“How’s Mark’s mom treating you?”
Jessie burst out with a snort. “Joey asked the same thing. I’ll tell you the same. We need Cosmos for the discussion.”
“That bad?”
“Worse.”
“Oh, look.”
Jessie switched her focus to Joey who’d come out of the dressing room. The gown was the same as Katie’s but it wasn’t. The differences were so subtle it wasn’t noticeable at first.
“Man, you two are going to take over the show.” She glanced at Katie. “What do you think?”
“She’s hot. Joey how do you like it?”
“I’m hot.”
The three chuckled at Joey’s reply. Luckily, the price was the same. Under budget. Another cause for Cosmos though Jessie really didn’t want to talk about Mrs. Taylor.
Maybe it would be therapeutic to vent to her friends. Not too far from the dress shop, on Bleecker street, was a club that had awesome cocktails. That’s where they’d go.
After the waitress deposited three waters and took their drink order, the grilling started.
“Spill, girl. What has Mark’s hag of a mother done this time.” Katie sipped on her water while she waited for Jessie’s answer.
“She thought I’d take money and call off the wedding.”
Joey spit out the gulp she’d just taken. “What?”
“You heard. Last night she showed up after everyone had left the shower and asked how much it would take."
“Get out!” Katie slammed her glass onto the table. “That bitch.”
“What happened?” Joey asked.
“I called Mark.” Jessie didn’t feel the need to mention she’d snuck out like they’d all done when they were in grade school. “He came over and told his mother she didn’t have a say in anything.”
Katie gave a dreamy sigh. “You are so lucky. Where are the rest of the Mark’s in the world?”
“I want to know that too.” Joey laughed. “All the good ones are taken.”
“You guys will find someone. If you remember, I didn’t think I was ever going to get married. Then Mark stumbled into my coffee shop out of the rain.”
Katie looked to the ceiling. “Hurry God, I need a man to stumble into my life.”
“Dork.” Joey hit her on the shoulder.
The waitress arrived to place their pink cocktails on the table. A few sips later, the subject of Mark’s mother continued, much to Jessie’s displeasure.
“Have you ever thought about disposing of her?” Katie eyed her over the rip of her glass.
“You mean like Jessie’s going to hire some thug to take her out or something?” Joey sounded like she actually liked the idea.
“No, maybe trip her so she’d fall down the hole of an outhouse or something,” Katie explained.
Jessie smothered a laugh, “Yes, and there are so many of those around Manhattan.”
“You know what I mean.” Katie pouted.
“Actually I don’t.” Jessie let the cool sweet liquid slide down her throat.
Katie scowled at her but at least her friend let the subject drop. If there had been a privy in New York though, it would have been a great idea.
“What are you doing for flower girls?” Joey sipped her gaze focused over Jessie’s left shoulder.
When she twisted to see what had Joey’s attention, she wasn’t surprised to find six foot of gorgeous hunk. Too bad for her friend he had an equally gorgeous date.
Jessie grinned at Joey. “Focus, the man’s got a woman hanging on his arm.”
Katie snapped her fingers. “See, they’re all taken.”
“Yeah. It’s depressing.” Joey drained the rest of her martini glass as if to solidify her statement.
Jessie laughed then brought the subject around. “Flower girls? Remember those little ones who prance down the aisle ahead of the bridesmaids?”
Joey frowned in her direction. “Okay, make us talk about your happy day while we’re wallowing in our little pity party about having no men in our lives.”
“See this?” Jessie held up her index finger and thumb and rubbed them together. “It’s the smallest violin playing for your sorrow.”
Katie snorted, then coughed having just taken a sip of her Cosmo. “She has you there Joey. Alright Miss Bride, are you having your aunt’s granddaughter?”
“Yes, and because Mama found such a bargain on Bella I’m having Mark’s niece Sarah also.”
“What are they wearing?” Joey then turned to the waitress who had arrived at the table. “I’ll have one more, please.”
