She pushed all that to the back of her mind, put the sandwiches on plates, and carried them to the table. “Y’all know that this job for Ellie Mae could turn into a big thing. I bet her older sister will be the maid of honor and her mother will want a fancy dress.”

“That’s what you’re in business for, isn’t it?” Fanny Lou said. “Man, this brings back memories. Friday night was bologna sandwich night when I was a kid.”

“Why?” Jody asked.

“Because Mama always cleaned house on Friday, and she didn’t have time to make a big meal,” Fanny Lou answered.

“Funny how an hour of beading takes forever and our noon hour goes so fast.” Jody pointed to the clock.

“Good Lord!” Fanny Lou finished off her sandwich and grabbed a cookie. “I’ve got an appointment with my CPA at one and it’s a fifteen-minute drive to Greenville. See you girls later. You have my permission to flirt with Graham, Mitzi.”

Mitzi’s cheeks began to burn. “I had a teenage crush on him. I’ve grown up since then.”

Fanny Lou winked as she headed for the door. “Paula, since you live with Mitzi, I’m putting you in charge of being sure she takes her birth control pills every morning.”

Mitzi felt even more heat in her cheeks. “Granny!”

“When you get old you get to say whatever the hell you want to.” Fanny Lou closed the door behind her.

They’d just finished eating when the door opened and their one o’clock appointment arrived. It took Jody, Paula, and Mitzi to get her into the dress, a creation of white tulle over bridal satin. It certainly wasn’t what Mitzi would have chosen for the short lady, but with the help of Spanx and high heels, she was stunning. They added a sparkling tiara with a fingertip veil and turned her around on the stage to a huge three-way mirror.

Tears began to flow as both her hands went to her cheeks. “Oh, my! I’m beautiful. For the first time in my life, I feel like a princess.”

Jody grabbed a box of tissues and wiped her tears away. “Of course you are, darlin’. With those big old brown eyes and your gorgeous face, you’ve always been beautiful. Don’t cry, because I never let anyone cry alone.”

“It’s perfect. Look, I even have a waist. I can’t wait to wear this next week.” She pulled out another tissue and dabbed her face. “You’ve got the right name for this place. I’ll be telling all my friends about The Perfect Dress.”

Paula held a small trash can toward her so she could toss the tissue. “Word-of-mouth advertising is the best in the world. Want to take it off now?”