by B.W. Harold

Created on: July 12, 2009   Last Updated: June 19, 2011

(inspired by the work of Bobby Birk's, non-helium writer)

It was a somber meal. A modest bag laid upstairs waiting for Shelly to cross over with Cheri. Gabe offered to pour Shelly more iced tea, and handed Cheri a napkin when the glob of mayonnaise dropped from her turkey sandwich. Gabe looked at her than turned his attention to Shelly.

"So Shelly where would be a good place to buy a nice dress?" he asked.

Shelly washed down the remainder of her sandwich,

"By a dress, do you mean a sun dress? Party Dress? ....Evening gown?" she asked.

"Evening wear, you girls need some formal wear for the tournament," he answered.

"Why?" Cheri asked indignant.

"For the banquets that come after the fights Darling," Gabe countered.

Shelly wiped her mouth before she spoke,

"Clare Morgan's."

Gabe nodded,

"That's in the mall ain't it?"

"Yeah and they're expensive," Shelly stated.

Gabe stood and went into his room, when he returned, he threw down a wad of money on the table. Cheri choked on her tea.

"Gabe, that's six hundred dollars," Shelly stated.

Gabe nodded,

"Yeah, I've been saving."

A spark shot between Cheri and Shelly. Cheri's smile was typical of any sixteen year old girl faced with a shopping spree.

"Gabe are you sure?" Shelly asked.

"Get your shoes," he answered.

* * *

Cheri's eyes brightened at the mannequins lining Clare Morgan's shop windows.

"Shelly, look at that color!" she cooed.

"Yeah it's amazing what they can do with dye anymore huh?" Shelly replied.

A wide smile spilled into Cheri's eyes,

"I haven't had a nice dress since my parents' funeral."

Gabe wrapped his arm around Cheri,

"You're getting one today Honey."

Each dress was like a new way for Cheri to look at herself. She twisted and turned admiring the cut and feel of every one. Her enthusiasm was infectious and finally after narrowing it down to five, she allowed Gabe to get into the action. He shot down the classic little black dress. He said that only trouble seekers wore that kind of fashion. The blue sequin dress was too short, the green was too low cut, and the pink one was strapless, no way was his baby sister wearing a strapless dress to banquet. Finally Cheri stood in a long, backless, red evening gown.

"Absolutely not," Gabe stated.

"What's wrong with this one?" Shelly asked frustrated.

Gabe motioned to Cheri,

"I can see her back."

Shelly seized Cheri by the shoulders and spun her around. She pointed to the square yoke covering Cheri's breasts.

"It's either show these or show this," she said turning

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