Jessie contemplated her almost empty glass. She would be taking the subway. “I’ll have another one also, Kate?”
“Oh you bet. These are the best.”
The waitress’s chuckle floated over her shoulder as she left their table. Jessie realized she felt more unruffled than she had in the last month.
Friends were the best medicine. Or maybe it was the pink cocktails, she didn’t care. She felt better.
“I wanted to wait to see what you two decided for your dresses. I have a date with the two little ones tomorrow. We’re going to Macy’s over on 34th.”
“Is Mark’s sister okay with that?” Katie asked, as if taking his niece to anywhere but Neiman Marcus would be a tragedy.
To hell with Mark’s pampered family, Jessie chose to misunderstand. “What’s wrong with Macy’s?”
Joey barked in what Jessie thought might have been a laugh. “Just that the prices aren’t over the moon, what are you thinking Jessie? Bargain basement?”
“I’m sorry. I refuse to break my budget to please. And Carmon isn’t like her mother the snobby Claudia Taylor.”
The look Katie gave her was a skeptical, ‘If you say so.’
“I say so, now let’s change the subject.”
“Bachelorette party, when and where?” Joey raised her martini along with a brow.
“I tell you, Pandora’s is the place.” Katie shrugged.
“Okay Pandora’s but don’t be disappointed when I don’t dance on the tables.”
“Deal. Now when? Between your two jobs, and wedding obligations you’re always busy.” Joey had pulled out her notepad to scribble, Jessie wasn’t sure what.
“Friday night.”
Katie gave a soft squeal. “As in this week? That’s two days away how are we supposed to plan it that fast.”
Jessie looked to the heavens and then to her two friends. “You’ve been bugging me for how long I thought you’d at least have it planned if not the date. One of the girls at Java Hut needed to switch nights with me. I only found out this morning. I don’t mind if the three of us have a girl’s night at my house.”
“No way, this has to be the event of the year. It’s your send off party so you don’t forget your friends,” Joey declared.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m getting married for hell sakes. Mark will let me out from time to time for good behavior.” Jessie laughed. Sometimes she cracked herself up. Her friends were acting as if she was moving to Siberia or something.
Between her soon to be mother-in-law, if she could even think of Claudia Taylor in those terms, and her friends, she was going to be bonkers before the wedding. Poor Mark.
When the waitress made another appearance, Jessie thought it prudent to call a halt to their afternoon Cosmos. She needed to be sober in a few hours to work at her second job. Though being a little tipsy might help pass the time.
Outside, they gave each other hugs and set off for their various stations. Bleecker was close to most the trains, but since they all had to take different ones they had to part ways. Jessie smiled as she watched her friends leave. What would she ever do without those two? Good thing she didn’t have to find out.
She slid her card through the scanner and waited on the platform for the Six train. Once on board, she closed her eyes and went over her list of to-do things for the wedding.
Slipping a mickey to Claudia before the wedding so she wouldn’t cause problems should
probably be crossed off.
Why not? It was a damn good idea.
Dear Diary;
Flower girls
I’ve decided little girls are a delight. I’d never had any experience with the little darlings until now. Jessie had plans to take the two girls to some place called Macy’s. An argument had ensued the minute Mark’s mother had arrived.
Jessie had escaped into the room with the two little ones. I assume to escape the quarrelling between Carla and the burlap bag, Mark’s Mother, about their destination. I couldn’t blame her. It sounded like they might even be tearing out each other’s hair.
Carla had very pretty hair, I’d be sad to see it go.
“Sarah what do you think of Bella?” Jessie stood in front of me, a girl on each side.
Sarah angled her head to look up at Jessie, “Why did you name her?”
“Yeah?” The other little girl, Missy, piped in.
“I didn’t, the lady who made Bella is a very famous designer and she names all her creations. I’ve watched her on a TV show.”
