“I still think you should go to New York and get a job—”
“If I don’t do it here in Lachlan, it won’t matter. Being a broadcaster elsewhere would just be a job. I need to show people here that my family isn’t what they think we are.” She dried off her hands. “That’s enough about me. What about you? What are you going to study at university?”
“English lit. My mom says that being a teacher is a good job for a woman.”
“Where did you get that white jacket with the red piping?”
“I made it. When I was twelve, I spent the summer with my father’s sister in North Carolina. She taught me how to sew. I loved designing things. I made whole new wardrobes for my aunt and me. We were a big hit at church.”
“Then what?” Cheryl began taking the clay off Elaine’s face.
“Nothing. I came home and went back to school. No more sewing. My mother doesn’t believe in what she calls artsy-fartsy stuff.”
“And your father?”
“He just wants me to be happy.”
Cheryl began massaging moisturizer into Elaine’s face. “I think you should pursue a job in fashion. I know! Change your major to business and make clothes on the side. Sell them on campus and take lots of photos. When you graduate, go to New York and present your portfolio of designs to some big shots at a design house.”
Elaine was loving this fantasy. “And what about Jim?”
“Jim Pendal is so good-natured that
he’ll follow you anywhere. You just need to make him fall in love with you now so that he changes to UCF. You two must be together during college or some girl will snatch him up before he finishes the first year. Jim is pure husband material. He won’t last long out there with all those hungry, grabbing girls.”
Elaine was laughing. “So tonight I’m to stand up against the very strong personalities of Gena and Dane and make Jim like me so much that he decides to go to school with me and... What? Marry me and live happily ever after? While I’m some famous clothes designer in New York, that is?”
“Why not? Besides, I made a few calls.” That seemed to be all Cheryl was going to say, but Elaine stared at her to tell all.
“I’m good at imitating voices. ‘Our boys are gonna win! And if they don’t, I’ll nail their hides to a fence post.’”
Elaine was wide-eyed. Cheryl sounded exactly like their coach.
“Would you like some tea, ma’am?”
“That’s English.”
Cheryl quickly ran through half a dozen accents, then mimicked three teachers. It was when she spoke so much like their common enemy, Gena, that Elaine nearly fell off the table laughing.
“I’m afraid to ask. What did you do?”
“My mother has a friend who owns a very nice Italian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Let’s just say that, due to some phone calls that Gena and Dane received, there is going to be a major mix-up of who is supposed to be where. Those two are going to the restaurant instead of the dance. There might even be another misunderstanding about ages and they might be served bottles of champagne. Or maybe it’s sparkling apple juice in a champagne bottle. I forget which.”
“Are you saying that Jim is mine for a whole evening?”
“Or longer.” She took Elaine by the shoulders. “I’ve seen you with other people. You’re funny. You’re creative. You’re smart. But if you keep staring at Jim like he’s something to be worshipped, you’ll never see him again. Let him see the real you. Show him what he’s missing by being chained to a dog like Gena.”
Elaine was looking at her in wonder. “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”
“You think I don’t?” She put her hands up. “I’ve said too much. I want you to get in the shower and wash that conditioner out of your hair now. We still have work to do and only a few hours to do it. Mark is going to get a workout tonight.”
“Who is Mark?”
Cheryl nodded toward a red leather case on the table. “My Mark Cross is full of things that are going to show the world the beauty that is within you.”
“Mark better put on his work clothes because he has a big job ahead of him.”
Cheryl laughed. “Go on. Get cleaned up...”