Stay with Me

by Sheryl Wright

  “Yeah,” he admitted without a second thought. “Lots of people think we we’re hooking up but it’s not like that. Me and Megs have blue hearts…you know what that means, right?” At her headshake, he explained. “We’re just the kind of folks who were born to be cops. So we kinda get each other, you know, like best buds.”

  “I think I understand. It’s very nice that you two can be such good friends and share your life’s passion. It’s like me and Skip,” she said, realizing the truth of it the moment the words were out. “We talk the same language when it comes to engineering. Georgie too but Skip and I are working at the same level, seeing the same things, and we learn from one another.”

  “Yeah. Like that. Lots of guys don’t get why my best friend is a girl, but I don’t see her that way. Since I started here, we’ve been taking these classes and studying together, you know, learning the job. It’s so cool to have a friend who gets that.”

  “I know what you mean,” she said sincerely, while clicking back through the checklist. “I can’t believe the number of guests has inched up over five hundred!”

  “They really wanted everyone to feel welcome. I was kinda shocked too at how many people from around here accepted the invite. I mean…” He colored slightly, suddenly aware of what he was suggesting. “I just mean like they’re all pretty old, you know, so I was kinda shocked they would want to go to a wedding.”

  “A lesbian wedding, you mean?”

  Clearly embarrassed, he tried to explain. “I…it’s just people are always freaking out about gays and lesbian and gay weddings and then when there’s a chance for free booze and a fancy meal and they’re all like, me too, me too.”

  “I don’t think it’s that bad. At least not around here,” she added, hoping it was true. The good folks on the peninsula, at least those south of Cattaraugus Creek, were almost all living on DiNamico/Phipps property, in houses owned and maintained by two out and proud lesbians and all had worked for the family company or were the family of retirees. If they had issues with either Lori or Georgie, or Georgie and Tyler’s wedding, she would be shocked or at least disappointed. Of course, there were always those individuals who felt compelled to bite the hand that feeds them. Today though, neither she nor Sanjit would allow it to happen. He too had been briefed on the situation with Sue Ellen Peach. Megan had vouched for his discretion, bringing him into the small circle of those preparing for trouble. “I think everything’s ready, or will be. All we have to do now is make sure things don’t fall apart between now and when the brides arrive.”

  “Don’t worry, Aydan,” he reassured her. “The way we set up security, no one’s getting past Erie Street without an invitation, and only the limos will be allowed past Exchange Street. We’re ready for anything.”

  “I’m sure we are,” she said kindly, while concern bombarded her every nerve.

  And then there’s you, Lori Phipps. Just what do I do about my feelings for you?

  Just last night she had read the book Lori suggested. She could admit to being particularly attracted to the character with a past, but it was the intensity of the protagonist’s attraction to her more innocent partner that had resonated so deeply.

  Waving Sanjit off, she watched him head back to the catering tent. He wanted to make sure the truck, rented to transport all the leftover food to several local shelters, would be able to extricate itself from the yard and guests after dinner. Several people had been shocked to learn food would be served all night. The family called it a Newfie supper and couldn’t be persuaded otherwise regardless of the estimated waste. Leslie too had championed the plan, even going as far as contacting shelters and arranging for a rental van and volunteers to make deliveries. Aydan had to commend her efforts, considering the number of guests had started at eighty and now topped five hundred. Between the guests and the long night of food service, the catering staff had swelled to the size of a regiment, a sea of uniformed movement buzzing around in packs and fussing to make sure everything was just right. Several paraded around the green lawns, drink trays overhead, greeting the arriving guests. Considering Sanjit’s comment about everyone loving a lesbian wedding when the food and booze were free, she eyed the new arrivals looking for some sign of disingenuous intent. Seeing only smiles and glad tidings, she shook off her suspicions. Every family, she was discovering, carried some component of shame no matter how healthy or evolved.

