How to Make a Wedding

by Cindy Kirk

  As we ate, I filled the girls in on the idea Cassie and I had come up with for the centerpieces.

  “Each table will have three clear vases in different heights. We’ll drop in marbles—pink, of course—and then add a silk magnolia blossom. On the day of the bridal shower, we’ll fill each vase with water and place a floating candle on top. Simple, right?”

  “Simple but beautiful.” My cousin jabbed her fork into her salad. “Best idea ever.”

  “Cheaper than those centerpieces I’m having to rent for the wedding reception.” My father’s voice rang out from the living room. “Those suckers are twenty-five dollars apiece, and we don’t even get to keep them.”

  “Well, don’t tell anyone, Dad, but we got all the supplies for these centerpieces at the dollar store. I’ve done my calculations, and it’s going to cost less than six dollars per table.”

  Was that a happy grunt we heard?

  As I shared some other ideas, the girls chimed in, and before long ideas flowed like water. I hadn’t had this much fun since . . . wow, I couldn’t remember when.

  By seven fifteen we’d finished our meal and prepped the table to work on the centerpieces. I gave each girl a specific task, then put them to work.

  Cassie seemed a little preoccupied. “Okay, I just have to say I can’t get over the fact that Sienna’s not here yet.” She looked around the room, as if expecting the maid of honor to magically appear. “I mean, we knew she couldn’t be here for dinner, but she promised she’d come by seven. She’s really supposed to be in charge of the shower, you know?”

  I knew, all right.

  “She’d better get here quick.” Brianna dumped a handful of marbles into one of the vases. “I’ve got to write a paper for my psych class.”

  “Write it about Sienna.” Cassie rolled her eyes. “You won’t have to go far to find your information.”

  That got a laugh out of everyone. Well, all but me. “We should probably stop taking aim at Sienna.”

  Cassie sighed. “She’s just such an easy target.”

  “Maybe too easy. But she has her good points too. She’s helping with the flowers. Did you know that? She even got Crystal a great discount through her aunt Catherine.”

  Cassie reached for some marbles and rolled them around in her palm. “Did you have to go and say that? I was enjoying being mad at her.”

  “I know. We all were.” I glanced at the clock. Seven thirty. Hmm.

  “The groomsmen are coming by at eight for dessert,” Cassie told the other girls. “All except Tyler because of some school event. Anyway, we thought it would be fun to hang out with them.”

  The moment she said the word groomsmen I thought of Derrick. I couldn’t help but smile. Of course, he wasn’t a groomsman. He was the best man. And what a great man he was turning out to be. My face heated up as I thought about his nickname for me: Southpaw. I glanced down at the silk flower in my left hand and giggled.

  “What’s so funny, Mari?” Brianna looked my way.

  I snapped back to attention. “Oh, nothing. I think we’d better get busy. We’ve got to settle on our final plans for the bridal shower before everyone else gets here. That’s the point of our little meeting tonight—besides making these centerpieces.”

  My cousin kept looking at the clock on the dining room wall. I knew she was still fretting over Sienna’s absence. By the time seven forty-five rolled around, we could deny reality no longer.

  “Maybe I’d better check my messages.” I dug around inside my purse and came up with my phone. A quick glance down, and I groaned. I’d missed a text from her, all right.

  “Let me guess.” Gillian rolled her eyes. “She’s not coming.”

  I shook my head. “She has a headache.”

  “She is a headache.” Cassie laughed, but I still didn’t join in. Not just because I was trying to set a good example, but because I realized just how painful her disinterest had become for Crystal.

  I typed a response and then tossed the phone back into my purse. “Oh well. Her loss. She had no idea Derrick was coming tonight.”

  “She doesn’t know?” Gillian asked.

  “She does now. I just told her.” I wanted to add that Sienna would no doubt have a miraculous recovery, but I had just advised we stop shooting arrows at her, hadn’t I?

  An awkward silence filled the room. I cleared my throat. “Let’s go ahead and talk through our final plans for the shower. You all seemed to like the idea Cassie and I came up with for the tea party theme the best.”

