First Kiss Last

by Sara Miller

  In the first store, Sky found three dresses she liked enough to try on. None of them were the perfect dress though. The first one had a high neckline that was not flattering for Sky’s age. The second was too loose on the shoulders, which could be disastrous when dancing. The third looked way too formal once Sky had it on.

  “Now what?” Liam shrugged. “Are we done?”

  Sky looked slightly annoyed.

  “Nope,” Leah answered before Sky could sass her brother. “We’ll go to another store. And if we don’t find her dress there, we’ll try another store.”

  “But what if she doesn’t find one at that store? Will we go to every store?!”

  “Maybe not every store,” Sky laughed, relaxing. “Just help me find one so we don’t have to, okay?”

  “Deal!”

  “Let’s check this store next.” Sky stopped in front of a store clearly devoted to teen girls. There were a plethora of dresses to choose from.

  Leah quickly helped pull several dresses that met Sky’s criteria. She held them out and Sky nodded to all but one. She added a couple of her own choices to the stack and they headed toward the back to find the fitting rooms.

  “Do you wanna see each one?” Sky eyed the pile warily.

  “Only if you really like it or,” Leah chuckled, “if it’s so awful we need to see it. Right, Liam?”

  “Yeah, really pretty or really ugly, we wanna see it!” In his enthusiasm, he spoke loudly.

  The saleswoman gave Leah a look that either meant she should control Liam or she took offense at the idea they’d sell ugly dresses. Leah didn’t care and laughed along with the kids.

  Sky entered the dressing room with her haul. Leah found a bench and sat down. Liam put his airplane in his pocket and then climbed up next to her. He leaned in.

  “I missed you.”

  Leah hugged him close and kissed the top of his head. She had missed him too. Missed all of them so much her heart ached. Leah wasn’t sure she wanted to engage in that conversation with a small boy though. As she silently debated how best to respond, Liam pulled away and pointed.

  “Now THAT is a green dress!”

  “Oh, my!” She eyed the tube top style dress. It was a shocking lime green and made of fabric that would stretch to almost any size.

  “It looks like it could fit me,” Liam shrugged and continued looking around. “You should try on that one.”

  Leah followed the direction he was pointing and laughed aloud. It was bubble gum pink and covered in ruffles. They both giggled.

  “Okay, I’m coming out!”

  Sky appeared in a dark purple dress. It had wide straps, a rounded neckline and hung straight down. She shrugged and turned in a circle.

  Liam gave it a thumbs down. Sky let out a sigh and returned to the dressing room. Leah quickly got up and retrieved the largest size available in the pink dress.

  “What are you doing?” Liam’s eyes bugged out as she pulled it on over what she was wearing. Then he giggled.

  “Like my dress?” she swooshed the ruffled skirt around. Liam giggled again and eyed the green dress. Leah noticed the saleslady was occupied helping someone checkout, so she grabbed the green dress and offered it to Liam. He raised his arms and Leah pulled it on over his head. His work boots really made the outfit.

  “Sky!” Liam bellowed, “We found you more options, come see!”

  Sky opened the door and stepped out in a light blue dress. It was pretty but nothing special.

  “What did you—O.M.G. No!” She looked torn between amusement and mortification. It was a fine line. Thankfully, humor won. She joined in their laughter.

  “Okay, I’m gonna get out of this dress and you two get out of yours. We gotta get out of here before they kick us out!” she teased, stepping back into the dressing room.

  Leah helped Liam out of his dress lickety-split. Hers took a little longer. Since the back was still unzipped she was able to pull the dress up and wiggle out. Just in time too. Sky stepped out right as the saleswoman reappeared.

  Sky’s eyes darted from Liam to Leah before a look of relief formed on her face.

  “Did we find the perfect dress?” the saleswoman asked.

  “Um, no. Sorry.” Sky awkwardly handed back all the rejected dresses.

  “Let’s try somewhere else,” Liam suggested.

  Based on the saleswoman’s expression, Leah thought she was happy to see them go. Leah didn’t care. She was having fun. She winked at Liam and he giggled. Sky gave them both a stern look. They barely made it out of the store before they all erupted into laughter.

