“Olivia, what a great idea. I’d love to check them out. Kyra, what do you think?” She asks. Kyra’s face lights up. “Oh Em I think that’s a fabulous idea. I even think I’ve seen one in Evanston, if you guys want to check it out.” Emily and I both agree that we would. We plan a day next week to venture out to the different shops.
Kyra volunteers, “Let me call and get some appointments set up. I’m available whenever and I can’t wait. This is so exciting and Em, we will find you the perfect dress, I promise.”
***
I get a text from my special girl Lainey. ‘Are y’all still at brunch? Did Tommy and Emily come too?’ I decide to call her instead of text back.
She screams excitedly into the phone, “Hi Mom! How’s it going?”
“Oh Lainey, I wish you were here in the worst way. Emily and Tommy are here and so are Todd and Kyra. We’ve just set out on a carriage ride around town and it’s beautiful.”
“So, are y’all planning the wedding? Damn I wish could be there to help. This is the best news—well, besides you and Ash I mean. What’s up with these Harper men anyway? Are they the ultimate Romeos or what?” I tell Lainey about Tommy’s proposal and she is so excited.
“So, when is the wedding?” She asks.
“They are thinking of the first week in May, since their tour has been pushed to the end of the month. They want to get married at the house, so I’ve got a lot of details to iron out. We’ll talk when Ash and I come to Houston next week, and I can’t wait to see you sweetie. I’m so excited!”
“Aww Momma, I can’t wait either. I’ve got several condo units lined up for you and Ash to look at, and I’m so excited that y’all are gonna buy something here. He’s awesome Mom! This is the BEST news ever. I think Ash said he booked you to stay in the Galleria, and I’m taking time off so that we can begin our hunt for the perfect place.”
I smile as I realize once again how amazing Ash is. “Yeah, he’s pretty wonderful. How are you feeling sweetie? I miss you so much! How’s your baby bump coming along? I’m dying to see it. That’s my grandbaby, you know.”
She laughs. “Hold on Mom—gonna send you a picture. I AM showing now, which makes it all the more believable. Kellan thinks I look pretty damn cute. Hehe.” My phone signals an incoming text, and I switch over to look at the picture Lainey has just sent. She’s in front of her vanity mirror, standing to the side, smiling her beautiful smile. Sure enough, she proudly displays her little baby bump and it’s a wonderful sight. I show Emily and Kyra who giggle and exclaim at the same time, “How cute!” Switching back over to Lainey on the phone, I remark, “Oh my God you’re just beautiful and I can see my little grandbaby, who by the way is so photogenic.” We all laugh and I let the girls talk to Lainey. It’s funny how the guys are in their carriage and we ladies have our own. I wonder what they’re talking about throughout their ride.
***
This wonderful afternoon ends with us all being dropped off back at The Peninsula, where the valet crew brings our cars around. As Todd’s car pulls up, he dips his head to the attendant smiling a cocky smile, letting him know in no uncertain terms that a door needs to be opened for his beautiful Kyra. The valet gives thumbs up and is at the door helping her inside. “Well done my man.” Todd says. He crams a wad of cash in the valet’s hand, and I’ll wager anything that it was a very sizeable tip.
***
The next week seems to fly by. Emily and I have decided Saturday is our day for wedding dress shopping. Kyra has set 2 appointments up and I am eager to help. On our lunch break we talk about her folks, and I ask if she would like me to contact them to let them know the good news. Her facial expression immediately changes, and it’s like I can almost look right through her. Looking defeated she shrugs her shoulders, “To be honest, I wouldn’t even know how to contact them. My Aunt Mariah probably does, but it’s been a few years since I’ve talked to her. Actually, I don’t know if Mom and Dad would even care.” She turns her head and gazes out the window with her hand resting on her cheek, “They’ve moved on—so have I.”
I lean across the table, take her other hand and I’m more determined than ever to give her some hope. “Emily, happy times have a way of bringing families back together and mending fences. I wish you’d at least consider contacting your Aunt Mariah. See if she can help you connect with them. You do want them to share in this, don’t you?”