  Tyler’s family seemed to be the exception. She did rather unkindly ask how perfect things would be once they were forced to face Megan’s sexuality. But right now they, like Megan, had just ignored the question. Much like I did. She understood where Megan was, still so focused on what she wanted to do with her life and unconcerned for much else. The difference between them was more than being fledgling lesbians; she had been tossed out by her family even though she had been the one to remove herself permanently from their presence. Megan, she knew, would have the support of her sisters and most probably her parents too. She didn’t know them well, but they seemed like genuinely good people.

  Georgie and Lori’s family too were amazing, but learning they hadn’t always been so perfect was both hard and encouraging. They had worked through so many demons in these last few months. The results not only saved Tyler and Georgie’s relationship, it had opened the whole family to forgive and heal. As witness, and lifted in hope for her own family one day in the future, she finally understood that their opinions were just that. Opinions formed from ignorance and shame.

  I was like that—frightened by shame. But I’m not afraid anymore.

  A long line of limos made their way up Allegany, pulling into the employee lot. She watched as Sanjit, dressed in what she was sure was a borrowed suit, trotted up to meet them, pointing the lead limo to the bridal party tent. This was Tyler and her family. Buoyed by her own excitement, she headed over to meet them.

  The moment she walked in, Tyler’s eyes were on her. Aydan assured her, “Everything’s fine, I promise. Just stopped in to wish you luck and let you know everything’s ready. Most of the guests have arrived too.”

  Tyler nodded, clearly too hyped to even speak.

  “Just breathe, baby!” her mother counseled, then turned to Aydan. “Hello, sweetie. You look so lovely.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Marsh.”

  “Oh no, you know better than that,” she said, slipping a willowy arm around her shoulders. “You’re family with us, Aydan, and if you don’t start calling me Debbie I will put you over my knee. Understood, young lady?”

  Aydan grinned. “Yes, Debbie, and thanks. Listen, why don’t I get one of the waitstaff to bring in some champagne? I know Leslie ordered several bottles to settle any pre-ceremony jitters.”

  They were enjoying a knowing chuckle when Tyler stormed over. “My pre-ceremony jitters will settle as soon as my fiancée shows her face. Where the hell is she?”

  Carl, resplendent in his tux, wrapped a soothing arm around his daughter. His other arm was full of giggly little Ella and her flower girl frills. “She’ll be here, pumpkin. No worries there.”

  “Yeah,” Kira added, pointing to the other bridesmaids, Leslie, Susan and—Zoe who was carefully repacking purple rose petals in Ella’s basket. “If she doesn’t, we’ll kick her arse!”

  “Me too,” Aydan answered with uncharacteristic confidence, joining in on the family repartee.

  “Girls!” Debbie warned them much as if they were all her own. “Now let’s not plan Georgie’s demise until she’s actually late…”

  As if in answer they heard a horn blow, and Aydan stepped out in time to watch as the second set of limos pulled up on the other side of the yard, stopping in front of the opposite bridal tent. Stepping back in, she reassured everyone, “She’s here. I’ll go check on them and report back. Any last wishes or requests?”

  Tyler had choked up again and while Debbie worked to calm her down, Carl occupied the flower girl. Zoe, Kira, Leslie and even Susan stuck their heads out hoping for a glimpse of the other team. He
rding them back inside first, she finally made her way across the lawn. But before she could check on her charge, Sanjit was back at her side.

  “The honor guard is here. What do I do with them?”

  Men and women from Georgie’s guard unit were standing in a tight group and looking a little lost. Resplendent in their air force blues with white gloves and belts, sheathed swords hung from each one. At the end of the ceremony they would form a long arch of crossed swords for the two brides to traverse under. It was supposed to be good luck or something. The request for the honor hadn’t come from Georgie, but the men and women from her Air National Guard unit. My, how far we have come! Only a few years ago, Georgie’s sexual orientation would have been met with scorn, investigation and even banishment from military service. Today her unit would honor her commitment to live her life honestly.

  “Their seats are on the opposite side of the orchestra. Why don’t you get them over there and I’ll let the catering staff know it’s time to hold the drinks and start ushering guests to their seats.”

  “On it!” he said, and was gone in a flash.

