Wheres the Groom

by Sophie Meyer

  Ashley flushed. She’d told her sister about some encounters in the past, and now here she was blurting it out in front of their mother! Ashley was horrified.

  “For all we know he’s an illegal immigrant who needs a green card right away,” Trish went on hurriedly, “Ashley’s always loved those types of guys.”

  “Loved Mexican men?” Ashley’s mother looked like she was going to faint.

  Trish was obviously enjoying painting a lurid picture of Ashley. It must have made her feel like the pure one.

  “He’s not Mexican,” Ashley had enough of this, “and even if he were, so what? There are wonderful Mexican men, aren’t there?”

  Ashley’s mother’s hand covered her heart. “Wonderful, yes, but not for my daughter! Oh God, Trish is right. It’s a sexual addiction you can’t extricate yourself from. That’s why you couldn’t tell us, it’s why you couldn’t tell your father. Is that it?”

  “Mom, have some respect for me, please,” Ashley demanded. “Obviously Trish enjoys painting lurid pictures of me! I’m not in the grip of a sexual addiction!”

  Her mother’s eyes became teary. “Ashley, dear, we’ve all had our encounters, our sudden moments.” To Ashley’s total amazement, her mother suddenly reached out her hand to her. Ashley wondered for a fleeting second if it were true of her mother as well, had she had passionate encounters that she’d let go and missed to this day?

  “But that’s not what makes a marriage,” her mother continued, regaining herself. “A long term commitment to a life partner has to be more than passionate sex.”

  Trish nodded vehemently.

  “Marriage is sacrifice, devotion,” her mother breathed.

  It sounded difficult and heavy to Ashley.

  “I would do anything in the world for your dad, even if he no longer looked at me like that. Sex fades, it has to.”

  All of them grew deeply silent and sad.

  “Attraction comes in waves,” her mother continued, “and what do we do when it passes? Then we learn what it really means to love!” Ashley’s mother had never been so open with her in her life. “Even if your father found temporary passion with another woman, I wouldn’t leave. Dedication, devotion, that’s what it means to love. And Trish agrees.”

  Trish nodded vehemently again. Obviously the two of them had discussed it at length. Clearly, neither of them felt desired any longer. It hurt Ashley to realize that. She never wanted to be in that position and never had any idea that her mother’s devotion to her father ran that deep.

  If she were truthful with herself, Ashley had never felt that devoted at all. Perhaps she was selfish, or didn’t have the vaguest idea of what marriage entailed? Maybe she’d never loved Scott or anyone enough? Had she even given a thought to how she could her groom happy, or was it all about what she wanted from him? Maybe it was fitting that she was planning a fantasy wedding, deserved to be left at the altar after all?

  Ashley never felt such a mixture of feelings. She had to say something to them, and fast.

  “I promise you’ll meet him just as soon as he returns from his travels,” Ashley said definitively. “Not only that, we’ll all get together, both families.”

  “Well, at least that’s something,” her mother relented. “And for now, tell me who we’re meeting? What his name?”

  “Gideon Tallon,” Ashley replied.

  “Gideon Tallon? What kind of name is that?”

  “You’re judging him mom!” Ashley said.

  “I’m not judging anyone,” her mother looked completely disconcerted, “just trying to figure out where he comes from.”

  “He come from the same place everyone comes from,” Ashley retorted, as the waiter came over with the check.

  There was nothing else she could say at the moment. Ashley wanted to have a few more dates with Aldon before she actually told her parents about him. As soon, as it seemed reasonable, she’d fly up to San Francisco with Aldon and introduce them. They’d all get on well together. Aldon was so charming and affable and had such a wonderful career, there was absolutely nothing her parents could object to. He would also become close friends with Trish’s husband Dennis, she was positive.

  Her mother signed the check, nodded, finished her water and they all walked out of the restaurant silently.