Two pair of bewildered eyes stared at her. Clearly neither of them had seen the show. The only reason I knew about it was because Heidi had been so excited about her interview. She had gushed about it for weeks until all of us had wanted to stuff lace in her mouth.
“Well it’s a program on television and Heidi, that’s the lady who made Bella, said she calls them all her girls. They also have certificates with their names, like when you were born you had a birth certificate.”
Sarah’s eyes widened in her small face, wonder radiated. “You mean Bella was borned?”
“Not exactly, she was designed.” Jessie grinned at the girl. Then she reached out and gently touched my lace. A ripple of pleasure raced over my ribbons.
“Bella is made of satin, lace and these little beautiful beads. Heidi started with a bolt of fabric.”
Missy jumped and raised her hand as if she were in school. “Oh, Oh, I know. It’s like Nana does when she makes my dresses for church.”
“That’s right.” Jessie beamed at the little girl for knowing what she meant.
Sarah still looked bewildered. “How come you don’t go to the store and buy your dress for church?”
Missy shrugged, apparently she didn’t know any different. Jessie patted Sarah on the shoulder. “Dresses at the store are made also. My aunt, Missy’s Nana, takes delight in making Missy’s dresses herself. Sarah when you go to school aren’t you proud when you draw a picture for your mommy?”
Sarah considered so long I didn’t think she was going to answer. “I guess so.”
Clearly, the small girl still wasn’t grasping what Jessie was trying to impart. Apparently, my bride came to the same conclusion.
“Sarah, Missy, gently feel this material.”
Two small hands reached out, my satin was aquiver. I can’t describe the energy that transferred to my lace. These two small ones would grow up and want to wear a dress like me someday.
From this day forward, I would be in their fantasies.
Chapter Thirteen
Jessie tried to ignore her mother and Mrs. Taylor in the other room. That was, until she heard the obvious sound of glass shattering.
“Girls, you stay here. Be careful of Bella.”
“Why can’t we go? Aren’t we going to get our dresses?” Missy slanted her young face to the side in question.
“In a minute, honey. I’ll be right back.” She left before either of the young girls could stop her.
The battle zone looked worse for wear. Her favorite dish, the one she’d found at a swap meet, was nowhere to be seen. A flash of blue caught her eye and with a sinking feeling she bent to pick up the shard that twinkled with the morning sun.
Upon closer inspection, she knew the bowl would never hold an orange in her new kitchen when she and Mark set up house. Anger ran the gambit through her nerves.
She squared her shoulders to face down the dragon lady and her normally nice Mama.
“Just what the hell is going on here? Are you trying to kill each other? Or teach the girls bad manners?” She let her brow lift and waited.
“She doesn’t want any dresses from a cheap store like Macy’s.” Her Mama referred to Claudia as if she were the lowest form of bug. Why had she brought Sarah instead of Carmon? Didn’t matter now, the damage was done.
The gargoyle had probably insisted she accompany her granddaughter, afraid Jessie would corrupt her with her bargain basement tastes. Gritting her teeth, she tried counting to ten. When that didn’t work, she did fifteen.
No use, nothing could salvage the situation.
“It’s not going to do any good to break things. Missy and Sarah are ready to go. Are you two?”
Jessie wondered if she could pull off sneaking down the fire escape to take the girl’s shopping on her own. Straightening, she sucked in her breath.
She looked from her mother’s beet red face to Claudia’s equally crimson one. It could work.
“You two try to play nice. I’ll get the two girls.”
As the door closed behind her, she barely caught Mrs. Taylors words. “We are going to Macy’s over my dead body.”
To bad that couldn’t be arranged.
Jessie would settle for the next best thing.
She found the two little girls, ogling Bella. Both turned when they heard the soft snap.
“How would you two like an adventure?”
Their eyes lit up, and both little heads nodded eagerly. Jessie placed her slim finger to her lips cast a glance over her shoulder at the door. Voices raised in anger.
Good they were still occupied.
