Luna bounced up when the timer went off. She had fallen into a deep state listening to the New Age music. She checked the clock. It was almost eleven, and she still hadn’t finished picking out her clothes. She had the essentials packed. Toiletries, the new teal silk pajamas with navy piping and a matching robe. Luna shuddered when she thought about the $500 she had spent on sleepwear. It was the most she had spent on any type of clothing in her life. But the company was called Lunya and she rationalized that it was a “sign.” Chi-Chi chortled at Luna’s explanation for her extravagance. “But it does look lovely on you.” Chi-Chi supported her the day they had gone shopping.

Trying not to waste more time, Luna pulled out a pair of jeans and a light, cream-colored sweater for the next day, a silk scarf, and a pair of slip-on canvas shoes with rubber soles. But what to wear now? She wanted to make a good impression, which was always the case, but this time it was special. Really special. Chi-Chi had suggested a baby-blue maxi dress with the tribal print split neckline, and a light denim jacket. She finished it off with her shooties—the booties with an open toe—bangle bracelets, and hoop earrings.

The night before, Chi-Chi had braided Luna’s hair in the same fashion as during their emergency makeover a few weeks before. It fell beautifully over her left shoulder, and she could undo it if she wanted to go wild and wavy.

Luna turned and looked at her bed. It was covered in a pile of rejected outfits. “Wiley. Why did you let me do this?” He offered a disinterested woof. “Yeah, yeah. Enough of fashion week. I’m going with Chi-Chi’s idea.” Wiley’s head perked up in agreement. “You should have said something earlier.” She laughed and gave him a big smooch on the head.

She applied her makeup very carefully. She didn’t want to look like she was overdoing it. “Casual. I’m casual,” she kept repeating to herself. She also decided to wear her contact lenses instead of her granny glasses. She plopped them in a case and stuck it in her bag. She considered it might be time to trade them in for something a little more modern. Then she laughed at the thought. No one would recognize her!

She took a long look in the mirror and turned to Wiley. “What do you think, pal?” He gave her his particular woof of approval, his tail banging an affirmative on the floor. “Come on. You’re staying with Uncle Cullen tonight.”

Luna was worried that having to take care of Wiley would interfere with Cullen’s evening, but Cullen insisted. “He’s no trouble at all.”