by C. J. Harte
“We know,” her siblings echoed.
Conversation stopped as Shayla returned to the table. Teri sighed and prayed that she could be pleasant. Her father stopping by and speaking warmly to Shayla only made matters worse.
“I look forward to having dinner with all of you soon.” Shayla may have been looking at Teri’s father but her hand was in Teri’s lap. For once, Teri was glad she had on an evening dress. She didn’t want to think about that hand trying to slide between her legs.
Someone behind her was making announcements and welcoming the guests. At nine thirty, dancing would commence. She would leave before the dancing started and pray that Mia could forgive her one more time. The appetizers were being served. She would count down the courses until she could leave.
“Who’s that gorgeous blonde? I wouldn’t mind having a night with her.”
Teri shook her head. First, Shayla is propositioning her and then salivating after some stranger. She turned her head to see who the unfortunate recipient of Shayla’s attention was. The tall blond woman standing next to the piano began to sing. Teri was impressed with her rich soprano voice. “I don’t think the soprano is your style.”
“Silly. I’m talking about the one at the piano. She has a huge ring on her finger, but I don’t care. Do you think the two of them are lovers? It’s obvious they are close. Wonder if the singer shares?”
She didn’t know what to react to first. The pleasure of seeing Mia or the anger at the salacious way Shayla was speaking about her lover.
“Mia!” Jeremy whispered. “Did you know that she was going to be here?”
Teri shook her head. Then she remembered her phone. She hadn’t looked at it since yesterday. She pulled her phone out of her bag. There were several calls from Mia with the last two marked urgent. She felt like a shit. How could Mia depend on her if she couldn’t even take the time to return urgent calls? She turned her chair around. Mia now had her rapt attention. At the next table, her parents were barely maintaining a façade of calm. Obviously, they didn’t expect to see her tonight, either. Good!
Suddenly, her father was at her side. “What is that woman doing here tonight?” he hissed.
“I believe your staff arranged the entertainment for tonight.”
“Just make sure she leaves as soon as she’s done.” He was just as suddenly gone and back in his seat.
Teri could barely control her temper.
When the music was done, the soprano introduced her accompanist. “I want to thank my dear friend, Mia Daniels, for stepping in at the last moment to accompany me.”
“Is there anyone that woman doesn’t know?” Teri felt another chunk of her heart lost. Mia stood and bowed, accepting the excited applause. She was wearing the blue dress Teri had bought months ago. She still loves me.
Teri turned back to the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a previous engagement. Good-bye, Shayla. I need to catch up with my fiancé.” As she walked past her parents’ table, her father grabbed her hand. “Don’t you dare leave. You’re expected to stay until this is over.” His voice was commanding and harsh. “Don’t you dare embarrass me and your family and ruin your future by chasing after a piece of tail.”
“Good night, Father. I have someone more important to be with. By the way, you’ll have my resignation on your desk Monday. Brenna has already stepped into my position.” She heard some whispered comments as she rushed out of the room. She didn’t care. Fortunately, Mia was standing outside the ballroom talking to the soprano.
*
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask if you wanted to stay. I noticed Teri seated not far from us.”
Mia’s pace wasn’t fast enough for her. She needed to get away from the ballroom and the image of the attractive woman with her hands on Teri. What was I thinking? Teri could be faithful to anyone or anything not related to work.
“Liebchen, what’s the matter? You’re upset. Did you want to stay?”
“No!” Mia stopped. No need to bark at her friend. “No. I’m sure Teri has too many distractions already.”
“Well, it appears they’re not that important because she is trying to run after you in that lovely dress.”
Mia was stunned when she turned around and saw the huge grin on Teri’s face.
*
“It’s about damn time you wore that dress. Do you have any idea how many miles I’ve carried that around?” Teri pulled Mia close to her. She needed to feel Mia’s love and strength, to absorb it and to make it part of her.
“I assume this rude interruption must be the infamous Theresa Stanton.” Annemarie introduced herself. “I love this woman and if you ever hurt her, you will have my German wife to deal with.”
Teri stood back to see if Annemarie was teasing. The look on her face indicated it was a promise. “I can’t promise to be perfect. In fact, the harder I try, the more I seem to screw up. I’m not the person Mia is, but I hope I can learn to be as loving and strong. So, I hope I can make a few mistakes and still have my life while I’m learning.” She turned to Mia. “I’m so sorry I didn’t answer your calls. I love you. Let’s go home.”
Mia hesitated. A seed of doubt had been planted, but it hadn’t taken root. Yet.
“Oh, go on,” Annamarie said. “I can crawl into bed and wait for that beautiful German and fantasize. Let’s make plans for tomorrow. Late tomorrow. Teri, I look forward to knowing you better.” She hugged Teri and headed for the elevator.
“Interesting friend.”
“Where’s home, Teri?”
“With you. Always. The only time I’m really at home is when I’m spending time with you.
“What about your parents? Won’t they be upset?”
Teri laughed. A deep, soul-freeing laugh. “No, they won’t be upset. They will be furious. That’s what this week has been about. And frankly, I don’t care anymore. I just told my father that I’m resigning and Brenna is the new C.O.O. and there’s nothing he can do about it. But that’s not what I want to talk about now. I just want to go home.”
