shapes and sizes. It’s a favorite dress shop of mine.”
Ellen and I walk in, and we look around. There aren’t many clothes to see. I’m a little disappointed with their selection.
A saleslady approaches, and she recognizes Bonnie. “Hi, Mrs. Knight; what can I help you find today?”
“I’m here with my daughter-in-law, Val, and her friend Ellen. Val needs something to wear to a formal charity event this weekend. Girls, this is Caroline, and she’s a wonder.”
I feel the saleslady’s eyes as she scrutinizes me. I can feel my cheeks turning red with embarrassment.
“I’m sure we’ll find something she likes.” She then turns back to me. “Val, what colors do you prefer?”
“I guess jewel tones, maybe black... and um... I like hot pink.”
“Okay, do you mind showing off your curves, or do you prefer loose-fitting items?”
“Either? I guess it depends.”
“Okay, I’ll bring a little bit of everything. What about gold or silver? Do you like flash, like sequins, or more of a plain style?”
After I’ve answered all of her questions, she smiles politely and motions another girl over.
“This is Nancy. Could you please get our guests something to drink while I pick out some clothes for Val?”
“May I get you a glass of red or white wine? We also have iced tea or hot coffee?”
After all three of us order a white wine, the younger girl shows us into a lounge so we can sit and talk while we sip our drinks.
“This is so posh! I’ve never been given wine while I wait for someone to pick out my clothes. It’s like having your own stylist.”
“Me either, Ellen. I feel so pampered.”
After less time than I thought, Caroline comes back into the room with a rack of dresses. She shows me to the dressing rooms that line the wall.
“Would you like me to assist you in the dressing room, or will your friend be helping?”
“Ellen offered to help me.”
“Please let me know if you need assistance. I’ll be waiting here when you’re ready for me to hand you the next dress. Please feel free to tell me what you like or dislike about each dress so we can find the perfect outfit for you. We have many more dresses if none of these meet your expectations.”
“Thank you, Caroline.”
I walk into the spacious dressing room, and Caroline hands Ellen the first dress on the rack.
“I hope it fits,” I mutter as Ellen slips the dress over my head. She effortlessly zips it up.
“It’s beautiful, and it fits,” I say as I turn to look at myself in the mirror.
“Val, do you mind showing me how the dresses look?” I hear my mother-in-law”s voice.
“No, Bonnie. I’ll be right out.”
Ellen opens the door, and I walk out wearing the dress.
“Very nice. You look beautiful in black. It shows off your dark hair and eyes.”
“You picked well, Caroline,” Bonnie says to the saleslady.
Caroline nods her head with a slight smile.
I look at myself in the mirror and have to agree. The dress shows off my curves and is also classy and sexy. There’s a high slit up one side all the way to mid-thigh. The skirt is full but shows off my waist and it’s a full lace sleeve on one side and off the shoulder on the other side.
“Val, you look gorgeous.”
“There are more dresses to try on if you’d like,” reminds Caroline.
Ellen and I look at each other eagerly. “Okay.”
I try on every single dress that is on the rack.
“I truly don’t know which one to choose. They are all so beautiful.”
At my comment, the saleslady said, “Val, you looked great in all of them. May I suggest that you start by weeding out just one?”
“That’s a good idea. Umm, the gold one. It has a little too much sparkle.”
Caroline moves it to the far end of the rack.
“Um, the pink one was a little too girly.”
We keep going until I’m down to two dresses.
The younger girl comes in and then goes over to the saleslady. “Caroline, I have the dress you asked me to find. It was in the back. We hadn’t put it out yet.”
“Please bring it in, if you don’t mind,” Caroline turns to me.
“We have another dress I thought you might want to try on. I didn’t know if you’d like the style or not.”
While we wait, I still have the two dresses in front of me.
“I loved the black dress, but this deep purple is gorgeous, too. I like the princess-like netting that stands up and frames my neck.”
The younger sales girl comes in carrying an iridescent dress that sparkles. It’s styled like a wrap-around dress, with a large hot pink bow that ties it together.
“You should try it on, Val.”
Once I have the dress on, I walk out into the main room.
“What do you think, Bonnie?”
“It’s very unusual. The dress itself is very proper and classic, with just a flash of leg. That hot pink bow, though, gives it quite a bit of sex appeal. It’s like a bow on a present that you want to untie. I think my son will love it.” Bonnie suggests with a twinkle in her eye, “What do you think, Val?”
“Do you have any hot pink lingerie, Caroline?” I ask with a smile.