by Bailey West
“Zora, do you know what you are having?”
“Ezekiel swears it’s a girl. I will be happy with either.”
“I’m hoping for a little niece so I can dress her in frilly everything. Frilly dresses, socks, and hair ribbons. She’s going to have some of those baby heels with red bottoms and a little handbag that we will keep on her arm,” Zanetta added.
We all laughed.
“Don’t laugh at her Olivia, she’s serious,” Zora chuckled.
“What about you Zanetta, do you and Roman want children?”
“Yes, we do. We want several, but if I just have one, I will be fine.”
“I’m guessing you didn’t have any with your ex?” Zora asked.
“Girl, no. He was so abusive that I secretly got my tubes tied so that we wouldn’t procreate.”
“Wow, it was that bad?” Zora asked.
“It was probably worse than what you are thinking. I just knew that if I got pregnant, it would be harder for me to leave, so I fixed the problem.”
“You never wanted kids?” Zanetta questioned.
“Yes, I did. I dreamed of a boy and a girl. I would love them with all my heart but not smother them, you know. I was pregnant before I had my tubes tied, but my ex caused me to lose it. It was for the best.”
“Oh, Olivia, I’m so sorry,” Zanetta softly said.
“No, don’t be sad for me. I’m good. I’m here. I’m learning to be happy.”
“That’s good,” Zora said. “Happiness eludes so many. I’m learning too. Ezekiel has helped a lot.”
“Maybe Paxton can help you,” Zanetta smiled.
“Maybe,” I shrugged.
“Okay, show me what you are working with in your closet. I would like to see your style before I show you what I brought with me.”
“Follow me,” I picked up the garment bags and led them back to my bedroom. I put the bags on my bed. Zora and Nette sat on my upholstered window seat.
“I love this window seat. Was this here or did you add it?” Zanetta asked.
“I added the padding. My mom showed me how to put it together.”
“That’s cool,” Zanetta smiled. Can I look through your closet?”
“Sure. I didn’t really go out on dates with my ex even before we were married. So, I don’t know what to wear.”
Zanetta opened the closet and pulled out the black dress I wore when I visited her church. She looked at it then went back into the closet and pulled out a brown paisley print dress that was similar to the black one. She hooked it on her arm and pulled out a cream dress with a short cream jacket to match. She turned and looked at me, “Olivia, where do you shop?”
“I really don’t have a place that I go to regularly. Honestly, my mother does a lot of online and catalog shopping, so she sends me most of my clothes. She purchased those dresses you are holding.”
“How old are you?” Zora asked. “My guess is twenty-seven or twenty-eight?”
“I was thinking the same thing, but then you told me that you were married after undergrad and was married for like eight years, so that didn’t compute,” Zanetta added.
“I’m thirty-one. I know it’s a shame that my mother is still buying my clothes.”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying,” Zora started, “but it looks like she is shopping for someone way older than you. I hope that doesn’t offend you?”
“No, not at all. I’ve never really been into fashion, so it is just easier to wear what she purchases.”
“She probably shops at Catherine’s, Chico’s and Coldwater Creek. She probably likes brands like Palais Royal and Peter Nygard.” Zanetta guessed.
“That’s accurate. My mother loves the Roman’s catalog.”
“I bet! Some women live by those catalogs,” she laughed. “Can you show me what you have purchased yourself?”
I went to the closet and pulled out two dresses that I’d recently purchased. One was white with a scalloped hem. The other one was royal blue with a large pink flower on the skirt.
“Now these are pretty!” Zanetta said after examining each dress.
“You think so?” I asked completely shocked by the compliment.
“Yes, try these on for me,” Zanetta requested.
I went into the bathroom and changed into the white sundress. I came back out and stood in place waiting for Zanetta to speak.
“Girl, your body is banging.”
“What! Girl, please. I am fat. I have always been fat.”
“No, your clothes are too big. These dresses that Momma sends are almost two sizes too large.”