  After her mother and sister got into a cab to go back to the airport, Ashley decided to put them out of her mind. For now she had to concentrate completely upon Aldon. So much hinged on him. It was having met him that made all of this exciting, made her not want to stop the wedding, but to get into that dress and walk down the aisle. It was the thought of him being there at the end of the aisle, waiting for her, that kept her going, for sure.

  Ashley got in a cab to go back to her apartment, pulled out her phone, and to her delight, just as she hoped, found a bunch of texts waiting from him.

  Where are you? Haven’t heard for three hours! How can I go for three hours without a message? (Smiley face).

  Ashley laughed and texted back immediately – Just got out of a lunch with my mother and sister. Can’t wait for all of you to meet.

  *

  Ashley got back to her apartment, lay down on the couch, flipped on TV and waited for Aldon to answer the text. He didn’t answer immediately. Fair enough, thought Ashley, he’s busy like I was. She waited another hour and still no answer. Maybe the text didn’t land the way it should have, Ashley was getting concerned.

  In a couple of hours a reply from him came, Crazy busy day, we all just closed on a perfect house and have to make plans to start renovations. Will be home a few days later than planned.

  Ashley felt disappointed. Time was of the essence and they had to get to know each other in person, right now.

  It’s fine, she texted back though, not wanting to seem pushy. Maybe we could do another call? She was upping the stakes a little, and realized it. Texting was easy, a call took more effort, was more intimate.

  Sure thing, Aldon answered right away, to her great relief. I love, love, love talking to you. How about eight tonight? By the way, I friended you on Facebook, but haven’t gotten an answer yet.

  Ashley winced. There was no way she could let him see her Facebook page at this point. I’m so glad we can talk at eight, she answered. I’ll be waiting and we can talk about Facebook then.

  Aldon called exactly at eight, just as she’d been hoping. It felt so wonderful to hear the sound of his voice again.

  “This is much better than just texting,” Ashley murmured on the phone.

  “It definitely is,” said Aldon, “only one problem, when I hear your voice I miss you too much, can’t wait to see you.”

  “Me, too,” Ashley’s heart fluttered. “I miss you, Aldon,” she said, feeling as if they were on a roller coaster that was going in one direction only, up towards the sky. They were going fast, too, and there was no way to get off it or slow it down.

  “So, why aren’t you friending me on Facebook?” Aldon asked jokingly.

  “I want you to find out about me in person,” said Ashley. “I want you to meet my friends and the people I love straight up, face to face.”

  He got quiet a moment, “that’s beautiful, Ashley.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “You’re beautiful Ashley,” he repeated.

  We’re beautiful together, thought Ashley. It’s easy, it’s natural, just like I asked for.

  They talked for almost two hours, about everything and anything. He said he was tired of dating, really wanted someone he could relax with and trust.

  Ashley wanted the same thing.

  He said he loved that they didn’t play games together, that everything was right out there in full view. He never felt he was walking on egg shells, or that he’d find out something that would rip his world apart.

  “That’s a horrible way to feel,” said Ashley, “there’s nothing about me to make you feel that way.”

  “It’s the worst,” said Aldon.

  “Ask
me whatever you want, and I’ll give you an answer,” said Ashley. “I feel at home with you, I don’t want to hide.”

  “Are you in love with someone? Just tell me now,” said Aldon. “You’re such a gorgeous woman I can’t imagine that ten guys aren’t in love with you.”

  “Absolutely not,” said Ashley. “The last guy I went out with broke up with me a few weeks ago. It was no big deal. We’d only gone out a short while. So far as I know, no one is in love with me or has been for a long time.”

  “Is there someone in your past you’re attached to?” Aldon sounded intense. Obviously he was serious about it, this certainly wasn’t a game.

  “Definitely not. There was only guy I had a long relationship with and we broke up years ago. It’s been over a long time. And he lives in England.”

  “Whew,” Aldon sounded relieved.

  “How about you, Aldon?” Ashley countered.

  “I’m ready,” he said, “I really am.”

  The way he said it sent shivers up and down Ashley’s arms. “Looks like this is our time, Aldon,” she whispered.

  “Looks like it is,” he said.

