Wheres the Groom

by Sophie Meyer

  Ashley laughed. “Of course I will,” she said lightly.

  “I’ll call or text every day,” he assured her.

  Ashley felt as though they were already engaged. She couldn’t wait to call Ray and tell him.

  “I’ll be right here waiting,” Ashley replied.

  “Great,” said Aldon, “my last girlfriend couldn’t wait. She flew the coop prematurely.”

  Ashley remembered him telling her that at the speed dating evening. Obviously, it was still on his mind.

  “Karen pressured me to get engaged for months,” Aldon continued, “but couldn’t wait another month or two. Out of the blue she decided she’d go. It was never right anyway. I was never really sure.”

  “When it’s right, it’s right,” murmured Ashley.

  “You bet,” he agreed. “And when it’s right, things just happen on their own.”

  After Aldon hung up Ashley felt as though she were flying on air. She imagined sending out the wedding invitations - Aldon and Ashley she kept seeing in her mind. Both names started with A, it looked beautiful. Then she stopped and wondered what she would tell the girls happened to Gideon. She laughed out loud, just tell them the groom was really Aldon, and Gideon was his middle name. Aldon and Ashley, she thought, what a pair.

  Ashley picked up the phone to call Ray and tell him, but just before she dialed it rang in her hand.

  “Ashley, is that you?” Her mother was on the other end.

  Oh God, Ashley had forgotten her parents were returning from their trip today and hadn’t called to see if they got home safely.

  “Welcome home, mom,” Ashley.

  “Welcome home?” is that all you have to say?

  The anxiety in her mother’s voice was so palpable that Ashley had to catch her breath.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Ashley, her heart sinking.

  “Your father and I got a call from dear friends telling us to look on your Facebook page. We had no idea why in the world they would suggest it. So, we opened the page,” her mother could barely speak. “Is this the way I’m supposed to see my daughter in a wedding dress?”

  Oh God, Ashley broke out into a little sweat. “I’m so sorry, mom.”

  “That’s all you have to say? You’re sorry? Who’s the guy? Have you met someone?”

  Ashley couldn’t say a word.

  “The whole family’s in shock. It’s not possible that you’re planning a wedding, and have never said a word to us about it!”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “Why would you do that? What have we done to deserve this miserable treatment? To be shamed in front of all our friends?”

  “Nothing, you’ve done nothing, you’ve been wonderful,” Ashley’s heart pounded as the words fled out of her mouth. “Crazy things have been happening, mom, they’ve been happening so fast, I didn’t have a chance to tell you.”

  “What kind of crazy things?” Now the smoldering anger in her mother’s tone was turning into fear.

  “I promise you’ve done nothing to ever, ever deserve harsh treatment,” Ashley repeated, “And I never intended it that way. You’ve been wonderful parents, given me a beautiful life!”

  “Ashley, calm down!” her mother’s voice grew strident. “What crazy things have been happening? Why haven’t you told us?”

  “You were traveling in Europe,” Ashley grasped at the first straw.

  “We’ve only been gone for ten days!”

  “A whole life can change in ten days!” said Ashley, breathless.

  “A whole life cannot change in ten days,” now her mother’s fear was more palpable now. “Did something awful happen to you? Did someone harm you? Are you on something, are you taking drugs?”

  “Mom, calm down, I’m not on drugs.”

  “But you sound as if you are! How can a whole life change in ten days? You’re losing your grip.”

  “Mom, how can you think something like that about me?”

  “Ashley, I saw pictures of my own daughter, trying on wedding gowns on Facebook! Facebook? How is it possible that your sister and I weren’t there with you? How can it be that you didn’t tell us? Something is obviously terribly wrong!”

  All the joy that Ashley had been floating in seeped away as the conversation continued. How in the world could she tell her mother the whole story? There was no way she would ever understand.

  “You’ve hurt us, Ashley.”

  “I’m so sorry, I really am.”

  “In fact, your father is so upset at this moment, he refuses to get on the phone.”