  It didn’t take her much longer to signal the headwaiter and bartenders to get everyone moving in that direction. It was time. The orchestra, really just a string ensemble, was already in place and would take their cue from the wedding officiant. She, Aydan noted, had arrived and was making her way from Georgie’s tent to Tyler’s.

  Spotting Aydan and knowing her place in the family and business, she stopped, offering a friendly greeting, “Afternoon, Ms. Ferdowsi. I’m just headed in to check on Tyler. Georgina’s all ready to go. Is everything set out here?”

  “It is. I’m just getting everyone seated,” she explained eyeing the padre’s colorful vestments. While the brides were wearing traditional white, the wedding party was all decked out in shades of blue. Tyler had chosen the color in respect to Georgie’s branch of service and the first flowers she had ever given her. Secretly, Aydan was sure it had more to do with blue being her favorite color, but it did make Georgie happy and kept her from insisting on wearing her uniform. Tyler hadn’t been against it but had complained about the general plainness of her air force mess dress uniform. As always, she had gotten her way, simply by asking Georgie to wear a dress. It was like magic to watch how easily Tyler could persuade her. More, though, was Georgie’s respect for Tyler. She never took advantage of her influence over her very, very soon to be wife. Earning and keeping Georgie’s respect was as important as her love and affection. Knowing her boss, Aydan now understood that for her, love and respect all flowed from the same place. Maybe that was the magic about these two she so envied. They never seemed to waste too much time on the past. They talked, never keeping their feelings suppressed, even when the subject was hard or trying.

  Head down and deep in her own thoughts, she was heading the final few yards to Georgie’s tent when she spotted a late-arriving limo making its way up Allegany. She was about to pop in when Sanjit’s words came back: “Only the limousines of the wedding party and the immediate family would be allowed past the security on Exchange.” She was sure she had counted all of Georgie’s party arriving and couldn’t imagine whom she had missed when an eye-catching redhead, dressed inappropriately in white, was helped from the vehicle.

  Sanjit, too, was immediately at Aydan’s side. “Is that one of the cousins from Newfoundland? I thought they were all here already. Do you know which one that is?”

  “Oh, I know who that is and she’s not a cousin.”

  He blanched at her angry expression. “Should I toss her out? No one was supposed to get this far without an invitation. How did she make it past security? Should I call them?” He reached for his phone.

  “No, it’s okay, Sanjit, I’ve got this. You go ahead and get the last of the stragglers seated.”

  She strolled over to introduce herself to Sue Ellen. “Ms. Peach, I’m Aydan Ferdowsi, Georgina’s executive assistant—”

  “I know exactly who you are!” she spat. Then she added in an unnervingly jovial tone, “Call me Peachy.”

  Aydan immediately realized the woman had been drinking. Luckily she wasn’t completely drunk. That was all she needed to deal with, especially when the ceremony was minutes from kicking off. “I’m sorry but the wedding is invitation only. I’ll have to ask you—”

  “Here,” she said, shoving an invitation in Aydan’s face.

  “Where did you get this?” she demanded with as much control as she could muster. She knew the invitation list backward and forward and Sue Ellen Peach was definitely not on it. “Look, Ms. Peach, I understand you’re friends with Georgie and Tyler and you probably think that’s why you’re here. I also suspect you’re in pain. I get that, I do, but I’m not going to let you make a scene today. Please, if you care for Georgie and Tyler at all—”

  “I do!” she insisted. “I’m not a monster, you know. I wanted to be here. Maybe I was mad for a while but I wouldn’t—”

  “Really? Then where did you get this?” She held up the invitation.

  Looking rather pouty and annoyed, she finally confessed, “I’m Zoe’s plus one, but don’t blame her, please Aydan. I kind of talked her into it.”

  The string ensemble began the first song and she knew Georgie and her attendants would begin making their way to the altar in seconds. Giving the woman standing before her the toughest look she could muster, she announced plainly, “If, you promise to be on your best behavior, and if, you are willing to sit with me, you can stay. After all, Georgie and Tyler said you were a friend. You are, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, yes I am!” Her antagonism seemed gone. “Aydan, I know I came to cause trouble but…everything’s so beautiful and you’re right, they’ve always been real nice to me. Here, let me take your arm. That way you can keep a hand on me and if I get out of sorts feel free to slap me upside the head.”