  Gillian clasped her hands together. “Yes, we loved it!” All the girls nodded.

  “In addition to the centerpieces we just made, each table would have its own teapot and teacups and finger sandwiches cut out like teacups. We could also have a variety of teas and even some ornate cookies shaped like teapots. How does that sound? I even saw the cutest mini cupcakes online with chocolate-covered pretzels on the side that looked like handles. Get it? They look like teacups.”

  Gillian gave me a hopeful look. “Sounds great, but who’s going to make all that stuff?”

  “We are.” I swept a hand toward them all. “I’ve been researching like crazy. Even bought the cookie cutters, just in case you did like the idea.”

  “Have you ever made specialty cookies, Mari?” Brianna gave me an admiring look. “I hope so, because I’m not a baker.”

  “Me either.” Gillian shook her head.

  “You know I’m terrible in the kitchen,” Cassie added. “So that leaves you to do the baking, Mari.” She gave me a confident look. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

  “I’m willing to learn.” I spoke the words with determination. How hard could it be to make a cookie that looked like a teacup, anyway? Surely I could go on the Internet and figure out how to paint the cookies to look delicate and pretty.

  “Making them yourself is cheaper than hiring someone.” My dad’s voice sounded from the living room again. “Make the cookies, Mari.”

  Cassie laughed. “Okay, so you’re in charge of cookies. And the cupcakes.”

  “I’m great with sandwiches.” Brianna dropped the last handful of pink marbles into a vase. “Put me in charge of food, okay?”

  “And I love to decorate.” Gillian set a silk magnolia on top of the marbles. “We’re having the shower at the church, right?”

  “Right.” I nodded.

  “I can take care of the invitations,” Cassie said. “I love doing stuff like that. Have you put together a guest list, Mari?”

  “Weeks ago. It’s on a spreadsheet on my computer.”

  “Just like everything else for this wedding.” Cassie laughed. “You girls should see how organized she is. She’s been such a big help to Crystal.”

  “Your sister is blessed to have you.” Gillian gave me a smile.

  I paused to think that through. The past few weeks with Crystal had been so much fun, and I’d learned a lot. By the time my own wedding came around I’d know just what to do. Of course, I’d never have a reception at the country club, but at least I’d know how to take care of the details. And maybe—just maybe—I’d have a maid of honor who cared as much about me as I cared about my sister.

  “Have we lost you?” Cassie nudged me with her elbow, and I startled to attention.

  “Oh, just thinking.”

  “About Derrick?”

  My face grew hot. “Why would you say that?”

  “Just to see the expression on your face.” She grinned. “Now, what were we talking about?”

  “Cookies.” I jumped right back into the shower plans. “And I saw the cutest teacup invitations online.” I stood to gather our leftover supplies. “I’m going to order them later tonight now that we’re all in agreement on the tea party theme.”

  Five minutes later I’d jotted down all the assignments. Gillian was particularly helpful when it came to shower games, which she’d done before.

  The guys arrived just as we were boxing our creations. Derrick headed right for
me, as if he had nothing better to do than be with me. Okay, maybe my imagination was running away with me, but how could I help myself with his gaze fixed on mine? I found myself drawn in by his confident stride, his engaging smile, and those gorgeous eyes.

  “Hey, Southpaw.” Derrick flashed a smile. “Am I late to the party?”

  “Only if you planned to help make these centerpieces.”

  “Um, no thank you. I think my skills are better served on the ball field, not with glass vases and marbles.”

  “I don’t really know much about baseball.”

  “Seriously?” His eyes widened. “Well, we’ll have to remedy that, and soon. We’re early in the season. Want to come to a game or two and see if it grows on you?”

  “Sure.” I gave him a little shrug, feeling a little awkward for admitting I knew nothing about the sport he loved.

  “Just hang around me, and I’m sure the love of the game will rub off on you.” A boyish wink followed.

