PG01. My Life in Pink & Green

by Lisa Greenwald

  “What?” Mrs. Deleccio replies.

  “Well, first of all, I actually applied for that grant I told you about,” I say, and Mrs. Deleccio’s face lights up. “My sister helped me a little bit. And we already sent it in and everything!” I guess I didn’t need to mention that Claudia helped me, but it would have been lying if I didn’t. Still, I wanted Mrs. Deleccio to realize I was capable of doing a lot of it on my own.

  “That’s wonderful, Lucy. Really wonderful.”

  “And there was a part about expanding the business. Well, I think my family’s pharmacy should expand into an eco-spa!” I say.

  “Wow!” is all Mrs. Deleccio says at first. Then she says, “So tell me how you thought of it. And how you’re gonna do it. Tell me everything!”

  I go into the whole thing about how negative Grandma’s been and then about Morrie’s idea about starting a new kind of business. And then about Claudia’s birthday trip to the eco-spa in Chicago. And before I know it, Mrs. Deleccio is leading me up in front of the whole club.

  “This is a model Earth Club member,” Mrs. Deleccio says. “Lucy is proof that our work in Earth Club really relates to our everyday lives. We can do more than recycle at school. Though that’s great! But we can do more. I want Lucy to be a role model for all of you!”

  “Way to go, Lucy!” Yamir shouts.

  “Yeah, Lucy!” Evan and his friends start chanting. “Yeah, Lucy!”

  I can’t help but feel amazing. To think I didn’t even want to join Earth Club. Now Mrs. Deleccio says I’m a model member. And it’s more than that—my work at Earth Club has done more than just help the earth. It’s helped my family too.

  “Hey, Sunny, want to go collect the recycling?” Evan yells across the classroom.

  Sunny pops up from her chair and leaves with him. I sit back in my chair, feeling good about that too. I print out a few more Web pages from eco-spas, just so I’ll be prepared when Morrie comes and we all talk to Mom and Grandma.

  Beauty tip: When doing someone’s makeup,

  highlight their best features.

  and all day I’ve been preoccupied. I did a pair of twins’ makeup first thing this morning, before they had to go to temple for their bat mitzvahs. I wasn’t entirely pleased with how they came out. I mean, they seemed to like it; they thanked me a billion times and even left twenty-five dollars in the tip jar. But still, I know it wasn’t my best work ever.

  Now I’m just sitting here in the Relaxation Room all by myself, worrying. What if Morrie changes his mind? Or Mom and Grandma freak out that I did this?

  I’m so stressed that I’m pulling the feathers out of my down vest. By the time this day’s over, my vest will be completely featherless and I won’t be able to wear it anymore.

  “Luce-Juice!” I must have fallen asleep, because I’m startled, and my eyes pop open. Yamir is standing over me.

  “Oh, um, hey.” I rub my eyes and try to straighten my hair. I wonder how long I’ve been sleeping and why no one decided to wake me up. I hope I didn’t keep anyone from coming into the Relaxation Room.

  “Sleeping on the job again?” Yamir teases. “Way to go.”

  I roll my eyes at him. “For your information, no one is in here now. Plus, I did two makeup jobs this morning. I bet that’s more than you did today.”

  He cracks up, tilting his head back with laughter. “Yeah, that’s true. I don’t work.” He grins at me. “Anyway, how are we doing with the brochures?”

  “Fine.”

  “Need any more?”

  “Nope.”

  “Way to be friendly,” Yamir says. “I don’t get you. Why’re you like Miss Nice one day and Miss I Hate You the next?”

  “You accused me of doing a bad job,” I mumble.

  “I’m kidding. Kid-ding.” He smiles and folds his arms across his chest. “So, uh, how’s business?”

  “It’s all right. Going okay, I guess.” I sit up, and my back feels stiff and achy, probably from sleeping on the couch. “So, what’s up? What are you up to today?”

  Some kids at the front of the store call Yamir, and he turns around. “What? Guys, I’m back here.” He faces me again and shakes his head like his friends are such a hassle. “Listen, I was wondering if you wanted to see if you can get a break. And, uh, come to the movies with me and the boys?”

