“Really?” Her reaction at the funeral made me wary of her acceptance, but I had to admit I had caught her off-guard then.

“Yes, very tasteful and much more age-appropriate. You always looked like a Mini-Me of Momma before.” She shuddered as she said the words.

I considered protesting, but she was right. “So, what do you think?” I asked. “What should I wear?”

Violet picked out a skirt and blouse and told me to take a shower and wash my hair. She would wait for me.

When I got out and dressed, Violet brought in my Walmart receipt. “What’s this?”

“It’s my Wish List,” I said, brushing my damp hair.

“What kind of Wish List?”

“I don't know, things I want to accomplish before I die. Or more specifically, before I get arrested.”

“Rose! Don’t say such a thing! You’re not gonna get arrested.”

I didn't want to think about it, especially since I was preparing for my first date ever. “I certainly hope not, but it’s something I have to consider. There’s circumstantial evidence. Deanna Crawfield says it's a possibility.”

Violet frowned. “I refuse to consider it. You didn’t do it and they’ll catch whoever did.” She turned her attention to the receipt. “This is an odd list.”

“Maybe for you, but it’s mine.”

“I noticed you checked off kiss a man.”

“I already told you I had. That should come as no surprise.”

“I hoped it was some kind of rebellious exaggeration. But now that you mention it, why are you so eager to go on a date after your wonderful kiss? Does it have anythin’ to do with the woman in Joe’s backyard?” She looked a little too smug.

“I told you I don’t wanna talk about it.”

Violet tried to hide her smile but not soon enough. “Go blow dry your hair and I’ll show you how to put on makeup. That is if Aunt Bessie didn’t show you already.”

Aunt Bessie had, but it was all so foreign to me. I figured I’d need to be shown multiple times before I felt comfortable putting it on. Violet had brought some of her makeup, thinking I might not have any of my own, which I didn’t. Yet.

I already felt like I was moving at light speed. Every time I saw myself in the mirror I paused, startled by the stranger looking back at me. This new person still took some getting used to. I’d told Violet that it was just hair, but it was more. It signaled the shedding of my old life. When Momma died, the padlock to my jail cell fell off, making me free. While I burst out running with my freedom, every once in awhile I had to stop and figure out where I’d run to.

When Violet finished applying my makeup, which was thankfully very little, she gave me a good look-over and declared me ready. I still had twenty minutes until Steve showed up.

“So what’s Steve look like?” I asked, putting away the clothes I had pulled out earlier.

“He’s got blond hair and blue eyes and is cute as a button.”

Granted, I was new to the whole dating world but cute as a button didn’t sound like the way a woman wanted her date described.

Violet planted herself in a chair and turned on the television.

“What are you doin’?” I asked.

She flipped through channels with the remote. “I’m searchin’ for a show that isn’t animated and doesn’t involve cars or guns.”

“But why are you searchin’ for it here?”

She glanced up and smiled, wickedness twinkling in her eyes. “Because I can’t watch that at home. If I didn’t know better, Rose, I would suspect you’re tryin’ to get rid of me.”

She was right. I wished she’d leave, but technically, it was her house now, a subject we still needed to address. But not right at that moment, minutes before Steve showed up.

“You’re not goin’ to embarrass me are you?”

She touched her hand to her chest and her eyes grew wide with fake innocence. “Of course not.”

“I’m warnin’ you Violet Mae, you embarrass me when he shows up and I’m not leavin’ with him.”

She held her hands up in surrender. “All right, all right, I won’t embarrass you. I just want to make sure you get off okay, since it’s your first date and all.”

I grumbled and walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water, unable to stop myself from looking out the window into Joe’s backyard. The dog wasn't there and when I craned my neck to look out the front, I didn’t see his girlfriend’s car either.

A loud thumping on the front door broke my concentration and I smacked my head into the window. Steve was early. Rubbing my forehead, I walked to the front door while I shot a look of warning at Violet, who was already getting up. She sat down in the chair, a grin on her face. I grasped the doorknob, took a deep breath, and opened it.

Joe stood in front of me, wearing a sheepish look. I turned back around to see Violet stretching her neck, trying to get a look out the opening.

“It’s not him. I’ll be back in a second.” I slipped out the door and shut it behind me. “What are you doin’ here?” I hissed. “Shouldn’t you be with your girlfriend?”

“Rose, that’s why I’m here…to explain.” The look on his face told me he was prepared to do a lot of digging to get himself out of his mess.

I had to admit he looked good, really good, but I couldn’t let his looks sway me. “I’m not interested in anythin’ you have to say. You tricked me into thinkin’ you liked me.” I kept my back to the door and I turned the knob to go inside.