by Robin Roseau
I turned to Cassidy. “Did you have particular plans today?”
“No, not really.”
“I’ve never been on a large sailboat. Do you think that would be fun? I saw some of them had signs up saying they do day charters. Should I see if I can find one?”
“That would be wonderful,” she said.
“Good. That will give Lynette ample time to clear out.”
I turned back to the sister. “I’d say it’s been a pleasure, but we both know that would be a lie. Your sister knows exactly why I’m with her, and she seems fine with it. From everything I’ve seen, she’s pretty smart and knows her own mind. Maybe you should focus on living your own life and leave her to make her own choices. Cassidy, I’ll find us a sailboat. If not, we could go for a drive or something. It’s a lovely day. Have a nice trip home, Lynette.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “You have no authority here, child.”
“You’ll be gone by the time we get back, Lynette,” Cassidy said. “You’re not ruining this trip for me. I would have loved for you and Astrid to have gotten along, but there are reasons I’ve been keeping her away from the family. But you are not ruining this trip. Make other plans. I mean it. Come on, Cassidy. Let’s just drive to the marina and see if anyone is home.”
“Sure.”
* * * *
“I’m sorry.”
“I am, too,” she replied. “Are you all right?”
“Sure. I’m about to spend the day with you. But you didn’t get your coffee.”
“I’m cutting down, anyway,” she replied. “You’re all the stimulation I need.”
“Funny,” I said.
We found parking at the marina. And then we found a boat sign that offered day sailing. I dialed the number, and two minutes later, a friendly woman named Samantha met us at the gate.
Fifteen minutes later, we were on the water.
It was a beautiful day for sailing, and a beautiful boat. We didn’t go anywhere, just for a sail out on the water. The air was brisk, and we were glad for our windbreakers, but we sat on the forward deck and cuddled together.
It was shortly before sunset that Cassidy said, “I want to ask you something.”
“Sure.”
“What do you think is going to become of us?”
I grew quiet then turned away. “Your sister got it partway right.”
“So you’re just here for the money.”
“That’s what brought us together,” I said. I turned back. “Cassidy, I know it couldn’t be like this forever. We’re kind of intense when we’re together. But I can’t imagine loving someone else the way I love you. I want forever.”
At that, she set fingers on my cheek and then kissed me. She snuggled back next to me.
We didn’t talk for a while. The sun touched the sea, and the clever captain had us lined up so as it did so, another sailboat was exactly between us and the setting sun, which made it especially beautiful.
We watched the sunset. Then, when the sun had halfway disappeared, Cassidy said, “I was actually going to do this tomorrow night, but I can’t imagine a better setting.”
“Do what?”
She rotated around, and then she was kneeling before me. In her hand, she held a small box. “Astrid Ann Ahlstrom, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
She opened the ring box. It was stunning, a lovely diamond nestled amongst a small sea of gemstones. I stared at the ring. Then I looked up at Cassidy. Her brow was furrowed, but she was smiling.
“This is real,” I whispered.
“This is real,” she said.
I dropped my gaze to the ring. “Forever.”
“Forever.”
I stared for a while. “When?”
“Right after classes end. First weekend in June.”
“So soon?”
“Yes. I don’t want to wait any longer than absolutely necessary.”
I lifted my eyes again. “You had this ready. This isn’t a result of your sister.”
“That’s right.”
“Cassidy, are you sure?” I asked. “How do you know your sister isn’t right about me?”
“Oh, please,” she said. “Everything you said to her was right. I know why you’re with me. Money brought us together, but you openly wear your feelings for me.”
“And you for me.” She nodded then wriggled the ring. “Are you sure, Cassidy? Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure.”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. Yes. Yes. Yes.”
She started crying. I started crying. Then she pulled the ring from the box. I offered my finger, and she slipped the ring into place, a perfect fit. I stared at it. “Kiss me,” I ordered.
She did.
Preparations
Cassidy swore. Lynette’s car was still parked at the house. She brought our car to a stop, both of us staring at the intruder’s vehicle.
“Well, shit,” I said.
“That’s one,” Cassidy said automatically.
“That one was intentional.” I turned to her. “I’ll never swear another word. That’s my promise to you.”
“Don’t make that promise. Promise to try. If you slip, I don’t want you to break a promise.”
“Fine. I’ll do my best to never swear again.” I gestured to the car. “Holy broomsticks, the witch is still here.”
She snorted.
“I shouldn’t call your sister that,” I added.
“Sure you should,” she said. “But I think it’s an insult to witches.”
“Have you always gotten along so well?”
“Best of buddies from the day I was born,” she replied. She shook her head. “You know, I didn’t even think of it the way you said it. All these years of questioning my girlfriends. It never occurred to me she was telling me how helpless I was to make a decision.”
“You’re usually faster to pick up on things than that,” I said.
“Oh, there were lots of other ways I knew she was putting me down, but I guess that got lost in the noise. What do you want to do?”
“Land shark.”
She laughed.