  I laugh. “The boys?”

  “Clint and Tony.”

  I can’t believe Yamir’s actually asking me to the movies right now. Like, to go with him and his friends, not even with Sunny. “What about Erica Crane?” I ask slyly.

  He rolls his eyes and juts his chin out. “Come on, Luce-Juice.”

  “What?” I ask, trying to be all innocent.

  “I’m not going out with Erica Crane,” Yamir says. “So, you in? Or not?” Now Anthony and Clint are standing next to Yamir, not saying anything, already digging into their gummy fish and sour twists.

  “Nah, I really can’t,” I tell them. “I gotta stay here and do some work. For real. But thanks for asking.”

  “Loser,” Yamir says. “Just kidding.”

  “Have fun,” I yell to them as they’re leaving the store.

  Ever since he helped me with my brochure, Yamir’s been in here at least once a week. If he comes in alone, he always pretends he’s buying something really important, but usually he just gets, like, a pack of gum or something. And if he comes in with his friends, they stay for a while and request sodas from the counter. And Yamir always asks about the business, sounding like an adult, like he owns stock in it or something.

  I want to go to the movies with him. I really do. I just can’t handle another thing to worry about right now.

  Beauty tip: Dab some foundation on your eyelids

  for a fresh, awake look without eye shadow.

  at all last night. I got so frustrated tossing and turning that I decided go online and research more eco-spas. I figured extra information couldn’t hurt.

  I can’t believe today’s the day. Today’s the day Morrie and Gary are going to come to the pharmacy and we’re going to sit down and tell Mom and Grandma the plan. This could be totally awesome, or it could be the worst thing ever.

  I try to keep busy. I offer some customers makeup tips. Rearrange the Relaxation Room magazines. Organize the toy section.

  At five forty-five, I start to get antsy. They’re supposed to be here at six.

  I walk over to the office, all set to barge right in, even though the door is closed. I want to make sure Mom and Grandma are in a good mood.

  But the arguing stops me.

  “Jane, I am sick of you! Sick, sick, sick. Why don’t you just get another job somewhere else? I’ll do fine without you.” Grandma’s not really a mean person, but sometimes she says really mean things. And things that don’t even make sense; it was Grandma’s idea that Mom go back to school to become a pharmacist and work here.

  “Ma, you won’t even listen to reason. You won’t take anyone’s advice. You think you always know better!” Mom says. “But you don’t. You don’t realize that our pharmacy is stuck in the 1980s. We need to make some changes!”

  I don’t have to crouch next to the door like usual; I bet I could be all the way across the store and still hear them.

  “I don’t know why you can’t understand this, but I don’t want your advice!” Grandma’s yelling at the top of her lungs.

  “I have half a mind right now to take Lucy and move out!” Mom shouts. “You’re losing your mind!”

  Oh God. Living alone with Mom. No Claudia. No Grandma. That would mean tofu scramble and Spanish rice every night for dinner and Mom dragging me to every rally she goes to.

  “Get out, Jane.” Now Grandma’s talking in a normal tone of voice. “Please, get out of the office, get out of the store, and go home. I need a break from you.”

  “You’re kicking me out right now, Ma?” Mom asks, sounding a little pathetic. “You’re kicking your only daughter out?”

  I can’t take the yellin
g anymore. And now they’re going to be even more furious when they see Morrie and Gary show up.

  This is my only chance.

  “Can you guys please just stop yelling for one second?” I say as soon as I open the door, not even giving them a chance to continue arguing. “I have something to tell you. Something important, about the store.”

  “Lucy, this isn’t the time,” Mom says. “And frankly, I don’t want you to be burdened with this. I don’t even want you to be a part of this anymore! The last thing I would want is for you to end up working here when you’re my age.”

  “Jane,” Grandma says warningly. “Lucy, really, your mother is right. This isn’t the time.”

  “It is the time!” I yell, louder than I’ve ever yelled at my mother or grandmother before. They think every moment isn’t the time. “It is the time, because I have a solution!”

