Free Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson

velvet lapel. Very . . . unique. And dated. Brock turned around to show off the rear vent. Flapping it, he said, “Think I’ll get any hot dates in this getup?”
    Responding was completely out of the question, since I couldn’t have squeezed any words past the laughter that had bubbled up in my throat.
    “Where in the world did you get that?” Sophia asked, looking stunned.
    Pop grinned. “I’m surprised you don’t recognize it from the photos hanging on the wall downstairs. I wore this the day your mother and I got married. Doesn’t fit me now.” He rubbed his midsection. “But it fits Vinny here like a glove.”
    “Unless you count the legs.” I looked at the black slacks, which were about an inch too short. Maybe two inches. Brock’s white socks stuck out like a sore thumb, and the shoes . . . well, there wasn’t really any way to do the shoes justice. They must’ve come from the ’70s too.
    Brock slipped Armando’s taped-up glasses back on, completing his look. “Think anyone will recognize me?”
    “Not a chance in the world,” I said. “I hardly recognize you myself.”
    “Perfect.”
    Minutes later, Rosa appeared in the foyer, dressed in the most beautiful black chiffon dress I’d ever seen. “Rosa!” Sophia and I spoke in unison. “Where did you get that dress?”
    “Oh, I bought it a couple of weeks ago at a shop on the mainland.” She peered in the mirror, touched up her lipstick, and looked back at us. “Do you like it?”
    “Like it?” Sophia asked, her mouth now hanging open. “Are you kidding? It’s to die for!”
    “Really?” Rosa beamed. “You think so?” She fidgeted with her bun, which she’d fashioned in a looser, more flowing style.
    “What’s to die for?” Laz entered the room wearing his black suit, the same one I’d seen him wear dozens of times to church. He took one look at Rosa and the shock registered on his face. He managed one word—“Oh.” Not much, but it spoke volumes. I’d never seen that look in his eyes before.
    Apparently, neither had Rosa. Her lips almost betrayed her as they curled up in a smile. Quickly she turned back to the mirror for a final glance, then tucked the lipstick into her tiny purse.
    “Everyone ready?” Pop asked. “Let’s go see Bubba in his debut.”
    For a second there, I felt like Dorothy taking her first step on the yellow-brick road. I certainly had the right traveling companions. As we headed out the door, I found myself singing, “We’re off to see the wizard.”
    What a night this was turning out to be!

Demo version limitation

15
Just One of Those Things
    On Sunday morning I drove the Splendora trio to the pier, then met my family at church. Brock and Rob stayed home, but the rest of us enjoyed a break from the craziness of the week. The reception from our friends at church didn’t surprise me. Mama was congratulated on every side by people who had seen last night’s production. She took it all in stride, but I could see the appreciation in her eyes.
    D.J. joined us as the service began, settling into the spot next to me in the pew. I loved going to church with him more than almost anything else, in part because he sang with such abandon. And he truly loved the people. That much was evident in all he said and did.
    Still, I had to wonder how he felt about the Methodist church after growing up in a Full Gospel congregation. Did he find us tame in comparison? If so, he hadn’t said. I somehow imagined D.J. Neeley would be at home in any church, as long as the Lord met him there. And as long as I was sitting at his side.
    Our pastor chose a topic that seemed to correspond with what the Lord had been showing me of late. It was all about old things becoming new. I opened my Bible to 2 Corinthians and read along as he quoted the text for the message: “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
    Hmm. For whatever reason, that verse