Chapter 9: Dressed Up

Many more weeks passed, and then Jackie and Linda were back at Claudia’s table. Jackie put manila folders in front of Claudia and Ben.

“We have reached the end of this long and winding road. I can tell you, confidentially, that Nathaniel Bolton, Naomi’s grandfather, got personally involved in this case, and he’s basically paying a lot to make you go away. He was consumed with anger when he heard about Naomi’s behavior in this whole sordid story.

“All right. Open your folders; the checks are right on top. I’ll wait so the numbers can soak in.”

Lucy and Xena couldn’t help themselves; they peeked over the shoulders to see the amounts.

“Millions!” breathed Lucy.

“You’re going to need an independent review of everything and tax advice. Our fees have been taken out, so what you see is what remains after that deduction. But this is life-changing money, obviously, and you need to hire a financial planner.

“And a gardener. Your yard is terrible, Claudia.”

Jackie laughed. Then she was swept up as Claudia embraced her.

“Thank you, Jackie,” Claudia whispered. “Wanna fuck?”

A few weeks later, the four of them were starting to recognize their new reality. Ben came to Xena with a troubled look on his face.

“I want to ask you something, but I’m nervous about it.”

“Please, Ben, I want to hear it. We need to always be honest with each other, as much as possible.”

“In all the time I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you wear a dress. I want to take you to the Junior Prom, but I’m not sure of your reaction. We can afford nice clothes, now. X, would you be my guest? Me in a suit, you in a dress, what do you say?”

The words tumbled out of him, illustrating Ben’s anxiety.

“You want me to wear a gown, like a princess, ick!, stockings, and even makeup?”

“I do. I know that’s asking a lot, taking you out of your comfort zone. But will you think about it?”

“Ben, if it makes you happy, I’ll do it. I’m sure your mom can help me look OK.”

“Oh, thank you! You’ll see, I promise we’ll have fun. We don’t have to stress; we have three months to get ready.

In the public school systems, it is possible, sometimes even likely, to pick up an enemy. Before Xena and Ben were a couple, they managed to individually make the same enemy.

They played prom night like a wedding, where the bride could not be seen by the groom until she was completely ready. Ben was beyond nervous as he struggled to put the elegant wool suit on his body to make the best presentation. Fortunately, he had received coaching after the tailoring was finished, tying and retying his necktie until he achieved proficiency.

Standing in the living room with his hair combed, Ben shifted his feet, trying to control his anxiety. And then, the door opened, and X stepped in front of him.

He literally staggered, throwing out a hand to grab the back of a chair for support. Like a beached fish, his mouth opened and closed three times, without any sound.