She reached into her oversize leather satchel and handed binders to me, Rob, and Sana. “These are your expected duties over the next three weeks, as well as the rubrics you’ll be using to judge each category.”
We looked over our sheets. My pageant days involved the typical Q&A, talent show, and evening gown contest, which even back then I thought was weird. What high schooler needed an elegant evening gown outside of the prom? There had also been a sportswear modeling portion, where we had to parade up and down the runway wearing the latest Thompson Family designs, a blatant bit of self-promotion from the pageant organizers.
Valerie had kept the Q&A and added essay and speech contests, plus a display of what the contestants had learned during their time volunteering. The sportswear modeling had morphed into a “Design Your Own Athleisure Outfit” segment—still self-serving, but at least it was creative. I liked it. I liked it a lot. It still wasn’t perfect, but at least now this was a competition I could be proud of.
I smiled. “These changes are amazing! I wish it had been like this when I was competing. I especially like that you got rid of the rule saying that a girl couldn’t compete if she had a boyfriend or had ever been pregnant or whatever.”
Valerie pursed her lips. “What good would that do? Punishing girls for things that men are rarely held accountable for? Take away the only chance many of them have to improve their lives and get an education? Who does that help?”
Mayor Gunderson said, “I don’t like it. We had those rules for a reason. It seems like you’re telling these girls it’s OK to make bad decisions. There need to be consequences.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And that involves denying them a chance at a good education?”
The mayor spluttered and looked as if he were preparing a rebuttal, but Mr. Acevedo stepped in. “We’ve got a lot to do if we want to start the kickoff event on time. Maybe we should start preparing the room?”
Valerie looked at her watch and clapped her hands. “He’s right. OK, everyone, let’s get to work!”
* * *
? ? ?
A few hours later, after the room looked like every streamer in Knotting Hill, our local craft store, had given its life to make the party room look festive, Rob stood up and stretched. “I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m famished. I had to skip lunch to make it here on time. Would either of you care to join me?”
He looked between me and Sana, clearly not including his sister in the invitation. Valerie rolled her eyes, probably used to her younger brother leaving her out when other women were around.
“Why don’t we all grab lunch at my aunt’s restaurant?” I suggested. “I convinced my aunt to get gluten-free soy sauce a while ago, and I can warn you away from any recipes that might contain gluten. We have a very rice-based cuisine, so it’ll be easy.”
Valerie smiled at me. “That would be lovely. I’ve never had Filipino food before, but I’ve heard good things about your restaurant.”
Rob looked a little put out at having his sister tag along but tried to make the most out of the situation and rope in Sana as well. The look he gave her was just as appraising as the one he’d given me earlier, and she shuddered a bit as she stepped closer to me. “I have to teach a yoga class later, so I probably shouldn’t eat anything.”
“You don’t have to eat, then. Just come keep us company. I’d love to get to know my fellow judges better, especially when they’re as lovely as the two of you,” Rob said, putting an arm around me.
Sana and I exchanged a look, me begging her with my eyes to join us. She sighed. “Sure, why not? I’d like to chat more with Lila anyway. I’m always interested in meeting more women of color entrepreneurs.”
“Great! Full disclosure though, one of the contestants is a server at my family’s restaurant. That’s not going to be a problem, is it?” I bit my lip, worried I might be messing up Joy’s chances by telling them this.
Valerie waved my concern away. “Everybody in this town is connected to everybody else through blood, marriage, or business. We’d have to disqualify everyone whose family has been here for more than a year.”
“I guess that’s one of the good things about having me as a judge, right? I’ve only been here a few years, so you don’t have to worry about me being biased,” Sana said.
Valerie nodded. “That’s part of it, I won’t lie. But I also wanted you on the team because you’re a young female entrepreneur running successful businesses that focus on wellness. You’re a great role model for the girls who enter the pageant.”