“Not to mention, fugly,” Zora added. “You know what fugly means right? It means fuc…”
“Zora! We know what it means,” Zanetta interrupted.
“I’m just saying Momma has good intentions, I’m sure, but tell her not to purchase shit else for you to wear. You will never get any more dick ever in life if you’re walking around looking like somebody’s great grandma who…”
“Zora!” Zanetta cut her off again.
I laughed at Zora’s bluntness and Zanetta trying to lessen the blow.
“I’m not offended at all,” I laughed. “I will tell Momma what you said, Zora.”
“I mean, don’t hurt her feelings or nothing and leave out the part about the dick, oh and the curse words. If it brings her joy to send you clothes, let her send them. We can always donate them to the Salvation Army or somewhere,” she laughed.
“I can’t take you nowhere,” Zanetta feigned embarrassment.
“She agrees! You agree don’t you Olivia? The dresses you picked out, although a little big, looks way better than that shit Momma is sending. I know, I know I cursed a couple of times. I’m working on getting right with the Lord. Sorry, Jesus!” She kissed her first finger, and middle finger then looked up at the ceiling.
“What is that?” Zanetta asked.
“That’s me and Jesus secret handshake,” Zora deadpanned.
“You are ignorant,” Zanetta laughed. “Anyway, Olivia, I think this dress is pretty, it’s still a little big on you, but that can be solved by taking it to a seamstress and getting it taken in on the sides. How do you feel in this? It’s different than what Momma sends.”
“I’m comfortable. I picked it up because I wanted to try something new but then I chickened out.”
“No, you did a great job with both dresses. I have something similar but a little more form fitting.” She unzipped the garment bags and pulled out several pieces of clothing and laid them on the bed. “Are you opposed to high heels? Can you walk in them?”
“Yes, I can. I would prefer a block heel though.”
“That’s what I have so you should be okay.”
She handed me a silky red top with a V-neck and spaghetti straps. She also passed me a white skirt with large black geometrical shapes all over it.
“Put this on with these shoes,” she gave me a pair of shiny gold shoes that had a single strap across the top of the foot and buckled around the ankle.
I put on the clothes in the bathroom and came back out to show the ladies.
“DAYUM!!!! Now that looks amazing on you,” Zora cheesed.
“It does look good,” Zanetta said while walking around me to examine the outfit. “Look in the mirror.”
I walked over to the mirror and was shocked by what I saw reflected in the mirror. The skirt fits like a second skin and stopped mid-calf. The top was cropped so that it stopped just about the waistband of the skirt. I’ve never worn my arms out, so I immediately covered them with my hands. The gold shoes topped the outfit off and made it look current.
“How do you feel?” Zanetta asked.
“I feel different.” That was the best way to describe my feelings.
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Zanetta questioned while putting my arms down at my sides.
“It is a good thing. I like this but can plus size girls get away with wearing things that are so form fitted?”
&nbs
p; “First, you are only plus size by fashion industry standards. We Black! We have round booties and full hips, big thighs and large breasts. We come like that! To answer your question, you should wear what makes you feel good. You don’t have to subscribe to the notion that because you are over a certain size, you can’t love your body.”
“I guess I have to work on that.”
“Yes, you should. We all have areas in our lives that need work, so you are not alone. I think what I would do to make you more comfortable in this is pair it with a black moto jacket. That way your arms are covered. That seems to be your hang up with this outfit.”
“Oh, yeah, a jacket and a top knot would be dope!” Zora added.
“Yep,” Zanetta agreed. “Try this on.”
She handed me more clothes to try on. I went into the bathroom and changed into a navy blue, long-sleeved dress. It stopped right below my knee. It was also form fitting but plain in the front. The back was shaped in a V. The zipper started at the bottom of the V and went all the way to the hem of the dress. She gave me a pair of gold strappy heels to put on. The heel was a little higher than the previous shoes, but they still weren’t too bad.
“So, what do you think?” Zanetta asked when I emerged from the bathroom.
