Chapter 56
FIFTY-SIX
“If you’re going to be opinionated, at least have good opinions.”
—excerpt from the unpublished memoir,
Darling, I Must Say by Gloria Hayes
“I’m nervous,” Hallie said. “What if I make a mistake?”
In just a few minutes, her age group would take over the stage for their first group dance number. Fifteen little girls were anxiously milling about in matching sailor-inspired outfits, including jaunty little white hats.
“You’re going to do great,” I said. “And if you make a mistake, just keep going.”
“Just keeping going,” she repeated.
My phone buzzed with a notification.
PLANT DADDY: Give Hallie a hug for me and tell her to look in the crowd. My parents came back for the pageant to surprise her.
His parents were here? His parents were here. Right now.
“Iris, are you okay?” Hallie asked.
I would have to freak out later.
I knelt in front of her and grasped both of her hands. “I’m really proud of you. I know the other girls haven’t made it easy but you never gave up once. I wanted to give up all the time but then I’d think I can’t because Hallie isn’t.”
“Girls, time to line up,” someone yelled. The panic level in the room went up exponentially.
“Listen, your dad said to look in the crowd. Your grandma and grandpa came back just so they could see you and your dad said to give you a big hug.”
I opened my arms and she fell into them. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“I love you, Iris,” Hallie said. Before I could even process what she’d said, she kissed my cheek and scrambled off to join the other girls.
How many times was I going to cry today? Gloria, really, this is all your fault.
The answer? Several more times before the day was over.
The next time was when Hallie was introduced and asked a question. She’d marched out on stage wearing a (purple) dress to go with the black combat boots she’d insisted on so she’d match me.
“Look how cute she is,” Yessica said as we watched from the sidelines.
“Hi, my name’s Hallie Ramos.” We’d practiced her introduction so much that I mouthed the words along with her.
“I’m nine years old and I’ll be in the fourth grade.
I love watching anime, cooking, playing soccer with my dad, and the color purple.
When I grow up, I want a job where I can help people. ”
“Hallie, it’s nice to meet you,” the host said. “Your question is: Why do you think you should be Little Miss Two Harts?”
I sucked in a breath. We’d practiced for the interview portion as best we could but we didn’t know in advance what the question would be.
Hallie’s smile slipped a tiny bit but then she took a deep breath. “I don’t want to be Little Miss Two Harts.”
A smattering of laughs came from the audience.
“I’m not a regular pageant girl. I don’t fit in the normal pageant girl dresses or know a lot of people because I just moved here. But I wanted to be in a pageant to show that anyone can be in a pageant if they want even if they aren’t the normal kind of pageant girl. So, it’s okay if I don’t win.”
The audience held their silence for a beat or two and then exploded in applause while I quietly sobbed from the sideline.
The next round of tears came when the winners were announced. No, she didn’t win but she was runner up. The best part? Audrina came in third.
By the time seven rolled around, I was dressed for the stupid group dance. I’d protested the required outfit of daisy dukes and crop tops but I hadn’t won that battle. The good news was that my part of the dance was to stand in one place, clap my hands, and not make eye contact with anyone.
Nailed it.
For the sportswear portion where swimsuits were the chosen outfit for most contestants, I ditched the tennis skirt and wore sweatpants and t-shirts. Got a few laughs for that.
When it was time for my introduction and interview question, I wore a black pantsuit. Which, I’ll be honest, was not comfortable at all but it was all about the statement. Someone cat-called me. I hoped it was Abe.
This was all going much more smoothly than I thought it would.
I had just one more thing to get through.
I changed into the beautiful chiffon dress Gloria had given me just the day before.
It fit perfectly. On my feet, I wore my trusty Doc Martens.
Gloria would have hated them, but I liked to think she would have approved anyway.
I took one last look in the mirror, smoothed my hair down, and told my hands to stop shaking.
Then I headed backstage to await the talent portion.