by A E Gamrat
“Sorry,” I mumble, put my eyes down, and walk away. Their chuckling at my retreat has me moving my feet quicker to get away from them.
My gut is all twisted up, and I can’t put my finger on why. My tie feels like it’s going to strangle me at any second. Even my shoes feel a size too small. I don’t know what the hell is causing all of this, but I need it to stop now.
The place looks amazing, like taking a stroll in the evening underneath the stars. A bunch of us helped haul all the boxes in, but Mom and Dad did all the decorating. Tiny, sparkling lights cover the ceiling and rain down the walls. The big, leafy plants make the border and all other sizes fill the gaps in. I don’t pretend for one minute to know a single name for a flower. All I know is when people walk through the door tonight, they won’t be walking into the normal neighborhood flower shop but into a starry night.
Waiters are walking around with flutes of champagne and finger foods. Mom did not hold back for this party. Most days my parents are caked with dirt and tired on their feet. Tonight, both are dressed to the nines, arms intertwined, like they don’t have a care in the world.
The older I get, the more fascinated I am with their relationship. How they managed to go all this time with each other and never waver. I’m sure there were lows they didn’t let me see, but I’ve never even heard a whisper about an almost detrimental fight. They look at one another like it’s the first time, every time.
I hope I can show Gin half the love and affection my parents show each other. Gin’s parents are rock solid too. We’ve both been blessed growing up with love and been shown how love should be. Plus, the fact both sets of parents are still beating the odds of time.
Gin is still not here, but her parents are, and they are gushing over my parents and how the place looks. Should I go over and ask if they know where Gin is? Probably not, but it’s killing me that she’s not here yet. Their looks are carefree and happy. If something was wrong with Gin, I’m sure their expressions would tell a different story. I’m a mess and if something doesn’t give soon, the whole place is going to know what a mess I truly am over this woman.
I swear the time is ticking by at a snail’s pace, and it’s not because I’ve practically watched the clock since walking into this room. The store is getting crowded, conversations are happening all around me, and I’m starting to sweat through my good dress shirt. What an impression my gross sweaty ass will make. “Oh, hey, I’m so glad you are here, want to feel my gross, sweaty shirt and give it a good whiff?”
I need to walk around, interact with people, and work out some of this unease. Maybe a drink and something wrapped in bacon will make this night smooth out. Anything wrapped in bacon can smooth a night out. My mouth is watering over the thought of bacon.
What can I say? I’m easy to please. Light jazz kicks on from speakers hidden around in the plants, and the party is in full swing. I’m hearing “hi” hit me left and right as I make my way across the floor to the free-standing bar and bacon. Mom knows how to keep her boys happy.
I stop for a hug or two but keep my eyes on the prize. Small talk is not something I want to engage in at this moment. There are so many people here, when I move on, they move on too. To the right of the bar is a silent auction table with some pretty nice prizes. When you are loved by the town, a last-minute party doesn’t stop people from showing up and donating prizes. Looking over the prizes, nothing catches my eye until the last picture.
The picture is of a quaint cottage with promises of hiking, spa day, and eating underneath the stars. Quickly I write my name and a bid I’m willing to pay for a weekend getaway with Gin. If I lose, I’m still going to look into this cottage package; she would absolutely love a getaway like this one. Simple, fresh air and lots of walking. I pay attention to my woman even though she’s technically still not mine. Another box on my list that needs to be checked off, make her mine and let the whole world know.
Mindlessly I walk around for what seems like forever. It hasn’t even been long, and I’m starting to get annoyed with all the smiling I’ve been doing. My smile would come so much easier if a feisty, gorgeous woman were by my side.
Dad is schmoozing people; mom is being schmoozed, and I’m in this weird limbo of sorts. My body is walking around making small talk with family and friends, but my head is pacing outside waiting for her car to pull up and park.
“Hey, Son, you doing good?” Dad asks while throwing an arm around my shoulder.
“Sure,” I barely get out before the photographer spies us.
“Oh…what a great-looking pair, all dressed up,” she coos, putting her big camera up to her face. The camera is so bulky with attachments, the damn thing probably weighs as much as the woman behind it. She snaps a few and starts yelling out, “Mom…we need Mom over here.”
The woman of the night glides over to us with a smile so big and bright, she alone could light the building. “My men,” Mom says, standing smack dab in between us with a hand behind each of our backs. “If it weren’t for these two, none of this would ever be possible. If everything would be gone tomorrow,” she pauses and looks me in the eye and then Dad, “the loss would be great, but we would survive because we have each other.”
My eyes sting with emotion from her heartfelt words. The only person missing from our happy little family is Abby. Can’t wait to see her in person tomorrow. We are very lucky to have texting and FaceTime, but nothing beats being in her presence. After her awful roommate, I wanted her to commute from home, but you know how strong independent women are. They will always do what their mind is set on. I know she was nervous going back but tried not to show us, and from the way she talks, she fell in love with her roommate. They’ve even called themselves best friends, destined roommates, but she’s also been closed-lipped about this girl. Guess we’ll see tomorrow how it’s all panning out.