“I like it. This material is stretchy, and it feels good on my skin. My arms are covered in this one, so that’s a plus for me.”
“I like this one too. How do the shoes feel?”
“They feel good. I mean, I know I can’t walk a thousand miles, but they are doable.”
“Good, Sissy, what do you think?” Zanetta turned to Zora.
“I think your ass looks amazing in that dress and if Pax hasn’t noticed it before, which I’m pretty sure he has, but if he hasn’t, he’s going to be glued to it the entire evening.”
“Yeah, he is,” Zanetta nodded.
I looked at both woman alarmed.
“Don’t freak out. It’s a good thing.”
“Really?” My ex always said my behind was too big.”
“Is he Black?” Zora asked.
“Yes, he is.”
“Then he’s stupid, obviously,” Zora finished.
“I love this one on you, but I have one more. It’s a different silhouette,” Zanetta said.
She gave me the dress, and I went to change into it. It was a black A-line dress. The top of the dress was made like a shirt with a collar, buttons, and sleeves that stopped right above my elbow. The bottom was a full A-line skirt with alternating horizontal sheer panels. It stopped below my knees. She gave me a pair of red stilettos to pair with it.
I walked out of the bathroom.
“Oh, this is almost prim and proper but not really since it has the sheer panels in the skirt,” Zanetta smiled.
“I like it because it reminds me of the 1950’s fashion but updated.”
“Right, and it fits you so well. How do the shoes feel?” Zanetta asked.
“Good, they are surprisingly comfortable.”
“I like this one too,” Zora added, “but I think that middle one is the ticket. It’s the first date, you have to show him what he’s working towards,” she winked.
“I agree,” Zanetta said, “but the choice is yours,” she looked at me.
“I’m going to go with the group and pick the second one,” I smiled.
“Great choice, Zanetta said.
Both ladies clapped.
“Zanetta, I don’t know how this works, but I would love for you to help me with my wardrobe before the Academy opens. Do you charge a fee?”
“No, not for you. Just let me know when you want to go shopping, and we can go. I love spending other people’s money,” she smiled. “As for these pieces, you keep what you like, I will return the rest and let you know how much they cost. Don’t worry though, it won’t break the bank.”
“I’m not worried. I’m ready for a change.”
“Now that we have the clothes out of the way,” Zora said, “Can we talk about these fuzzy caterpillars on your face?”
“Zora,” Zanetta said clearly exasperated.
“If we are going to start, we might as well finish. Sissy, you know good and well that you would not let me walk around with my eyebrows all bushy like that. So, I’m just passing along the advice and helping Olivia.”
“Doesn’t it hurt to get your eyebrows plucked?” I’d seen women getting their eyebrows shaped, but it always looked painful. I was afraid to try it.
“It’s going to hurt a little, I’m not going to even front, but it will look so much better. Think of it like the way you shave your legs or underarms. You want to keep those looking fresh and maintained too,” Zora explained.
I looked at Zanetta, and she nodded. “It’s a good idea. I know a makeup artist that makes house calls. She’s good at shaping eyebrows.”
“Okay, might as well!”
12
I arrived at Olivia’s house at 6:45pm. We’d agreed on seven, but I was a little anxious to get this date started.
I rang the doorbell. The door flew open, and I expected to see Olivia standing on the other side. Instead, I was greeted by both of my sisters, smiling like they were up to something.
“Nette, Zora?”
“Hey big bro,” Zanetta smiled and kissed my cheek.
“Hey Pax,” Zora said sweetly as she kissed my other cheek.
“Those are some beautiful fuchsia roses you have there,” Zanetta pointed to the bouquet of flowers I was holding.
“What are you both doing here?”
“We came over to help Olivia get dressed,” Zanetta put on her most innocent dimpled smile. She gets away with so much once she puts on that smile.
I nodded my head. No telling what they have been up to.
“Well, we are leaving,” Zora said while rubbing her stomach. “Have fun,” she winked.
“Where did you park?” I asked looking for one of their cars on the street.
