“Angel got killed in a car accident, didn’t she-yes, I’m sure,” Miss Brown answered herself. “Out Talbot Road on Dead Man’s Curve. Though Angel was the only one who ever died there. Why we don’t call it Dead Woman’s Curve, I just don’t know. The county never gets things straight.”
“I don’t think the county named the curve,” Ginny said gently.
“State’s just as bad,” the woman responded, then reached for a red purse on a peg beyond her grasp. I walked over and lifted it down.
“Sorry we can’t help you out,” Ginny told me.
“What’s the problem?” the old woman asked, taking the red purse from me, then looping the others she had tried on my arm, as if I were a store rack.
“I was hoping to talk to Miss Cayton,” I replied.
“Then try Lydia Riley. She’s good at ringing through to the other side.”
I heard Ginny swallow a giggle.
“I’m surprised your grandmother didn’t suggest that,” Evie added. “Helen was over there today.”
She added the red purse to my arm.
“Over where?”
“Seeing Lydia Riley. Right before my appointment this morning.”
“Are you sure?”
“Are you saying I get mixed up?” Miss Brown asked, her eyes flashing.
“No, no. I’m surprised, that’s all.”
“Me, too,” she agreed amiably. “Far as I know, they haven’t spoken for years. Can’t imagine what they had to talk about.” She peered up at me inquisitively. “Can you?”
“No,” I said, imagining a lot of things.
* * * Sophie dropped by the shop that afternoon. After finishing up with a customer, I joined her at the jewelry case.
She was leaning on her elbows, gazing down at the aquamarine pendant.
“Guess what?” I said. “We have another invite for tomorrow night. A party,” She straightened up and smiled. “Whose? The only party I know about is Kristy’s.”
“That’s it.”
Her face fell. “I wasn’t invited, and I don’t think Kristy would be thrilled if I just showed up. I haven’t been part of her crowd since middle school. You go to the party, and we can see the movie Friday night.”
“But you’re not crashing it,” I told her. “Matt is asking you.”
“Matt?” Sophie’s cheeks grew pink. “Kristy will kill me!
“But I thought you liked him. And I thought you said he doesn’t date one person.”
“I do like him. And he doesn’t date one person. And she’ll still be mad as anything.”
“Who cares? You can talk to me at the party. I’m going with Alex.”
“Oh! I have to think about this, Megan.”
“Alex said you used to be best friends.”
“Yeah, forever ago.” Sophie went over to the silk dress Ginny had put on the seamstress form and traced its seed pearl design with her finger. Ginny came out of the storeroom, eyed Sophie, then eyed the dress. She held her head to one side and squinted, an action that usually meant we were about to rearrange a display.
Sophie turned back to me. “Alex and I used to spend every day together at school and during the summer, crabbing time,” she said. “He could always convince me to chicken neck off the bridge at four in the morning. I was the only person who’d go out with him in his old boat in pouring rain to set a trot line. I really liked being around him and the water.”
“Then this should be fun.”
Sophie didn’t look so sure. “I hope he’s forgotten about the valentine I sent him in fifth grade.”
“Why?” I asked.
“It was so embarrassing. Alex wanted to hang out with the guys, and they wouldn’t let a girl tag along. I wanted him to know he was important to me, so I made him this valentine heart. I drew crab legs around it for lace, and a boat oar for the arrow.”
I laughed out loud and Sophie blushed.
“One of his friends found it and showed it to everyone.
They teased him awful. That was pretty much it for Alex and his girl friend.”
She paused and watched Ginny, who opened the jewelry case and took out the aquamarine pendant.
“Listen, Sophie,” I said, “if there’s one thing I’ve learned about guys, it’s that they don’t remember sentimental things, not even a heart with crab legs for lace. Besides, that was fifth grade. I think Alex has changed his mind about hanging out with girls.”
She laughed a little. “I guess so.”
“So think about it,” I told her. “We’ll do whatever you want to do.”
“Sophie, don’t go anywhere,” Ginny said. “I need a favor.
Would you put on this dress and let me take your picture?”
“The pearl dress? Oh, my gosh!” Sophie gasped.
“I think that’s a yes,” I said.
Ginny undid the buttons and removed the dress from the form. “Let’s see now,” she said, talking to herself more than us, “we’re going to need some shoes, and let’s put your hair up on your head, so a nice comb, soft ivory pearls for that red hair.” Ginny picked up an armful of items, then ushered Sophie to the dressing room in the back.
I served two customers, waiting for Sophie to come out.
When the bells hanging on the shop door jingled a third time, I looked up to see Alex and Matt in their running clothes.
“Let me guess,” I said, “you’re interested in lace hankies.”
Alex grinned. “Do you have any that match our shorts?”
“White goes with everything,” I replied.
Matt flashed a smirky, flirty smile.
“So, what’s up?”
“Have you talked to Sophie?” Alex asked. “Does she want to go to the party?”
“She’s still deciding.” I heard Ginny’s voice coming from the back. “If you wait a minute, you can ask her yourself.”
Ginny emerged from the dressing room, followed by Sophie. I don’t know who was more amazed at the sight of the other, Alex or Sophie.
“Nice dress!” Matt complimented Sophie.
The silk and slender pearls were as shimmering and delicate as Sophie herself. Her upswept hair showed off her high cheekbones and long neck. The aquamarine pendant was the same misty blue as her eyes. Neither Alex nor Matt could stop looking at her.
“Sophie,” Alex said, “for a minute I didn’t know you. You, uh, you’ve grown up.”
She frowned. “Since math class? You saw me in math today, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” He reddened. “I guess it’s the dress and all.”
“No,” Ginny corrected him, “it’s the girl in the dress and all. Okay, honey, let’s get your picture over here.”
Alex, for once, had been left speechless, so Matt took care of their mission. “Are we on for tomorrow night?” he asked Sophie.
She glanced at me.
“It’s your call,” I said.
She smiled. “Sure.”
Matt volunteered to drive and arranged pickup times, then the guys left. I watched Ginny pose Sophie, thinking that if her camera could catch the glow on Sophie’s face, it was a sure sale.
When Sophie had changed back into her school clothes, I took a break and walked her over to the Mallard. As