  “Lucy, please,” Mom says. “I know you want to—”

  “Listen!” I say. “Just stop yelling for ten minutes. Some people are coming to see you.”

  “Oh, Jane, what has she gotten into now?” Grandma asks Mom. “You’ve been making her spend way too much time here.”

  I shoot Grandma a look. Why is she blaming Mom for what I do? I swear—she can find a way to blame Mom for anything. I would never tell her that because she’d be furious, but it’s true. “Please. Just stop talking for a second!”

  At that moment—six on the dot—Morrie and Gary walk in. We can hear them calling from the front of the store. At least they’re prompt. That’s one really important thing to look for in a business partner. “Hi,” I say quietly, peering out from the office. They smile and come to join us.

  “Oh no,” I hear Mom mumble under her breath. She gives me a dirty look, but I pretend not to notice.

  “Morrie?” Grandma asks. “I thought you were supposed to be in DC this week.” Then she sees Gary. “Gary? What on earth—”

  “Doris, Jane,” Morrie starts. “I’m not sure you knew that you had a budding entrepreneur in your family. She has reached out to me. And I know this plan will make a difference to the store and will help financially, at least for now.”

  “Morrie, what on earth are you talking about?” Grandma asks, banging her hand on the desk. “Please, sit down and explain.”

  Gary and Morrie sit down, and Morrie says, “Lucy told me about all that she’s been doing around here. And then about her desire to start an eco-spa. And really, it’s crystal clear. It makes so much sense.”

  I nod with my teeth clenched, looking back and forth at Mom and Grandma. They don’t look mad, really. Just confused. And a little bit exhausted.

  “And Gary’s your new investor,” Morrie says.

  “I’m thrilled about this,” Gary begins. “Just thrilled. This is exactly the kind of business I wanted to get involved in. People say men don’t care about spa treatments, but I do. I love the sauna. And besides, eco-friendly is right up my alley!”

  “Really?” Mom yelps. “I had no idea.”

  “Oh yes. Always,” Gary says, smiling at her.

  “I still have no idea what we’re talking about here,” Grandma says wearily.

  “We’re starting an eco-spa. Right here. You’re expanding into Eli Mayner’s old store next door. I’ve already been in touch with him. I’m your business consultant. It was Lucy’s idea. If the grant comes in, even better. But for now, we’ve got enough to start. We’ll see what happens.”

  “So Gary’s now a partial owner of this store?” Grandma asks.

  “No, not exactly,” Morrie says. “He’s an investor.”

  “I like the sound of that,” Mom says, smiling at Grandma. But Grandma doesn’t smile back.

  “Here’s a binder of all my research, Grams,” I say. “I’m an expert on green businesses. Mrs. Deleccio says I’m a model Earth Club member. Claudia suggested we hire cosmetology students to save money. But we’ll worry about that as it gets closer to summer.”

  Grandma takes the binder and begins flipping through it. Her eyes bulge, and she puts her head back against the chair. “I can’t believe this,” she says. “I can’t believe you did this.”

  We all sit and stare at each other for a few seconds. I guess no one really knows what to say. Then Grandma says, “Morrie, you’re sure we can do this? You’re my financial planner. So whatever you say, I believe—when it comes to money, anyway.” She starts laughing. “You know that, right?”

  Morrie nods. “Dor, would I steer you wrong?”

  Grandma shakes her head. “I don’t even know anymore. I guess it’s worth a shot,” she says under her breath.

  When she says that, it feels like my skin heats up, like my hands are moving uncontrollably and everything that I had hoped and planned for might be working out.

  “So, what’s our next step?” Grandma asks Morrie.

  “You can ask me too, you know,” I say. “Next step is having Eli Mayner come in.”

  Grandma shakes her head. “I can’t believe this, I can’t believe this,” she repeats, over and over again.

  Beauty tip: For special occasions, wear different

  makeup than you wear for everyday life.

  proms happen at the end of March. It’s kind of weird, but it’s also a special tradition. Claudia told me that they started doing it twenty years ago, because they wanted the prom to be set apart. If they waited until June when school was ending, it would just be thrown in with graduation and graduation parties, and it wouldn’t be as big of a deal.

