Once Within A Lifetime

by Rose, Phyllis Georgina

  “Sounds so good,” she nodded, and they followed Phylicia from the restaurant and got into her car. They would pick theirs up afterward before they headed home for dinner.

  As they drove down the street Triessa was getting more excited with each passing minute. Soon they reached a fantastic shop. It had a real special sign that said, YOUR BRIDAL GOWN IS HERE. It looked utterly wonderful and romantic. She was eager to get inside and take a look around. She nearly ran into the shop but tried to control herself. When she stepped inside she gasped in amazement. Never had she seen so many beautiful gowns together in one place. They were white and colored and all were truly spectacular.

  “This is not going to be so easy,” cried Triessa as she looked at Phylicia. She wanted to find a street length one in a color if she could although she was not set on that particularly. If she saw something she liked she would consider it regardless of some of the features she had in mind. She knew it was going to be a difficult choice but felt the right one just had to be here and she would know the moment she saw it. Otherwise she could go out of her mind in this sea of beauty. Todd was also aghast at such a spectacle. She felt like she would like to stay here and never leave all this gorgeous beauty. But that would not be the practical solution. She was just going to have to make a choice either now or tomorrow. She could look at them and leave to let it all sink in and maybe it would help a little to come back to look again. Maybe Todd’s mother would like to come also. She could ask her though she was very nervous about it. She felt it may help crack the ice a little here with this situation.

  She so wished her mother was here now with her. This was a time when a mother loved to be involved in her daughter’s life and plans. It made her feel a little sad and she confided this to Todd. He understood and held her close while she shed a few tears. So they began to walk around while she looked for the features she would have designed into her own gown. This was an important issue but the other designs were high rivals to the one she had in mind.

  “Oh, this is definitely not going to be as easy as I thought,” she exclaimed. “How can I ever choose? I will just have to come back tomorrow and bring your mother with me. I will certainly need a lot of help.”

  “Well, if we can do no more here let’s go on back to my parent’s home so we can have dinner. You can meet the rest of my family if they can make it this evening. What do you say?”

  “Sounds great. I will have to come back because I am so bewildered now with all these gorgeous dresses to look at.” She said goodbye to Phylicia and thanked her again for bringing her here. “Can you come tomorrow also? It would be helpful to have you here to help with my questions. I am sure I will have some. You know when I was conducting my shows I had a different feeling, but now I am simply overwhelmed, I guess. At my shows I was in control and not controlled by my emotions. It is such a personal, once-in-a-lifetime situation, and it has to be so special.”

  “Yes, I understand,” replied Phylicia. “Of course, I will be here to help you. It is so wonderful what has happened with you and Todd. It is the first time I have ever played the role of cupid. This is very exciting for me.” She drove them back to where they had met to pick up their car and said, “So long, for now, I will see you tomorrow. Have a great night, you two, with the family.”

  “Thank you,” replied Todd. “I am sure it will be wonderful. We still have to tell Dirje and Matt about the wedding. They haven’t heard yet. I hope my folks have not told them. They will be excited about it. Every time we tell someone else about it, it is almost like we are doing it for the first time. We need to get things done here so we can get back and get things ready at the Rose Garden. You are planning to come, aren’t you? Can you come a few days early so you can enjoy the place before it all begins?”

  “Yes, I think I can. I have not yet worked out the date. When is it?”

  “We are planning on July twenty-first right now, but now with Todd’s mother being upset when we told her, we are not sure what will happen now or when,” answered Triessa. “So, in view of all that has to be done, we do not have a lot of time left if it goes on schedule. I know it would not be the end of the world but we had a plan and are so eager to be married and always be together for the rest of our life. It is so very special. Everyone back home is doing things to get ready while we’re gone. I know my parents and brother will do a really great job, almost as if I were there directing it all. They know me so well and are so good at getting things done. I really appreciate all their help and know we have a lot more to count on with Todd’s family. Goodbye, we’d better go. We will see you tomorrow.”

  They hugged and Todd took Triessa’s arm. They went to the car to go back to his parents place.

  They arrived and saw cars in the drive so they knew that at least someone had been able to make it to dinner. She was eager to meet them but was still a little nervous because of Esther’s previous feelings. She hoped things were getting a little more under control. This was her first time to meet Matt, Dirje and their family. He sensed this and told her to be calm, everything would be great.

  “You will love them and the feeling will be mutual with them.”

  She nodded her head, tried to calm down and did pretty well. He helped her out of the car and they went to the door. As they walked in everyone was there talking and having a really good time. They heard them come in and rushed over to meet Triessa.

  “Triessa, this is my sister, Dirje and her husband, Cordell Wescott. meet Triessa Barrett. This is my brother, Matt and his wife, Chantelle. Meet Triessa.” They all shook hands, smiled and exchanged greetings. Dirje gave her a hug and told her how pleased she was that Todd had found her and they were looking forward to getting to know her better.

  His dad came along with a tray carrying glasses of champagne.