“Cassidy, did you tell her?”
“Yes. I didn’t want to, but it was the best plan to get rid of her.”
“Tell me she’s not part of the wedding.” In response, Cassidy simply laughed. “All right then. Let’s go kick her to the curb. Yes?”
“Yes.”
We climbed from the car. Cassidy took my arm.
We found Lynette on the deck. She had a bottle of wine and looked like she intended to stay, but when we appeared, she climbed to her feet and said, “Don’t worry. I just wanted to see.” She stepped over to me. “Let me see it.”
I held my hand up. She stared at the ring for a minute then nodded. “Did you tell her everything?”
“Lynette, it’s time to go.”
“She deserves to know. This is a mistake, but neither of you are going to listen to me.” She gulped down her wine, set the glass on the table, and then turned for the stairs. Before she could take three steps, I was in front of her.
“Are you safe to drive?”
“We have friends on the island. I’m driving three blocks.”
“Then Cassidy will drive you, and you can get your car tomorrow,” I said.
“So you care?”
“Not particularly,” I said. “But I’m not having this-” and I waved my hand at her, “marred by a trip to the morgue.”
“Right. Wouldn’t that be ironic?”
“I’ll drive you, Lynette,” Cassidy said. It took a moment, but then she nodded, so I stepped from her path.
She got to the stairs before she turned around. “Congratulations. Welcome to the family.”
Part Three
Preparations and Surprises
I was on the phone with Cherlyn and Maggie when Cassidy got back ten minutes later. As soon as she appeared, I said, “Hang on. I’m sending you a photo.” I’d a
lready queued it up, so it just took a little fumbling with the phone before I sent it.
A grinning Cassidy sat down. “Put her on speaker.”
I nodded and did that, then set the phone down. “Cassidy is back,” I said. “It’s Mom and Maggie.”
“I figured,” she said.
“Did you get your sister squared away?” Mom asked.
“She arrived safely at some friends,” Cassidy replied.
That was when Maggie began screaming. Then Cherlyn said, “Are you dying, Maggie?”
“Look at the picture!” she screamed. “Look at the picture!”
“I’m not sure how,” Mom said. “I’m afraid I’ll lose the connection.”
“For heaven’s sake. Is that a wedding ring?”
“Engagement ring,” I said.
Maggie started screaming again. Then she called out, “No, Mom, but Astrid is engaged! I told you she’s been seeing someone. No, Mom. It’s been like two years. I better be in the wedding! You wouldn't have met without me.”
“We haven’t discussed plans,” I said. “But if it’s more than a justice of the peace, then you’re my first pick. First week of June, if we can get a venue.”
“We can get a venue,” Cassidy said. “First Saturday in June.”
“Congratulations,” Mom said. “Are you both sure this is what you want?”
“You’re not going to tell us we’re making a mistake, are you, because we already got that in spades.”
“I just need to hear it,” she replied.
“Yes, it’s what we want,” I said. “You know how I feel about her.”
“I guess I do,” she replied. “Do you have any ideas for the ceremony?”
“We really haven’t talked about it at all,” I said.
“May I be involved?”
“We’d have it no other way, Mom,” Cassidy said. “And you, too, Maggie.”
“Really?”
“Really,” she said. “As Astrid said, we haven’t discussed any plans, but I’ve had time to think about it, more than Astrid has. I believe simple is best, with a very modest guest list. Off the top of your head, Astrid, how many guests do you want to invite?”
“Well, your sister, of course,” I said. Cassidy roared with laughter. “Seriously. No one from my birth family, so that leaves Tim, Cherlyn, and Maggie.”
“Other friends from school?”
“I haven’t talked to a single one from high school since the night we graduated,” I said. “And there’s no one from college I’m chums with, except Maggie.”
“Astrid,” Cherlyn said, “Could we invite my mother? She loves attending weddings.”
“I really like her,” I said. “Yes. If Cassidy doesn't mind.”
“I look forward to meeting her,” Cassidy replied.
“How many on your side?” I asked. “We should invite some of your friends. Can we have a dance, though? I want to dance at my wedding.” Then I looked away. I had always thought about the father-daughter dance. I could dance with Tim, but I just didn’t see him that way.
“Cherlyn, I think we’ll need a special Mother-Daughter dance,” Cassidy said. “Don’t you?”
“I think we will,” Mom replied.
“Astrid, did you want a white gown?” Cassidy asked me.
“Is that what you want?” I asked.
“I’m asking you,” she replied.
“I want to look elegant, but do you think we could find a dress or gown I might wear again?”
“We absolutely can do that,” Cassidy replied. “Should mine match or be complementary?”
“Complementary,” I replied.
We chatted for another fifteen minutes, then Cassidy said, “We’ll need to get together when we’re back, but it’s time to take Astrid to bed. I have plans for her body.”
* * * *
We kept it simple and relatively small. Cassidy asked what was important to me and admitted, “I know a lot of women have a view of what their wedding should be.”
“Well,” I said. “It’s important you’re there.”