“You quit?”
“I quit. I have no doubt that my running out of that place after you will set the tongues wagging. I don’t think either one of my parents will ever speak to me again. Jeremy quit and is going to graduate school in California. Bren is doing what she wanted. Tonight, as I watched Jeremy and Brenna and my parents, I realized I never wanted to major in business. I just did what I always thought was expected of me. I don’t want to do that anymore. And I’m going to spend my life with you.”
“Teri, that has been the only place you’ve worked since your senior year in college. I don’t want you to regret this later and blame me. What are you going to do?”
Teri pulled Mia close. “Mia, I’ll thank you for this. I can’t tell you how relieved I feel. When I saw you tonight and then discovered that I missed several calls from you, I knew I had let you down. Again. The only light in that darkness was the blue dress you’re wearing. That’s when I made my decision. If you will still have me, I choose you.” She held her breath and prayed. She hoped Mia would choose her.
“What are you going to do then?”
“Once upon a time, when I was very young, I wanted to be a teacher. I may go and get my teaching credentials. I could stay at home and take care of your parents. I can do anything as long as I know you love me.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s only one thing I want you to say. Please tell me that you still want to marry me
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
December 24
They had spent a whole day doing nothing but shopping for their wedding outfits. Now Mia was finally putting the dress on. Her mother, her sister-in-law, Brenna, and Elaine were all fussing around her.
“You’re beautiful, honey. Your father is so excited to walk you down the aisle.” Her mother began to cry again. “I’m so happy for both of you.”
Words would not come out. Mia grabbed a tissue and handed it to her mother. Finall
y, she was able to speak. “I love you. Thank you for all you and Dad have done. Now, why don’t you go sit down while I talk to my bridesmaids for a moment and then we’ll be out.”
Once her mother was gone, Mia felt freer to speak. “I can’t tell you how much you three mean to me and my family. Especially helping me with my folks and Michel this week.”
Nora, her sister-in-law, hugged her. “Mia, we thank you for all you’ve done. Bless you. Now let’s get this show on the road before Tom falls asleep.”
Because of her father’s illness, it had been decided that Michel and the bridesmaids would go first, then Mia and her father, then Jeremy and Teri. Teri hadn’t heard from her parents since the night of the party. Teri had sent her father an invitation, but her parents hadn’t responded. She had watched Teri check the mail every day and seen the hope fade with each passing day.
Teri was now resolved to not expect anything more from them, but Mia saw how much it was costing. “Let’s just enjoy this time and give them time.”
“Yes, as you reminded me. There’s a difference between finding time and making time. If I give them time, they might find the time. Eventually, they may make the time. I figured it out, but I’m not putting any hopes on them figuring it out.”
“Look at what’s in your favor. You’re the oldest, you’re the first to marry, and you already have a son, or will soon.”
That conversation had taken place last night. Teri seemed happier afterward. Mia was determined to keep her smiling. She stepped into the small chapel at the Unitarian Church, following her son and friends, her father at her side.
“I love you, honey, and I’m so proud of you. Always remember that.”
Mia felt the tears threaten. She wanted her father to live forever, but she had already learned of the fragility of life. She wasn’t planning on wasting one day of his, hers, or Teri’s life in regrets.
“I love you too. Always.”
Her father walked her to the front of the chapel and sat down. Mia turned to see Teri only a few feet behind her. She was grinning from ear to ear. Happiness was written in her expression, her movements, the way she strode down the aisle. She was wearing a pastel yellow floor-length off the shoulder gown. Mia was stunned. They had argued for nearly thirty minutes about that dress. Teri was determined to get something white, gray, or black. Mia had vetoed the black and Teri had refused the yellow. Now, here she was looking elegant in a color other than black, white, or gray.
“When did you get that?” Mia whispered when Teri stood beside her.
Teri’s grin was infectious. “Oh, I found a little time to take the other one back. You’re right. When you want something bad enough, you make time. You’re also right. It’s time to add a little color in my life. And you have.”
Mia’s heart was full. She could almost hear Natalie whispering in her ear. “Okay, she’s not a bad second choice.”
“I love you, Teri Stanton.”
The End
About the Author
C. J. Harte has lived in many places while growing up, mostly military towns. She was born in New York and still has family there. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Florida with her family cheering when she graduated with her doctoral degree. They suspected she was a perpetual student and were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
The college years were the years of civil rights and anti-war protests. She dipped a toe in activism and was soon immersed in women’s and human rights issues: organizing, campaigning, and marching. She developed a passion for equality that drives her today. She discovered there are many ways to share that activism. When she moved out to Wyoming she joined a GALA Chorus and let music speak for her. She is the co-lyricist for the musical “Am I Blue” written especially for The Rainbow Chorus, Ft. Collins, Co.
Words have always held a special magic for C.J. Her parents were great storytellers and she quickly learned the importance of a well-told tale. C.J. now lives and writes from her Wyoming home where she lives with her four-footed friends, looking out at the mountains and blue sky. Each day is an adventure and provides fodder for another story.
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