“Yes, but we were the only ones in our class,” Mitzi reminded them. “Twelve boys. Ten girls. The biggest of the other seven girls was a size six. And every family is dysfunctional. It just matters to what degree.”

“Not yours,” Paula said. “Your dad is a sweetheart.”

“Yes, he is.” Mitzi stood up and rolled the kinks from her neck. “And my mama would’ve fought an army for me using only a kitchen butter knife, but she could manipulate the devil into letting her set up a snow-cone stand in hell. And Lord, don’t even get me started on the guilt trips she could lay on a person.”

“You didn’t have to live with an ultrareligious mama who made you pray twice a day on your knees for thirty minutes,” Jody said.

“Or parents who argued constantly over Mama’s hypochondria and Daddy’s superstitions,” Paula added.

“Like I said, there’s no such thing as a perfect family. But don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t take a million bucks for my family.” Mitzi started out of the room. “It’s break time, and since I didn’t take time for breakfast, I’m warming up a sausage biscuit. Y’all want one?”

Jody was on her feet in a second. “Yes, and thank you. I’d forgotten how good meat tasted. I may have two. Do we have grape jelly? And we are going to have to lay aside that vow we made about closing shop at five o’clock. Some folks take a whole year to get ready for a bridal fair, and we’ve only got a little while. We need to make a really good impression, and get our name on the list for next year.”

“Grape jelly is in the fridge.” Paula pushed back her chair. “Living in the house does have benefits. Like sleeping a little longer and real food in the office fridge. And you are right about burning a little late-night oil. This bridal fair is huge, and for us to get to show off our plus-sized idea? Well, darlin’s, that’s out of this world.”

“On another note, thinking of cooking in here, we should put one of those wax-burning candle things in the foyer. Maybe one that smells like roses or vanilla. Some food smells just don’t say that you’re in a bridal shop,” Jody suggested.

“Great idea,” Mitzi said. “Ellie Mae sells those. When she comes in for her next fitting, I’ll order a couple. Maybe one for the fitting room, too. Wonder if they have a cute one that looks like a wedding cake?”