Discern by Samantha Shakespeare Page A

to face the woman. “Ms. Cardwell, how are you this afternoon?” I asked politely.
    “Very well, my dear, and how are you?”
    “I’m doing well. But I’m in quite a pickle,” I smiled uneasily.
    “What seems to be the problem, dear?”
    “I need a dress for Friday night. The event sort of crept up on me.”
    “Oh, yes, you are Jack’s date.”
    “Yes, I am.”
      She addressed my father so casually. Everyone addressed him as Mr. Helms, never Jack. I could detect an ever so slight hint of envy in her tone. Ryan’s words stung as I stood face to face with the woman whom my father planned to replace my mother with.
    I contemplated asking her outright. My father loathed sharing any of the details, so maybe she would speak of their rumored relationship.
    Her voice interrupted my thoughts. “Would you like to try the gold one on?” she asked, pointing to the dress on the wall.
    “Yes, I’d love to,” I replied, avoiding all eye contact.
    “What size are you, my dear? A four?” she asked, eyeing me over.
    “Actually I’m a six,” I responded. She quickly disappeared to the back of the store. I would be a size four if it weren’t for the curse of a larger bust. The waist would surely have to be taken in. I hoped there was enough time for the alteration.
    She came from the back holding a dress, waving her hand in the air, motioning for me to follow. My eyes followed her, but my feet were reluctant to move. We would soon be alone in a small dressing room, and I was afraid that I would inadvertently stick my foot in my mouth. I rounded the corner, watching her open the door to one of the rooms. I slipped inside, still avoiding any eye contact.
    “I’ll leave you to undress. Let me know if you need my help, dear,” she offered, politely, which upset me further, because she was a genuinely nice lady.
    I smiled courteously and locked the door. My anger wasn’t with her; it was with my father.
    The dress slid off the hanger and onto the floor. After scooping it up, I slipped my legs in and pulled it up around my chest. My relentless attempts to zip the dress myself had failed after four grueling minutes. I sighed loudly and decided to call for help.
    She softly knocked. “I tried, but my arms aren’t long enough,” I said, opening the door.
    “That’s what I’m here for.” Her cold hands brushed against my skin as she zipped up the dress.
    Andrew came to mind as I remembered his electrifyingly warm touch. Class was only two hours away. It had been a very long day, as I had woken up early with much anticipation of tonight. My reflection in the long, wide mirror was pleasing.
    “This dress looks beautiful on you, my dear,” she complemented.
    The pale, gold silk dress clung to my curves perfectly. “Yes, but it will have to be taken in at the waist, just as I figured,” I commented.
    “No problem. I can have it done by Wednesday afternoon.”
    “Are you sure?” I asked politely. I didn’t want her to go out of her way on my father’s behalf.
    “Yes, it’ll be ready in time,” she smiled. “Let me get my pins, and I’ll mark the areas that need to be taken in. I’ll pin out here, where there is more room.” She swiftly left.
    I stepped out from behind the dressing room door, careful not to trip on the dress.
    “Absolutely stunning!” an alluring and familiar voice spoke.
    Andrew was casually leaning up against the counter.
    “Thank you,” I blushed. “I’m beginning to think you’re following me,” I smiled playfully.
    “I think you’re just out and about a little more these days.”
    “I have good reason to be,” I said, getting lost in his hypnotic presence.
    “You’re going to make me blush,” he winked.
      “Hello, Mr. Alexander,” Ms. Cardwell greeted as she reappeared from the back of the store.
    “Hello, Evelyn,” he addressed her informally.
    “Here to pick up your tuxedo?”
    “Yes, I am.”
    “One moment, dear,” she said to me, rushing over toward