All That Glitters by J. Minter

get where she was coming from. And I had to admit that I didn’t feel absolutely terrific about it.
    SBB’s cell phone interrupted both of our thoughts. The ringtone was set to JR’s new single, “I’m Taking Hot With Me,” and she seized it on the first ring from the top of a stack of bejeweled sweaters.
    â€œShay?” she practically panted. “Tell me you’re en route.” In a second, her mouth dropped open. “Oh, hi … Gloria,” she said, drawing out the name. Sheturned to meet my eyes. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me? Didn’t I divorce you just six months ago?”
    Gloria was SBB’s movie-star mother, who I’d always thought meant well, but who drove SBB to even crazier dimensions than she was capable of on her own. After Gloria had fired SBB from the set of
Turn Signal
, a mother-daughter road trip movie they were starring in together in an attempt to “bond,” SBB had filed for divorce and had been struggling with her lawyers over the whole mess for months. I took SBB’s hand to show my preemptive support.
    â€œA break in your schedule?” SBB said, kicking the green heel off and clutching a clothing rack for support. “You want to come to Jake’s premiere?” Her eyes locked on mine and her voice was stiff. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Gloria. You can’t just read an article about me in a magazine and waltz back into my life. I’m trying to pick up the pieces and move on…. Yes…. Well, things have been very hard for me, too.” More pacing. “What do you mean, it’s not my decision?” Big sigh. “Then why did you call me in the first place? What? I can’t believe—fine! I
will
see you there!” The second SBB clicked off her phone, she let out a howl that sounded like a cross between an enraged elephant and a crying cat. Shethrew herself down on the zebra print area rug at our feet, closed her eyes, gripped her hands into fists, and let out another giant screech of frustration as she curled into the fetal position. I put my arms around her in a hug.
    â€œWe’re fine.” I motioned to the terrified salesgirl, who’d popped out her head again in fear.
    â€œNo, we’re not!” SBB wailed.
    â€œYou can do this, SBB,” I said. “It’s just now you have to look doubly extra-specially amazing next week.”
    Luckily, at that moment, the door chimes jingled again and in walked Shay McCruthers, dressed head to toe in black leather with two Polaroids slung over her shoulder, a wheeled garment bag, and a portable aromatherapy set.
    Instantly I felt relieved on SBB’s behalf. Shay may have caused SBB some grief in the past, but she definitely knew how to calm her down.
    â€œYou’re late,” SBB fumed, uncurling herself from the carpet.
    â€œSave your breath,” Shay said before SBB could go on. “I came prepared, and it’s better late than never, and I really don’t have the time or the energy right now to hear about it from you. Let’s just get down to business.”
    For a second SBB looked like she didn’t know whether to kick Shay or hug her, but finally she just nodded and said, “You’re right. We don’t have any time to waste.”
    Soon the two of them were in full dressing mode. Shay snapped pictures of SBB in a floor-length gold lamé get-up, a fitted red crepe cocktail dress, and a shimmery brown tulle gown. I could tell that SBB was already in a much better place, so I sank into the hot pink chair and let out a deep breath.
    When SBB emerged from the dressing room in a green retro shift dress, I gasped. “That might be the one,” I said.
    She bobbed her head. “
One
of the ones,” she corrected. “But you’re right. I’m feeling the good vibes, too.”
    She climbed up on a platform while Shay marked places for alteration with a