6 -ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID

school and we will be working late," he said. "But what about that math test?"

"I want to study...but mother says that I have to do what she says.'

I commiserated with him. His whole life was school and work. . .no relaxation or sports. He was looking thin and anemic. I felt sorry for him.

"You can't work all night! We have a test and you need to study!" I said sadly. "Can't I meet you later at the shop?"

"Please, don't come to the shop."

"Why not?" I asked, surprised at this strange request.

At first he did not want to tell me but then he said, "Will you promise not to make fun of me?"

"Of course," I replied. "Friends never make fun of each other except when it's a joke.”

"Well..." he hesitated. "My Mother says that I have to be careful around the fine fabrics because they are expensive. I. . .I have to wear an apron whenever I'm working now around the wedding dresses...and that's almost all of the time now.'

"

"So what," I said, assuming of course that it was some kind of masculine covering like we sometimes wore in shop at school.

"I've told her to get me some guy ones but she says I have to wear the ones in the shop," he said. "The one I have to wear is all white. . .and it looks like a girl's apron."

"What do you expect? It's a dress store." I tried to console him. "So what...it's just in the shop when no one is around, right?"

"SO WHAT, you say?" he sneered. "You aren't the guy who has to wear it. And that's not all. . ."

He was embarrassed and almost in tears. He confided, "Look at my hands. . .I have to wear nail polish. I snagged a $3,000 dress with my ragged nails."

"Oh no," I said looking at his clear, polished nails.

SANDY THOMAS PUBLICATIONS

7

"That's terrible. What do the guys in school say?" "I kept my hands in my pockets all day. . .but I know someone will see them.

"Do you want me to come and talk to your mother?"

"It's all business to her. To her, giving me manicures and polishing my nails will 'save dresses'. Some of them are made of very delicate fabrics, you know?"

I slapped him on his shoulder, "I saw on TV that Mafia guys have their nails polished. I'll tell you what, I'll come and pick you up at the store at seven. We can get an hour of studying in. I need your help.

Baily tried to smile. "Thanks Todd. . .I really need the grades to get into college...somewhere.. .anywhere but here!"

As promised I went to the House of Brides to pick up Baily. I was a little early and barged in the back storage room door, as was my custom. Baily and his mother were in the showroom. I must say it looked neater and cleaner then ever before. After yelling "Hello" to them, I walked up front. I was really shocked.

Baily was busy putting away stacks of lingerie and couldn't hide his embarrassment.

My jaw must have dropped but I didn't say anything. Over his blue jeans and t-shirt he was wearing what looked like a white cotton dress. It was tied in the back with a bulky but neatly tied bow. It was a serving apron from the formal uniform rentals. It had a square neck covered with a panel of ruffled lace. The straps were lace and the apron was so full that it went all the way around him like a skirt. The gathered waistband was tied smoothly around his waist.

His face glowed as I tried to not say anything. As he moved, the ruffled flounce at the bottom made the skirt stand out.