Three Weddings and a Dress

by Mary Martinez

  Ari wasn’t sure she’d be hungry by the seventh inning, but she’d do her best. She couldn’t wait to try whatever dessert Conner had planned.

  “What are you going to do if the Yanks win again? Dinner sometime this week?” Gerard asked in the fifth inning when his team was up three runs.

  “Wednesday evening is the only day I have off. I’m dying to try what I helped Henry make today. For once, I’m hoping my Mets lose.” He looked to the sky. “Please don’t strike me down oh ye Met Gods.”

  Ari giggled. She never giggled, must be all the wine she’d consumed. “Conner believe me, you don’t need to lose a bet to cook here. Just leave me a grocery list and I’ll be glad to buy the food anytime, as long as you cook.”

  Gerard’s deep chuckled curled her toes, “I’ll invite myself to dinner whenever you’re cooking, and I’ll bring flowers.”

  “Deal!” Conner sipped his wine. “Are you ready for dessert? The seventh inning will be here soon and I need to do a bit of preparation.”

  “I’m still stuffed from dinner, but there is no way I’m turning down whatever you created for dessert.” Ari stifled the groan that wanted to erupt at the thought of anything more in her poor overstuffed tummy.

  “Crème Brule.” Conner lit up a thing that looked like some kind of blowtorch and whisked over the tops of all three desserts. “Caramelizing the top, here you go.”

  He placed a plate for each on the coffee table. “Be right back with spoons and napkins.”

  Each bite was a delight. Had she died and gone to dessert heaven? That’s what it tasted like. Maybe having Conner cook all the time wasn’t a good idea, she’d be rolly polly in no time.

  “I’m going to have to run an extra mile in the park tomorrow.” Gerard patted his stomach his expression disgruntled.

  “Boys, I have some sketches to finish for tomorrow. I am about to fall asleep after that delish meal. It’s been fun, but I’ll have to find out who won the game in the morning.”

  She gathered the dishes, rinsed them off, added them to the load in the washer, and started it. As she passed by the men, they barely acknowledged her swift goodnight. They were too engrossed in the subway match.

  Kicking off her flip-flops, she grabbed her shorts from where they still lay from that morning. She stripped of her sundress and for once hung it in the closet. Only a few minutes later, she had settled into her designs from the night before.

  “Bella, I wish you could have joined us tonight. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think Conner is going to be an executive chef in a prime New York restaurant someday.” Ari giggled at the thought of her dress eating dinner. Another indication she wasn’t used to consuming so much wine. Two giggles in one night had to be a record.

  “I’m too tired to dance, so Bella you better send me inspirational thoughts. Think blue. Subtle though, because I still want the bride in ivory.”

  No sooner had she’d expressed her wishes to Bella, than thoughts of a beautiful duchess satin cashmere entered her mind. This was different from the yellowed satin she’d imagined earlier. Then over the bodice a scalloped lace in ivory with just the barest hint of baby blue. The combination would be stunning.

  Where she’d find ivory lace with a hint of any shade of blue was going to be a challenge, but she was up to it. Straightening after the first touches were completed, she threw a glance at Bella. Her beads and stitching glimmered in the overhead light as if the dress encouraged her to continue.

  Again, the thought that Bella was magic crossed her mind. “Too much wine,” she muttered.

  As she turned she caught sight of her alarm clock on the bedside table. Maybe it would be a good idea to set an alarm as a reminder of when to go to bed. She wanted to be bright eyed in the morning for her meeting with Gertrude. Especially because she wanted to convince the woman having designer dresses would be important to Classic Manhattan.

  The sweeping lines of the dress followed the story running through her head. Elegant and smooth, the blue color subtle enough only to come out in certain lighting.

  When the alarm rang, she was so engrossed in her design that her hand flew to her chest, her heart did a hiccup. Bella’s beads shivered in the light, Ari turned to glare.

  “You won’t think it’s so funny if I drop over of a heart attack.” The satin on the chapel train sobered and stilled.

  Ari narrowed her eyes, was that even possible?

