In time the nightshirt became a chiffon gown, and she extended her arm with her fingers lengthened to trail the gauzy wrap that would cover her shoulders. When she imagined herself in the green suit, she went through the motion of opening the jacket and tilting her head downward to draw attention to the paisley lining. That run-though was perfect. She’d remembered every single move and turned without a flicker of hesitation. Now she was ready; truly ready. Nothing would or could go wrong.
The pale light of morning was on the edge of the horizon when Suzanna pulled on her jeans and hurried downstairs. The fashion show luncheon would start at 12 noon, but she had to be at the country club by 9 a.m. A beautician would be there to do the models’ hair and makeup. Colette had gone to great lengths to make sure the show was something that would be talked about for weeks to come, and several times she’d made a point of saying the success of their season depended on it. Hearing the urgency in Colette’s voice, Suzanna had twice asked if she would prefer to have a third model replace her. Colette wouldn’t hear of it.
“You’re perfect for this,” she’d said. “You know how to show clothes to their best advantage, and when clients see a familiar face they find it easier to envision themselves wearing that same outfit.” She’d gone on to say she expected this show to be her biggest and best ever.
When Suzanna entered the kitchen, Ida smiled.
“Well, today’s your big day,” she said. She poured a cup of coffee, motioned for Suzanna to sit, then pulled a frying pan from the cupboard. “Eggs or pancakes?”
“No breakfast for me. I’m much too nervous to eat.”
“Nonsense. It’s going to be a long day. You’ve got to eat something so you don’t pass out from hunger while you’re on stage.”
Suzanna laughed. “Don’t worry. If I pass out it will be from fright, not the lack of food.”
Ida came around and hugged her shoulders. “Darla Jean, you worry far too much. You’ll do a wonderful job, I’m certain of it. Just relax, be yourself, and remember to smile.”
That’s when it dawned on Suzanna. Remembering to smile was the one thing she’d forgotten to do in this morning’s run-though. Smile. When she added that thought to the others already in her head, the burden seemed as heavy as a sack of stones dropped onto her shoulders.
——————
COLETTE WAS PACING BACK AND forth in front of the building when Suzanna arrived at the country club. She pulled into the parking lot and barely had one foot out of the car before Colette came running over with a frenzied look in her eyes.
“Dieu merci! Prayers are answered. I was praying you would arrive early. Danielle is in the hospital, so you will have to—”
“Hospital? What happened?”
“Automobile accident. Terrible.” She held a manicured hand to her temple and shuddered. “Truly terrible, but we will talk of that later. Right now, you need to get ready to cover two of her outfits.”
As Suzanna stood there with her mouth open, Colette described the two outfits she would add to the three she was already scheduled to model.
“I can’t possibly,” Suzanna said with a gasp. “Danielle’s trouser and jacket outfit opens the show and comes right before my green suit. There isn’t time enough to change.”
“Yes, yes, you’ll have to move quickly, but the stylist will have everything at the ready so you can simply step out of one ensemble into the next.”
“But there are specific moves for that outfit. After the first turn, Danielle takes the blazer off and carries it across her shoulder. I haven’t practiced that. Can’t Elise—”
“No. The trousers are too long for her. It has to be you.”
Suzanna felt her stomach clench. The piece of toast she’d eaten now seemed like a chunk of cement lodged in her chest. She’d thought she was prepared, that nothing could go wrong. She practiced every move, memorized the turns step by step. Now here she was, facing a whole new set of challenges; challenges she was not at all prepared for.
“Elise has so much more experience. She’d be better at—”
“You have the right instincts, you’ll do fine.” Colette took hold of her arm and started toward the clubhouse. “I’ve switched the order of appearance, so the only rushed change you’ll have is the green suit. After that Elise will…”
As Colette’s voice droned on saying how she would open the show with the trouser outfit and close it with the chiffon gown, Suzanna could almost see herself dropping the blazer that Danielle had so gracefully draped over one finger.
At one o’clock the clinking of silverware and the rattle of dishes being carried to and from the dining room stilled, and Colette walked to the podium with a newly-ordered presentation list of fashions. Standing just inside the entranceway, Suzanna waited, listening for her first cue. With her hair done and traces of glitter dusting her cheeks, she had never looked more beautiful nor felt more insecure.
Early on she’d flubbed a few moves, but she’d worked on them, ironed out the problems, and felt reasonably confident. That was until Colette changed everything. Now the sequence was different, and on the first two outfits she had to alter the rehearsed route and take a shortcut back to the dressing room because of the quick change.
Desperately trying to still the thump of her heart as she stood there listening, Suzanna missed the first cue when Colette mentioned a stylish wool pant paired with a classic cashmere blazer that could be worn throughout most of the year.
Glancing toward the entranceway, Colette gave a dramatic wave of her arm, brought her voice up
