Every Girl Gets Confused by Janice Thompson

brushes look festive? That’s the real question.”
    â€œPut Crystal to work on it.”
    â€œYou want me to ask my bride-to-be to make a toilet brush look festive?” My brother snorted. “Seriously?”
    â€œNot a toilet brush, Jasper. There are a ton of things you can use in the window. Put her on the phone and I’ll give her some ideas.”
    Seconds later my future sister-in-law was on the line, sounding more than a little concerned. “I hate to see him frettin’ like this, Katie,” she said. “I’ve neh -vuh seen this side of Jasper before. He’s so worked up about that silly window display.”
    â€œYeah. I hate to say it, but my brothers have been very dependent on me. Everyone has. But it’s okay. I’ll tell you what to do. If you’d like me to stop by tomorrow afternoon when I’m done planning for Queenie’s shower, just call, okay? If you still need my help, I’ll be happy to give it.”
    â€œOh, thank you, honey!” Crystal released a sigh. “I feel so much bet -uh knowin’ you’re nearby!”
    I shared some thoughts and suggestions. Before long Crystal sounded excited about the project ahead.
    â€œOh, I can see it now, Katie!” She chuckled. “What if we stacked up the boxes of nay -uhls and screws to form the shape of a Christmas tree and then cuh -vuhed them in lights and tinsel? And on the uh -thuh side of the window I could put Santa Claus comin’ out of that fake fireplace thing that’s neh -vuh sold. What do you think of them apples?”
    â€œI think it sounds lovely.”
    â€œOh, you’ve got my mind ree -lun, Katie Sue! I just cain’t wait to dive in! And maybe I won’t even need you to stop by after all!”
    As I listened to her excitement grow, I felt a strange mixture of emotions—jealousy, because she seemed to be a natural at something I’d worked hard to be mediocre at, and relief, because my services were no longer needed.
    Probably a little more jealousy than relief.
    We ended the call and I went back to work on my emails as I pondered the window display here at Cosmopolitan Bridal. Hopefully I’d be able to get busy on it. Maybe one day later this month, if things slowed down.
    Slowed down. That was funny. I dove back into my work, not coming up for air until Madge popped her head in the door at noon. “You should eat something.”
    â€œI’m so busy, Madge.”
    â€œYou need sustenance. We all do.” She put her hands on her broad hips. “In theory, anyway.”
    â€œOkay, thanks. I’ll figure it out. In a minute.”
    â€œAll work and no play makes for a dull boy. Er, girl.” Madge leaned against the doorjamb and I could read the exhaustion in her eyes. I knew just how she felt.
    I glanced down at the pile of papers on my desk, brushed my hair out of my face, and sighed. “Do you think I’m dispensable, Madge?”
    She stared at me for a moment before responding. “Is that some kind of a joke?”
    â€œNo, I’m being serious. Nadia said I’m doing too good of a job. My cover shoot brought in too many customers. So remind me again why she’s paying me to do press releases and PR for the shop when we’re already drowning in work?”
    â€œBecause . . .” Madge plopped down in the chair across from my desk. “It won’t always be this way. Trust me when I say that we go through seasons of plenty and seasons of want.”
    â€œLike in the Bible? Feast or famine?”
    â€œYes. We’re in a feasting season right now, but there’s usually a famine around the corner. So having a plan to promote the business long-term is wise, don’t you think?”
    â€œWhen you put it like that, yes. And I guess I see what youmean. It was the same at the hardware store. In the summertime everyone wanted to fix up their yards, their kiddie pools, their