  She’d think on it another time. Right now, she needed to be up early. The clothes she wore for the presentation would be important. Gertrude was all about making an impression. This time Ari’d be dressing to impress her boss, not a client.

  She pressed her lips in thought, wasn’t she trying to sell something to Gertrude? Well persuade her was a better word, but still. Today her boss would be her client.

  Dear Diary;

  Selling Gertrude

  What an important day it was for my bride. If her boss, the scary lady I’d met briefly at Classic Manhattan, was agreeable, Ari’s dream would come true. The zig-zag on my seams tightened in hope.

  Once Ari’s dream came true, I could work on her about Gerard. I had heard a few comments from Conner regarding Gerard and Ari. Maybe he thinks the two should be a couple also. If I were truly magical, maybe I could enlist his help.

  Sun peeped through the slats of the blind. Conner hummed in the other room and still my bride softly snored from the bed. Last night, she’d toppled onto the bed after her alarm rang, and I swear she hadn’t moved since.

  Worry puckered my trim, was she all right?

  There was a soft knock on her bedroom door, I wasn’t sure I heard it until I heard Conner’s muffled question. “Hey Ari, I thought you wanted to be to work early.”

  My bride bobbed up, like a bobbin on a sewing machine. Her gaze went first to the door as if she could see through to Conner, then to the clock.

  “Damn!” She scrambled out from the tangle of covers and raced to the bathroom. “Thanks Conner I owe you, again.”

  I could hear his chuckle fade as he walked away. He was turning out to be a good friend to my bride. I was a bit ashamed of my earlier thoughts of him.

  Since Ari had discovered his secret about boys, which I’m still confused on, he has been more serious. As if he’d grown up, or realized his boyish act wasn’t needed any more.

  “Bella, wish me luck.”

  Startled, I hadn’t heard Ari enter the room. I’d never seen her look so, I’m not sure of the word. My bride didn’t look her carefree self. She didn’t have her bright boots, or flowing rainbow colored clothes. She was in a somber grey suit, her skirt just above her knees. Her shoes looked like something my Cecie would have worn.

  If I could have spoken, I would have told her I thought she looked wonderful if a bit boring. I understood that humans dressed for occasions. Her attire must be what she felt would help pattern her case for her designs.

  I thought she should wear something she’d designed herself. After all, wouldn’t that make more of an impression?

  Ari stopped at the door, looked over her shoulder at me in question. Had she felt my thoughts?

  I concentrated as hard as I was able and sent them her way. Her hand dropped from the knob and returned to her closet. On the way she sent me another confused look.

  Pink was about all I could see on the hanger. Once she stripped her formal grey suit off and replaced it, I sucked in my bodice.

  One creamy shoulder bare, pink tulle draped her body tied in a knot over her other shoulder. It gathered under her breast, then dropped smoothly to flirt around her knees. After kicking off her heels, she slipped on some toeless matching sling backs. Anyway, that’s what Cecie had called those type of shoes.

  Much better, I let my beads rattle in approval.

  The smile Ari gave me was one of agreement.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Ari held her breath and closed her eyes, then turned around. When her eyes opened, she saw her reflection. The dress had bee
n for her cousin’s wedding. She’d designed it herself.

  Glancing over her shoulder at Bella, she was somehow positive the dress had given her the idea to wear this. It was perfect.

  The next problem, how would it look after a brief ride through Manhattan on the Love Machine? Dropping her bag on the bed, she went to her nightstand to ruffle through for a subway map. When was the last time she’d taken the train?

  “Aw, here it is. Let’s see…” The 6 line would be perfect. “Okay now I’m really off Bella, keep sending me your magical thoughts.”

  As she stepped off the train, she glanced at her wrist and groaned. Damn, she hadn’t worn her watch because it wouldn’t go with her dress. Not that it mattered. She couldn’t walk any faster in her heels anyway.

  She had nothing to hang in her locker so she went straight to her office. The clock above her window indicated she was a few minutes early. Enough time to breathe deep and have a cup of coffee. They kept a supply of fresh ground and array of teas for clients, and the smell of a fresh pot wafted through to her.

