"Billie still remembers you" said Elizabeth "She talks about how you got everyone in the class calmed down on Change Day."
"Thanks" said Millie "How is she doing?"
Elizabeth laughed "Well, she has her first girlfriend! A sweet Chinese-American girl named Toni."
"Aww, that's nice."
"I asked Billie if Toni was a born-girl or a new girl and she said she had never even thought about asking! The children of the Great Change are really something!"
Conversation was interrupted while their chicken salads arrived.
"Anyway" said Elizabeth "I wanted to ask you to be the best attendant at my wedding."
++++++++++++++++
The dressmaker sighed. Women like Maria who had rejected the youth and glamor that were the gifts of the Great Change were always a challenge. She was going to be outshone at her wedding no matter what dress was made for her. At least the other woman was also a rejector. Apparently Elizabeth had invited her first, well, let's say spouse, who was now a knockout to the wedding and Maria was feeling pretty insecure about it. The dressmaker remembered a word of wisdom she had received when she entered her profession (she had been a gay man then) "the bride is the most beautiful woman at every wedding" and set to work.