  “Don’t ever do that again! I almost died!” Sky was still laughing as she scolded them.

  “What? You didn’t like my dress?” Leah pretended to be shocked. “It had pockets.”

  “Mine was green, Sky. Like neon green!”

  “I know, I saw,” she ruffled his hair. “But I thought you two were here to help me?” Sky’s voice teased playfully.

  “We did. We showed you what not to get!” Liam gave them a cheeky grin, clearly proud of his contribution.

  Leah loved the things he came up with. She took his hand as they made their way through the mall. They passed several stores before something caught her eye.

  “Oh, look. That’s pretty,” Leah pointed to a storefront window display. Sky considered, then nodded.

  As they entered the trendy boutique, Leah looked down at Liam and warned him this was a nice store. She told him she would need his help to make sure she behaved. Liam promised, ready to take his job seriously.

  A friendly associate offered to help them. Leah pointed to the dress in the window, “Do you have anything else like that? With the mesh at the top? Maybe a little shorter?”

  The lady eyed Leah’s belly and frowned slightly.

  “For me, please.” Sky interjected.

  The associate looked instantly relieved. “Oh! Yes, wait right here!”

  When she returned with a dress, Sky quickly nodded and disappeared into the dressing room.

  Leah thought the empire waist dress was absolutely perfect. It was sleeveless with a round neckline. The top was a fine mesh across the collarbones and shoulders. The bodice and skirt were shiny satin with an overlay of the same mesh. The contrast between the materials elevated the simple dress design.

  When Sky stepped out in the dress, Liam looked from his sister to Leah with wide eyes. Leah nodded. The dress fit and flared perfectly on Sky. Leah watched Sky study herself in the mirror. She shifted her hips back and forth, watching the double layers flow and move. She turned and the skirt twirled around her knees.

  “It’s not too fancy, is it?” Sky fiddled with the satin ribbon tied at her waist.

  “You’re beautiful,” Liam’s little voice came out in a whisper.

  “Aw, thanks, bud.” Sky smiled and studied herself in the mirror. “It is beautiful, isn’t it,” she concluded.

  “I’m going to have to agree with Liam.” Leah took a breath and hoped her words came out right. “The dress isn’t beautiful, you are. It could be the prettiest dress in the world, but if the person inside it is unkind, it wrecks the whole thing. You are smart, brave, fierce, kind, and loyal. That’s just off the top of my head. You make that dress more beautiful just by being you, Sky. And no, it’s not too fancy.”

  “Oh my,” the saleslady dabbed at her eyes. “Honey, I’m sorry to interrupt but you wouldn’t believe the things I hear. The way mothers criticise their daughters, women berating themselves and friends turning on each other. I can’t tell you how special y’all are! I wish my mom would have talked to me like that . . .”

  Leah looked to Sky when the lady mentioned mothers, watching for a reaction. When the lady assumed they were mother and daughter, Leah let a few seconds pass in case Sky wanted to reply. When she said nothing, Leah spoke.

  “Thank you. She’s not exactly my daughter, but I do care for her very much.” Leah turned to Sky and smiled. Sky returned her smile shyly.

&nbs
p; “Are you sure it’s okay?” Sky asked again.

  “YES!” Liam shouted as he plopped dramatically onto the small bench outside the dressing room. His arms and legs spread out as if he was completely done in. Sky laughed.

  “I want this dress. But . . .” she twisted to check the tag. “I think it’s over my budget,” her voice was wistful.

  “Oh, that’s not the sale price!”

  “It’s on sale?” Sky and Leah spoke at the same time. Liam hooted with laughter at them.

  “Go ahead and take it off and we’ll figure out the price,” Leah suggested. Sky turned and headed into the dressing room.

  “Liam, do you know how much money your dad gave her?” she asked quietly. Liam nodded and whispered back.

  “Fifty bucks and he said it had to cover everything.”

  “How much is the dress?”

  “Seventy dollars,” the saleslady cringed. “But I can give her forty percent off.”

