Chapter 7

One day during that week John found himself once again in Billie's presence. Knowing Mary's excitement for the upcoming dance at school, and the extra work Audrey would have had to exert to create her dress, he decided to treat the girl. He had the fiances. When offering to buy her a new dress his niece ejected great enjoyment though quickly hesitated, claiming she "could never make a decision like that without Billie." John was quite aware this would be the case. Secretly he had hopped for it. The underlining thought of Billie did not make his intentions toward his niece any less sincere. The three of them entered the shop, splitting up instantly. John wore his sunglasses again, quickly stepping away from clerks and quietly keeping to himself.

Since she had heard of accompanying Mary and her uncle, Billie had been ecstatic. It wasn't everyday they were doted upon with shopping trips and expensive gifts. It wasn't Billie who was lavishing in the treatment but she was thrilled to be part of it in any way. Of course, a large part of her enjoyment laid in the fact that she would once again be around Jimmy- he still the object of her affection.

The shop he took the girls to was one of much higher quality, and price, than she expected. Mary on the other hand was more accustomed to her uncle's doting and taste for the finer things. They had never been in a place such as this and were instantly taken aback. Silks and chiffon hung on rack after rack, they ooing and awing at each thing more glamorous than the next. There were day dresses and evening gowns, even a section of frilly undergarments. The friends visited each and every part of the store, skimming the contents not to purchase, but simply because they could.

John could hear their comments from where he stood. Mary was easily excitable and very obviously pleased to have this time separate from the rest of her siblings and with her guest. It was Billie John had never seen so captivated. Her eyes glittered as they gazed upon the luxuries, observant and grateful with her speech. To know such happiness between the two girls could come from something he could offer gave him momentary contentment.

"Look at these!" May began to run her hand along the softest and most delicate materials of a rack assigned to the fancier gowns. She already held several dresses over one arm to try on, one or two Billie had picked out for her, and was getting distracted at every turn. Billie didn't even reach out to feel the material, rather intimidated by the opulence and allowing her friend to revel in it all instead.

"They're somethin' else," she agreed quietly.

"You should try one on!" the younger girl grinned. Billie turned to her with surprise, shaking her head.

"No..."

Mary began to huff, noting that she held nothing in her hand and wanted her to be part of the fun. "You're just trying it on," she tried to convince her. "There's no harm in it. Pick one..."

Minutes later the girls were in the fitting room, hidden behind curtained doorways as they changed. Upon stepping out there was a three paneled mirror before a platform. Mary had been upon it several times already, twisting and turning and judging her appearance. Billie was more hesitant She stood alone in the small space, running her hands over her stomach that was now covered with the most luscious fabric she'd ever worn. It felt tight around her hips, around her whole body for that matter, but she'd never worn a style of dress like this. Was that how it was supposed to fit?

"Are you ready yet?" came Mary's voice. Billie had been for some time, she just wasn't sure she wanted to come out. "Let's see!"

With a deep breath she pulled back the curtain and heard Mary gasp as she let herself on the platform. Her reflection, three of them, starred back at her with the most alarming sight. She looked glamorous. Provocative. Old.

The dress fit like it was supposed to; like she had seen other women wear it before. However, she had never seen herself in such a way. "You look...stunning!" Mary cried, amazed by her friends image. Billie was quiet. "Do you like it?" she encouraged.

She hesitated, looking at her reflection some more. "I don't know," she answered shyly. With a frown Mary continued walking about the dressing area, gathering clothing.

"Every guy in school would want to be your date if they saw you in that," she told her. "It looks really good. I'm going to put these back..." She excused herself from the room and Billie was left upon the platform.

The dress was white. A halter top accentuated the girls chest, it gathering right under the bust and then flowing down. The skirt was body hugging and reached all the way to the floor. Shimmery golden accents played across the front, further enhancing her figure. The fabric clung to her skin in such a way she felt as though she weren't wearing a thing. She began to tug at the top of the dress, trying to cover more cleavage.

Out in the store John glanced to the clock. He hadn't minded when the girls were browsing, even that they wished to try on dresses, but many minutes had passed since then. The shop clerks were curiously glancing to him and he began to sweat. He didn't necessarily need to be nervous, he just didn't want to tempt fate in this circumstance. They had to get going. He quickly passed over to the dressing room, peaking his head around the doorway to call to them.

"Hey, girls! You need to hurry- oh..." He was struck silent. Upon turning his head he realized a bare back, belonging to Billie, was posing in front of the mirror. She had gasped, twisting on the pedestal to face him and crossing her arms over her chest.

His eyes shamelessly traveled over her figure. He was in awe. Her waist was unbearably small fanning out to her hips, legs that looked to go on forever, and her chest... As he looked behind her into the mirror he saw her back, cream colored skin softly toned and arched. Her backside curved out right below that and he almost groaned. It was hard to control himself. She was beautiful, he thought that already, but now his senses were heightened to a different level. He wanted her, physically, very much. He wanted to touch her, to rest his hands on her hips and brush over her back. He imagined his lips on her neck, traveling down her chest...

The way his eyes traveled over her body Billie knew he saw her; really saw her. No man his age or of such disposition had ever been interested in her in such a way. She felt completely exposed, but not embarrassed. There was a gleam in his eye and a twitch to his lips that made her feel...proud; proud to have his attention and confident of her own image. Her eyes never strayed from his face but he looked everywhere aside from hers. Realizing he was not going to quickly disappear but likely stare at her more Billie eased in her defensive position. Her hands slowly dropped from her chest and dangled near her thighs, her eyes then downcast.

When she changed stance John became aware of the prolonged silence between them. He gulped, clearing his throat quietly. "You're getting that?" he nodded to the dress, his voice rather surprised.

Billie picked up her head and made a face. "This? No!" She turned to face the mirror, giving him a clear view of her back again as she examined herself. "My mother would die if she saw me in this..." she mused quietly, once again tugging at the fabric around her chest.

"She'd do something," John agreed.

Thinking of his question Billie frowned and glanced at him over her shoulder. "I'm not getting a dress today..."

It was John's turn to be confused. "Why not?"

The girl twisted toward him again, her eyes clear. She wondered why he'd even asked...she had brought no money of her own, nor could she afford anything in this shop if she had. Slightly ashamed to mention her lack of funds Billie scooted around the subject. "This is Mary's day."

John relaxed himself now that they were having a smooth flow of words. He shook his head sincerely. "I'm treating you today, too. What kind of guy would I be if I left out Mary's best friend?"

Opening her mouth to reply, to protest the gesture, Mary's voice sounded in that of a gasp. "Uncle Jimmy!" she scooted past him and forcefully pushed him out of the dressing area. "Don't look at her!"

She glanced to Billie, her expression aggravated by her Uncle's bold behavior. Billie was clothed but she could have easily not been. He was lucky to have witnessed her in a dress. Little did she know John would have thought himself lucky to catch her either way.

Mary began to walk into a dressing room again, Billie stepping off the platform. Before her friend disappeared behind the curtain she touched her arm. "What does your Uncle do?" she questioned in a whisper, pondering the amount of two dresses purchased from this kind of store. The younger girl paused before answering, glancing to her hands than back up at her friend.

"He's in fiances," she said simply, closing the curtain behind her.