  Both of them hung up, flying high. Ashley’s mind was spinning as she called Ray.

  “Tell me!” Ray breathed.

  “He’s wonderful, he’s beautiful,” was all Ashley could say.

  “Oh my God, oh my God,” said Ray breathless, “are you in love?”

  “Totally,” whispered Ashley.

  “How about him?”

  “The same,” said Ashley, her heart pounding.

  Ray’s voice got higher, “He actually said that to you? He said I love you, Ashley?”

  “In so many words,” Ashley replied. “Well, at least he said, I’m really ready. I said it looks like it’s our time, and he said yes, it is! We just had a fantastic, telephone date. It went on for two hours.”

  Ray sucked his breath in. “Two hours, that’s intense, it really is! And when are you seeing him in person?”

  “Soon,” Ashley murmured, “as soon as he gets back from the project he’s working on, a few days at the most.”

  “Can I call Vince?” Ray asked then, totally thrilled. “Vince asked that we call him with extraordinary news! Remember?”

  Ashley didn’t remember that, but it was fine to call Vince and let him know. Let the whole world know. She couldn’t hide anything anyway. Her family knew, the news was out on Facebook – she imagined friends were talking to friends.

  “Of course, tell him,” said Ashley.

  After Ashley and Ray hung up she put her head back on the pillow, to spend the rest of the evening dreaming of Aldon, when her phone abruptly rang, jolting her out of her reveries.

  “Ashley, it’s Trish,” the voice on the other end said. Ashley was surprised to hear from her sister, who seldom called.

  Ashley jumped to attention. “You’re feeling alright? The baby?”

  “I’m feeling fine, the baby’s fine, I just want to tell you something. Dennis decided he had to call Scott and let him know what was going on.”

  God, the web of people was tightening, thought Ashley. What was it about a wedding that dredged up everyone you ever knew or thought of?

  “Scott was shocked that it happened so fast.”

  “Thanks for telling me Trish, but there’s no reason for it,” said Ashley.

  “Scott asked Dennis to make sure you really knew what you were doing.”

  Ashley became silent. Trish was manipulating her, most likely carrying out family orders.

  “There was no need to mention anything to Scott,” Ashley countered. “We haven’t seen each other or spoken for years.”

  “Of course there’s a reason,” Trish said. “This is huge, it’s life changing.”

  “Trish, what are you getting at, please?”

  “Dad is totally beside himself. I’ve never seen him like this before. “

  “He’ll get used to it,” Ashley insisted, “and he’ll love Gideon.”

  “I doubt it,” said Trish. “You know how dad is when he gets a grudge, he holds onto it for years.”

  Ashley felt the sweet mood she was enjoying totally float out of the window.

  “Dennis has been trying his best to calm dad’s nerves down.”

  “Tell Dennis thank you,” Ashley said, “tell Dennis there’s absolutely nothing to worry about and please tell him not to talk to Scott about this anymore!”

  “If you insist,” said Trish, “and one more thing Ashley -.”

  “What?”

  “I love you,” said Trish. “I want you to be happy. I really do.”

  Ashley hung up the phone wondering what in the world happiness meant to Trish. Did it mean Ashley would live the same kind of life as she did, follow in the footsteps of preset norms? Trish had never fully understood her sister, or felt safe around her. Trish had always seemed more like a shadow of a person, an image of perfection that floated through life on its surface, rather than a real flesh and blood woman who struggled and ached. Even the way she was having her baby, at a specific time, a specific day, she’d go in, have an injection, feel nothing and the baby would be born. None of it made sense to Ashley. She always knew she had to walk a different pathway. But where did it lead her? To what? To who? Here she was deep in the throes of planning a wedding with no definite groom at her side.

  Ray would say that this was the time to trust more deeply, look at all that the universe had provided so far. She had to focus on all the wonderful steps she’d taken and the good that had already come! Ashley laughed at herself a moment, she’d never realized how gutsy she was! Here she was going through with the wedding and she and Aldon hadn’t even really had their first date yet.