She looks to have tears in her eyes, while nervously twirling her hair, “Of course, I’d love to be in contact with them and for them to meet this wonderful guy, who’s about to be my husband.” She exhales a deep breath and shakes her head, “I’m just not so sure...”
I hold my hands up and give my best encouraging smile, “Then I’ll do it. If you’ll give me your aunt’s phone number, I’ll be happy to call her. Lemme see what I can do.”
Her eyes light up, as she smiles looking relieved, “Aww I’d love that Olivia! You’re the best!” She’s nervously chewing on her straw, as she tells me a little bit about her family. “Mariah and my mom, Hannah, used to be so close. They literally did everything together. They could even finish each other’s sentences.” Her eyes look down as she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and wrings her hands. “When Daddy went off the deep end it was like everything went to hell in a handbag, our whole family was ripped apart. I was shuffled off to Aunt Mariah’s while my parents each went their own separate ways. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in their plans.” She puts her hand to her mouth, squinting her eyes as she fights the tears, and shakes her head to regain her composure. “God I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to go Debbie Downer on you.” I smile and hold my arms out to her. I think back to when Alan dropped the infidelity bomb on me, and I can honestly say that I don’t fault Hannah for just running away to escape reality. If I hadn’t had Ash, I may have done the same thing; who knows?
Emily gives me Mariah’s number and I decide to muster the courage to call her tomorrow. I just hope she can tell me how to contact Hannah and Glenn. I’ll deal with whatever I have to for Emily. I am woman, hear me roar…
With a twinkle in her eye she reveals, “Tommy swears that you can melt bricks ya know, kinda like you did with Wesley and Hayden. We really don’t know the extent of what you did, but it worked and you brought them all back together. He told me pretty much everything about his brothers and their past rocky relationship. I hurt so badly for him.” She shakes her head in disbelief, “I can’t even imagine what it was like when his mom was dying - How he chose not to be there, just to keep the peace. God how awful that must have been. He’s got so many emotional scars from that, and it just breaks my heart because he’s such a caring person, kinda like his dad.”
All I can do is hug her, and give her my word that I WILL do everything I can, to facilitate her parents being a part of her wedding day.
The next day, I take a deep breath, as I nervously dial Mariah’s number. Part of me wants her to answer, but part of me is scared and hopes she doesn’t. I don’t know what to expect. Is she a nice person? I have no idea. Maybe she won’t answer and I can leave a message. No such luck. She answers on the third ring. A high pitched voice eagerly answers, “Hello?”
“Hi, may I speak to Mariah please?”
“Speaking.” She answers, with a guarded tone.
“Mariah, my name is Olivia Petersen.” I take a deep breath not wanting to jumble my words. “This is gonna sound really convoluted, and I apologize, but your niece Emily is engaged to my fiancés son and I…”
She interrupts me, “Emily - our Emily is engaged?” She asks excitedly.
Feeling a bit relieved - like the ice has been broken, I continue and explain the reason for my call.
Her voice is welcoming, “Wow that’s incredible news. We haven’t talked to her in ages. Why in the world didn’t she call me? Not that I’m upset you’re calling but...Forgive me, but who are you again? I’m sorry, but you caught me off guard and I forgot what you said your name was. I don’t mean to be rude.”
I smile, as if she can see my face. “Olivia. I’m Olivia Petersen.” I tell her that I would love to contact her folks, and ask if she has their numbers.
Sounding a bit apprehensive, she answers, “To be completely honest with you Olivia, I haven’t talked to Hannah in a long time, but I do stay in contact with Glenn. He actually lives in Schaumburg. I can give you his number if you’d like, but it may be best if I call him. He’s a very private guy and I don’t see him answering a call from a number he doesn’t know.”