  “Give her? I thought you said it was on sale. Did I misunderstand?”

  “I own this place. I can do what I want,” the lady winked cheerfully. “That dress is made for her. And her eyes! Wow.”

  Leah agreed wholeheartedly. That was the best part. The dress was a rich indigo. Sky’s blue eyes with that dress were a winning combination.

  “Thank you so much.” Leah hoped to truly convey how much she appreciated the discount.

  Sky emerged looking worried. Leah quickly reassured her and before long the dress was bagged and purchased. After thank-yous and goodbyes, they left the store.

  “It’s so perfect!” Sky held the bag closely.

  “What about shoes and accessories?”

  “What’s a sessory?” Liam tugged on her hand.

  “Accessories. Like shoes or jewelry. The little things that complete an outfit.”

  “Being a girl sounds hard.”

  “Some days!” Leah laughed.

  “I think I’m all set. I don’t wanna add jewelry and make it too fancy. And I have some sandals that should work with it,” Sky nodded as if deciding.

  “What about . . . for underneath? ’Cause of the mesh top?” Leah chose her words carefully in Liam’s presence.

  “Oh, I have a strapless b—” She stopped abruptly, eyeing her brother awkwardly. “I’m good, thanks!”

  “Okay, so I guess that’s it.” Leah was sad it was coming to an end. “When are you getting picked up?”

  “We have . . .” Sky checked her phone. “Twenty-five minutes.”

  “Toy store?” Liam offered hopefully. “I was good, right?”

  “Very good! Come on.” Sky held out her hand. Liam went to her but looked back to Leah. His little face was full of concern.

  “Aren’t you coming too?” his bottom lip trembled.

  “I think it’s time for me to go.”

  Liam rushed back to her, wrapping his arms around her as best he could. He stayed like that for a long time. Leah didn’t want to let go either. Finally, she patted his back and he stepped away.

  “I’ll see you again though, right?”

  “I sure hope so,” she answered honestly.

  He nodded in agreement. “Bye, Miss Leah,” he said sadly.

  “Bye, Leah. Thanks again. I wish . . .” Whatever Sky’s thought was, she did not finish it out loud. Instead she gave Leah a quick hug.

  Leah thought she knew though, and she wished it too. She waved as the kids headed off toward the toy store. Liam looked back twice. She waved again and watched until they disappeared into the store.

  She made a hasty retreat to her car. Leah wished this was real. She wished they were her family. As real as it felt, she knew it was a dream because she had never once needed to pee.

  The thought made her laugh as she started her vehicle. Country music filled the car. It was her favorite song from the album Sky had gotten her for Christmas. Kane Brown sang about kissing his girl for the first time. He reassured her they should be together.

  Leah attempted to sing along, but her voice cracked with emotion and she started to cry. She woke up still crying. The rain still poured down. She had to pee. Life was cruel.

  Chapter 38

  Leah needed a plan for her Saturday. If she did not come up with something to do quickly, she was pretty sure she was going to end up at the mall. Uninvited. And run the risk of seeing Cade or worse, becoming a stalker.

  Part of her wanted to just go and see if they would show up at the mall like in the dream. Part of her wanted to call the store and pay for the dress. Or at least portion of the dress. She kept wondering, what if Sky found it and could not afford it?

  Leah felt miserable. She paced the empty house and cursed the rain. Finally, she gave up and drove into town. As she drove past the mall, she sighed. Leah knew she shouldn’t. Instead, she continued until she got to her favorite bookstore.

  She spent the next hour getting lost in a sea of books. Leah grabbed a fun- looking board game she could play with her nieces. She found her favorite childhood picture book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. She just had to get it for her baby. She continued to browse the shelves looking for a new novel for herself, but nothing caught her eye.

  Leah was about to give up when she saw it. A small display of books accompanied by their movie adaptations. As she scanned the featured items, Leah realized she had never read The Princess Bride, only watched the movie. She plucked the book off the shelf.