  That actually didn’t surprise Ashley. He never much liked talking to her, always thought the worse. Whatever she did, she disappointed him.

  “And your father said that even with all your rebellious behavior over the years, he never expected something like this from you! Never in his wildest dreams!”

  Ashley tried to calm down. What was so rebellious? She moved out of San Francisco after college down to Santa Monica? She chose to be a graphic artist, instead of go to law school. And, what exactly had she done that was so awful now? Tried on some wedding dresses? Okay, her friends had stupidly posted them on Facebook. Why didn’t her parents take a moment to ask if she was happy, if she’d fallen in love?

  Ashley said nothing at all as she thought about it.

  “When exactly were you going to tell us, Ashley?” her mother demanded.

  “It’s a long story, mom,” Ashley said quietly then.

  “I’m sure it is,” said her mother, “and your sister and I are flying down to Santa Monica tomorrow to take you out to lunch. We want to hear everything in person. This is not something I want to hear about over the phone. I deserve better, don’t you agree?”

  “Of course I agree,” said Ashley. Her mother certainly deserved more than to hear about her wedding over Facebook, and find out about the groom over the phone. But so did Ashley - she deserved the benefit of the doubt. Ashley suddenly thought of the affirmations she said every night, before she went to sleep.

  I deserve love, I deserve love. She rolled the words over in her mind again now.

  “What are you thinking?” her mother demanded sharply.

  “I was thinking that I deserve love,” said Ashley.

  Her mother fell silent. “What kind of answer is that?” she finally asked.

  “I deserve love,” Ashley repeated.

  “Ashley,” her mother was practically crying, “it sounds like you’ve had a breakdown that you’re totally out of your mind.”

  CHAPTER 18

  Ashley had to take off from work the next day to meet with her mother. She’d already taken off the following day when she was going to look at wedding venues. So now she had to take two personal days in a row, something she hadn’t done in years.

  Peter called her from work early that morning anyway, to make sure she was alright.

  It unnerved Ashley to hear his voice on the phone. She felt guilty about being out of the office, but her the work on her project was entirely done. She’d done a wonderful job on it, too, better than usual.

  “How it going Ashley?” Peter asked as she picked up.

  “Fine, just fine,” she answered, “why?”

  “We just miss you in the office,” he said in a small voice. “It isn’t the same here without you.”

  This was nothing like Peter, at all.

  “I miss you too, Peter,” she said quietly.

  “You do? Really?” his voice it up.

  “I miss the office,” Ashley quickly corrected herself. “But I need these personal days.”

  “Of course, of course,” he insisted, “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”

  Peter was such a good man, so kind, stable, so caring. He’d been like a rock for her as long as she’d known him. Ashley had never taken those qualities into account when she’d thought about dating. Guys like Peter never were on her radar, his qualities weren’t even on her list.

  Ashley’s thoughts quickly turned to Ald
on. Once she’d answered his texts, he kept texting her all day long. It was like they were having an unbroken conversation, a date that went on from dawn to sunset – of one or two line sentences. It was fun, it was wonderful, it actually kept her going reading her list, saying her affirmations, visualizing herself as a cherished bride. Ashley couldn’t imagine how she would have been able to continue, if Aldon hadn’t popped onto the scene. She was even truly starting to believe that Vince was right, once she’d changed her attitude, she’d opened the doors to attract Aldon into her life.

  Ashley said good bye to Peter, and dwelled on Aldon. She felt as if she knew Aldon completely, even though it had been such a short time. And, at moments she even felt as if he was everything she’d ever wanted. The odd part was that he felt the same way too. Odd and wonderful! This was not only exciting, it kept her from feeling that everything she was doing was a total sham. After all, someone was really here for her, it wasn’t all entirely a dream.

  Ashley dressed carefully for the luncheon, wearing a pale blue linen suit with ivory silk shirt, expensive flats and matching leather bag. Her mother had already made a reservation for lunch at Bella Nouve, and the dress code there was exacting. Ashley pulled her hair back neatly and put on soft, low key make up. Her mother and sister would notice every detail of what she was wearing, how her hair was done and make up. Ashley knew how to play the game, could fit their pictures. She felt secure as she left the apartment to meet them for lunch.

