And Audra wondered why she was shy!
“Good morning to you, bro,” Rob said. “I’m fine, thanks.”
“Come on, man, I was just asking!” Nick said. “And you haven’t answered me!”
“Boys!” their mother called out from the kitchen. “None of that! I want positive vibes for church, understood?” She came into the living room, tucking her blouse into her jeans. “Especially today, with Betty joining us for the first time, understood?”
“Sure, Mom,” Nick said.
Their father came in just behind his wife. “You did tell Betty there’s no need to dress up for church, didn’t you, Rob?”
“I didn’t tell her she did need to,” Rob shrugged. “She’s seen me after church enough times to know.”
“You didn’t, then,” their mother said. “Listen, I don’t want any teasing if she does show up all dolled up, understood?”
“You know I wouldn’t do that, Mom!” Rob said.
“Yes, but they might,” she said, nodding to her husband and Nick.
“Oh come on, Anne,” Dad said. “Rob is probably right anyway, and of course we won’t tease her.”
“Heck, I’d love it if the ladies at church wore nice dresses,” Nick mused. “I’d encourage it, not make fun of it.”
“Speaking of clothes…” Anne gave her son a meaningful look.
“No, I haven’t told her yet,” Rob said, “And I don’t think I want to, honestly.”
“She doesn’t have to join us,” Anne said. “But if she’s marrying into our family, she has a right to know about it. You’d really better tell her today.” Turning to his father, she added, “James, let’s go?”
“Right,” Dad said, and he grabbed up his keys from the cocktail table.
“Now,” Nick said as soon as they were settled in the minivan their parents still hadn’t bothered to trade in even though all three of their children were grown. “Did Betty ask Janice to brunch?”
“Just how long have you had a crush on her?” Rob needled.
“Answer the question, son,” James said.
“Yes, Janice is a lovely young lady and your brother’s feelings are none of your concern either way,” Anne added in her not-to-be-trifled-with tone.
“All right, all right, yes,” Rob said. “She asked Janice and she said yes. But Nick, don’t get your hopes up, all right? The way she was so nice to you that day at the picnic, she’s like that with everybody. It didn’t mean anything.”
“Rob, that’s a terrible thing to say,” Anne said. “And you know how shy your brother is.”
“Hey!” Nick piped up.
“Oh, she’s right, Nick,” James said. “We’re both very proud of you for trying to overcome that for once, but it’s no use in pretending you’re not shy.”
“And Rob, you could be a good brother and have Betty ask her if there’s any potential, you know,” Anne added.
“I just don’t want any drama with her friends,” Rob grumbled.
“If there’s any drama with her friends, it won’t be that friend, and you know it,” Anne said.
“Oh, man, please tell me she didn’t also invite Audra!” Nick said.
“Of course not,” Rob said. “Betty’s not stupid.”
When they pulled up outside their church, they all saw that while Betty wasn’t stupid, she was a bit gullible. Rob’s confidence notwithstanding, she was swathed in a pleated powder blue skirt and a ruffly white blouse, and white tights. “What did I tell you, Rob?” his father asked as they waved at her while he parked the van.
“She does look adorable, though,” Anne said.
Rob thought so, too, and was sure to tell her as much when he greeted her with a kiss. “You’re looking beautiful!” he said.
“Thanks, but I feel ridiculous,” Betty said. “I was told you guys dressed up for church.”
“By whom?” Rob asked.
“Not Audra, I hope,” Anne said, also helping herself to a hug. “I should’ve warned you about her, Betty.”
“Of course it was Audra,” Betty confessed. “These are her mom’s clothes, and I don’t think she even knows Audra lent them to me. Guess I should’ve known better.”
“No, no, I know you guys are friends,” Anne said. “We’ve got a long history with her and her mother alike, I’m afraid. Rob, I wish you’d told her about that.”
“So do I.” Rob was relieved that Betty didn’t pull her hand away when he took it. “I’ll explain everything later.”
“That’s right, this is no time for it,” Anne agreed.
Betty had to admit, it was kind of a kick being the best-dressed person in the church. It was an even bigger kick the way Rob stole a loving glance at her every now and again, obviously more enamored with her outfit than she was. A lapsed Catholic who hadn’t been to any sort of mass in years, she also found she enjoyed the pastor’s calls for tolerance and mutual understanding and listening to one another.
It was just what she needed after the altercation with Audra yesterday over her bush. Nearly a full day later, she was still stung by the memories that had dredged up. It was so easy now to forget how she had once loved the way it had looked and felt back when it was new, the way it had made her feel so utterly grown up and sexy, back before she’d ever had a look around a locker room to see most of the girls had scarcely half as much hair down below as she did. Before the popular girls had taken notice while she was changing, and had never let her forget she was different. Before she’d been convinced to hate her body, an affliction she still wasn’t sure she was quite over.