Laura smiled sweetly and wished me a nice evening on my way out. I made it all the way to Ruby before bursting into tears all over again. I looked at the Birmingham summer sky, golden rays framing bunches of deep purple clouds. “Thank you, Violet. I love you.” My strappy black sandal’s heel caught on the worn floor mat as I started the car, and I had to smile.

On our third Saturday adventure, Violet had insisted we go to Dillard’s at the mall in Anniston and get my make-up done. “Honey, you’re a Southern woman. We don’t go to the mailbox without our face and hair fixed up. And while you’re beautiful just as you are, it wouldn’t hurt to try a little enhancement.”

“I’m no good with that stuff, Violet. I never have been.”

“And that’s why we’re getting you some help. I know the girl at the Clinique counter and she will bring out your lovely blue eyes. Then we have an appointment with my stylist Summer. She’s going to shape your hair a tiny bit.”

I was shaking my head no. “I appreciate it, but I love my hair as it is.”

“And you should. A few layers will make it thicker and fuller. Summer is a hair genius, Ronni. She’s not going to change it, just enhance it.”

“So today is Enhance Ronni Day? What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to watch you bloom, honey. And pay for everything, of course.” She glanced at my Nike-clad foot on the accelerator. “Maybe we’ll look at some shoes, too.”

“I’m a nurse. I wear comfortable shoes.”

“Only while you’re nursing, Ronni. The rest of the time your shoes should make a feminine statement.” She extended a leg to show off her kitten-heeled pink pumps on the floorboard. “Oooh, and a pedicure would be fun, too. We’ll do that together this afternoon. I know a great place. The chairs even massage you.” She smiled brightly.

“I hate massages. I hate people touching my feet.”

“Then, for today only, pretend you like it. For my sake. If you want to scrub your mascara away later and rip the polish off your toes and put your hair back into that ponytail, you can. Let me do this for you.”