  CHAPTER 19

  First thing the next morning, Ashley jumped out of bed. This was the day she was going to look at venues for the wedding and meet Tamara, the wedding planner Jessica had hired. Jessica had also invited Heather, Shane and Robyn to join them. Kate had been asked as well, but didn’t want to go until she’d actually been asked to be a bridesmaid. Ashley hadn’t yet asked any of the girls to be her bridesmaids. The entire prospect of choosing who would and wouldn’t be part of the wedding party made her feel queasy. The more people on board, the more pressure for the groom to actually appear.

  Ashley put on a lovely, mauve linen dress, comfortable sandals and chose her favorite straw pocket book. She brushed her hair for an extra-long while until it was actually shining, and put on tiny ruby earrings. After all this was a special occasion. Not only that, she now had Aldon to think about as well. Who knew? Anything could happen, the wedding might actually take place. Ashley decided that for today, she would definitely let herself feel like a bride going to find her wedding venue. And it would be easy to picture Aldon walking down the aisle. It was exciting actually, thrilling.

  The first venue they all were going to meet at was the Viceroy Hilton, a formal, magnificent hotel that was famous for majestic weddings.

  The moment Ashley’s taxi pulled up to the main entrance, the door of her cab was quickly opened by a doorman who rushed from the curb to greet her. She stepped out of the cab like a queen, smiling graciously to those around her, savoring the warm weather and beautiful day.

  As she walked into the huge lobby, with gold pillars, marble floors and gigantic bouquets of flowers, she tried to imagine herself here on her special day. A little intimidating, maybe? Suddenly Jessica and her friends who had gathered, saw her.

  “Ashley,” Jessica flew over, the moment she walked in.

  Oh my God, this is real, thought Ashley. We’re all actually looking for venues.

  “I’m so glad you’re on time,” Jessica hugged her. “We all got here a few minutes early so the girls could meet Tamara. I can’t wait for you to meet her, everyone loves her.”

  Jessica pulled Ashley over to the sofa where the party was waiting. A beautiful, flamboyant redhead with blazing hair, huge midnight blue eyes, and a ready smile, dressed in a trendy pri
nt, stepped to the front, and greeted her.

  “This must be the Bride,” said Tamara, hugging Ashley, “congratulations.”

  Ashley recoiled a moment. Tamara felt like a force of nature that had been unleashed. What drew her to these wedding preparations?

  “I’m so happy to be on board,” Tamara went on delighted. “I especially adore planning sudden, romantic weddings,” and she smiled at Ashley, conspiratorially, partners in crime.

  “A sudden wedding, yes,” Ashley agreed, “romantic, very!” and she smiled. Despite her pushy energy, Ashley liked Tamara. And that was the first time that Ashley had actually said that her relationship was romantic. She felt better saying it since she’d met Aldon.

  “Fantastic,” said Tamara.

  The other girls came over and gathered around Ashley as well.

  “You look radiant today,” Heather murmured. “The perfect bride to be.”

  “We’re sooo excited to be here looking with you,” Shane chimed in.

  “Me, too,” said Robyn, “I’m so grateful that you chose me. I’ll never forget it.”

  All of them stopped and looked at Ashley then, the unspoken question in their eyes.

  It was Ashley’s turn and she knew it. It was high time to pop the question, she felt as if she had to propose!

  Ashley took a deep breath. “I want all of you to be my bridesmaids,” she blurted out. The moment couldn’t be avoided and she was thrilled to get it over with.

  “Thank you, thank you,” the girls started hugging her. “We love you, adore you. We’ll never forget this moment, that you asked us to be your bridesmaid here at the Viceroy!”

  Ashley was both pleased and shaken. On the one hand, she was drawing all of them in further, on the other hand, she didn’t want to hurt anyone anymore. The girls had taken the day off to come with her, they deserved this much at least. She had to go forward and ask them to be bridesmaids, whether she was ready or not.

  “I’m honored to have all of you as my bridesmaids,” Ashley said then, hugging each one of them.