The stores have swimsuits out so Jessica and I decided to go swimsuit shopping just for the fun of it. I don't really have a need for a swimsuit. I don't go swimming and I obviously won't be getting a vacation for a long time. But Jessica wanted to go.
We each picked out a few we thought were pretty and went to the dressing room for a fashion show. Jessica had Mackenzie in a stroller so she went into the handicapped room and I went into the one next to her.
"Okay," Jessica said, "one, two, three."
On the count of three, we both stepped out of our dressing rooms to show each other the suits we had picked out.
I had picked out a bikini, at Jessica's urging, but felt really uncomfortable standing there, even though she was the only person who could see me.
"Oh, Fran, Fran, Fran."
"What?" I looked down and swiveled my hips, trying to look at my hips, stomach and butt. I looked horrible. I just knew it.
"It's nothing bad. I wish I looked like you. I can't get rid of this damn baby weight but you -- you look amazing."
"I what?"
I was never a "you look amazing sort of girl".
"No, really, I'm not joking. You have a body a lot of women would be envious of."
"Oh."
I saw tears swell up in Jessica's eyes. I don't think she was jealous but she probably did have her feelings hurt a bit. She never was skinny but now it was worst.
"Please don't feel bad. This was supposed to be fun. I don't know about you but I'd rather go try on some shoes."
I went back into the dressing room and quickly closed the door.
"You really should have Bill take you to a pool this summer."
I didn't answer immediately. "Oh, okay. Now what do you say about those shoes?"