  Once in the restaurant, the Maître D’, led Ashley to a table at the window, looking out at a beautiful garden with hollyhocks and wisteria. As she expected, her mother and sister were seated already, sipping ice water, waiting for her.

  Ashley walked up to the table, smiling brightly, as if nothing in the world were wrong.

  “Hi, it’s great to see both you,” she started.

  Both her mother and sister looked ashen and grave. Neither of them returned the greeting. The Maître D’ pulled out her chair and Ashley sat down in it as he left.

  Ashley looked first at Trish, who was way more pregnant than Ashley remembered. She hadn’t realized how much time had gone by since they’d seen each other.

  “My God,” Ashley said to Trish, “you look amazing- and the baby is almost here.”

  Her sister, Trish, who had short, sandy, curly hair, a turned up nose and thin lips, smiled. Now, as always, she was dressed in a beige dress with pearls. Trish always wore pearls to serious occasions and Ashley realized this was no joke to her.

  “Your sister is doing beautifully,” Ashley’s mother said then, looking Ashley over quickly.

  Ashley’s mother, Beatrice, was dressed in a light grey sheath dress, covered by a slightly darker, matching grey jacket. An exquisite silver necklace and earrings complimented her look. She was a strikingly attractive, somewhat intimidating woman, with beautifully coiffed brown hair and large dark grey eyes that were unwavering. When she’d married Ashley’s father she gave up her career as a medical researcher to make a gracious home and social life for them. Now, even though her daughters were grown, she hadn’t gone back to work. Instead she stayed home caring for her fourteen year old son, Lance, and writing articles that were extremely well received by the best life style magazines in town.

  Ashley had gotten a lot of strength from her mother and she realized it. She’d learned to dress from her, pay attention to details, value and tend to her friendships. But, beyond that, the two of them were irrevocably different. Ashley felt it more than ever this afternoon.

  “It’s such a beautiful day today,” Ashley tried to lighten the mood, as she lifted her glass of water.

  “You don’t actually expect us to sit here with you and chat as though this was a perfectly ordinary visit?” her mother wasn’t having it.

  There was a fierce honesty about her mother that always cut through distractions effortlessly. Ashley had always respected it, but now wanted to sit closer to her sister, receive support and ask about Trish’s pregnancy. But, as usual, her sister and mother were totally united, there was a wall around the two of them that could not be breached. Ashley had always floated somewhere outside it.

  Ashley put her glass back on the table. “Okay, let’s go,” she said, “where do we begin?”

  “You could start by telling us why you were trying on wedding dresses and we knew absolutely nothing about it?”

  “I’m sorry,” said Ashley,” I really am.

  Trish broke in, “Are you planning a wedding?” Her lower lip trembled.

  “I have been,” said Ashley.

  Her mother’s mouth fell slightly open. “Without saying a word to us?”

  “It’s been very sudden,” said Ashley.

  “I’ll say,” gasped her mother. “And where exactly is the groom? Were you planning to introduce us? Did you want the whole world to know before we did?”

  “Are you ashamed of him, Ashley?” Trish couldn’t stay still. “We decided he had to be someone who is completely unacceptable, or you would have brought him home. Dad’s convinced he’s someone we’ll all hate and reject.”

  “It’s nothing like that,” said Ashley, horrified, thinking of Aldon. “I’m not the least bit ashamed of him. He’s wonderful!”

  “Wonderful, really?” Trish’s eyes lit up for a moment. “So, why didn’t you invite me to go shopping with you? I’m not part of the wedding party?”

  “Of course you’re part of the wedding party,” Ashley wanted to hug and reassure her.

  “What wedding party? What wedding?” her mother wouldn’t have it. “Ashley, the wedding cannot happen until we’ve met the groom!”