I’m both optimistic and relieved, “Mariah that would be wonderful. Emily wasn’t sure about this. She’s spoken so highly of you and Gary, and said she had no idea how to contact her parents. I think she was uncertain about calling you, for some reason. Any help you can give contacting her folks, is greatly appreciated.”
I give her a little background; on the hook up, Tommy, his band and how Tommy wants them to get married before the band goes out on tour.
She sighs and the tone of her voice sounds sad. While I don’t even know this woman, I can tell this is painful for her. “I’ll be the first to admit, Olivia that I wasn’t the perfect stand in mom by any means, and I regret it deeply. When Emily came to live with us, we had younger kids, lots going on in our lives and I just didn’t give her what she needed. I feel so guilty, like I let her down, but I’m so proud of her. I always knew she had what it took to be successful.” I hear a sniffle as she continues, “I’m pretty sure this is why she didn’t call me herself. We left on strained, for lack of a better word, terms.”
In my mind, I’m now starting to understand why Emily was so apprehensive about calling Mariah, she was afraid of rejection. I can’t even imagine having to live with someone and feeling like an outsider. I can tell that Mariah feels guilty. I need to get the conversation back on a positive, so I tell Mariah that we have plans to go look for wedding dresses and ask if she would like to join us.
Her voice is excited, “Oh Olivia, I’d love to. Emily’s okay with this?”
“Of course, Mariah! I know she’d love for you to come.
She’s relieved and begins rambling, “Olivia, please tell Emily that I’ll be there with bells on! Or better yet, would you give me her number so I can call her myself? I think I’d rather call her. This is so exciting. I can’t wait to tell Gary and the kids. Now I just need to figure out the best way to let Glenn know. A wedding… I. Am. So. Excited! Gosh I’m just rambling, aren’t I? I’m gonna call Emily as soon as we hang up. I can’t wait to meet Tommy. He sounds like a dream. Heck, I can’t wait to meet you. Thanks so much for calling!”
I feel so relieved after the call. I was so worried about calling her, but feel like a huge load was lifted and now I can’t wait to talk to Emily.
I’m nervous wondering if Mariah was serious about calling Emily right away. An hour later, Emily calls and her voice is giddy with happiness, “Olivia?”
“Yes?” I eagerly ask.
“Oh My God! Aunt Mariah just called and said you called her. She wants to go wedding dress shopping with us. Can you believe it? This is amazing. Oh, and she said that she and Uncle Gary are coming to watch Avenue on the 23rd too. They’ll get to meet Tommy. Yay!” The happiness in her voice makes me smile. As I’m talking to her, I’m looking out the kitchen window, visualizing the wedding. I can see the yard full of chairs, decorated to the hilt and people laughing, dancing, and having a good time. I pour myself a cup of coffee and resume the conversation.
“Have you told Tommy yet?”
She giggles, and I can just picture her twirling her hair sitting on the floor. “Not yet…you're the first person I called. I’m cooking dinner tonight and I’m gonna surprise him when gets home from rehearsal.”
***
After I get off the phone with Emily, I get an incoming text from Lainey.
‘Have you talked to Patti?’
I’m caught off guard by such a random text. She’s referring to my best friend in Houston, who I have NOT been good at staying in touch with. Patti and her husband Walt were our best friends when we lived there. The Bakers and the Petersen’s were joined at the hip for years. In my mind I’m reminded of the good times we had.
I reply to her text. ‘Not lately….why?’
Patti and I were wives of husbands who traveled lots when I lived in Houston. Walt, like Alan, was called out of town a lot with his job, so Patti and I just connected. We did keep in touch when I first moved, but once Alan dropped the bomb on me, I just didn’t have the heart to stay in touch. How do you explain that your husband left you for someone else? Out of sight, out of mind, is how I opted to deal with it.
Lainey’s next text perturbs me. I don’t know why she’s so hell bent on my contacting Patti. ‘You should contact her before you come to Houston, dontcha think?’
