Chasing the Wild Sparks

by Alexander, Ren

  I snort and cover my mouth. “Oh, my God! Stop! She’s nice!”

  He scowls. “So is a smooth, leather couch, but I wouldn’t want to be stuck inside one.”

  I stop walking and grab my stomach, trying to catch my breath. When I do, I say, “Anyway, Morgan said I can wear anything I want.”

  Rod’s eyes immediately fly wide open. “Bikinis for the bridal party? Fuck no. I’d literally cut off my right nut for Ton-ya not to wear one.”

  I grab his arm and try to shake him. “Rod! Stop! I’ll be thinking of all these things in my head now when I see her!”

  “You can’t really miss her.” Not getting any response from shaking him, I smack his arm instead and he ultimately laughs.

  “So are you going to go to the wedding?” I ask.

  He shoves his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “I doubt Morgan invites me.”

  “I don’t doubt it. Who are you going to take?”

  “Me? I’d do a threesome with me, myself and I.”

  “If Finn can’t go with me, would you be my date? We can save dances for each other, at least.”

  “Wait a minute. Wilder said he’d go?”

  “Yes, if he doesn’t have to work, but I highly doubt he’ll go.”

  “Wow. That’s unexpected.” He stops walking when we reach the sidewalk and I turn and step over to him. A look of bemusement colors his face. “And you’re asking me out on a date?”

  “As friends. That’s all,” I clarify.

  He takes a hand out of his pocket and points aimlessly as he talks. “Hold on. Didn’t you refuse him a happy ending?” He pats his chest dramatically. “How’s my night going to end? What the fuck kind of date will I be on with you? I swear to God I’ll want to put a bullet in my leg from boredom and frustration. I want a guarantee that I get a happy ending, Hadders!”

  Evilly grinning at him, I spin and bound to the doors as fast as my heels will let me, and I yell over my shoulder. “I’ll see what Tonya can do for you!”

  I check my email before I talk to Val.

  __________________________________

  Hey, Becks. Guess what I’m about to do?

  I’m doing it all for you, baby.

  So, go ahead and doubt me.

  I dare you.

  I love you.

  Finn

  __________________________________

  Baby, I have total faith in you.

  I’m thinking about you doing a dare just for me.

  It’s hot.

  I love you, too.

  Becks

  __________________________________

  “What’s up, babe?” Val looks up from her desk and puts her pen down.

  “Nothing. How’s Ali?”

  “She’s doing well. She loves her new job and her new apartment. I hope this new catering job brings her closer to her dream of opening up her own business. I’ve been helping her move in. One of her brothers is helping her, too, which I’m so grateful for. He’s my youngest, but has always been the most helpful out of my boys. Her other brothers would probably help, but they live far away. I’m just so glad she moved here. I’ll see her so much more often now.” I nod and smile. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

  “Rod’s sister isn’t doing well. He’s going to see her for Easter, but he’s upset about not being able to spend a lot of time with her.”

  “Doesn’t he have personal days to take? He can stay with her longer.”

  “He does, but you know our Rod. He doesn’t miss work.”

  “Isn’t he taking Monday off, too? That’s an option for everyone.”

  “No.”

  I’ll talk to Amos and have him give Rod a call.”

  “I wish I could help him. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Just be his friend. Pray for him and his sister. Let him talk your ear off and cry on your shoulder.” Been there! Done that!

  “I will. What are your plans for Easter?”

  “Three of my kids will be in. I can’t believe I’ll have Ali and two of my boys all in the same house for an entire weekend. Not all of them, but it’ll be great. What about you, babe? What are you and Finn doing?”

  “I’m going to his mother’s for the weekend. He has to work in Philadelphia until Friday, and I’ll meet him in Dover.”

  “Are you looking forward to spending a weekend with his mother and any of his family members?”

  “It’ll be more crowded than I’d like it to be when we don’t see each other that much, but that’s my own fault. I have to suck it up. It’ll be great.”

  “He got you that ring for Easter. Did you get him anything?”

  My stomach suddenly drops. “No, actually. I guess I didn’t even think about it. I’m the worst girlfriend in history.”

  She laughs and waves her hand. “No. Why don’t you go now? Take the rest of the day off. Nothing is going on here. I’m still waiting for a word back on the Brecklin case, so if you want to go and find him a gift, go ahead.”

  “Really? Thanks, Val!” I jump up, but then freeze. “I have no idea what to get him, though.”

  She looks down at my right hand. “Why don’t you get him a ring, too?”

  I glance down at my ring. “What kind of ring?”

  “Any kind that you want.”

  I peer up to Val. “What would it mean?”

  She leans forward on her desk. “Whatever you’d want it to, babe.” An engagement ring? Could I get one for Finn? That sounds so bizarre. Could I even propose to him? Would he turn me down?

  I give her a small smile. “That’s something to think about. Thanks, Val.”

  I gather my things and walk over to Morgan’s office. I knock on her door and she yells for me to come in. I see her stacking papers on her desk and closing her purse. I ask, “Hey, what are you doing?”

  “Wrapping up. You? Are you leaving?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Let’s go to a dress boutique down the road. You up for it?”

  I grin. “Absolutely. This is weird, but,” I lower my voice and turn to shut the door. “Will you try and cheer Rod up? Eden’s not doing well.”

  Her face falls. “Oh, no.” She nods. “Yeah. Okay. Why don’t we take the bastard shopping with us?”

  “Dress shopping? Are you serious?”

  She shrugs and stands. “We’ll throw the bait out and see if we hook him.”

