Chapter 49

Still reeling from the uncanny resemblance, Estelle remains temporarily speechless as she takes in a prolonged gasp while shaking her head in disbelief. Her eyes begin to welt. She's finally able to answer Adele; but does so sounding as if she were on the verge of crying. "Ain't nothing wrong…" she shakes her head again, "My God, Adele…you beautiful, girl." "Really?" "Oh yes, Suga'bear…go and take a look for yourself in the mirror." Accentuated by her naturally statuesque form, the ‘new' Adele gracefully descends the stairs. On the way down, luxuriously velvet textured hair…now straightened and brushed away from her face…elegantly flows; flattering the contours of her facial bone structure. Meanwhile, she displays a clear, light brown caramel complexion glowing below a hint of makeup; not excessive, but just the right amount to accentuate her lovely features. Once reaching the bottom of the steps, Estelle and Nadine walk Adele over to the mirror hanging on the dining room wall. They stand behind her, admiring her loveliness in the reflection; while Adele stares at herself in the mirror. "Well, Suga'bear…what do you think?" Tears begin to stream down the side of Adele's face as her lips begin to quiver. She takes in a deep breath, then slowly exhales while starting to wipe her cheeks dry. "Grandma…I'm a butterfly now." "Yes…yes you are, Suga'bear." Nadine moves in closer behind Adele and wraps her arms around her waist; then leans in, resting her chin on Adele's shoulder. Viewing their reflections, Nadine remarks… "You see, Adele…now when people see us, you'll be the beautiful one; and I'll be the freak." Adele quickly spins around to face Nadine, and emphatically states, "Don't call yourself that, Nadine; you're not a freak…you're beautiful…you'll always be beautiful." She turns to Estelle. "Ain't that right, Grandma?" Looking at their images reflected in the mirror…just like her granddaughter, who no longer looks like Adele; but more like her daughter Charmaine…Estelle doesn't see Nadine as the frail, dying young girl with the sunken in face and sickly look; but now all she can see is that once robust, accepting young girl who had been the first one of Adele's peers gracious enough to look past those outer ‘flaws' and see just how special her granddaughter truly was. A young girl, who only several months ago, had possessed enough insight one evening while in their kitchen to declare, "Well…her brain may be a little weak…but she sure has a strong heart". Those words were joyously burned into Estelle's mind that night; and they'll remain embedded there until the day she dies. And recalling that moment, from now on, that will be the Nadine Martin that Estelle Wilson sees; and will always remember. Estelle places an arm on each of their backs and gently turns them around to face the mirror. While standing behind them, as she gazes upon their faces in the mirror, Estelle lovingly avows with the sincerest of conviction… "Right now…I'm looking at the two most beautiful girls in the whole, wide world." Come Monday morning, the students at Roosevelt High are all abuzz as Nadine accompanies the ‘new' Adele, wearing what's considered to be a more fashionable outfit…coordinated by the same trio who oversaw her makeover…through the hallway before homeroom. Some are complimenting Adele directly; but most are making favorable comments about her new look amongst themselves. As they pass by the ‘Cool Crew' talking in front of Christy's locker, Adele's bedazzling recent transformation immediately catches Leah's attention. "No way…O.M.G….is that Adele Wilson?" Upon seeing her, Troy instantly appears impressed with Adele's new image. "Yeah… I think it is. Yo…she's pretty hot looking." Frankie, still fuming over the punishment he and his fellow teammates are still enduring from the coach over the locker incident, refuses to give Adele any credit or compliment whatsoever; no matter how deserving she may be of it. He shoots Troy a disdainful look and, with much contempt in his tone, reminds him… "Dude…that's the Retard you're talking about." Still enchanted by her newly exhibited beauty, Troy dismisses Frankie's petty remarks and contends, "Maybe…but she's a hot retard." Christy, who's also facing the repercussions of her plot against Nadine and Adele, and evidently miffed by all the attention Adele's receiving, slams her locker shut. She sneers while scornfully remarking… "Whatever." Mr. Trudeaux's sitting at his desk grading papers as Nadine stops in the doorway and knocks on its frame. "Excuse me, Mr. Trudeaux; got a sec?" He puts down the papers, folds his arms across his chest and leans back in his chair. "For you, Ms. Martin; always. What can I do for you?" "There's somebody I'd like you to meet." She looks out to the hall. "Come on in." Adele timidly enters; but still exhibits a hint of pride in her new look. "Hi, Mr. Trudeaux." She anxiously inquires, "What do you think?"