Gwen giggled.
After a few more strips, Mimi finally said, "That's it. All done. You can turn back over."
"You as well," Gemma said to me.
"I want to see it," Hycinth demanded.
"That's fine," Mimi replied. "Gwen, help her sit up."
There was some more shuffling and then Hycinth gasped. There was a tremor in her voice, shock and dismay evident. "Ohhh...that is...not pretty...I look like a Red Delicious apple in a barren orchard!"
There were grunts and coughing from the group, several people trying to hold back and conceal their laughter.
"That's perfectly normal, child. The redness will go away very soon," Mimi reassured her.
There was a moment of silence. I could only imagine Hycinth's narrowed eyes and expression of disbelief. And then she sighed heavily and whimpered, "Could I at l