None of this arguing would be happening if Mark’s sister had brought Sarah. Moving to the window, she pushed up the frame, then cringed as a screech rifled through the room. If she continued to sneak out, she’d need to oil the window. A quick look at her door indicated things were good to go.
“Come on.” Jessie threw a leg over the sill.
Once she stood on the fire escape, she looked down. What the hell was she thinking? She turned to climb back in as the two mother’s voices raised another notch. The two giggling girls looked at her expectantly. She was about the same age when she’d first snuck out with Katie and Joey. Another crash sounded from the living room.
It was safer to go this way. She’d face retribution later.
She helped the two little ones out onto the ledge. “Both of you have to be really careful and do what I say, okay?”
Jessie chanced a look down to the street. The four stories looked a hell of a lot higher than it normally did. Sarah and Missy were holding hands and huge grins graced their faces.
They were having the time of their life.
“I’ll go down first, Sarah you next, and Missy you follow.”
Jessie carefully backed down the ladder. As soon as she was down far enough to give Sarah room, she beckoned for the little girl. With a giggle, Sarah turned as Jessie had done her toe searched and finally found the rung.
Jessie held a hand to Sarah’s back until she was safe.
Then Jessie helped Missy to follow. Once both had reached the first rung, Jessie told them to hold tight while she went down one more. Jessie looked up to beckon them to do the next. Their eyes wide with an equal mixture of excitement and fear as they took each step of the journey one rung at a time.
Both girls left a trail of delighted snickers in their wake. When they were all safely on the ground in the alley behind the building, Jessie led them in a round of ring around the fire ladder.
“Okay, let’s hurry so we can catch the train.” Jessie grabbed a small hand of each girl.
Sarah turned her wide-eyed gaze up to Jessie, “We’re going on the subway? Oh, Grandma Taylor’s going to be really mad.”
Wouldn’t that be great? “You’re with me you won’t be in trouble.”
The three dodged foot traffic. The click of their steps echoed as they ran down the sidewalk to the station. Careful to k
eep them in front of her, she let them buy their own ticket. First Sarah, then Missy, slid their card in the reader. Jessie followed them through the turnstile to the platform.
Apprehension clenched her chest, two small girls were a huge responsibility. Here she was in a New York subway with a train racing to a stop in front of them. What would she do if something happened?
Now that the adrenalin rush had worn off from her anger and secret get-a-way, she couldn’t believe what she’d done. God, what had she been thinking to take these two precious girls down the fire escape? Forget, she’d done it her first time with her friends around the same age. That was beside the point. She was supposed to be a grown-up. Acid swirled in her stomach. She inhaled to calm herself.
Mark’s mother was driving her completely insane.
Literally.
She looked around at the passengers. What she saw relaxed her shoulders. Many mothers had young children. Someday soon, she hoped to have a child and most likely she’d be bringing her baby or toddler with her on the train.
This was everyday life in New York.
After the three found seats, Jessie hid her smile at Missy’s superior attitude. She’d been chattering non-stop informing Sarah about all the do’s and don’ts of riding the subway. Everything was, “Nana said this,” or “Nana said that.”
Sarah listened solemnly to everything her new friend told her. Jessie hoped that once she married Mark the two little girls would have a chance to see each other often.
“34th street stop is next, that’s us.” Jessie stood, but motioned the girls to wait. When the train had stopped, she helped them off.
Once on the street, they could see Macy’s and the target of their big adventure. Flower girl dresses.
Stopping inside at the front of the store, Jessie glanced around for a legend. There it was by the escalator.
“Jessie I need to go to the bathroom.” Sarah announced loud enough for the people in Jersey to hear.
“Me too,” Missy agreed.
Luck was good. There was a restroom by the little girls department. First things first.
“Let’s go.”
Once the girls had refreshed themselves, washed hands they were ready for their dresses. Jessie had a catalog in her bag from Macy’s. There was a Cinderella dress on sale she’d loved it the minute she’d seen it. It was perfect.
Three Weddings and a Dress Page 12