  “What has you all gussied up?” Darlene asked. Ari was glad she hadn’t started to pour or she’d have had stains down the front of her dress. It would ruin the entire look she strived to achieve.

  “Is gussied up still a word people use?”

  Darlene was only a few years older than she was, but sometimes her language fit their salon. Classic.

  “Gussied is a timeless word. Just ask Gertrude.”

  That explained it. Darlene worked closer with their boss, face to face. Ari was lucky in the fact most of her files she transferred via the office Intranet.

  “Tell me why are you dressed in your finest?” Darlene stepped in to inspect the edging along her shoulder knot. “This is hand stitched, and it’s lovely. Is this one of yours?”

  “Yes.”

  “So it has a story. Okay give up. What’s going on?”

  “Come over to my office.” She grabbed her mug to lead the way, paused and glanced back. “Is Gertrude in yet?”

  “No. She had an early meeting with a new client at their home.”

  Ari did her best to shrug off the disappointment. It would just delay things, not cancel her plan. “Since when does she take appointments away from the salon?”

  “Since it’s one of the Long Island Rochester’s.” By Darlene’s tone, Ari knew she wanted to add a la-teti-da to the end of her announcement.

  “I hope things go well, then she’ll be in a good mood to listen.”

  Darlene settled across from the desk, “Well?”

  An addendum to her plan was forming, “I’m not going to tell you, I want you to be surprised.”

  “You’re killing me. Surprised when?”

  “Do you have a client meeting this afternoon?” Ari sipped her coffee as she waited.

  “No, I’m going over the new stock the florist has for this weekend. See what I can do for some new designs.”

  “Will you come with me to present my idea to Gertrude?” She sat the mug down on the desk so she could scoot in and lean toward her friend. “Please?”

  Darlene slouched into her chair and narrowed her eyes. “Wouldn’t it be better if I went in knowing what you were going to pitch?”

  “Nope, because I want your honest reaction.” Ari let herself drop back into the cushion on her chair. “You’re worried that you’ll have the wrong reaction, aren’t you?”

  Darlene swallowed her neck muscles working. “Yes. I know you’ve been working on your designs, so it has something to do with them. What happens if I blow it for you? I’d never forgive myself.”

  “I have enough confidence in my work that I don’t think that will happen.” She raised her mug toward Darlene. “Here’s to a successful meeting.”

  Darlene barely tapped her rim, “If you’re sure.”

  “I’ll leave a message for her to call me when she returns. When she calls, I’ll ask for a meeting with the both of you. You won’t have to pretend any emotion. And if you don’t like it, Darlene I’ll survive. I’m counting on you being honest.”

  Her friend rose to her feet. “It’s a deal. I have things to do so I’ll chat with you later.”

  “Yes.” Ari smiled. “You will.”

  Ari logged onto her system to begin her day’s work. She had four upcoming weddings and they needed preliminary planning. Once she had an idea, she’d meet with the couple and match her idea to their plans.

  Wouldn’t it be great to offer one of her designs?

  When the phone rang, she’d been so busy with her schedule, she’d actually forgotten she’d left a message for her boss. She pressed the speaker button. “Hello?”

  “You wanted me to call.” Gertrude’s voice gruff as always filled the room. “I’m busy, what do you need?”

  “I would like to present an idea to you and Darlene. If I could have an hour of your time? Your office, sometime this afternoon.” She held her breathe while the seconds ticked by, until her answer came.

  The silence was almost overwhelming. Droplets of sweat beaded to her forehead, the strands of hair stuck at her temples.

  “Only an hour.” The speaker line went dead.

  Shooting up from her chair, it rolled until it hit the wall. She didn’t care, her feet were dancing a victory jig.

  “Should I have brought my umbrella?” Darlene sounded amused.

  “Oh, you startled me.” Ari pounded her fist to her chest. “Gertrude said yes. Dang I forgot to ask what time.”

  “Now, she called to give the order to me.” Darlene grabbed Ari to begin pulling her.

