Chapter 22

Saturday came and the night of the Dream Ball had arrived. Laura had spent the entire day getting ready. She had made appointments at her neighborhood salon for a mani and pedi and a blowout for her hair. Her regular stylist, Josie, had squeezed her in once Laura told her what the last-minute appointments were for.

Laura was grateful to have the pampering. It relaxed her and it helped her to have someone to talk to about how nervous she was about the ball. They were just people, Josie told her. Just like them, just in a different set of circumstances. People were people. The rest was mostly dressing. Laura hoped what she said was true, but she was still uncertain.

Laura had never been to such a formal, fancy function before, but Angelo had assured her he would take care of her and had filled her in on what to expect. She was working hard to shed her insecurities about not belonging.

Finally, Angelo came to pick her up in a stretch limousine.

Laura heard the buzzer.