Speaking of tomorrow, Dam walks through the front door. It’s always nice to see my best friend, but damn it where is this woman? “Hey, man.” I nod, and we hug like normal, but it seems Dam is searching someone out for himself. “This place is off the hook. Your mom is amazing.”
“If I were you, I would go tell her that myself. She’s extra happy and sentimental tonight. She’ll be pissed if you don’t go straight to her.”
Dam stands at attention and salutes me. “On it. Don’t want to make Mama mad.”
Little secret about Dam is he hates pictures, and Mom is having a field day with the photographer. I love harassing my brother. When Mom tells him to smile, he’ll smile big for her and only her, not saying one bad word and posing for as many pictures as she pleases. The woman owns all of us men, and she’s very proud of it. No wonder Abby is such a strong-willed woman; she takes after the best woman around.
Over the boisterous crowd and across the room I can still hear the photographer and Mom bossing Dam around. Glasses are clinked together by Dad and his long-time friends, and somehow a little dance floor has formed. It’s a regular little swanky night club in here tonight. Who would’ve thought a family-owned flower shop could put out a party like this? To top it off, it was my eighty-year-old parents who put it all together. Never once was I asked for my opinion or what would be cool with today’s generation. They barked out orders, where to put all the boxes and when to tell the caterers and staff to be here. If everyone in the world would be lucky enough to have parents like mine the world would be a whole different place.
My inner monologue is running rampant with ideas on where this damn woman is. Fiery death is number one, with seeing someone else coming in close second. Men are as, if not more, insecure when it comes to the opposite sex, especially strong, independent ones. They can make us question every step we take without even being in the same room as us.
Brown, flowing hair flashes out of the corner of my eye. Yes, I know almost every woman has some kind of brown shade of hair, but this shade reminds me of toasted almond toppings, billowing down her back. Every time her head moves, a new shade of brown is fo
und. Women pay good money to try and get their hair colored like her natural locks.
Her eyes are tense, but she’s wearing a nice, slightly easy smile as she’s talking to her parents . Claire is close by talking to Dam, which I’m not surprised about and also little happy. Claire and I might not be best friends, but we are friends. She’s Gin’s best friend, and best friends don’t let the other back out of an engagement they said yes to.
I thought about all of this too hard and for too long. I’ll make my way over to the high-top table and hopefully we’ll meet there. Running up to her and laying a big kiss on those gorgeous lips is not going to win me any points tonight, I know this one hundred percent. Probably would end up with a red handprint on the side of my face.
Excusing myself through the wall of people, another flash of color hits my eyes about twenty paces to the left of Gin and Claire. This color is vibrant red, like newly dyed red-colored hair. Abby told me she had plans and to tell grandma she was sorry for missing tonight.
Could everyone be here tonight by accident? The thought is scary and exciting all at the same time. Might be like ripping off a Band-Aid: swift, quick, and with little pain, or so they claim.
The empty bottle I’m holding nearly slips out of my hand, they are so sweaty. I mean EVERYONE is here tonight: Gin’s parents, my parents, possibly Abby, and our best friends. How could this possibly end badly?
“Hi, Silvy.”
I know how and take off toward my family.
Chapter Sixteen
One Hour Before
Ginny, sweetheart, my best friend…you need to calm down. You are going to sweat through this gorgeous number before Silver or anyone else can drool over it. Plus, I don’t want to be late-late.”
At the last minute I found out Claire was invited, and I begged her to go with me, which turned into another long conversation about what the hell was going on. She said when she got the invite, she assumed Silver and I would go together. She never thought to bring it up because what other possible scenario would there be?
Surprise, surprise I had a whole other plan not including Silver. We talked more about him not personally inviting me and why such a small error was causing me so much angst. Even as I stand sexified up in my bedroom, my stomach is still one big knot.
Anne even agreed during our group FaceTime that being upset about it when it happened seems natural, but to still be stressing over it is insane, especially at our age.
The way my curves look in this baby, I think I look better in it today than when I tried it on for the first time. How is that even possible? Yes, I tightened up my diet a bit and walked a little more, but damn as I swirl back and forth, I feel like a goddess. My cleavage has never been so out, up, and spectacular. I could stare at them all night long. If only my ex could see me now. I was never allowed to wear any article of clothing that was tight around my curves or low cut. He trained me over the years to simply not buy anything revealing. I didn’t even notice until one morning I was sitting on my bed, in my new house, and saw all of my drab, uptight clothes I owned.
Then all the comments started flooding my brain. Again, with mental abuse, at first I thought his comments were cute: “Don’t want men seeing my woman like that.” Sorry, but when the guy you are crushing on says something along these lines it makes you feel on top of the world. The comments did change, but I always had an excuse for them, especially after the kids. I’m a mom; is this how a mom should dress?
“Hey, hey, hey,” Claire is yelling next to me, clapping her hands. “Stop it now, wipe that damn, sad look off your face and let’s go.” She grabs my hand and walks us out of my bedroom, grabs our purses, and out the door we go. Thank goodness I have my underwear on.
