Breakfast at Sabrina's, then the visit to the image consultant. Never thought I'd need this kind of service, but if I'm going to be on television at all, I guess I need it.

I complain about Sabrina. Prince can't handle it and snaps,"She's doing you a favor, being your image consultant."

"TAKE ME HOME! NO WAY IN HELL AM I GOING TO ASK FOR HELP FROM SABRINA! SHE'S NOT EVEN QUALIFIED!"I protest.

"Not qualified? With all those pageant titles she's won? And I've seen her giving real estate advice on the local news" Prince counters.

"Doesn't mean she knows anything!"

"She DOES know some things. You two need to spend time together anyway so this is perfect."

"I'm bench pressing more than ever- so watch out"

"Oooh...I'm so afraid" Prince teases.

Sabrina comes outside with Sammy, "Look Sammy! Uncle Prince and Aunt Penny are here!"

Sammy actually tries to say something and Prince thinks its the cutest thing ever.

"Alright, I thought we'd start with television fashion advice first. " Sabrina says after breakfast. She advises against wearing jewelry that makes noise, such as a pile of bangle bracelets, so the microphones don't pick it up which is something I'd have never thought of. She suggests when I wear skirts, I wear heels to make my legs look better, then instructs me how to sit.

"Prince and I complied a list of questions you might be asked interviews." Sabrina tells me.

"Ah...no. I'll sit there and look cute while Prince answers all questions." I refuse.

"You'll have to talk some." Prince insists.

Sabrina asks some questions that I respond to, nothing one wouldn't expect, then she throws this one at me," How often do the two of you get it on?" She seems uncomfortable asking and I'm pissed she did. Prince starts to softly chuckle.

Ready to shut her up and hopefully bring this to a halt, I respond,"I don't fuck and tell"

"PENNY! THAT"S GROSS!" Sabrina jumps up from her seat.

"Don't ask about my sex life if you don't want an answer!"

"Penelope, I had her ask that, Inappropriate questions come up. It's practice" Prince says.

"Honestly! Penny the censors will hate you if you talk like that! You want to reply to that type of thing with a more coy response, such as 'We're both satisfied.' or 'no comment' " Sabrina corrects. She composes herself. "Let work on your runway walk for Betsey Johnson's show. You know I've done so many pageant walks"

 Fondly, she smiles at her most prestigious crowns on display. Yes, they're right in the living room. Maybe I'm just judgmental, but is a "Miss Minnesota"crown from over ten years ago worth putting out like that so all visitors can see it? Pageants have always seemed vapid to me.

Sabrina does that walk I've seen so many times. So many as I used to sit in the audience and be bored by the whole pageant. Girls being celebrated for looking a certain way was unsettling to me. Brad grins and applauds, "You've still got it, Honey!"

"Now you try it, Penny!" cheers Sabrina.

I attempt to walk like Sabrina. " Good posture," she comments. 

Prince nods approval. More things are gone over.

"Can we go?" I ask, "Sugar, you know I am going out to lunch and to get my nails done." Actually I'm meeting Mrs. Shaw at the restaurant and we'll get manicures afterwards. It was my idea because I want to see what she's like without Prince around.

"Why don't we do things like that together?" whines Sabrina.

"Because I usually do my nails at home. "

"Still fun."

We say thank you and goodbye.

Prince is glad I'm meeting his mom. Of course I'm scared but how bad can she be in public? If we are in a place where we're both on our best behavior, maybe we can see the good in each other. Saying a prayer, I head towards her car in the restaurant's parking lot. It's a nice place. 

Mrs. Shaw and I make dull conversation while we wait for our orders. She's probably grateful when the food arrives that way we can't talk while we eat. "There's Margaret's father in the corner! Has Prince introduced you to Margaret?" she asks

"Yes! She's so sweet." I say.

"Margaret has really made something of herself. I knew she would. That man she married got lucky, she could've had Prince, you know." Mrs. Shaw goes back to eating.

Prince told me Margaret and him would've never worked as a married couple. They care deeply for each other but have different life goals. He wouldn't have wanted the life she has. Living in New York City most of the time and not having children. The idea actually saddened him.

"Then I got lucky too." I smile.

"You definitely did." she doesn't smile or laugh. Lunch is finished in silence and I pay for it. Now on to the manicure and that will be on my dime too.

Mrs. Shaw makes a beeline for a chair next to a woman she knows but there's still a vacant seat on the other side of Mrs. Shaw. My shade choice is the same as the bottle I have at home. A simple neutral color. She makes her selection. I'm ignored while she talks to her friend, Mildred. "You must be Prince's fiancé! I'm Mildred, a neighbor of Mattie's" Mildred says to me ,"I drive past your studio on the way to the supermarket."

"Hello." I say.

"Have you photographed anything interesting lately?"

"Yes! Just got back from California, I was photographing  for Vanity Fair." I try not to sound too boastful.

"Mattie! You didn't tell me that!"

"I thought I did." fibs Mrs. Shaw.

"No, I'd have remembered! My mind is not gone yet. Congratulations on the work, Penelope. No surprise Prince's wife is  beautiful and successful. "

"Thank you" I reply. Why can't Mrs. Shaw be so kind?

"Tell Prince I appreciated him having us get together. " Mrs. Shaw says after our nails dry.

"The idea was mine. I had a great time." I'm lying about the last part.

"Thank you. It was a fun day."

Maybe for you. You got an expensive lunch, a manicure and got to chat with your friend. "I told the guys in the wedding party I'd come see how they're doing with their suits. Would you like to come?" I'm going to be nice to this woman if it kills me.

"Okay."

The men's shop is in walking distance of the nail salon. Gary, Andre and Brad try on some suits. Mrs. Shaw and I fuss over the guys because they look awesome. She's enjoying herself but not paying me much attention. I have a swatch of the royal blue fabric wardrobe is making the bridesmaid dresses out of to match to the neckties.

 "So...you're a bridesmaid? That's unusual." Mrs. Shaw says to Gary.

"Yes, but Penelope and I have been friends for some time so I was invited to be in the wedding." Gary responds politely.

"Prince has started referring to Gary's position as 'bridesman'"I smile.

Gary and Mrs. Shaw keep talking. She's laughing at his jokes and once again, ignoring me. Gary tells her he's engaged to Grace and she's a bridesmaid. She thinks it's great that Grace and I are planning our weddings at the same time.

I call Prince so he can give the final verdict on the suits. He comes down and gives his approval. Andre and Prince spend some time catching up. Today was Prince's first day meeting Gary. "Gary seems alright." Prince tells me after the guys leave. He kisses me and Mrs. Shaw.

At least the suit shopping went well. "How was the day?" Prince asks me over dinner.

"Still trying to be polite to your mom." I sigh.

"Well that's good. Anyway I'm still surprised Gary isn't strange as I thought he'd be considering he's willingly marrying Grace." Prince chuckles.

"Now, now if Gary had asked me out instead of Grace, he might have been my husband today." I laugh. The idea is hysterical because you don't have to be a man to see why they are attracted to her. 

Prince is a bit possessive of me so this idea doesn't sit well. He nearly gags on his soup. "Not funny!" he sputters.