“No, I need advice about a man.”
George held up a hand. “Speak no more—I’m going to get May. I’m no good for dating advice, and May will kill me if she misses this, anyway.” George disappeared through the office door, calling May’s name.
May appeared with a clipboard in her hand. “I’ve been working on inventory. Whew! I need a break. Now, tell me all about your man troubles.”
“Long-story-short, there’s a Frenchman named Henri who’s been flirting with me, but Mr. Gherring says he has a reputation for using women. He sent me roses.”
“Mr. Gherring sent you roses?”
“Henri sent me roses and asked me to call him. But that’s not the only problem. Now I’m sort of going to a play with Mr. Gherring. Not really with him, but I will be with him and another couple.”
“Mr. Gherring asked you to a play?”
“Mrs. Klein asked me to go to the play, and Mr. Gherring decided to go. I think he just didn’t want me to go with Henri.”
“Henri invited you to the play too?”
Anne sighed at the confusion. “No, but Mr. Gherring was invited to the play and didn’t want to go if I was going, so he said he had a prior engagement. Then he suddenly decided to go to the play when Mrs. Klein suggested I invite Henri.”
May shook her head. “I’m a little confused. So the problem is you don’t want to go the play with Mr. Gherring? You’d rather go with Henri?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to go to the play with the Kleins and Mr. Gherring. It’s just that I know Mr. Gherring doesn’t want to be seen with me in public.”
“And why wouldn’t he want to be seen in public with you?”
“I’m not young and beautiful like the women he usually dates. I’m just a hick from Texas. What if people thought we were, you know… together-together?”
“Then I guess that’s his problem isn’t it? He didn’t have to go. He had an excuse already.” May snuffed a bit. “And I think he’d be lucky to have you. There’s nothing wrong with you.”
“You’re right.” Anne tapped a finger on her arm. “It’s his own fault he’s stuck going to the play with me.”
“Anne, dear, you should just go to that play and have a good time. Gherring will just have to deal with the consequences of his attempt to control your life.” She smiled and winked. “And you can still call Henri.”
“Yes, you’re right. I can. Thanks May. Everything sounds better since I’ve talked to you. I’ve got to go and get ready for tonight.”
Charlie assessed her mom’s appearance on FaceTime as she twirled around in her newly acquired dress. “I’m so jealous, you’re going to a musical. And now you’re making friends from all over the world, although it sounds like Henri wants to be more than friends.”
“So, do you like the dress?”
“Yes, it’s adorable. But maybe you should wear Giselle.” Anne had a slinky black formal dress, with a deep v in the front and a really deep v in the back. Charlie and Emily had pitched in together to buy the expensive dress, which they nicknamed for its designer, and they’d each worn it for very special occasions. Both girls had agreed their mom should take Giselle to New York City.
“I’m not wasting Giselle on this outing. Anyway, I’d look silly wearing a formal.”
“I’m just kidding,” Charlie said. “Your new dress will be perfect. What shoes are you going to wear?”
“I’ve got these cute wedge heels.” She held up her shoes to the camera.”
“Oh yes, those are perfect.”
“Yes, and I won’t lose my balance in wedges like I do in those spike heels.”
“So let’s get this straight—my mom is going to see a play in New York with Steven Gherring.”
“No,” Anne shot back quickly. “I am not going with Mr. Gherring. I’m going with Johanna and Al
exander Klein, and Mr. Gherring is going also.”
“But aren’t you going to sit together?”