A fabulous singer Grace Starlin

Chapter One

As I woke up I could smell… breakfast? Getting out of bed, I look at the time, it’s 7:26 am, and wonder who could be in my kitchen making breakfast. Walking to the kitchen I could smell eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, pancakes, warm donuts and freshly baked muffins. I heard my stomach growl and entered the kitchen.

“Hey sis. Hungry? I made breakfast.”

“Good morning to you too, Anthony. Yes, I’m hungry. But, when did you get here and how did you get in?”

“I got here around 5 o’clock. You keep a spare key hidden behind the welcome sign hanging on your front door. That’s how I was able to get in and make breakfast.”

“Right. I forgot I had that spare key out there. How are you? I haven’t seen you in a little while. Job treating you okay? because if not you know I’ll talk to them and make sure you’re treated right?”

“I’m doing good. And no, you don’t have to worry about my job treating me right. I love it there. I love being a carpenter.”

“That’s good. So, I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you and ask if you’re gonna go to the Winter dance tonight.”

“Actually, that’s why I’m here. I was wondering if you could help me find something to wear to the winter dance. If you’re busy I can do my best to find something to wear on my own. It’s up to you, sis.”

“I could never say no to helping out a sibling. What are you thinking of wearing?”

“A tuxedo, of course, but I can’t figure out the style or design of the tuxedo that would work best for me. I was hoping you could help me with that.”

“Okay, well, I know who can help put together the perfect tuxedo for you to wear to the winter dance.”

“Isabella. I should’ve thought about how much she could help with, too. Is she at her shop right now?”

“I do believe so. Should we take breakfast with us and give her some while we’re there?”

“Yes. She would love that and I think we could both agree that we will all work better with something in our stomachs.”

“Yes. I do agree with that.”

“Oh. First, you should get dressed and do your hair. Your hair is very messy and needs to be dealt with.”

“Right. Thank you.”

“Anytime, Grace.”

I quickly got dressed and braided my hair into a bun. As I walked back into the kitchen, I watched Anthony look me up and down. "What? What did I do this time?"

"Nothing. You didn't do anything. It's just you look amazing. I wish I knew your secret on finding the perfect outfits for you."

"It's not hard. Just try different outfits to figure out your style. Then, next thing you know, you're wearing outfits that work perfectly for you. It all has to do with knowing what your style is."

"Oh. Okay. Should we go see Isabella and bring some breakfast?"

"Yes. Let's go. Who's driving?"

"I don't care."

"Alright. My Jeep it is."

I drove us to Isabella's shop and parked by the curb, next to her shop. Me and Anthony grabbed our breakfast, from the back of my Jeep, and brought it in to Isabella. Smiling, she came over to us.

"Hi, Grace. Hi, Anthony. What's this?"

"Our breakfast. We figured we'd bring breakfast over here, because I need your help and Grace's help to figure out the best style and design of tuxedo that would work best for me."

"Anthony showed up at my house around five o'clock. When I woke up he was making breakfast. He asked me to help him figure out what style and design of tuxedo would work best for him. I told him you could help design it, when I do figure out the style and design of the tuxedo that works best for him."

"Oh. I see. Okay. So, should we start eating and brainstorm ideas as we eat?"

"Sounds like a good idea."

"I agree with Grace, Isabella. That does sound like a good idea."

"Well, then, let's begin."

We each got ourselves a plate of food. As we ate I described the style, designs and colors of a tuxedo that I thought would work best for Anthony. Isabella started sketching out what I was describing on her tablet. She completed the final touches and showed me and Anthony what she had just sketched.

"Is this sketch like what you had in mind, Grace?"

"Yes. Yes it is. It's exactly like what I had in mind. What do you think, Anthony?"

"I think, I love having the two of you as my sisters. This tuxedo looks amazing. Thank you. Both of you."

"You're welcome, Anthony." Me and Isabella said together.

"Now, Anthony, should we start making this sketch an actual tuxedo?"

"Yes. What do I need to do?"

"Just come over here, on this platform, and stand as still as you can. But stay relaxed. Don't stand up straighter than you usually do and don't make yourself any different than how you stand on any day at any time. Can you do that? Just stand normally?"

"Yes. I can relax and stand up normally for you, Isabella."

"Thank you. If you don't relax and stand up normally my measurements will be incorrect and then you're tuxedo wouldn't be able to fit you. So, thank you for staying relaxed and standing up normally."

"You're welcome, Isabella."

I stood out of the way and watched Isabella as she made Anthony's tuxedo sketch a real tuxedo for him to wear to the winter dance tonight.

After Isabella finished the final touches to Anthony's tuxedo, she brought him over to the full-length mirror. As Anthony looked at himself in the mirror he was shocked at how good he looked in the tuxedo. Smiling, he gave me and Isabella a hug. He squeezed me so tight, when he hugged me, I had to gasp for air when he let go.