  I’m not sure why the prom is such a big deal in the first place. Isn’t it like every other school dance, just with a fancier dress? I mean, yeah, it’s not at the school gym. Claudia’s was at the aquarium, and that’s cool. But everyone gets so obsessed with the prom. All the magazines have prom specials, and all the girls freak out over dates. I just don’t get it. But maybe I will when I’m old enough to go.

  I probably shouldn’t keep saying that the prom isn’t a big deal, because it is great for me. I have tons of appointments. And luckily, all the schools in the area have their proms on different dates, so I’m not completely booked one day and then completely free the next.

  As I do everyone’s makeup, I think about the spa in the back of my mind. I imagine what it’s going to be like. Sometimes I forget everything I did to get where I am now, and when I remember I get this bubbly, fizzy feeling inside.

  “So you’re sure this tinted moisturizer is the right tone for me?” Laura Gregory asks. I’m doing her makeup, and I’ve been completely lost in a daydream for, like, ten minutes. She’s a junior, but she’s going to the senior prom with a guy from Waterside. I step back a little and look at her face. Surprisingly, despite my daydreaming, she looks very good.

  “Definitely. You don’t want too much tint. It’s not supposed to be bronzer. It’s just supposed to be a little extra color,” I tell her. Then I continue to work.

  After a few minutes, I say, “So tell me about the guy you’re going to prom with.”

  “It’s a little random,” she says as I cover her eyelids in light silver shadow. “I’m going with this guy, but I only know him from countywide tennis, and we’re not even really friends. But whatever, it’ll be fun.”

  I smile. It seems fun to me. I bet Laura Gregory is gonna go to lots of proms.

  “I had my hair done an hour ago. It still looks good?” Laura asks.

  I nod.

  “Next I have nails, and then I’m going home to take a nap sitting up!”

  A lot of Laura Gregory’s friends are going to proms with guys from different schools. And even the ones who aren’t come in just to hang out. They were all in here together earlier, taking pictures all over the store, in the Relaxation Room, at the counter. It was full of people laughing and people buying things, and they all wanted to be there.

  The next few weeks are so busy that Sunny and I barely even talk to each other outside of school. At our lockers in the morning, she updates me on the Evan Mass stuff, and I update h
er on all the makeup I’ve been doing and all the stories I’ve been hearing from the high schoolers. All the little things that had been annoying me earlier about Sunny—her negative attitude about Evan, the Yamir stuff—have just kind of melted away. I think I’m too hard on Sunny sometimes, as if in a way I expect her to be perfect. I shouldn’t have been so annoyed with her about her weirdness about Evan at first. It was a completely new thing for her (for me too, I guess), and I should have been more patient.

  Seeing all these high school girls has given me new insight into friendship. Best friends go through phases when they annoy each other. That’s just how it is.

  “So you hear about the grant pretty soon, right?” Sunny asks on our way to Math. “But do you even still need the grant?”

  “Yeah, we definitely do. The grant will help us make the pharmacy green, which will make us different from other pharmacies,” I say. “So we kind of needed both things to happen.”

  “Next year you should really join Future Business Leaders of America,” Sunny tells me. “Because you’re seriously on the right path. Laura Mercier started at seventeen, right?” she asks.

  I nod.

  “Well, you may be in business by thirteen!”

  Beauty tip: Before an event, always

  do your hair before your makeup.

  the pharmacy after school, my first appointment is already there. Today is the last of my prom appointments, since Old Mill High School’s prom is tonight and theirs is the last of any in the area. I like that. The prom I’ll go to will be last in the region, and last is usually the most special.

  “Lucy, Courtney Adner is waiting for you,” Grandma says as soon as I walk in. Usually Grandma doesn’t get too involved in my appointments, but of course she knows Courtney Adner. Ever since the hair trauma, Courtney’s almost become one of the family.

  “Hey, Lucy D.,” she says. She’s the only one who calls me that, but I like it.

  “Hi, Courtney.” I smile. “Are you excited for prom?”

  “Yeah, I am. It’s just so weird to be graduating so soon,” she says.