Page 23 of A Wanderer's Redemption
“It’s because we are our own worst judge and jury. We only see the flaws; it’s just the way of things. Women are molded from a young age into what is considered beautiful and what is not. That itself is wrong because life is beautiful and a blessing that should not be wasted on petty things like appearance, since that’s the first thing to fade as the years stack up. If the only attraction is a pretty face or body, then it’s destined to fail because when those wither away, then all you are left with is the person … which most can’t deal with. But the ones who never notice their partner aging, who always see that young man or woman beneath the new wrinkles and the rounded bellies, those are the ones who are truly blessed. Because that love is not measured in time, it’s measured in honesty, laughter and understanding.”
I let her words sink in for a minute. “I can tell you and Tyberius are close. Were you always that way?”
“From the moment I found myself in his arms, he became my entire world. I was and still am a handful, but he has a way of helping me when I lose myself.”
“I can’t imagine you ever being lost; you seem so confident.”
“As a young woman, I was overly confident to the point that I was cruel. Then in the blink of an eye, my legs were swept out from under me and that event still haunts me to this day. You see beautiful clothes and poise that project self-assurance when I am in public, but I promise you, when I look in the mirror, I am as hard on myself as you are.”
Because I was listening to her so intently, I didn’t notice what she was doing with my hair. But all of a sudden, my featuresseem to have softened, and my hair hangs in beautiful ringlets around my neck, while the top has been pinned and swept up in a way that frames my face beautifully.
“How did you do that?”
“I will teach you, but not tonight. Come, let’s get you dressed. I can’t wait to see his face when he sees you.”
Leaning closer to the mirror, I turn my head from side to side before getting up and following her to where she has several dresses hanging.
“I probably should have had you take that dress off before I fixed your hair, but between the two of us, we should be able to get it off without messing you up too much. Let me see your shoes.”
I stick my foot out from under my skirt.
“Hmmm, we can try a few on, but I think all of mine might be too big. Either way, slip out of them before we get you in these stays, as it’s practically impossible to bend over and put them on afterward. Give me a moment, you need fresh undergarments that won’t show under the fabric of the dress I plan on putting on you.”
Victoria comes back moments later with her arms full. Some things she is holding like the stays, I’ve never worn before, as my simple work dresses never required anything underneath.
“Here are some thinner pantaloons and new stockings. They tie here.”
She holds out the dainty ribbons, showing me where they go, and I fight back the tears as I am completely overwhelmed by all of this.
“Now, no sad face young lady. Quit worrying about what things cost, or any of that nonsense. You are a beautiful girl, and you should have pretty things. I have enough for ten of me because my husband can’t say no.”
Victoria walks over to a shoe rack, pulling down a couple of pairs before placing them at my feet.
“See if you can slip those on?”
I can tell right away that there is no way I can wear them.
“It’s not ideal, but it’s common for women to wear something sturdier under their dresses when traveling, so yours should be fine, but that dress you still have on has me worried about the curls I just put in your hair.”
“Oh, it all unbuttons up the side. I will be able to step out of the outer part. My shift is the only thing I normally pull over my head.”
“Get to it then, as I need to find you one more thing. There is no way you can wear your full shift under any of these dresses I just pulled out, but you are in luck, as I have a few dozen others on hand.”
Six buttons later, I step out of my dress only to hold it up in front of me as I’m ashamed of the threadbare shift I’ve been wearing for years. When she sees me standing like that in the middle of the room, she stops, giving me an understanding smile.
“Jessica, I understand that I’m a stranger and you’ve probably never undressed in front of anyone in your life, but Honey, we have the same parts. Look at it like this … the moment that dress hits the floor, you will be walking into a different life and a new you. Like everything else, that first step is the hardest.”
How odd?Reggie just said that same thing to me earlier today. I make myself let the dress drop, only to instantly cross my arms, trying to hide myself.
“Here, put this on first so that you will be fully covered, then change your underthings so that you won’t be so self-conscious. I will turn around to give you some privacy but be careful with that hair. I worked hard on that masterpiece.”
I take the soft, shimmering material out of her hand, and she turns around. Gathering the bottom of my shift up, I carefully pull it over my head, but when I start to put the new one on, I have no idea how.
“Jessica, do you need help? It has ties on the side, the lace goes between your breasts, then the stays go over that. Step into it, then pull it up. Once it’s on, I will help you tie it in place.”
Stepping into it, I cover myself the best I can, but no matter how I turn it, I can’t figure it out. “I’m decent.”
Victoria turns around only to smile, “Look at all those natural curves, that man is going to swallow his tongue when he sees you. Come here and let me show you how all this works.”
