Wrong Way Renee
Page 26
* * * * *
Two weeks before Becky's wedding, Melissa arrived, not for her appointment, but to show off Angela, her month-old daughter.
“Oh, Melissa, she's so tiny. Look at these little fingers.” Renee spread out the baby's hand. “When you're ready for your first manicure, come see me.”
Melissa beamed. “She's little, but boy, oh boy, does she have lungs. We don't even need a baby monitor. She makes herself heard across the house.”
Hser friend's pregnancy was now apparent. It looked good on her. “Do you know yet what the other one is?” She pointed at Melissa's middle.
“Not yet. But Rich is convinced it's a boy.”
After she left, Renee thought about Pam. She hadn't seen her since that day when Pablo had come to the salon with her. She wondered what would become of the baby Pam carried. She should have warned her about Pablo. Friendship and integrity were more important than keeping a client. Secrets were never productive.
Toy blew in carrying her black bridesmaid dress, wrapped in plastic. After much weeping and wailing on the part of her bridesmaids, Becky had finally agreed to a black and white wedding.
“This dress makes me look like a black coat rack. Can I have some frills or something added?” Toy asked Becky.
Becky was combing out Mrs. Goldstein's hair. “Whatever you want.”
Renee ran over. “No frills on mine. I haven't lost enough weight for that. Can mine be plain and hers frilly?”
“Whatever, ladies. I don't care. Just get to the temple on time, okay?” Becky waved them off.
“We will,” they said in unison.
Toy hung her dress on a hook and settled into the chair at Renee's station.
“So, how are you?” Toy placed her hands on the towel.
“I'm fantastic. I was talking to Joe about double dating with you and John soon. What do you think? “
“That would be fun except I’m not dating John anymore.”
“Oh no. What happened.”
Toy shook her head. “I don’t even want to talk about it. I know there are men out there who don’t lie. Tell me there are.”
Her heart broke for her friend. “Becky and I both found good ones. You will too.”
Toy shook her head. “I’m through with them. I’m going to become a nun.”
Renee rolled her eyes. “You’re not even Catholic.”
“Don’t care. Read my lips. No more men.”
“We’ll see.” Her friend rarely went a week without a date. But one day Toy would find her dream man just like Renee had.
* * * * *
On a sunny June morning, Toy and Renee sat in folding chairs in a room off the main sanctuary of the Greater Orlando Reform Synagogue waiting for Becky to walk down the aisle to get married.
“Becky, it'll all be over in a few minutes. I've done this enough to know that everything will be fine.” Toy held her bouquet of lilies of the valley like she would a mop.
Renee shot Toy a warning look. “Becky, breathe into the bag a few more times.”
“I'm nervous about walking down the aisle, that's all. What if I fall?” She held an empty brown paper bag in her hand.
“Darling, I'll have hold of your arm. I von't let anyting happen,” Morris Weiss told his daughter. “Ve've done this ting once before. It vent fine then, it'll go fine now. Ready?”
Becky took one more deep breath then threw the bag in a trashcan. She nodded at Toy, then at Renee who handed her a bouquet, a larger version of the one the bridesmaids held. Toy went first then Renee. Finally, Becky walked slowly down the aisle on her father's arm.
Charles stood next to the Rabbi under a white canopy, his brother and Justin at his side. The sanctuary was full. There had to be over two hundred people in attendance.
Ten minutes later, they smashed a glass for luck and the Rabbi presented the newlyweds. All the guests filed out of the hall after the wedding party. The reception would take place in an hour at a downtown hotel.
Renee hurried to her car, dragging Joe behind her.
“These shoes are killing me, slow down,” he begged.
She stopped in her tracks, hiked up her long black dress and held up one foot. She pointed at her three inch, black stiletto sling-back. “You want to trade? If I have to wear these all day, you can wear those.”
He glanced at her feet and nodded. “Fair enough. Want me to drive?”
“Please.” She kissed his cheek.
He opened the passenger door for her, then lifted the bottom of her dress and shoved it inside the car before he shut it. “You look stunning.”
When he sat behind the wheel, she took his hand. “So do you. I can't wait to dance with you.”
“Dance?” His eyes widened. “I can't dance, Renee.”
“Don't worry. Let me lead.”
“Don't I always?”
At the reception everyone drank, ate and danced until almost midnight.
Becky came to their table and ushered Renee and Toy to a quiet corner of the room where she had three glasses of champagne waiting. She handed one to each of them. “What would I do without my friends. I love you guys. This day wouldn’t have been possible without you.” She looked at Renee and her smile slipped just a little. “And I forgive you for waiting so long to tell me about the salon’s financial issues. I take part of the blame since I should have been paying more attention. But now that we have another hairdresser, all’s good. But enough about work.”
Renee was so relieved Becky had taken over the bookkeeping for the salon. And because of that, they were finally in the black.
Becky raised her glass. “To love, friendship and new beginnings.”
They all touched glasses, then drank, knowing that no matter what life threw at them, they would always have one another.
###
About the author
Wynter Daniels lives in Central Florida with her husband of more than twenty years and their two nearly grown children. They are all the slaves of a very demanding cat. After careers in marketing and the salon industry, Wynter’s wicked prose begged to be set free. She writes for Ellora’s Cave, Carina Press, Loose id, Red Sage. She loves to hear from readers, but only if it’s good!
Find Wynter at her website or on Facebook.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen