by CeeCee James
“Are you ready? Our seamstress just finished it last night! It looks gorgeous!” Allison trilled out. Despite the enthusiasm, Elise noted the bare movement of her face and decided she must be fresh from a dermatological visit. The two consultants ushered Catalina to the back room to help her change.
Sonya collapsed onto one of the couches in the viewing area. She looked over at Elise. The dog wandered over, and Elise offered her hand for the poodle to sniff. Cupcake sat elegantly next to the couch and blinked wise-appearing eyes. If you could only have seen what I have seen, those eyes seemed to say.
Elise stroked the dog’s neck. “I told you we wouldn’t be late.”
“Oh, hush.” Sonya spouted back. She pushed up the sleeve of her cream-colored cardigan to examine her newest tattoo. It was a Phoenix rising out of a sea of flames.
“Beautiful,” Elise murmured, leaning over to get a better look.
Sonya smiled. “Just part of my story. Over here, I’m getting a magpie.” She pointed to the back of her shoulder.
“You like birds?” Elise asked, curious.
“I used to have one air-brushed on my bike,” she answered, glancing at the floor. She yanked down her sleeve with a pained look.
“What happened to your bike?”
There was a long pause—so long that Elise considered making some inane comment just to cut the awkwardness—before Sonya finally said, “Laid it out. Different lifestyle then. Different life.” Sonya stood up and walked away, effectively cutting off any more conversation.
Well, that’s interesting, but actually not too surprising. What is surprising is how a biker chick went from riding a motorcycle to driving a VW bus.
“Here she is!” Simone announced as if ushering the Queen of England. “Miss Beautiful, herself!” The dark-haired consultant swept back the curtains.
Catalina stood there with wide eyes as if she herself couldn’t believe how wonderful she looked. The strapless dress highlighted her pale shoulders and slender collarbones. The dress fell to the floor, hiding the tops of her shoes. Standing there in the soft light, she did have an ethereal quality about her. Carefully, she lifted the front and minced into the room.
“What do you think, ladies?” Allison asked. “Isn’t she lovely?” As lovely as Catalina was, Elise admired the sincere awe that Allison interjected into her tone. After years of seeing women in wedding dresses, it was impressive how the consultant made it seem as though there had been none before the little blonde woman standing before them.
“She definitely is,” Elise agree.
“Spin around,” Sonya directed with a twirl of her finger. Catalina did an awkward rotation. Sonya frowned. “The dress is dragging on the ground. Are you wearing heels?”
Catalina shook her head. “Not today, just my flats.”
“I don’t understand?” Sonya shook her head in apparent confusion. “Every other time I’ve seen you, you’ve been wearing one sparkly pair or another.”
“I’m not sure if that would be a great idea, seeing how clumsy I am recently.” She ran the palm of her hand along the scrape on her forearm.
“Oh, sweetie, that was a terrible fall,” Allison pressed her lips into a commiserating frown. She wouldn’t make eye contact with Elise, presumably still offended by Elise asking for the names of the purchasers of the green shoes.
Sonya twisted her lips in deep thought. Finally, she shook her head. “Well, the dress is too long. The poor girl’s going to trip on the way down the aisle.” She came closer and touched the wedding dress waist. “And whose idea was it to put the boning in like this? Surely this isn’t how it was designed.”
“I’m going to need to take a break,” Catalina said, looking anxiously from one consultant to the other.
“Honestly, this boning is much too tight,” Sonya continued. “It looks like actual ribs. And the bodice is gaping. What are you trying to do?”
“Oh, surely it’s not as bad as that,” Allison started. She came over and fiddled with the bodice also.
“Sorry, guys, I need to use the…” Catalina began again.
“We were trying to keep it nicely fitted, while still allowing room…” Simone interjected.
“Room?” Sonya’s eyebrows went up. “Room for what? The wedding cake?”
“You know,” Allison dipped her head a couple of times in the direction of Catalina.
“Bathroom,” Catalina whispered, before lunging for a purse. She opened it and quietly upchucked into the contents. Closing it, she wiped her mouth. “I’m so sorry about that.”
Sonya blinked hard. She turned stiffly back to the wedding consultants. “I have this feeling I’m the last to know. Is she—?”
“Pregnant.” Catalina finished. “Yes, I am.” She giggled and patted her stomach.
“Lovely,” Sonya breathed. Gathering herself together, she nodded firmly. “Get this boning removed pronto. Have the seamstress use darts instead. Right now this poor woman looks like she’s wearing a skeleton nightgown.” She clasped her hands before her and continued matter-of-factly. “It needs to be hemmed by at least three inches. A bride does not need to worry about tripping along the aisle, especially now in her condition. And somebody clean out my purse.”
The consultants leapt to the table. Simone returned with pins to mark the hem, while Allison ran to the bathroom with the purse.
When Sonya was satisfied with the way the alterations were ordered, she led the two other woman back out to the van. “One fire out, two more to go.”
“Fires?” asked Catalina, pulling on her seatbelt. She pushed it under her belly with a sweet smile.
“When we’re this close to the deadline, everything is on fire,” Sonya explained, pulling out onto the road.
“Look!” Elise pointed. “There is that….” her voice trailed off. She watched behind her as the van sped forward.
“That what?” Catalina asked, trying to see what Elise was looking at.
“That girl. I’ve seen her around town lately.”
“Oh. Her.” Catalina’s mouth pressed into two lines.
Startled at Catalina’s response, Elise leaned forward. “Do you know her?”
Angry eyes was Catalina’s only answer.
Chapter 15
The van shuddered as Sonya shifted into third gear. “So, should I be expecting a shotgun at the wedding?” Sonya asked sarcastically as she turned the corner onto Main Street.
“A shotgun?” Catalina seemed taken off guard as a questioning look replaced her previous expression.
“Yes. Your Uncle Rozzo isn’t going to show up wielding one is he? To make sure Cook marries you?”
Catalina laughed. “No. Cook’s more excited about this baby than I am.” She rested her hand on her hardly-there tummy. “If that’s even possible.”
Sonya’s van was so loud, Elise could barely hear. She leaned forward to ask, “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”
Catalina’s earrings swung as she shook her head. “No. That won’t be until next month. But we’ve heard the heart beat.” Her face flashed with joy. “It was incredible, like a hamster drinking from its water bottle.”
A hamster? This girl cracks me up. “Sweet,” Elise smiled. Now that Catalina seemed to have simmered down, she asked again, “That girl back there. Do you know who she is?”
Catalina rolled her eyes and shrugged. “When you’re a part of a circus, you attract runaways. She’s one that’s tried to tag along with us. Uncle Rozzo has threatened to call the cops on her more than a few times.”
“I thought the circus hired kids like that? I don’t mean that offensively,” Elise amended hurriedly, “I guess it’s just my impression. Maybe from TV shows or something.”
“Runaways are always up to no good. They’ve stolen my shoes and clothing, and I caught that girl near my stuff recently. Besides, you start collecting kids and then the police get involved, and not in a good way. Most towns already have it in for us as it is. You can’t even believe the names we
get called.”
“Aww, I’m so sorry.” Elise winced, feeling uncomfortable. Bullying was something that hit her to the core, bringing back way too many memories from her own experiences in junior high.
“You’re strong, I’m sure,” Sonya said, flipping on her blinker. “You can’t let what other people say have an on impact you. You have to define who you are and never let anyone dissuade you from that.”
“Oh, I agree. And carnies are good at that. We’re down with whatever it takes to defend our own too, but we don’t borrow trouble where we don’t need to.” Catalina shrugged, looking unemotional about the homeless teen’s fate in a way that made Elise’s blood run cold. She eased back into her seat and looked out the window. What is that girl running away from? She looked like she was starving, and now after hearing Catalina, it seems she really might be.
Sonya turned again, this time into the parking lot of Angel Lake Park. “Okay, we’re here. Let’s get out and explore a bit.”
The three of them climbed out. Sonya led the way down to the sandy beach. “You can’t see it, but over there is a covered area where we can have the reception if you want. This can be the backdrop for your actual ceremony.” Sonya gestured out to the lake. Today, the water was choppy with little white-capped waves. At the shore a small boy threw stones in the water, breaking into laughter at the “plunk” sound.
Catalina’s face puckered with deep thought. She walked farther out onto the beach, sliding a bit as her shoes sank in the sand. One must have filled with sand because she took it off and shook it out. She wiggled her foot back in and continued down to the water.
With her hands on her hips, she scanned the area with a decidedly dubious look on her face.
“Well?” Elise said, slightly hopeful. “Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s one of my favorite places ever.”
Catalina turned to her left where the breeze traveling over the water ruffled her hair. She crossed her arms at its coldness and shivered. Her earrings were shaking an adamant ‘no’ along with her head as she pivoted back to the women. “Nope. This is definitely not it.” Without waiting for a response, Catalina stalked back up to the van, her ankles threatening to turn with every other step.
“Okay, then. Four days left and still no venue.” Sonya said. She stared out at the lake. The breeze did little to move the blonde swoop of hair on top of her head, stiffened as it was with gel. She glanced at Elise, her eyes appearing an even paler gray than usual in the light. “I told you she was a Miss Priss.” Slowly, she walked back up the beach to the van.
Elise blew out a big lungful of air and rubbed her arms. That darn air was freezing cold. Or maybe it was the company she was with. She couldn’t be sure.
Why did I choose this job again?
Oh, yeah. I have bills to pay.
Ten minutes later, Sonya pulled into another parking lot. This park was obviously well loved by many kid’s sports teams. The grass was torn up and muddy in places, with a baseball diamond taking half the field.
“Are you serious?” Catalina’s eyes were huge as her head swiveled from looking out the window back to Sonya. “Uh. No way. I’m not even getting out.” She sighed like a disgusted teenager.
“I told you the pickings were slim with this time frame.” Sonya said, shifting the bus into park.
Catalina rolled her eyes. “Really? The backdrop is an abandoned factory. Probably alive with gangs and homeless people ready to head over for a free meal. Honestly, I’m disappointed.”
Elise felt the mood of the van drop. Anger could almost be felt tangibly rising from Sonya’s stiffened shoulders. “If you don’t like the way I’m doing my job, we can discuss canceling the contract right now.” Her voice was low and measured, with danger underlining every word.
It was a message Catalina received loud and clear. Immediately, she backed down and replaced the pouty look with her characteristic smile. “I’m sorry. Between the stress of Papa’s health, me not feeling good, Cook leaving.…” Her smile fell then as tears formed at the corners of her eyes. Angrily, she turned toward the window and hid her face. “Argh! I hate when I get like this.”
Sonya softened too. “How is your dad doing?”
Catalina fanned her hands before her eyes and blew hard. “He’s a fighter. Doing better than expected, really.”
“You are going through a lot. You want a dream wedding, and I aim to provide it. I have one more place to try. It’s kind of unconventional, but I think you’re going to like it.”
“Unconventional, huh?” Catalina settled back into her seat with a smile. “Sounds like my perfect place.”
Chapter 16
Sonya pulled into the nearly empty shopping mall parking lot. Catalina raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
“Hold your opinion for just a minute,” Sonya pleaded, holding her hands out in a calming motion. Catalina nodded as she rewound her scarf around her neck.
They walked up to the door. Elise saw a pair of faded motorized horses sitting by the door. A memory flashed of when she was a little girl riding on that very horse.
It was freezing outside. Elise bounced on her toes to keep warm while Sonya rifled through her purse for a set of keys.
“So, where was the circus performing before you came here?”
Catalina looked to the ground and mumbled the answer.
“Where?” Elise leaned forward to hear.
“Meadowford.” Catalina was suddenly interested in a dandelion that had sprouted from a crack in the sidewalk.
Meadowford. Where have I heard that recently?
Shaking the key ring, Sonya gave a triumphant cry as she found the one she was looking for and unlocked the glass doors. It just took just a bit of pressure from her hands on the doors to open them, and they were soon in the mall.
“An abandoned shopping mall?” Catalina asked. Their footsteps echoed loudly in the empty arboretum.
“Not completely empty. There are a few businesses open during the week on the other end. But this right here,” Sonya waved her hand around, “Is open to rental.” She gave Catalina a serious look. “I know you were hoping for something outside, but I think this could really be it. Just think about it for a minute.”
“What happened here? Why is it empty?” Catalina asked. She fiddled with the end of her scarf, bringing it up to her mouth.
“Online shopping, I suppose. It’s the wave of the future. There’s a furniture store and a jewelry store at the end. I guess people don’t want to shop online for those.” Sonya’s normally stern eyes winked in a bit of sadness. “I remember spending the weekends at the mall with my friends in high school. We’d people watch, drink an Orange Julius. It’s a shame. I wonder what teens do these days.”
“Instagram, SnapChat,” Elise said. “It really is a different world.”
“Not so different,” Catalina smiled. “Not while we still have the circus.” She licked her bottom lip and jammed her hands in her pockets. Her head tipped up and she examined the large glass ceiling above them. She wandered slowly with a thoughtful look.
Three trees grew in a park-like oasis with a waterfall in the center. The water fell in a soft, tinkling pattern down the stone, not so loud as to be intrusive.
The floor was dark. At one point, there might have been tables bolted to the floor, but they were long removed, leaving the laminate covered in a pattern of circles.
Sonya stood back with her arms crossed and let Catalina take it all in. Elise walked around, too.
The area was large enough to hold a crowd comfortably. Four dark hallways radiated out from the center of the arboretum leading to various stores.
Catalina walked clear around the waterfall and made it back to Sonya. She wore a hint of a smile.
Sonya winked. “It’s nice, huh?” The tall woman stepped back and stretched her hands before her as though describing a film set. “Imagine chairs leading up to the waterfall. An altar there, with white gardenias woven around a natural wood trellis. The pathway
to the altar would be red velvet sprinkled with white rose petals from your flower girls. And here,” Sonya gestured dramatically. “Would be your musical quartet playing the wedding hymn. Perhaps a singer? The acoustics in here are incredible.” To demonstrate, she sang out a few bars of Adele’s newest hit. Her husky, soft voice sounded incredible.
Through all of this, Catalina’s face grew pinker and her smile stretched bigger.
“Down there,” Sonya continued, “We’ll have the buffet. There are kitchens in what was once the food court. We’ll have our caterers use those. All the tables and chairs will be dressed up with linens, covers and flowers. Imagine tiny lights,” here Sonya glanced at the ceiling, “streaming down from the ceiling.” She looked boldly at Catalina, who seemed caught almost in a trance at the wedding planner’s words. “You won’t even recognize this place.”
Catalina was nodding before Sonya even finished. “Yes! Yes!” She clapped her hands. “This is it. This truly is my dream wedding venue.”
Sonya smiled confidently. She looked in her phone and quickly shot off a text. Two minutes later, her phone dinged. “And, it’s yours.” Sonya said with finality.
Elise was impressed. This was the reason why Sonya was the boss. In the ninth inning, her boss had found the exact right place, and procured both the bride-to-be’s permission and the agreement with the establishment. Elise shook her head. This is why Sonya gets the big bucks.
Catalina spun in a circle, hugging herself. Her eyes glowed. “Are you serious? It’s mine? I’m getting married here?”
“You are.” Sonya said calmly. “And it’s going to be amazing.”
Catalina ripped her phone out of her purse and quickly dialed. After a moment, she let out a squeal. “Cook? Cook! I found the perfect place! Oh my gosh! You’re going to love it! Oh baby, I love you so much. I can’t wait to marry you, my little snookums.”
With quick steps, Catalina walked behind the fountain to continue her affectionate conversation. Elise caught Sonya’s eye and wrinkled her nose.