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to bribe me.  Honestly!”
    “I’m so sorry for putting you and the care center in this position,” Ellen had apologized.  “I’m going to stay under the radar as much as possible.  You’ll be happy to know I’m finally getting that makeover I talked about. Maybe no one will recognize me.  I’m being very careful while out. I feel like a spy, sneaking around.”
    “None of this is your fault, Ellen.” Ida had told her in a kind, patient voice.  “The world loves a sad, romantic heroine.  Right now, you’re its darling.”
    “Well, I don’t want to be!”
    “I know.  I’ve got to go. Congratulations on the makeover!  You deserve good things to happen to you for all you did for Paul.  No one else would have stayed by his side for nine years the way you did. It really is a beautiful story when you think about it.”
    Ellen had cringed at that last remark.  There wasn’t anything beautiful about what she’d done to Paul.  Remaining with him hadn’t come close to paying him back for what she had done.
    When Ellen reached the top of the staircase, she pushed aside painful memories and fixed a smile on her face.  She turned down the hallway. Dolly’s door was opened, and Ellen could clearly see the petite woman seated in a chair by the window.
    “Hello, Dolly!” Ellen swirled inside the room. “How do I look?”
    Dolly gaped at Ellen’s lighter, shorter hairstyle with wispy bangs.  “I hardly recognize you.”
    “Good! Maybe the masses won’t either.”
    “Come over and let me get a better look.” 
    Ellen plopped down on the velvet bench at the foot of Dolly’s four poster bed.  Dolly appraised Ellen’s layered, chin-length hair.
    “Your hairstylist said it gave me a more sophisticated, chic look.”  Ellen swung her head from side to side.  “It feels much lighter.  Thank you Dolly!  This has boosted my spirits considerably.”  Ellen just wished the new style would take away her deep guilt.  It didn’t come close.
    “I like it, too, dear, but you need just a touch of makeup.  Not too much.  Your olive skin and dark eyes are masterpieces.”
                  Ellen frowned.  “I’m out of makeup, Dolly. I haven’t worn any in years.”
    “We can fix that.  I have all kinds in my dressing room.  You can borrow anything you like.  Then we’ll work on those shabby clothes.  How old is that outfit anyway?”
    Ellen looked down at the frayed ends of her pants.  She’d had them since night school.
    “Old!” She told Dolly with a laugh.  “But, I’ll have to wait for the rest, Dolly.  The movers are here with my stuff.”
    “Go get settled in your room.” Dolly shooed her away.  “We’ll do the makeup and discuss your shopping trip later.”
    “Would you like to go shopping with me, Dolly? I could sure use your help.”
    Dolly beamed.  “I just might do that!”  
    Ellen helped Dolly back in bed for her nap then skipped to her room where Celeste had the movers carry her boxed-up possessions.  Two men in company uniforms were waiting for her to sign off on their checklist.
    “We packed everything but the furniture,” one of the two men said.  “The landlord helped. You didn’t have much.”
    Ellen nodded.  She’d lived sparingly the past nine years.  After checking each of the six boxes, Ellen signed the receipt, and the men left.
    Alone in the sunny, femininely-decorated room, Ellen took the time to sort through her meager wardrobe.  She boxed up the worst of her clothes to throw away.  None were worth giving to a charity.  What little items she chose to keep all but disappeared inside the queen sized, walk-in closet. 
    Ellen unpacked her most valuable possessions last.  She placed family photos about the room then realized she had none of herself and Paul.  She’d hid them away years before. Hopefully, no one visiting her room would notice and ask her about it. 
                  Her mother’s ornate jewelry box went