  “You will and he’s wonderful, “Ashley repeated.

  “Wonderful?” her mother’s voice suddenly filled with scorn. “How wonderful can a man be if he’d let you plan a wedding without first meeting your parents or asking for your father’s hand? That’s not wonderful, it’s shameful, disrespectful. And how about the two families meeting, as well? Shane’s wedding is wonderful! The families know and love each other, made plans together every step of the way. That’s what I call l two worlds uniting, creating a foundation to stand on. But, excuse me, this guy you’ve found sounds like a complete scoundrel and a boor.”

  Ashley felt devastated. Did her parents think she’d gone down to the pits of the earth and dragged someone up from there with her? That was all she could find, a scoundrel and boor?

  “I assume you haven’t met his family either. You have no idea who his parents are, how he’s been raised?” Her mother was on a roll, as a flash of fear gleamed from her eyes, wondering whether Ashley might have met his family first. That would have definitely been more than her mother could bear.

  “No, I haven’t met his family,” said Ashley.

  Her mother was relieved, but only momentarily. “What in the world can they think of you, or us for that matter?”

  “I’m marrying him, not his family,” said Ashley.

  “Not at all! When you get married you marry a whole family. These people are going to be the grandparents of your children! We’re all going to share weekends with them, holidays, family dinners.”

  Trish piped in vigorously, “Dad’s convinced that he must come from a horrible family, and that’s why you’re keeping him hidden. Who knows what they’ve done?”

  “Face it, Ashley,” her mother interrupted. “You’ve never had the best judgment with men. The only decent one you had was Scott and you let him go when he got that job in England. You didn’t fight for him, just said good bye.”

  Ashley was glad she’d let Scott go, glad she’d had this time being single. She’d grown a lot and he must have, too. Trish’s husband Dennis was friends with him, kept in touch and filled Ashley in occasionally. Last she’d heard Scott’s career had taken off in England, and he was very happy with a live in girlfriend. It was even becoming serious. Ashley had been glad to hear about it, only wanted good things for Scott.

  Ashley’s mother was more nervous now tha
n Ashley had ever seen her. She kept shifting the silverware back and forth into different positions, as if trying to solve an inscrutable puzzle.

  “Who knows what this guy you’ve found is really after? There are all kinds of con men, lurking out there, trying to grab your money or heart. You have no idea how upset your father is. Naturally, he insists that you call this wedding off!”

  Thankfully, Ashley felt her cell phone vibrate. It had to be another text from Aldon. Whatever her mother said, Aldon was real, he was texting her constantly, saying wonderful things. And the crazy thing was that Aldon was everything her parents would love. She just needed time.

  Fortunately the waiter appeared to take their orders for lunch. They went over the menu, made selections and Ashley had breathing room. This could be definitely be a great way out. She was being given an opportunity to call the whole thing off. She could say that her family refused to be at the wedding before details were worked out. Wedding delayed. She knew her mother had come down on a mission to get her to say just that. It made sense too. And, there was nothing wrong with postponing a wedding so her family could feel good.

  But, Ashley didn’t want to do it! The wedding had to go on! She was completely startled by how strongly she felt about that. She thought of the incredible wedding dress waiting for her, the amazing texts from Aldon, and the upcoming date to look at wedding venues with her friends. It was as if she were in the middle of a phenomenal party that she didn’t want to end. She wanted to wear her dress, walk down the aisle in it, choose the music and first dance. She couldn’t wait, was so excited about it.

  “I can’t possibly call the wedding off,” Ashley said in a firm voice.

  Her mother and sister looked at her startled.

  “He’s got you in his grip,” her mother uttered, terrified.

  “Must be passionate sex,” Trish’s eyes were flashing, “Ashley’s addicted to it.”

  Her mother gasped.

  “That’s how those types lure you in.” Trish turned to Ashley, “and we know you’ve been lured in before!”

  Her mother shuddered as she looked back and forth between her daughters with horror, as if she herself was now caught in a trap. “Ashley’s been lured in?”