She laughs, “Because you know, I will be right, and you will have to agree.”
I shake my head, “Oh, Lord! What does that mean?”
She goes over to her bag of goodies and pulls out a small, silver gift box trimmed with gold ribbon. “I intended to give this to the person who won the auction, but…. Open it,” she says.
I clutch my hot pink dress to my body with my elbows as I take the gift box, pull the ribbon off, and open it. Inside is a white silk thong trimmed in small, delicate pearls. “Oh, wow! This is beautiful!”
“Isn’t it?” She agrees. “I want you to wear it tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely!”
I bend down to put it on, dropping my pink dress. With one foot in, I ask the obvious question. “Why? No one will see it?”
“Yes, they will.”
I pull them up and stare at her. “How?”
“You’re only going to wear the white lace cover of the gown.”
My jaw drops, “What? But that … that ….”
“Won’t cover your beautiful body?”
“Exactly!”
“Exactly! Listen, Zella, this is brilliant.” She laughs, and I know she’s going to be right, but the thought of walking out onto the runway nearly naked is going to be extremely hard for me to do. “Do you know who Lady Godiva is?”
“Yes,” I roll my eyes. “Of course, everyone knows who she is.”
“Exactly!” She points to me. “We are going to shock them with our bridal gown version of Lady Godiva’s ride. You are going to model only the lace overlay and be nearly naked underneath.”
“Oh, lord!”
“It’s brilliant, isn’t it?” She asks, and damn, I have to agree.
“Yes. It is.”
She sucks in a breath of air and says, “I’ve had another idea!” Then runs toward the refreshment table, takes the flower centerpiece ring, and swings it around her wrist as the inspired and talented fashionista I have come to love and respect struts back to our station.
When she arrives, she stands in front of me, holding up the ring of flowers, and says, “I crown thee, Princess Rapunzel. The most beautiful princess in the kingdom.”
I laugh at her, bend down to receive my crown, and then curtsy.
A deep baritone voice behind me says, “She is perfection.”
d’Artagnan
Cathy freaks at the sound of my voice! And so does the topless Rapunzel. I drop my cover to the floor and prepare to catch the hurling body of my little sister.
“BUBBA!” Cathy squeals, launching herself into my arms. At the same time, Rapunzel falls to her knees and grabs the hot pink dress to hide her gorgeous rack from my eyes.
While I swing my little sister around in celebration, I have eyes only for the princess. Cathy giggles hysterically, “Oh my god! I wasn’t expecting this! I’m so happy you’re home! I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve missed you too,” I tell her as I set her down.
She asks, “For how long this time?”