“Right. Check. Both brides present.”
“Yep. Looking lovely.”
“Right.”
“Maggie and Cherlyn are there, too.”
“Got that.”
“And at some point, you’re going to look into my eyes and tell me you love me.”
She smiled broadly. “I think that’s a given, too.”
“And someone, at some point, is going to state quite clearly that in the eyes of the law and at least those portions of society that matter to us that we are married.”
“Got it.”
“And dancing afterwards.”
“Also covered. Venue? Dinner? Bridesmaids?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Oh, don’t do that.”
“Do what? You asked what’s important. I told you.”
“How would you feel if it’s a little untraditional?”
“I’m cool with that. You don’t want us to do it while skydiving or something, do you?”
“No. But how do you feel about this?” And then she described what she wanted. I started to cry and then nodded several times.
* * * *
Cassidy arranged a venue. One of her clients had a home southwest of the cities. It was an amazing location on the bluffs over the Minnesota River, and they had a private airstrip. That part wasn’t important, but as part of having a private airstrip, they had a hangar for their airplanes, so if the weather was poor, we could be inside. A hangar wasn’t necessarily a perfect venue, but it meant we could plan something beautiful, but be okay if the weather didn’t cooperate. On three-month’s notice, for a Saturday June wedding, the other venues were all taken. But we visited the home, and it was absolutely beautiful.
“I love it,” was all I said.
The following Saturday evening, we met some of her friends at a rather dingy club downtown. It wasn’t our usual place, but it was nice to see May, Kotori, and Kaori, plus more of their friends. We received congratulations and hung out together. And then, a little before nine, they all left.
“Was it something I said? Take me home. You haven’t tickled me all day.”
“I tell you what? Let’s see what the band is like.”
“This place kind of sucks, Cassidy.”
“I want to hear the first song or two.”
“All right, but I expect to be thoroughly tickled tonight.”
She laughed. “Count on it.”
Five minutes later, the band stepped onto the stage and took their places. I stared.
Kotori stepped to the microphone, and May had a bass slung over her neck.
“You brat.”
Cassidy laughed.
They were good. Their style was eclectic. They did some covers and some originals. Halfway through the set, Kotori ceded the microphone to one of the other women and disappeared. I hoped she wasn’t done.
They played two hard rock songs, one a Van Halen cover, and one I didn’t recognize. And then Kotori was back, and Kaori was with her. They were dressed in kimonos and took places at opposite sides of the stage. Then Kaori began speaking in Japanese for a minute.
I was pretty sure there was only one person in the audience who understood a word, but everyone listened intently.
But I was wrong. It wasn’t Kaori. Because it was Kaori who translated into English, her Japanese accent clear.
The musicians began playing. Kotori sang in Japanese. Kaori sang in English. And then they switched. It was a ballad about forbidden love, and it was absolutely beautiful.
At the end, they both bowed their heads as the entire audience applauded madly. When we calmed down, Kotori said, “Some very, very good friends of ours are getting married.” That resulted in more applause. “In some ways, that last song was for them, two women unexpectedly in love, in defiance of several rules of society, or at least some portions. But it is this next song we would like to dedicate to Cassidy and Astrid.”
Then they sang a simple love song, their voices blending beautifully. I had tears halfway through the first verse, and I thought Cassidy did as well. We clutched hands, and when the song ended, I set my free hand to my heart and bowed my head.
They played a few upbeat songs, and then they joined us for their break. “So,” asked May. “Need a band for your wedding? First Saturday in June, I believe.”
I made a pleading gesture to Cassidy, who offered a handshake agreement.
* * * *
We picked out gowns and arranged flowers. Cassidy had another client whose husband ran a catering service. “They’re good,” she told me. Then she ordered me to settle down and see to my grades. That was hard, but I did what I was told, as best I could.
And then the day came.
Cold
“You look so beautiful,” Cherlyn said to me.
“Thank you, Mom,” I told her.
She closed the distance. I checked my reflection once more then turned to her. She set her hands on my bare shoulders and smiled. “She’s a wonderful woman.”
“She is.”
“This relationship began in a rather strange fashion.”
“Perhaps not that strangely,” I said. “But perhaps in a fashion modern society would like to ignore.”
“Perhaps,” she said. “But from that, it has grown. I’ve seen the way you each look at the other.”
I smiled. She smiled. Then she moved her hands to the back of her neck. “This was my grandmother’s. Something borrowed. Turn around.”
She settled the necklace into place. I looked down. “It’s beautiful. It’s delicate.” I turned around. “I’ll give it back before the dancing starts.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I will,” I said. I leaned forward and kissed her cheek, careful not to smudge either of us. “Thank you, Mom.”
“Thank you for letting me be a part of your life, Daughter.” She smiled. “I’ll send Maggie back in now.”
A minute later, I was alone with my best friend. She was in her own gown, a gift from Cassidy. We had chosen our gowns in part based on finding one that would look great on Maggie. “You look fantastic,” I told her.