my hands, I forget about being spooked. The material is so awesome. Once Madison removes the muttonchop sleeves… I hold the dress up in front of the mirror, blinking as I see how much I resemble my mother now. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I’d say she was staring back at me from the mirror.
“Alex!” Madison calls. “Dorkus! Let’s see it.” I dart out of the room and down the hall to my own room, where she’s waiting for me. “Where were you?”
“My mother’s room. My grandmother keeps it locked.”
“Why?”
I shrug. “I have to sneak in. It’s like a museum in there.”
“Well, at least you know boo hags can’t get in.”
“What?” I say, stripping off my clothes and stepping into the dress.
“The Escher on the door. Boo hags and plat-eyes are obsessed with mathematics. Did Sina tell you about those? I’ve never seen one, but if you pay the Buzzards enough, you can use them to scare the hell out of anyone you want. I used one on Orang-Anna when she was getting out of line last year. I’m pretty sure Sybil McPhillips uses them to intimidate her husband’s political opponents. Anyway, a hag would hover for hours outside that door, trying to figure out the puzzle; by daybreak, it would be too late.” She steps back and looks at me critically. “Okay, yes. This is good.”
“You think so?” I turn from side to side.
“Absolutely. Guess we’ve pretty much pared your bod down to your mother’s size exactly. I don’t have to let in or take out anything. Although… those sleeves are going to be a bitch. Give it to me, and I’ll fix it.”
“Thanks.” I change back into my semi-ruined cargo pants and a tank and hand over the dress. Madison puts it in a shopping bag. Just then her phone rings, and she glances at it.
“Oh,” she says. “It’s Thaddeus.” She shrugs her shoulders and answers. “Hello?”
I try not to look as annoyed as I feel. How often do they talk? And why does he still feel the need to be friends with her? I watch her toss her hair and play with a silver earring. She is gorgeous—probably the prettiest of the MGs. Is it possible he’s not over her?
“She’s right here,” Madison says, interrupting my thoughts. She hands me the phone.
“Hi,” he says. “Did you buy a dress?”
“No, but I found one.”
“I just want to say the only reason I’m going to the damned thing is to watch the world’s unlikeliest debutante come out to society.”
“And to watch your sister.”
“Right, that. Hey, can I talk to Madison again?”
“Sure.” I hand over the phone.
“Hello?” Madison cocks her head and laughs. “Sure. See you later.” She hangs up.
“What did he say?”
“What?” Madison tosses off an infuriating shrug. “Oh, nothing. Okay, I’m taking this. See you later.”
As I hear her descend the stairs and head out the door, I can’t help seething. I walk over to my chest, looking at the ingredients I’ve gathered over the last few weeks: a vial of baby tears, goofer dirt, four jars of John the Conqueror root. It should be enough—at least, I hope it is.
I know it’s the wrong thing to do. I promised Thaddeus I wouldn’t. After all, he’s with me now. But there’s a voice in my head that says maybe he’s not, and it’s making me crazy—seriously crazy. The only way to make it shut up is to get in my new car and drive through the deepening dusk out to Buzzard’s Roost.
29
When I arrive at Buzzard’s Roost to find Sina, the first person I run into is Sam. I try to duck behind one of the houses, but he’s too quick for me.
“Alex!” he calls. “What are you doing out here?”
“Um…” I clear my throat. “Getting something from Sina for Miss Lee.”
“Really?” he asks, clearly suspicious. He seems to be dressed for a night out; he’s wearing dress pants and a beautiful linen shirt. I swear, the guy could be in GQ. He steps back and looks at me proudly. “I’m not sure what they’ve done with you, exactly, but these days you look just like your mother.” His eyes mist over for a moment.
“Sam, how well did you know my mother?”
“Oh, we were tight,” he says. “There’s no one I miss more than her.” He shakes his head. “She was so warm and funny. Man. I’d do anything to see her again.”
“Me too,” I say. “Anything.”
“Baby Magnolia!” Sina calls from her house. “You here to