  “Here, you two, have some. We feel it is worth a celebration. We will be having dinner in about an hour, just mingle and enjoy yourselves.” Todd called him aside and asked if his mother was all right about the situation now, if she had accepted it.

  “I think she will be more accepting of it now. She has settled her mind on the situation as a fact now and I think all the preparation will excite her and get her back to being her old self,” said Spencer.

  They mingled. Todd stayed with Triessa and they talked about her place but they needed to be careful because they all did not know yet about the wedding. It would be announced at dinner when everyone would hear it at the same time. Time passed quickly and they were all called to gather around the table. Spencer sat at the head of the table with Esther to his left and Todd and Triessa beside her. Matt was at the other end of the table with Chantelle to his right, the other two seats were occupied by Dirje and Cord. They all got seated and the cook brought out a very special soup she had made for the family for years. Then she returned soon with a salad and wine. They ate this, then came the meal of Flemish Chicken Casserole, Steamed Spinach with Egg Sauce, and assorted Vegetable Fritters. They were all very pleased with the fare and ate heartily. The whole occasion had given them an appetite. Before they began the meal Todd’s father said, “Todd has something to say to you all.” He then waved his hand toward Todd and everyone turned toward him to listen.

  “But, Dad, why don’t you...”

  “No, Son, you go ahead. You are better at this sort of thing than your old dad.”

  “We wanted to call you all here together to tell you all the great news. Triessa and I are planning to be married in about three weeks. We met a while ago and have been spending a lot of time together. You may have noticed my absence for some time. We are very much in love and have decided to marry so we can be together and not have to be so far apart. She lives so far away, in New England, in the United States. We will be getting married there. The partings have been getting increasingly more painful and we cannot bear it. We want you all to be able to come to the wedding. We have been planning on July twenty-first, but at this time, we are not totally sure.” He looked at his mother and s
he looked down at her glass. “What do you say? Can you all make it? Oh, please say you can.”

  “Oh, how wonderful,” squealed Dirje, as she rushed over to Triessa, hugged her and gave her a kiss. “I will be getting a sister at last. It is about time, Todd. What do you say, Cord, can we make it to the wedding? Oh, we must.”

  “Well, Dear, I will have to check my schedule and we will see. I have no doubt we can work something out but I have no idea when right now. Please, we will have to get back to you on it.”

  Matt was excited also and said he was pretty sure at that time he could get away. They were about to finish a job and he would plan to hold off on any long projects until after the wedding. Chantelle nodded her head in agreement and raised her glass for a toast.

  “Here’s to the very happy and lucky couple. We wish you every joy.” Everyone cheered and raised their glasses and cheered loud and long.

  Todd purposely watched his mother. She was still a little subdued and he had concerns. He did not want her to be upset and have a hard time with the affair. He looked in her direction to get her attention and she smiled at him. He felt a little better but he must talk with her about it.

  “Great,” said Todd squeezing Triessa’s hand.

  They all began to eat and soon it was time for dessert of Apple Cobbler made with fresh apples, topped with plenty of rich homemade Ice Cream. The cook had made a dessert that both Todd and Matt liked when they were at home together. Todd was very pleased with this special tribute because he had not had any of this for a long time. Especially the way this cook made it. He had been away for a long time with his own place now. He told Triessa how much he used to like this and she told him that it was very nice and she could understand why.

  “Can we get the recipe to take home with us?” she asked him.

  His parents were pleased that everything seemed to be going so well and that everybody was in agreement with the announcement. It made Esther feel a little better. For after all, her own feelings, which she had revealed to no one, were the problem.

  His dad said, “We are planning to go a few days early. If any of you can do so please let us know so we can try to all fly together.”

  After dinner they gathered around in the living room and talked a while longer sharing the excitement and the possibility of taking a trip to New England and seeing Triessa’s place. Soon dinner and visiting were over and it was time to go. They bid each other adieu and departed.

  Todd and Triessa were tired after a busy day shopping so they decided to retire. His mother took Triessa to her room and helped her get settled. Triessa asked Esther if she would go with her tomorrow to look at some dresses explaining that it was impossible to choose today. There were so many and they were all so beautiful. How could she ever make a choice?

  “And besides it will help me a lot and take the place of my mother who cannot be here, though I am sure it would mean a lot to her. Please say you can come,” she pleaded.

  Esther agreed to go with her, said goodnight, and left her to get ready for bed herself. Todd went on to his old room and got settled in.

  The next day was a beautiful day and everyone awoke and came down for breakfast. Todd came into the dining room to find his dad already up having coffee and looking at the paper. His mother came in from the kitchen to join them. Soon Triessa arrived and Todd offered her some coffee. They sat and chatted a bit while waiting for their breakfast.

  “Todd,” asked his mother, “Are you going in with us to choose the dress? We will leave shortly after breakfast. Are you all dressed and ready for the trip, Triessa?”

  “Yes, I am already to go. What is it they say about the groom seeing the wedding dress before the big day? I really would like to surprise him and have him see it for the first time at the wedding. Is that acceptable with you, Todd?”