  Aydan let her take her arm, saying not unkindly, “I’d rather have your assurances.”

  “I promise. And if you or Lori want, I’ll leave right after the ceremony.”

  She led them to the rear row of chairs just in time to watch Lori and Marnie lead the procession, listening the whole while to Peachy’s oohs and aahs over the music, the dresses, the flowers, and finally the brides. “Oh my God, look at Georgie. She looks like fucking Sophia Loren!”

  Aydan gave her arm a nudge, reminding her to rein it in. Peachy settled in to watch the service. She was right, though, Aydan conceded. Georgie did look a lot like the great Italian heartthrob. Tyler too was gorgeous, outstandingly so but as usual it was the pleasure on Georgie’s face at seeing her that said everything. If anyone had ever questioned the strength of the love shared between these two women, they would have to be deaf and blind to question it now.

  Beside her and still holding her arm, Peachy was in tears. “They’re so beautiful,” she whispered as they watched as first Henry and Helen at Georgie’s side, and then Carl and Debbie with Tyler, handed off their parental responsibility to each other’s charges. Unconventionally, both Henry and Helen, and Tyler’s parents too, took a moment to hug each bride, only then taking their seats on opposite sides of the aisle. As the guests sat, the officiant began the service. She spoke of the two brides and their commitment to each other, the importance of family and friends as witness, even commenting on the breathtaking summer day.

  Aydan nudged Peachy, whispering, “This is where they say the vows they have written.” Aware of the challenge facing Georgie, they held their breath, watching her telltale clues: closing her eyes to see the words she had long since memorized.

  “I fell in love with your mind first. I read about you, your work, your ideas, I even read your graduate thesis, and I knew I was in love…Then you walked in. I was sitting at my desk…and yes, I was hiding. It was one of those days. Then you walked down the stairs into old Luigi’s grand office, and I knew I was in real trouble. I couldn’t for the life of me understand how anyone as brilliant as you could be so stunningly beautiful
too. Then it got worse. You opened your mouth and spoke so eloquently of your ideas and expectations. And for a long moment I actually asked myself if someone was playing a masterful practical joke on me…Here you were, like some perfect dream, standing in my office and chastising me for jumping off a perfectly good boat in the middle of winter!” Everyone laughed politely, while Georgie stood transfixed. “In that moment, I knew without a doubt, I would love you forever.”

  Tyler smiled so sweetly that there could be no doubt those words were cherished. Then she spoke.

  “It took me a long time to understand the Georgie DiNamico brand of crazy.” And now everyone was having a good laugh. “That first day was like walking into a strange dream. I imagined my life had hit rock bottom, then I almost tripped down the stairs! What an entrance that would have been. Instead of that first day being my worst, it was a day of revelations, or at least the first of many wonderful discoveries to come. You, my love, are an opportunity creator, but more than that you continued to open doors for me even when you believed my interests lay elsewhere. It took time for me to see that, see you for all your complexities and kindness. But love, the love was always there. I just had to look to see it. The moment I did, something changed deep inside me. It was as if you had shared some deep part of you and it brought me to my knees. Never have I fallen so completely and desperately in love. Today I’m standing here, with all our family, and friends, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else than with you and loving you the way I do.”

  That brought tears and applause and more applause as they completed their formal vows, finally exchanging rings.

  Aydan took in the wedding tableau. Beyond the dresses, flowers and familiar faces, she saw happiness. She had missed that before, not the love or even the deep respect, but the sheer overwhelming joy. It wasn’t a revelation that she wanted that too—who didn’t? But wanting it with a certain someone was a breakthrough moment, and Lori, as if sensing her presence, her need, was scanning the guests, stopping and smiling at her, before turning to cheer with everyone else as the brides shared an intense yet tender kiss.