Defensively I respond, ‘I’m a big girl Lainey…I’ve got everything handled :)’
My way of dealing with this situation is actually to procrastinate, not call Patti ahead of time, and surprise her once we get to Houston. Sound good to me! My inner goddess even pats me on the back and gives me a thumbs up.
***
The wedding dress shopping day is finally here. Kyra, with her stellar organizational skills, has set the appointments and we’re all ready. We meet at the coffee shop down the street from the first shop we’ll be going to. I spot a woman walk in, looking around like she’s meeting someone, and I’m guessing it must be Mariah. The look on Emily’s face is a bit reserved and nervous, but as soon as Mariah spots her, her eyes light up and they run into each other’s arms. Mariah is not what I pictured at all, when I spoke with her on the phone. It’s funny how you picture someone a certain way when you’re talking to them on a phone call, but then you actually see them and they are completely different. I don’t know exactly what I pictured, but she’s a doll. She’s got dark blonde wavy shoulder length hair, petite in stature, and wearing minimal makeup, but very pretty and stylish. I'd venture to say she’s in her mid-forties. She’s wearing a cute trendy outfit, straight legged dark wash jeans, a cute multi colored peasant top, with knee high boots and large hoop earrings.
“Aunt Mariah it’s been so long. You look so beautiful.” Emily says, as she steps back to look at her.
Mariah walks around Emily shaking her head grinning. “Emily, Emily, let me look at you.” With a sad tone in her voice, she puckers her lips and tilts her head, “You’re all grown up now and getting married. You’re beautiful baby girl... so beautiful.”
Kyra and I retreat back to our table, and give Emily and Mariah some privacy and a chance to reconnect.
Kyra wipes a tear from her eye. “Aww I’m so glad she came. Poor Emily, she’s been so nervous about this. Her stomach’s been in knots since she found out Mariah was coming. Tommy and Todd told her it would all work out for the best. Let’s just hope her dad will be on the same page. I can’t even imagine life without your parents. It’s bewildering. My parents are such a big part of my life, and I feel so bad for Em.”
I tilt my head to the side and ask what I’ve been dying to find out. “Speaking of parents, do yours know about Todd?”
She looks uncomfortable, and I’m suddenly curious at her response, “I’ve told them I met someone that I’m seeing pretty regularly. They asked if he was a student at the university and I told them he’s in a band and well, the verdict is still out on that. Dad’s gonna be a hard sell, more so than Mom, I think. Actually my Mom is pretty cool, but Dad, let’s just say he’s not so cool.”
“So they haven’t actually met Todd yet?”
She’s nervously tapping her nails on the table, looking off to the side and I’m wondering what the big deal is. She takes a deep breath, “Not yet. I’ll have to approach that with a lot of thought and planning. The time isn’t right just yet.”
Call it intuition, but I’m sensing there are issues here. I feel like she’s afraid her parents will be disappointed when they meet Todd. Is she actually embarrassed about introducing
him? I ask her about her folks, in an attempt to get a grasp on this uncomfortable feeling I have.
She tells me that her parents are both high powered corporate attorneys and that they live in the Chicago area. She has younger twin brothers, who are just starting college.
“They both want to go to law school. I was the one who wasn’t into the lawyer thing. At first, my folks were pretty bummed, but I think they’ve gotten over it.”
High powered attorneys, which explains why I think she’s hesitant to bring Todd home. I have a feeling that Todd doesn’t live up to Daddy’s expectations. The thought of this goes all over me and I don’t want to show my emotion, so I ask about her education.
“I finished my bachelor’s degree in 3 years, so I’m ahead of the game actually.”
An overachiever, I think to myself. “Wow! And I thought my Lainey was a wunderkind. You’ll be how old when you get your masters?”
She scrunches her face in an uncomfortable way, “I’ll be 23 when I finish and I’ve been told, on more than one occasion, that I’m an overachiever. I’ve pretty much gone to school year round since high school and it’s wearing me down, but I’m so close and I can’t stop now.”
Out of The Box Regifted Page 6