"You probably want something with a cinched waistline." The naga mused. "You're cute, but you look really young, so you really have to emphasize your figure. I don't think you'd want to look like a little girl at a house party."
She had practically interrogated Barry after she had started driving.
"What type of party is this? What type of clothes do you usually wear? What type of dress do you want."
His answers were initially evasive, and Susan was clearly enjoying his awkwardness, but Mrs.Harper was undeterred, and before long Barry found himself genuinely engaged in the questions. It was nice to be asked, instead of told, even if he was buying a dress.
"I definitely don't want to look like a kid. I'm a senior, not some middle schooler. And... I don't know. If I can stay away from something too girly, that would be great. I usually wear stuff that's pretty boring, but I guess if I had a choice, I like really dark colors?"
Mrs. Harper had listened to each answer carefully.
"You probably don't want a tulle or anything too poofy." She continued, "Even a little bit will look like a tutu, you're so little."
She had just called him short... and he didn't mind. It was strange. The same comment from someone else might have annoyed him, but she wasn't being patronizing or offering sympathy or mocking him. It was just a pragmatic fact in trying to find the best style.
"A dark blue A-line dress or blouson with a light coat might suit you really well... It's feminine" She ceded, "but it's not girly girly. And if you get a round neck, you don't have to worry about showing 'the girls'."
Barry was surprised at how quickly Mrs.Harper had accepted the fact he was a boy too. It didn't even seem to phase her. "Boys can wear cute dresses too!" She had insisted, when he first brought it up. It wasn't even a speed bump in her fashion considerations.
"A denim jacket is a must have. If you want to look tough, you can wear a loose army jacket, or light biker jacket over dresses too!"
"Tough" wasn't something he thought he'd ever look like again, but it was a nice thought.
"You probably don't want to wear leggings with fur, but I suppose that isn't ruled out If you really want, and Oh! And don't be afraid to check the boys department for a jacket, with your size, you might find something that fits you there."
She gave him advice about accessorizing, and belts, and hats, which he listened to politely but mostly ignored, but before long, he and Susan were standing before the mall. She passed them her credit card through the window.
"Let's say... a $400 dollar limit? But you have to show me what you get when you get back!"
"Have fun you two!" She cried as she drove off. "I'll just be at the park down the road."
Barry waved, but it looked more like Susan was shoeing her away.
"So that's my mom..." Susan stated with a smirk. "She's a bit much."
"She was kind of refreshing."
"Try living with her for 18 years." Susan retorted.
"You know, She kind of reminds me of you." Barry laughed.
"What! No way. She's crazy. I'm the most sane one in my family."
"Maybe, but you can get enthusiastic like her sometimes too." Barry offered with a smile.
"Well, I'm definitely sorry for that."
Barry somewhat meekly responded. "Don't be... It's nice to see you like that."
Silence passed between them, then Barry asked. "$400? Isn't that a lot?"
"Yeah, she's probably just excited I'm out and about instead of staying home all the time. She could never get me excited about clothes shopping."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. My options are just blouse or seashells." She stated wryly.
"Or a dress." Barry offered.
"I guess. I was never really a dress kind of girl though."
"I bet you'd look good in one." He stated.
"I bet you'll look good in one too." She quipped, and smirked at his discomfort.
"Ok Ok, I won't push it." He held up his hands, then turned to the mall doors, "Well? Shall we?" Barry asked, as he trotted ahead of his friend.
She slapped the break knob of her chair and pushed forward. "Right behind you."
It was strange walking around the mall... Not only because everything looked so much bigger, but also because Barry saw it in a new light. Previously, the mall was a movie theater, a comic book store, a novelty knife store, two department stores, and a food court, all separated by long walks. Now? Now he was here to actually go in all those other stores he previously just ignored. The mall felt bigger, and full of a potential he hadn't considered before.
It was strange, and he was curious, as the pair made their way into one of the stores.