  Oh boy. The love of something was rubbing off on me, but it had nothing to do with baseball. A warm, funny conversation with this guy felt completely comfortable.

  Before we could continue the conversation, my sister and Phillip arrived. I could tell from the pained expression on her face that something had gone wrong. No doubt it had something to do with his mother. The woman really seemed to be pulling Crystal’s strings these days. She sighed as she walked past me, but she didn’t say a word.

  I excused myself from the conversation with Derrick and caught up with her in the kitchen, standing at the counter and eating a jumbo-sized slice of cheesecake.

  “You okay in here?” I gestured to the dessert, and Crystal sighed again.

  “Yeah. A little stressed.”

  “Phillip’s mom?” I whispered the words.

  Crystal nodded. “Yeah. She called in the middle of our dinner to tell me that she talked to my florist. She’s taken the liberty of changing the flowers in my wedding bouquet.”

  “W-what?” I couldn’t believe I’d heard that right.

  “Yep.” My sister took another giant bite and spoke with a full mouth. “The woman actually said roses are cliché. Cliché. Can you believe it?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe it. I sure hope you stood your ground.”

  “I didn’t know what to say without crying, so I just handed the phone to Phillip.” Crystal sighed yet again. “I only wish I was as thin as my patience right now.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at that one.

  She plopped the fork onto her plate. “Of course, if I keep eating like this, I won’t be. They’ll have to let the seams out in my dress.”

  “It’s not that bad, Crystal.”

  “Wedding. Planning. Is. Stressful.” Just that quick she picked up the fork again and took another bite, pinching her eyes shut.

  Tell. Me. About. It.

  Her eyes opened and she stared at her plate. “I shouldn’t feel so intimidated, I guess. I should stand up for myself. And I should have a maid of honor I can count on, one who shows up for stuff and actually acts interested. Sienna’s not here, is she?”

  “It’s going to be okay, Crystal. I know it is. Everything will come out fine in the end.”

  “I hope you’re right. I only plan to get married once.”

  “I know.”

  She grew quiet for a moment, then looked into my eyes. “I made a mistake letting Mrs. Havenhurst talk me into choosing Sienna, didn’t I?”

  I paused to think through my response. “Sienna is Sienna. Nothing much ever changes with her. I’m sure you felt pressured, and no doubt Phillip’s mom sang her praises.”

  “Yes, she did. And I wanted to believe every word. I really thought things would be different, that maybe she’d be able to focus on me. On the wedding.” Crystal took another bite, then spoke around the cheesecake. “Guess I was wrong.”

  “Maybe she’ll come around.” I tried to sound hopeful.

  “Ooh, there’s cheesecake in there?” Derrick’s voice sounded from behind me.

  “You girls are missing the party.” I turned just in time to see Phillip enter the kitchen with Derrick on his heels. “What are you girls doing in here?”

  Crystal slid her plate in front of me and handed me her fork. “Thanks for the nibble of your cheesecake, Mari, but I’m not really that hungry.”

  “W-what?”

  She slipped her arm through Phillip’s and changed the subject, talking about the weather.

  Derrick watched as my sister and her fiancé left the room, then glanced down at the half-eaten cheesecake. “Um, that’s not yours, is it.” He spoke the words more as fact than question.

  “Not even.” I shook my head.

  A smile lit his face. “Well, I hate to see good cheesecake go to waste. I say we split the rest of that piece.”

  I nodded, excited by that possibility. “Great idea. I’ll get a couple of clean forks.”

  Derrick and I sat down at the kitchen table, and somehow he managed to turn my angst into laughter. The guy had a real knack for that. He shared the plans the guys had just made for Phillip’s bachelor party. Then he shifted gears and started telling me about his recent trip to Haiti with an international mission team. I could see the passion in his eyes as he talked about a young man there he supported monthly, about how much he wanted to help him.

  “I don’t really talk about it much, but my parents’ divorce really got to me. I was sixteen when it happened.”

  “I’m so sorry, Derrick.” Seeing the pain in his expression, I longed to reach out and put my hand over his.

