Night Night, Sleep Tight

“No one would except that he died with so much drama. In a swimming pool. And your father tried to save him. The press loves it when history tries to repeat itself.”

Chapter 16

Scarf? Sunglasses? Pffft. Amateur hour.” Bu

Instantly Deirdre was transported back to when she and Joelen spent hours in Bu

But the last thing Deirdre needed right now was a getup that drew attention to herself. “Even with a paper bag over my head I’ll still be recognizable. I can’t get around without this,” she said, indicating her crutch.

“When I’m done with you, you’ll be able to bump right into them, crutch and all, and they won’t so much as blink. You’ll see.”

“Bu

“Deirdre’s probably never heard of him, have you, dear?” Bu

Invisibility. Now there was a goal worth aspiring to.

The facing walls of the dressing room were mirrored, reflecting back an infinitely repeating version of Deirdre’s frazzled self. Deirdre dropped her gaze to Bu

Outside the border framing Bu

Bu

Joelen caught Deirdre’s attention in the mirror and rubbed her fingers and thumb together. “Mom will be the official spokesperson.”

“A little old-style Hollywood glamour,” Bu

“Yes, Mother dear.” Joelen rolled her eyes. “Remember the last time Deirdre was here? You let her borrow that yellow dress.”

“Did I?” Bu

“Lace with a high neck,” Deirdre said. “It was the most gorgeous dress I’d ever worn, before or since.”

“Oh dear, that is a sad story.” Bu

Deirdre shivered at the thought of actually stepping into the torn, soiled dress. How different it would be from when she’d first put her arms through the sleeves on the night of her last sleepover.

That night, while the caterers were busy downstairs setting up for the party, Joelen and Deirdre sat and watched from the floor of this dressing room as Bu

Joelen had stood behind her mother, brushed out her hair, and pi

One by one, Bu

Bu

The overall effect was breathtaking. The intense green made Joelen’s complexion glow, and the contrast set fire to the reddish streaks in her hair. Her soft, full cleavage swelled into the plunging sweetheart neckline.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

The sound had startled Deirdre. It was Tito, standing in the doorway and staring in at them. He was dressed in a formfitting black silk shirt that was open halfway down his chest.

Joelen blushed, and her hands flew up to cover her breasts. Tito strode over to her, put a finger under her chin, and waited until she raised her eyes to meet his. “Do not be ashamed. You are beautiful like your mother.” He started to lean in toward her, as if he were about to give her a kiss, then turned and gave Bu

“Oh, could we? Can we?” Joelen asked Bu

After a few moments’ hesitation, Bu

Deirdre chose the pale yellow cocktail dress with a swishy tulle skirt and a lace bodice. With a borrowed bra of Joelen’s, stuffed with Kleenex, the dress fit perfectly and made her feel like a fairy princess. By the time both girls were dressed and Joelen had finished fussing with her own and Deirdre’s hair and makeup, Deirdre barely recognized the girls who looked back at them in the mirror. Joelen looked like A