Fran jerked to a halt, grimacing. I dont have time for this. Excuse me?
Mom. Taf put a hand on Peris shoulder. Go do what you need to do. Take Howard. He can wash up at the jockey showers. Ill give Peri something of mine to wear. Well meet you there in twenty minutes. You can get your guests settled, and then we can talk.
Shower? Peris impulse to walk and keep going faltered. You have something that might fit me? she asked, and Taf nodded, eyes bright. You are a lifesaver. Ive been wearing this for three days. She knew that if they got Howard alone he might dish the dirt, but she hadnt done anything in the last three days that shed do differentlygiven the chance.
Howard? Fran prompted, and the man took both of Peris hands, surprising her.
Youll be okay? he asked, the depth of question in his brown eyes startling.
Yall go along, Howie, Taf drawled cheerfully. Ive got this.
But he didnt leave until Peri nodded. Somehow it made her feel even more vulnerable.
I told you to lose that accent, Taf, Fran said as she and Howard got into one of the golf carts, and Taf frowned.
I dont know what theyre worried about, Peri said drily when Fran told her security to stay with Peri. They took my jackknife.
Come on, Taf said, her voice tight and accent almost nil as she tugged at Peris elbow. Ive got something that will go fabulously with your skin tone.
Id be happy with just something to cover my black eye, thanks, she said distantly, following her up to the permanent decking that the RV was parked against. Taf was still smiling, but the tension between her and her mother was easy to see, old and deep.
The shower was surprisingly decadent for something on wheels, and Peri indulged until the water went cold, appreciating the expensive soap and shampoo. After some talk about the nonfunctionality of the first painted-on dress that Taf had picked out, Peri settled into skintight white jeans and a black blazer with a white silk button-down shirt underneath. There was even a matching derby hat, and taking the glitzy black-and-silver monstrosity in hand, she left the tiny bathroom vestibule and went into the main space.
Taf looked up from her laptop, her face lighting up. Wow, you look better in that than I ever did. Its a little casual for the races, but damn, girl! You look good!
Flushing in pleasure, Peri spun to show it off. You dont think the hat is too much?
No. Standing, Taf all but pushed her down into one of the cushy chairs. Sit.
Flustered, Peri sat, watching Taf through the mirror as she pinned the hat in place. Shed never had many girlfriends. It was easier to drive potential friends away than have them think she wasstupid when she couldnt remember what theyd done together last week. Thank you, Peri said softly, not knowing what to make of the attention. Youre not going to get in trouble about the pants, are you? They were Frans, seeing as Taf had legs the size of toothpicks.
What is she going to do? Ground me? Taf took the hatpin from between her teeth, carefully wedging it to hold the hat on. Sorry about my mom. Shes intense. Here. Try this on your eye.
Dont worry about it, Peri said as she popped open the compact and used her finger to dab the makeup around her eye to find it was a good match. My mom is worse. Bless her heart, she added in a thick southern drawl to make Taf chuckle. She wanted me to be a dancer, she said, not knowing why she was opening up to Taf, except that they both had overbearing, controlling mothers. I took all the classes, spent my summers at dance camps, blah, blah, blah.
My mom just wants me to be married, Taf said as she closed down her laptop.
Peri laughed at the dry humor shed put in her voice, but Howards crack about the MRS degree now made sense. Youre one hell of an event organizer, Peri said as she spun around to find Taf slumped into the cushions. What did you minor in?
Business, Taf said glumly.
Which was clearly not her first love. What else did you minor in? she prompted.
Tafs eyes flicked up and away. All kinds of things, she said, clearly avoiding the issue. My mom thought it was a waste of time, but Ive got almost-minors in half a dozen studies.
So she wouldnt have to graduate, Peri thought, completely understanding. It was far easier to avoid a domineering mother than to stand up to someone you loved. And Taf did love her mother. Taf. You cant live your life on what your mother wants, she said, and Taf looked up, shocked. So its a hassle standing up to her. So she might cut you off. Its your life. She already got your first twenty years. Dont give her your second. By then, its too late.
Her lips pressed, making Peri wonder if shed gone too far. But then Taf stood and held out a matching shawl. Wed better get going.
Yep, shed gone too far. Peri took the shawl from her, feeling depressed. Thanks.
Tafs pensive silence held all the way up the sawdust-packed path to the track, giving Peri time to stew over the stone-faced guards accompanying them in the golf cart. All around was colorful, early-spring attire, and the men were taking the rare opportunity to flaunt pinstripes and flamboyant colors as much as the women. Big hats, mint juleps, and outrageous ties made Peri think she should have gone with Tafs first instinct of the short red dress.