The stars are out, and the evening air has a nice slight chill to it. We found a cute sheer black shawl in the back of my closet with the tags still on it. The soft sheer material now sits across my shoulders, adding to the allure of the night.
The drive is short, and the store is packed. Parking is tight, but we are allowed to use the neighboring store’s spaces. “Do you want me to let you out here? I can park or…”
“Or I’m staying here and walking with you. I need to expel some of these nerves, and walking will do.”
“Suit yourself. Your parents will be here tonight, right?” Claire asks, like she doesn’t know, while swinging the car into a spot not too far from the door.
“Yes, you know this too.” Another reason this night is eating me up alive. We are all going to be in the same building together. I’m not sure what people know or don’t know. My parents are and will be thrilled we are all together, but what about his parents? Mom and his mom have this weird bond; I don’t want to ruin that.
“Okay, get out of the car and just stop. I’m tired from watching you think so much. Let’s enjoy and see what happens. The poor man is probably stressing over where the hell you are.”
“You think?”
“How about we not do the teenage questions. You know the answer to that question yourself…damn it…and this situation. If he’s not, we’ll find some other hot stud tonight to have fun with.” Before I can even respond, Claire is out of the driver seat, shutting her door in my face.
“Well, here goes nothing,” I whisper to myself. “This is what we wanted…new adventure.” Stepping out of the passenger seat, I make sure the girls and dress are in place and ignore Claire’s tapping foot.
As we make our small trek toward the shop, it seems a little line has formed at the front door. I knew this place was well known, but not this well known. One time I suggested another floral shop to my mother. Let’s just say she gave me the “Really?” eyes and the silent treatment for a few days. I was in my thirties, mind you, but I learned my lesson quickly. It really was a suggestion; I wasn’t stealing business or saying anything bad. Thought it was a little closer for them…no harm, no foul. Hopefully she doesn’t bring up that story tonight. She would embarrass me. The woman can be a vulture.
“Look at this place…oh my goodness!” Claire exclaims, walking through the door first. “Who would’ve thought a floral shop could look like this?”
“I know. I think it’s the twinkling lights.” There is so much going on in this room I don’t know where to look first. Men in various styles of suits, women in cocktail to ballroom dresses, and waiters with trays are everywhere. There are some high-top tables scattered around, but you had to be here early to get one of those tables. Claire’s going to give me shit about that. “I didn’t expect this at all,” I say more to myself than anyone around me.
Instantly I spy Mom and Dad at a table, laughing and drinking with people I don’t know. Dad waves; Mom smiles, and they go back to socializing. They are in their prime, Dad telling stories, making everyone laugh, with a hand always touching my mother.
The place is packed, and scanning the room, I see no sign of Silver. He was not happy with me wanting to come separately, but I was sticking to my guns.
What if I stumble upon him with another woman? If we would’ve come together that nervous thought wouldn’t have formed. I should turn around and go home. I’m not made for all these emotions, thoughts, and people. There are so many people here.
“Hey dumplin’.” Daddy’s voice comes over my left shoulder. “What a turn out this is. They are beside themselves and you look…” He grabs my hand, facing me with a smile I’ve never seen before. His eyes seem to be glistening, almost like he could cry. Before I can get a word of concern out, he hugs me hard. “You look breathtaking, sweetheart. Never seen you wear a dress like this before. Single is looking good on you.”
Oh my!
“Daddy.”
“Darling. Darling! Look at you,” Mom yells out, hugging me hard like Dad.
I have been dressed up in front of them before, maybe not like this, but, man, they are looking at me like I’m a new person. Well, maybe I am? I am wearing something way out of my comfort zone and loving every minute I’m in this dress. If I weren�
��t so worried about getting dirty, I would’ve worn it around the house last night.
“What a night this is turning out to be. Have you seen Silver? Where’s Claire? I thought you guys were coming together?” Mother is throwing out questions left and right; before I can even answer one, she’s on to the next. Her dress has a semi-puff at the bottom, and the whole time she’s talking to me, she’s swinging her hips around to keep the puff moving. “And what about this dress? You look stunning.”
“Thank you, Mother; your dress is amazing too. Go have fun, I’m going to go find Claire.”
“Okay, sweetie.” She twirls off with Dad. I get lost in watching them interact for a moment when a stunning man catches my eye. His back is turned away from me, but I would recognize those broad shoulders anywhere. The suit he is wearing outlines all of his hard, thick lines, and shows off his tapered waist. His hair seems to have some styling gel in it tonight. Showing off the on-purpose messy hair look. I want him to turn around; I’m ready for him to turn around and see what I’m working with.
If I could smack myself and not look like a fool, I so would after the last comment I thought of. Claire is to blame for my weird, not-normal Ginny thoughts. After a quick scan of the room, I find Claire talking to a very nice-looking man at a table nearby. Hallelujah, she got us a table to set our drinks and purses down. Didn’t want to have to share a table with my parents, so childish.
I’m such a chickenshit, but I’m going to make this work in my favor. I need more answers to the little scene I watch play out with this man and Claire. She didn’t tell me she was meeting someone here or talking to a guy in general. He seems to be about our age too, which is super weird for my fun-loving, I like younger guys best friend.
