Liza couldn’t wait for Bev to see WIC—all dressed up, handsome smile. She would have to admit that Liza had gotten it right. Liza was finally going to see Bev eat crow. Nothing could spoil this night.

ENTANGLED

The limo was lavishly appointed. The Bennetts sipped on champagne and nibbled chocolate-covered strawberries. Deya shouted over Maurice as they fought over the limo snacks, and Janae kept making requests to the driver to turn the music to max volume. The whole time, Beverly was counting up the expenses.

“I looked up our hotel. It’s over one thousand dollars a night for suites. And this champagne ain’t cheap either.”

Janae chided her mother softly. “We get it, Ma. They’re being very generous to us.”

“Oh, it’s not about us, honey. They are giving us the royal treatment because of you and that moneymaker right there.” She pointed to Janae’s face. “And we’ll meet Ms. Liza’s mystery man too. This perfect man that is so much better than a future politician.”

Liza sat with her arms folded and did not take the bait. It was one of the most adult moments of her life. She should diversify her 401(k) next.

Granny was swinging the limo door open before the car was at a complete stop.

“This girdle is suffocating me.” Granny yanked at her hunter green tracksuit. Bev had begged, pleaded, and bartered to get her mother into “something reasonable.” The plush velvet tracksuit was as far as she got with the woman.

The Bennetts spilled out of the limo to a surprising number of photographers and curious onlookers. Bev smoothed her dress as she scooted out of the limo and grinned as if she were made for the spotlight. Liza knew that as soon as she stepped out, she would stick out like a sore thumb. She wore a jumpsuit, for one. When she saw it online, she’d fallen in love with the detail, the plunge neck, the shawl lapels, and the side pockets. It was the open back and wide legs that made her feel both exposed and conservative at the same time. She fretted with the chain that went from the nape to the small of her back. It had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now it had the same creeping sensation of a fly walking up her back. Janae swatted Liza’s hand away.

“Leave it alone. You look amazing, Liza,” Janae assured her. Her sister always knew what she was thinking.

“I’m the only woman in pants here.”

“So your WIC can easily make you out, right?” Janae said.

Liza nodded and walked down the carpeted aisle into the building.