  “Yes, dear, I really would like to have it that way, too. The element of surprise rather appeals to me. I have some gifts to buy for the wedding party and it would be a good time to get them in the city.”

  “Great,” replied Esther, “We will leave right after breakfast and see what we can do.”

  “Phylicia, my friend, will be there also. We have spent a lot of time together in my fashion shows and are very close. She is the one who introduced us so I want her to be very much a part of the whole thing. She will meet us there.”

  Breakfast was served. They ate and talked about the trip back to New England trying to decide when would be the best time to go.

  “There is no reason why we cannot be there for at least a week ahead, is there Spencer?” asked Esther. “It would be nice to travel with the others but they may not be able to be gone for that amount of time. We will talk to them about it. They may be able to all come together later otherwise.”

  Her husband agreed that they would be able to go at the time she had specified if she wished.

  Triessa and Esther got up to go for the shopping spree of a lifetime and were very excited. They went in Esther’s car, dropped Todd off at the stores, and met Phylicia at the shop to begin to look around.

  “I can see why you were overwhelmed,” stated Esther to Triessa.

  “What a marvelous array of the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen or could ever imagine.”

  “Phylicia, this is Esther, Todd’s mother and Esther, this is my dear friend, Phylicia Talbot.”

  “Hello, I am so pleased to meet you,” replied Phylicia and Esther nodded in agreement.

  “Yes,” stated Phylicia, “This is a marvelous place and I knew that if she cannot find a gown she loves here, she cannot find it anywhere. So what do you say we begin? First of all it will help if you have something specific in mind that you are looking for, or we could be here for a week. What style, color, specific details. We need to settle that first so we all can know what we’re looking for.”

  “Surely,” agreed Triessa, “I do have some specific details in mind and have the pictures with me of some I’ve designed in the past. Let’s look at them and then we can begin the search.”

  So they gathered to look at the pictures which were beautiful and rich in specific details and design.

  “I feel a street length will work better in the garden without the long train to get on the ground. It will also be much more comfortable.”

  They all agreed. So they began to look, found several that came close and gathered them up so they could examine them together. They then began to separate the items and try to narrow it down to one dress.

  After a few hours, they found what they all felt was the one that fit the whole idea the best, but then Esther cried out in excitement, “Look here, please check this one first.” They went over to see it and wondered how they had missed it, for it was truly the dress she had in mind.

  “Oh, thank you for continuing to look, Esther. This is elegant and just what I had in mind. Look Phylicia, the color is perfect, as well.”

  Phylicia agreed and knew it was what would be just the thing for Triessa. They purchased it, got it wrapped up and put in a special box to carry home. They selected a veil and head band as well. She found the hose and shoes that would match perfectly. These things were a lot easier to locate, especially since the dress had been selected. What a joy to have all this done and to have found everything they wanted here in one place.

  Phylicia interjected, “Triessa, do you have a special nightie for the big night?” She grinned slyly.

  “Well, actually, I do not believe I do. Did you see something here? I had considered wearing something I had already but it may be nice to get something special, specific and brand new.”

  They all went over to one corner of the store and saw a large array of special nighties for the big night and it was another difficult choice.

  “Do you think I should get a white one or a color?” asked Triessa.

  “Why, white for your first night would be ideal, I think,” suggested Phylicia.

  “Look here,” exclaimed Esther, “What do you think of this?” />
  It was white, strapless and had lace on the very top covering the breasts. It came to a “V” point just above the waist and had tiny pearl buttons down the front.

  “How utterly elegant! It reminds me of a long-line strapless bra. The good thing is that it fastened in the front. Otherwise, you may need help to get into it,” snickered Phylicia. “Then the fun surprise would be over.”

  The skirt was quite full and gathered at the waist falling in a beautiful line. With it was a beautiful robe with much lace on it.

  The sales lady commented, “With the sheer gown over it, it will be very appealing, alluring, and enticing.”

  Triessa blushed but agreed it would be just the thing.

  “I fear I will be shy having him see me like that for the first time.”

  Esther heard her, smiled and felt ashamed for what she had said to Spencer earlier in her time of great upset. She was surprised at her thoughts and would never tell anyone.

  “And these slippers,” exclaimed Triessa as she walked by them, “They are elegant and even look lacy themselves. I have never seen any like them, have you, Phylicia?”

  “No, I do not think I have. What an elegant style for a slipper. They look like dance shoes. Maybe they would work for that too.”

  These things were paid for, wrapped and then they left.

  They decided to have lunch together in a nearby little cafe which Phylicia told them about so they secured the packages in the trunk of the car and went to the cafe. They ordered lunch with the option to eat outside and enjoy the lovely day. They chatted about the exciting time coming up. Esther told them how very pleased she had been to be involved in this whole shopping trip and related how she knew Triessa’s own mother would like to have been here also. She felt this was a special thing for her to have been invited in place of Triessa's mother.

  We have found such elegant things. It is unbelievable and they are matchless,” she exclaimed. She was beginning to have the flush of excitement on her face about the whole thing now which truly pleased Triessa and Phylicia. It definitely was noticeable and they smiled at each other.