Mom. Taf put a hand on Peris shoulder. Go do what you need to do. Take Howard. He can wash up at the jockey showers. Ill give Peri something of mine to wear. Well meet you there in twenty minutes. You can get your guests settled, and then we can talk.
Shower? Peris impulse to walk and keep going faltered. You have something that might fit me? she asked, and Taf nodded, eyes bright. You are a lifesaver. Ive been wearing this for three days. She knew that if they got Howard alone he might dish the dirt, but she hadnt done anything in the last three days that shed do differentlygiven the chance.
Howard? Fran prompted, and the man took both of Peris hands, surprising her.
Youll be okay? he asked, the depth of question in his brown eyes startling.
Yall go along, Howie, Taf drawled cheerfully. Ive got this.
But he didnt leave until Peri nodded. Somehow it made her feel even more vulnerable.
I told you to lose that accent, Taf, Fran said as she and Howard got into one of the golf carts, and Taf frowned.
I dont know what theyre worried about, Peri said drily when Fran told her security to stay with Peri. They took my jackknife.
Come on, Taf said, her voice tight and accent almost nil as she tugged at Peris elbow. Ive got something that will go fabulously with your skin tone.
Id be happy with just something to cover my black eye, thanks, she said distantly, following her up to the permanent decking that the RV was parked against. Taf was still smiling, but the tension between her and her mother was easy to see, old and deep.
The shower was surprisingly decadent for something on wheels, and Peri indulged until the water went cold, appreciating the expensive soap and shampoo. After some talk about the nonfunctionality of the first painted-on dress that Taf had picked out, Peri settled into skintight white jeans and a black blazer with a white silk button-down shirt underneath. There was even a matching derby hat, and taking the glitzy black-and-silver monstrosity in hand, she left the tiny bathroom vestibule and went into the main space.
Taf looked up from her laptop, her face lighting up. Wow, you look better in that than I ever did. Its a little casual for the races, but damn, girl! You look good!
Flushing in pleasure, Peri spun to show it off. You dont think the hat is too much?
No. Standing, Taf all but pushed her down into one of the cushy chairs. Sit.
Flustered, Peri sat, watching Taf through the mirror as she pinned the hat in place. Shed never had many girlfriends. It was easier to drive potential friends away than have them think she wasstupid when she couldnt remember what theyd done together last week. Thank you, Peri said softly, not knowing what to make of the attention. Youre not going to get in trouble about the pants, are you? They were Frans, seeing as Taf had legs the size of toothpicks.
What is she going to do? Ground me? Taf took the hatpin from between her teeth, carefully wedging it to hold the hat on. Sorry about my mom. Shes intense. Here. Try this on your eye.
Dont worry about it, Peri said as she popped open the compact and used her finger to dab the makeup around her eye to find it was a good match. My mom is worse. Bless her heart, she added in a thick southern drawl to make Taf chuckle. She wanted me to be a dancer, she said, not knowing why she was opening up to Taf, except that they both had overbearing, controlling mothers. I took all the classes, spent my summers at dance camps, blah, blah, blah.
My mom just wants me to be married, Taf said as she closed down her laptop.
Peri laughed at the dry humor shed put in her voice, but Howards crack about the MRS degree now made sense. Youre one hell of an event organizer, Peri said as she spun around to find Taf slumped into the cushions. What did you minor in?
Business, Taf said glumly.
Which was clearly not her first love. What else did you minor in? she prompted.
Tafs eyes flicked up and away. All kinds of things, she said, clearly avoiding the issue. My mom thought it was a waste of time, but Ive got almost-minors in half a dozen studies.
So she wouldnt have to graduate, Peri thought, completely understanding. It was far easier to avoid a domineering mother than to stand up to someone you loved. And Taf did love her mother. Taf. You cant live your life on what your mother wants, she said, and Taf looked up, shocked. So its a hassle standing up to her. So she might cut you off. Its your life. She already got your first twenty years. Dont give her your second. By then, its too late.
Her lips pressed, making Peri wonder if shed gone too far. But then Taf stood and held out a matching shawl. Wed better get going.
Yep, shed gone too far. Peri took the shawl from her, feeling depressed. Thanks.
Tafs pensive silence held all the way up the sawdust-packed path to the track, giving Peri time to stew over the stone-faced guards accompanying them in the golf cart. All around was colorful, early-spring attire, and the men were taking the rare opportunity to flaunt pinstripes and flamboyant colors as much as the women. Big hats, mint juleps, and outrageous ties made Peri think she should have gone with Tafs first instinct of the short red dress.
