Page 45 of Billionaire’s Game

“Like what?”

“How are your siblings doing? They must be glad to have you home.”

She looked sad for a moment. “They’re great, but being home is making me feel like a loser. And even worse my younger sister has been offered a job at NASA in Alabama.”

I laughed. “How is that bad news?”

“I’m the oldest! I should be the overachiever. Instead, my little sister is... Gosh, she sucks.”

I nudged Violet. “Be nice. You should be happy for her.”

She made a face and changed the subject. “So are you serious about that makeover?”

I nodded. “I would at least like to get some new clothes. Maybe something with some color and no holes.”

Violet nodded. “Good idea. Let’s do this.”

“You mean now?”

“You got other plans for today?”

“Nope.”

“Then let’s go.”

We tookViolet’s car to the mall. I was taken by surprise when we arrived at the mall to find it full of people. It was completely unexpected especially since it was a weekday. I remember reading an article about how malls were closing down and disappearing around America. Apparently, those journalists or reporters didn’t get the memo: malls were still booming and even thriving in some areas.

“I haven’t hung out at a mall since, I don’t know, I was maybe fifteen.”

We made our way to the entrance of a large department store, one of the last of a dying breed.

“Same here,” Violet said. “Kids from my school would hang out here all the time, but I was rarely invited.”

Her comment made me pause. “Were you bullied in high school?”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t bullied. Just ignored. Believe it or not, I sort of have trouble making friends. I don’t know why. I think I’m pretty great.”

Violet could be a little much and sometimes she said things that were totally off-the-wall cuckoo, but I thought she was cool and funny.

“I think other girls were just intimidated by my beauty,” she said matter-of-factly. She noticed the look on my face and immediately laughed.

“I was joking!” She sighed. “I pretty much struggled with my weight all my life. I wasn’t exactly what you would call hot in high school. I was still pretty outgoing, but being chubby definitely made me feel insecure at times. I think some of the kids picked up on that and were determined to make my life miserable by pretending that I just didn’t exist.”

I looked at her in surprise. “I’m sorry that happened to you. You look great now and I’m sure you were beautiful then, no matter your size.”

She smiled. “Thanks. That’s probably the nicest thing another woman has ever said to me. I appreciate that, but to maintain this figure I have to work out at least five days a week and watch what I eat. Carbs hate me, but I love them so much. It’s tough. The struggle is all too real.”

“That sucks.”

“Sure does. I was such a chubby teen. I loved cinnamon rolls... all the sugar and cinnamon on such a tasty treat. Yum,” she said, making me laugh. “But when college rolled around, I started taking nutrition classes and I discovered that I actually do like working out. Who would have known? And so the more weight I lost, the fewer clothes I wore,” she said with a giggle. “Body confidence is amaaazing,” she drawled, stretching out the word. “Like seriously, Les. Nothing feels better than being confident in your own skin. And I kind of wish you would realize that.”

“What?”

“Well, I noticed how you always try to cover your body up and try to blend in. It’s sort of like you’re afraid of being noticed.”

I opened my mouth to argue with her and then closed it. She was right. Who would have known Violet was so perceptive?

I decided to just deny the truth that Violet could easily see. “I’m not afraid of being noticed. I’m just modest, that’s all. There’s nothing wrong with that.” I knew my comment came out sounding a tad defensive. I did feel a little attacked, but only because her assessment was spot on.