“We are right across the street,” Zanetta pointed. “You can see us from here. We are fine. Just have fun tonight. Turn on that Bluette charm,” she kissed my cheek again.
I watched them walk across the street and get into the car before I turned my attention back to Olivia. She still hadn’t come out from the back of the house. As soon as I was about to call out to her, she appeared and took my breath away.
I locked eyes with her as she walked toward me. I watched the sway of her hips and the subtle swing of her arms as she expertly walked in the gold heels that donned her feet. I appreciated the painted white tips of her toenails, the way the straps on the shoe rested on the top of her foot and around her ankle. The length of the dress showed off more leg than I’d ever seen her show and it rested on her skin like a soft layer of dew that rested on the grass in the morning. She had a little color on her lips, and her face looked a little different, but I couldn’t pinpoint what had changed. She was show-stopping beautiful. She had her hair pulled back but not into the tight bun it was usually in. It was brushed back into a mess of loosely coiled curls. Her soft and sweet perfume met me before she did. I licked my lips wondering if she tasted the same way she smelled.
She stopped in front of me and reached for my neck, I automatically lowered so that she could reach whatever she was aiming for. She wrapped her hand around the back of my neck and placed her soft lips directly on mine. I was caught off guard initially, but I quickly recovered when I felt her tongue on my lips. I parted my lips giving her tongue entrance. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to intensify the kiss. There was no way I was going to be a bystander. I took over the kiss and pulled her as close as I could. She finished the kiss by pulling my bottom lip into her mouth before releasing it. I released my grip on her, and she stepped back. She licked her lips. I mimicked her action by licking mine.
“I figured we should get that out of the way now, that way we won’t have to wonder if it’s going to happen at the end of the date.”
I smiled, “That was a brilliant
idea. These are for you.” I held up the bouquet of pink roses. I’m surprised I kept those flowers in my hands during our kiss. I’m sure a couple of the stems broke due to the grip I had on them.
“Thank you. These are beautiful. I will put these here,” she laid them on the table close to the door. “I will put them in a vase when I get back.”
I nodded. I was a little off my game. She had a way of knocking me off kilter. Usually, I didn’t like surprises. I like to be in the know, but with her, I don’t mind. She’s not even doing it on purpose, it’s just who she is. She turned around to walk to the door and displayed the back of her dress. I’d felt the zipper on the back of her dress when I put my arm around her, but I had no idea it was the length of the dress and rested perfectly on her ample behind. I took a deep breath to compose myself. She had me feeling like a caveman. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder, carry her to her bedroom and have my way with her. I rubbed my hand down my face.
Get yourself together Pax…
We went through the routine of her locking door, me checking it and then walking to my truck. I helped her into the truck then went to the driver’s side and got in.
“Are you hungry?”
I looked over at her and had that caveman urge again. I wanted to scrap this whole going out plan, take her back inside and rip that dress off her. It looks amazing on her, but I’m sure it would look much better on the floor.
“I’m starving.”
“Good,” I smiled. I didn’t know how I was going to get through this dinner.
“You look amazing, Olivia,” I turned to her before pulling from the curb.
“Thank you,” she smiled.
Olivia
I came from the back of my house and saw Paxton standing in my living room looking like an Adonis. His hair was freshly cut, and his closely cropped beard was lined perfectly. He stood tall in his black tailored suit with a black shirt and black tie, I decided that I wasn’t going to wait for him to make a move. I was not going to rack my brain the whole date wondering if he was going to kiss me. I didn’t want any odd hugs at the end of the night. I decided I was going to kiss him. The look of appreciation he had when he inspected me from head to toe gave me the boost I needed to kiss him. I think I may have caught him off guard at first, but he leaned into it and kissed the hell outta me! My next thought was to turn around and tell him to unzip my dress. I heard my mother’s voice in my head saying, “Proper young women don’t chase men…” So, I backed up. It’s nothing like your mother’s voice in your head to ruin the mood.