  “Wait, I need my bag.” She reached down, swiveled and patted her hair into place. “Okay ready, let’s go.”

  Ari gave a tap on the door, then opened it at Gertrude’s gruff, “Enter.”

  Darlene was the first to sit. Ari wasn’t sure what to do. Then she spotted the easel, a perfect place for her sketches. She walked to the board and propped her bag on the side table, then turned toward her boss and co-worker.

  “Ms. Schneider, I have a plan to expand Classic Manhattan.” When the woman opened her mouth to object, Ari hurried on. “Please let me finish, and then you can both give me your thoughts.”

  Ari waited for nods before continuing. “Both of you know I design clothing.”

  She stepped away from the flip board for a moment to turn around. “I designed this dress for my cousin’s wedding. Each of my creations have a story, a love story. And this dress is no different.”

  Darlene grinned at her, and Ari was thankful for the encouragement. “My cousin’s groom was from Australia, a little town on the east coast near the barrier reefs. The place where he lives is rich in folklore about ghosts. One in particular was about a young girl who died on her wedding night. She was on the beach looking toward the beautiful ocean and a wave washed her to sea. It’s been said that on cool autumn nights the villagers can hear her crying and some say they see her standing in the waves with her dress whipping around her knees.

  “The delicate fabric I imagined would be what they see and I picked the color for the coral known in that area.”

  An indelicate snort came from Gertrude’s direction. “I don’t have time for these stories, get to the point.”

  She’d better do that, or she’d lose her chance. “I wanted you to understand my inspiration. Each design has a different story and all are classic. My designs are mostly wedding dresses. Classic Manhattan could have its own wedding designs.” She held up her hand to stop the words from the woman. “Please just hear me out. I have a few of my designs with their stories, and each new bride could look at them. For instance, if we have a young Italian couple, I could show them this.”

  Ari carefully placed her design on the board. “Picture a small early 1900’s town on the cliffs of Italy overlooking the ocean. A young girl waits and watches for her young man to return from the war.”

  She used her pencil to point. “I’ve used an ivory satin to accent the beaded lace. Notice
the beads are amber they give the dress a gossamer appearance. Picture the color of the wet glistening rocks as the wave’s crash onto them. The skirt flares as if the wind is angry and blowing as she waits.”

  Darlene clapped a hand to the desk, Ari and Gertrude both jumped and stared. “I love it…” Darlene must have noticed both were glaring in her direction. “Sorry I got caught up in the moment.”

  Ari hid her smile. It was exactly what she’d hoped. She peeked under her lashes to see what the older woman’s reaction, her expression unreadable.

  Gertrude finally gave a brief nod. “Continue.”

  “Next I have an exceptionally talented girl who sings the blues in saloons and theatres trying to scratch out a living. Hoping to find someone special. Think Memphis early 1930’s.” She laid the design out. “I’d use a lace over silk chiffon, fashioned after the evening dresses of the period. The chiffon would be a light cashmere color, the lace an ivory with the barest hint of blue. Which of course would represent the blues.”

  “Okay.” Her boss interrupted her, frowned. “This is all well and good.” She humphed. “I’ll admit you’re designs are… adequate.”

  Ari did her best not to show her indignation at that comment. Darlene’s raised brow helped.

  Gertrude humphed again. “Even if I did agree, where and how would you create these gowns?”

  Ari was prepared for the question. Nevertheless, butterflies swamped her tummy and flittered up her throat. “There’s the third floor that we use for storage. If we cleared it out, I could set up a sewing room there. I know the equipment would cost some…” She swallowed to fortify herself to continue. “…and I’d need an assistant.”

  The woman’s eyes were so round, Ari thought they would pop out. Rushing before Gertrude put a stop to her plan. “I don’t make much money, but I save a hundred dollars a month. I could apply for a business loan. Then I’d be vested in the designs.”

  There. She’d finished. Now she had to wait. Darlene wore an eager expression. Clearly, she was on board. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the one who mattered.

  Gertrude stood and paced to the window, apparently to gaze at the building across the road. A moment later she twirled around.