  “I buried the pain in . . . bad behaviors.” He shrugged.

  “Bad behaviors?”

  “Poor choices.” He clenched his jaw. “I . . . well, I got involved in drugs, Mari. And drinking.” He paused and stared into my eyes, as if waiting for me to respond in shock or disbelief.

  “You’re obviously not the same person now. Something must’ve happened to change all that.”

  “Yes, something definitely happened. It’s been a long journey back from a tough place. And I never would’ve made it if Phillip hadn’t been praying for me.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah, he was there through it all, good and bad. Your sister’s getting a great guy.” He paused and gave me a thoughtful look. “I’ve done all the talking. Sorry about that. What about you, Mari? What were you like as a kid?”

  My dad happened through at that very moment and laughed. “I could tell you some stories.” And so, much to my embarrassment, he did. Talk about humiliating. On the other hand, Derrick laughed in all the right places, and even made me laugh a time or two with his responses to Dad’s crazy tales.

  After my dad left the room, I told Derrick a couple of stories about my teen years, including a funny one involving a family vacation at a dude ranch when I was fourteen.

  “Sounds like fun.” Derrick leaned in close, as if hanging on my every word. It felt good to talk about something other than the wedding.

  “Crystal and I had the time of our lives on that trip.” I paused as the memories flooded over me. “You just haven’t lived till you’ve traveled with our family. Things get crazy, trust me.”

  “Your dad seems like a real character.”

  “Oh, he is. He’s perfect. Really. Best dad a girl could ask for. I feel so blessed.” As I spoke the words I thought about what Derrick had said earlier, about his parents’ breakup. Maybe we’d better change the subject.

  Turned out, I didn’t have to. Our private conversation was interrupted when Sienna arrived. She must’ve sniffed out Derrick’s cologne, because she bounded into the kitchen, all giggles and smiles. It looked like she’d been miraculously healed from her headache. She grabbed Derrick by the arm. “C’mon, best man. We’re needed in the living room. The bride and groom want to give us our marching orders.” She seemed to narrow her gaze as she glanced my way. What was up with that? Surely Sienna didn’t think I was treading on her turf .
. . right?

  Not that Derrick seemed pleased by Sienna’s insistence that he leave me. In fact, he gave me a “Woe is me” look as Sienna pulled him out of the room. I just offered him an “Oh well” shrug. Still, from the smile he gave me as he rounded the corner, I had a feeling I’d be seeing more of this guy, and maybe not just at the wedding.

  Two days before the bridal shower and four failed attempts at making the intricately designed teacup-shaped cookies, I finally threw in the towel. Grandma Nellie offered to help, but quickly gave up when she got the consistency of the royal icing wrong.

  “Not gonna happen, Mari.” She waggled her finger at me. “We’ll have to order some from a bakery.”

  No way, Jose. When I’d revealed our shower theme to my sister, I had promised home-baked, teacup-shaped cookies. I had to deliver them, even if it killed me. Which it might.

  In a moment of clarity, I recalled that Derrick’s mother was a baker. It took some doing to locate the best man’s cell phone number. After all, I didn’t want my sister to know I had failed in the baking department, so I couldn’t ask her. Instead, I went straight to Phillip, who was happy to share Derrick’s contact information with me.

  I called Derrick late Thursday evening, my nerves a jumbled mess. He seemed a little surprised to hear from me, but from the pleasant tone in his voice, I could tell it was a happy surprise. When I explained my predicament, he offered to call his mother on my behalf. “She usually needs a couple of weeks’ notice to fit in a new job. But she might make an exception if she’s not already booked. I don’t know if she has the ingredients, so she might need to make a run to the store.”

  “I’ll bring the ingredients. She won’t have to do a thing.” I sighed. “Well, except the obvious. Teach me how to bake. And decorate.”

  Derrick laughed. “Okay. I see how it is. I’ll have her call you, I promise.”

  Ten minutes later I received a phone call from Mrs. Richardson, who agreed to help me.