Jollie and I walked through the numerous lines of boutiques.
"Where do we start?" I asked gazing at dazzling dresses behind a glass display that I knew I couldn't afford.
Oh lets look in here Jollie dragged me into an outrageously expensive store. I was worried the owner would take one look at us and kick us out.
We wondered through a few more shops like it and I began to feel depressed. I was about to ask Jollie to take me home, but she stopped in front of a store with a sign in cursive big letters saying "Liana's Lace." There was a Blue Dress on Display that had ruffles in all the right places. It was perfect.
"This is the one," she whispered.
I stared at her raising a brow as she took one of my hands and guided me into the store. It must have been the most awe taking of any of the stores we had been in. Every dress looked as if years of dedication and labor were taken upon each stitch.
"Maybe we shouldn't be here Jolie," I said. I wanted to turn back, but she was still holding one of my arms.
Then she walked up to a desk. There sat an old lady, probably seventy years old by the looks of it. She sat in a chair smiling. Although she was smiling she looked a bit worn out, you should see it in her eyes. Her gray hair was pinned up in a bun some loose strands falling out. Her wrinkles creased around her smile, her eyes were very dark. They most likely were brown but it was difficult to tell behind her glasses. She was very thin and was wearing a modest brown dress with buttons on the side ending at the stomach. She stood up and Hugged Jolie. She was much shorter then Jolie, most likely by a foot.
I stood there oddly wondering what was going on
"Oh Jolie how have you been," She asked with a soft tender voice. She Backed way from Jolie's hug but was still holding her and studying her face.
"Oh I'm fine," She said now looking at me. "This is my new friend Addie, Addie this is my Aunt Liana."
"Pleased to meet you." she said shaking my hand. Her hands were soft and the skin was very tender from old age.
"What have you two been up to lately?" Liana asked.
Jolie folded her hands behind her and rocked back and forth letting her frilly dress sway.
"We've been looking for a dress to wear for the ball New Years Eve," she said.
I realized what was going on
"A ball! How fun!" Exclaimed Liana. Her smile widened. She walked over to a blue dress and handed it to Jolie.
"Oh Aunt Li!" She exclaimed hugging her. The dress in-between their hug.
"Pick something out Addie," Liana offered.
"I couldn't!" I said. My hand covering my now open mouth.
"Addie you can bring it back after the ball." Jolie reassured me.
I just stared at her
"Pick something out or else," she said playfully while poking me on my arm.
I looked around the room. I didn't know what to pick. They were all so beautiful.
"Come on," said Jolie giving me a light shove.
"While she decides go and change so I can fit it for you," Said Liana showing Jolie to a room in the corner.
I couldn't decide. I kept on turning my head back and forth. They were all so beautiful. Then I turned around and saw a gorgeous pink dress behind me. It was tight around the upper half were the bodice and stomach lay, and from the end of the belly button down was poofed out. There was a slit revealing a lacy white fabric in the middle taking up most of the front view. All the pink fabric around it was ruffled perfectly. Were the pink fabric touched the white there were roses with pearls placed in the middle of the flower. The sleeve ended at the elbows and was also tight there. At the end of the sleeves was the same lacy white fabric that was in the middle of the dress. It must have been the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.
Liana must have realized the awe on my face and came rushing over to me, taking it off display and handing it to me. I shook my head violently.
"Take it Addie. I really want you to. I remember what it is like to be young. Go to the ball and shine. Have fun. Enjoy yourself. Now that I think of it I wish there were so many things that I would have done in my youth that I can no longer do." I looked at her unable to say anything. I know that when I had been wealthy I had not treated people as nicely as Jolie and her Aunt have been treating me. I felt a singe of regret rise up in me. There was silence until Jolie stepped out holding up the blue dress so it didn't fall off of her. It was so baggy on her!
"This might need a little work," she said laughing.
