"Mother, you never got my opinion on anything in regards to the dance." Jada was too tired to be annoyed with her mother. "The last few months, all you have done is tell me what you want."
Szelem sniffed, looking down her nose at her daughter. Such a beautiful child Jada was, it would be such a waste if she didn't heal thoroughly. "Well." she took her seat, pulling out a few images. "I decided we'll be filling the pond with some white lotus rather than leaving it empty." the older woman started rambling little details at Jada. Two weeks, almost to the day. The dance wasn't going to be pushed back for her recuperation, she would just be permitted to sit more than had been originally planned. Her dress would have to be adjusted to cover the burned flesh of her lower back. In fact, the original dress had been shoved in a closet and her measurements sent to a seamstress, along with the new gown that had been chosen. Two weeks until Jada's 'debut'.
Some people thought of a debutante ball as being a coming of age. Jada was starting to come to think of it as a chance for her mother to show her off like a piece of veal. Tender! Young! But it was all too obvious that her mother was rethinking some things. Maybe some good had come from her injuries. Not quite the good she was hoping for: there was no re-evaluation of the opulent display her mother was planning.
Purple eyes blinked down at a menu that was shoved in her face. Finger foods, mostly; her mother was inviting almost everyone she could think of, and there were already well over a hundred RSVP cards that had come in. “We have tents going up in the garden to accommodate all of the guests who will be coming. Some of your father's business partners from overseas will be coming, as will some of your future business partners. Your father wanted to assure you would know the fellow members of the Board of Directors for daddy's old companies. As no one can sell the stocks in the companies until you come of age and formally inherit.”
“Right.” Jada looked at her nails, already bored with the entire situation. “Mother, is there something specific you came for today?”
“Are you going somewhere?” green eyes narrowed at her daughter. “Horseback riding? A little spin around the clubs? Goodness, darling, what else do you have to do but assist in some planning?”
“Homework?” the heiress suggested, lifting up one of the invitations in her hand. The ones that had been sent out by her mother had been individualized, of course. The older woman's eyes narrowed at her daughter, but she didn't argue. Instead, she continued where she had left off, pointing at a few images she wanted Jada to pay particular attention to.
“Chiffon or Organza?”
“Organza will be fine.”
And so it went, questions and answers. Correct answers were rewarded with Szelem giving an approving smile, and the incorrect ones received a frown, followed by a “No, I don't think that would be the best idea.” It took far too long for the older woman to rise at last, sliding papers into a satchel. “April seventeenth, Jada dear. You'd best be presentable. I don't want any of that nasty inconvenience of yours to rear its ugly head.”
“Yes mother.” Jada leaned up to press a polite kiss to Szelem's cheek when the older woman leaned down to her. Szelem left, and Jada picked the invitation back up.
"Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Chamberlyn
request the pleasure of your company at a small dance
in compliment to their daughter
Jada Marie.
For Benefit of
Destiny City Hospitals.
Saturday, the seventeenth of April
Two thousand and ten
at eight o'clock in the evening.
Black tie preferred."
Jada read the words, her tone tight. She let the sweet-smelling invite fall to her soft comforter. The hospital-issued comforter was long gone, replaced by something provided from home.
Ugh. This potential catastrophe would be witnessed by far too many people for Jada to be comfortable with. Not only Crystal schoolmates, but her mother had sent invitations to select students of almost every other high school, college, and college preparatory school in the city. "Not everyone." Jada mocked her mother out loud, beating her head back against the goose-down pillow. "Exclusivity is key." she scowled. "Exclusivity my foot."