  After purchasing her items, Leah headed to the attached coffee shop. She was pleased to discover the barista could make her favorite drink in decaf. She sat down and waited for her beverage. Her ankles ached and she really wished she could put her feet up. Leah sighed in relief as she rested them on the rung of the chair across from her. It wasn’t perfect but it helped. A few moments later, a friendly voice startled her.

  “Here you go.”

  Leah looked up and saw a young woman holding out a cup. Other than the blue streaks in her hair, she seemed perfectly normal.

  “I was grabbing mine when I saw yours was done too. I thought this would be easier than you having to get back up,” she immediately cringed. “That came out wrong, sorry.”

  Leah looked to the counter. When the barista gave her a thumbs up, she took her drink. “Thank you.”

  “No problem. I come here a lot, like too much. I work across the street,” she pointed.

  Leah tried to twist in her seat but there was no way for her to look without getting up.

  “Sorry,” the girl apologized. “It’s not important to see it. It’s just a small salon. My aunt owns it and she’s letting me rent a space. I only just got my license a few months ago. But I’m really good. Honest. My aunt wouldn’t give me a space if she didn’t think I had legit skills. See Tammy? I did her hair.”

  “Who?” Leah was confused. Not by what the young woman was saying, but why she was speaking to her. Was the woman lonely or bored? Maybe both. Leah’s neck was starting to hurt from looking up at her.

  “The barista, Tammy. Like I said, I’m here a lot,” she shrugged nervously, finally pausing to catch her breath.

  “Her hair is cute,” Leah concluded after a moment of silence between them. “It really suits her face. Did she bring you a picture of what she wanted?” Leah watched the girl shake her head and blush.

  “No, actually . . . I suggested it.”

  “Well then, your aunt must be right. My name’s Leah, by the way. Did you want to sit?” Leah motioned to any of the seats nearby, but not the one she was using for a foot rest.

  “Dakota,” she smiled, taking a nearby seat at her own table where they could easily converse. “Have you ever thought of cutting your hair?”

  Leah stared blankly at Dakota. Leah had always had her hair long. Until recently, she either straightened it or pulled it back. But lately she had started to wonder if there was a better way to care for her waves.

  “I have three older sisters,” Dakota shared. “And none of them kept their long hair after they had babies. The
y said it was a nightmare. And your hair, with that wave,” she smiled excitedly. “Imagine if you cut off the weight of all that length. I bet your waves would almost curl. It’d be gorgeous. Not that your hair isn’t nice how it is—ugh, sorry. I have no filter.”

  “So, what would you suggest?” Leah watched Dakota’s face. She was animated enough as it was, but when she spoke about hair, her passion was evident.

  “Really? Oh, my gosh!” Dakota looked around almost frantically. She grabbed a napkin and borrowed a pen from Tammy at the counter.

  Leah watched as Dakota scribbled furiously. Dakota scrunched up the napkin and tried again. She was truly an artist at work. After several failed attempts, she beamed. Dakota handed her the drawing with nervous excitement.

  “This.”

  Dakota’s drawing proved her artistic talent. Leah was looking at . . . herself. Well, a version of herself she had never seen before. And she liked it a lot. She fingered her wavy locks and considered.

  Leah set down the napkin drawing and finished the last of her beverage. She looked again at the barista’s cute style and at Dakota’s own hair. The girl was on the edge of her seat. So far, this is the longest she had remained silent and looked fit to burst.

  Leah touched the napkin and nodded, “Let’s do it.”

  Dakota squealed.

  “Really? REALLY?!” She jumped up and hugged Leah.

  “Yes, but I have to use the restroom first,” Leah confessed with a laugh.

  Dakota was completely understanding. They agreed to meet across the street in fifteen minutes. The girl practically skipped out the door. Leah was equally as excited but her movements were more limited. She waddled.

  Twenty-four hours later, Leah was still looking in the mirror every chance she got. Or she would see her reflection in a shiny surface and catch herself staring. She could not get over the transformation.

  Leah loved her haircut.

  She felt light and free. Even after showering and styling it on her own for the first time, she was still in love. It was so easy. She couldn’t wait to surprise Lily and the girls.