  I laugh. “Now he’s a bass.”

  She walks over to me and slides her hand over the wall switch to shut her overhead light off. “A carp. They’re bottom feeders.”

  We walk out of her office and Morgan pounds sudden and hard on his door.

  “Come in!” We walk in and I shut the door behind us. He throws his pen down onto his desk. “Holy fucking shit you two whores gave me a coronary!”

  I ignore his outburst and ask, “You want to go shopping with us?”

  “With you two cocksuckers?” He reclines in his chair and smacks his head. “Oh, I’m sorry, Hadders, I meant that for just Mortuary.” Morgan throws her head back and growls, while Rod looks at me and mischievously smirks. Crossing my arms, I glare at him. Ass. He then shrugs and stretches his arms above his head. “Sure. Why the hell not? It might be a goddamned hoot.”

  I frown and shake my head. “You really are abusing that waiver.”

  He straightens in his chair. “That shit is better off to be abused than forgotten.” He slams his hand down on his desk. “Hey! That should be on a fucking greeting card or a bumper sticker!”

  I roll my eyes and head for the door. Morgan follows and she imparts before leaving the room, “We’ll meet you downstairs, Ass Rod.”

  We walk out into the hall while we leave Rod giggling. I ask, “Are you telling him where we’re shopping at?”

  “Nope.” I put my hand out and we high-five.

  I sigh. “I am glad to see him smiling, no matter how much of an ass he’s being.”

  “I am, too. It’s not right seeing Dick Rod sad. It’s like seeing a c
lown with a sad face.”

  “Um, okay,” I incredulously agree. I glance around us. “Can I ask you something?”

  Morgan nods. “Sure.”

  “What do you think of me buying a ring for Finn?” We reach the elevator and she aims her gaping face at mine.

  “What? Are you actually considering my suggestion? Are you going to propose to Finn?”

  “Um, I don’t know. I think so… Yes… Maybe. Val also made a comment similar to that. She said to buy him a ring for Easter. I don’t know, though. I’m thinking about buying him a ring, but I think giving it to him on Easter and asking him to marry me then, is too soon. He said he’d think about us. Maybe I should give him a couple weeks, at least, before I’d ask him. I’m deathly afraid he’ll say no and I don’t think he’d accept my proposal. Or if he does, he’ll still refuse to marry me. I need to do something, though. I just don’t know what.”

  Morgan grins. “I love it. You should do it. How about after the dress shop, we swing by a jewelry store so you can look and get their advice. Then, we’ll come back here for yours and Rod’s cars and head to the gym. Sound good?”

  “Rod is going to just love us.”

  We both giggle and Morgan says, “You know he can’t live without us, though.”

  We step into the elevator and I cross my arms as I clear my throat. “I’m also thinking about telling Finn that I will move in with him.”

  “You’d be willing to do that for him, go against your principles or even your dream of being married to him first?”

  My hand flies up to my hair and I nervously tuck some behind my ear. I look at the floor and nod. “I don’t want to totally give up on my dreams, but his dream is for us to live together. How can I deny him of his only to get mine? And quite possibly if I change my mind, he’ll do so, too, in return.”

  “Wow. You’re not just lusting after his hard body. You really do love that hot jackass.”

  I lightly laugh and look up at her. “More than life itself, Morgan.” I just hope he truly feels the same way about me.

  “A fucking dress shop? Come on, you jerks!”

  “It’s for my wedding, Dick Rod. I’m inviting you to my wedding, so you will refrain from any further complaining about the dresses.”

  He pouts, “Can I complain about the invitation, then?”

  “Bite my ass!”

  I intervene, “Okay, you two. Let’s go in and take a look around.” Rod rolls his eyes and opens the glass door for us.

  “Now you owe me a case of beer, Hadders, and two happy endings!” A woman, who is looking at dresses, makes a face at Rod in disgust.

  I reply, “Eww. No, thanks.”

  He leans close to my ear. “Eww? I guarantee you I’m packing more than your old man.”

  I snap, “Old?”

  He snorts. “He is older than me.”

  A red-haired woman walks over to us with a stiff smile. “Can I help you?”

  Morgan clasps her hands together and states excitedly, “I’m getting married and am looking for my dress!”

  The saleswoman looks at Rod. “Are you the groom?”

  Rod nearly chokes on that question. “Hell no! I wouldn’t marry this sea hag.”

  The woman’s face is a mix of surprise and regret. “Oh, my mistake.” She points between Rod and me. “Are you two together then?”

  I glance over at him and he cringes. “The thought of marrying her gives me severe abdominal cramps, but I’d probably give her slightly higher odds of marrying me.”

  “And I’d give you a negative zero.”

  “I’d still want to slit my throat, but maybe if she’d dump that lazy dud she’s currently dating, we might have a sliver of a chance.” The woman is staring at Rod likes she’s trying to figure out a trigonometry equation.

  I hiss, “Rod, shut up!”

  The woman, whose name is Paula, leads us over to a two rows of dresses. Rod pulls at a few of them and scowls. He not-so-quietly whispers, “Why does it smell like an old lady’s funeral in here?”

  “I don’t know, Rod. What about this dress, Morgan?” I pull out a dress and hold it up for her.

  “That’s a good one! Keep it and I’ll try it on along with this one.”

  “Hadders, check this one out.” I take a look at the dress Rod is holding. It looks rather elegant. “Morgan, you should see this one!”

  Rod says, “No. I picked it out for you, not Morgasm.”

  I look up at him. “Why? I’m not looking for a dress for me.” I wish I were.

  “Maybe you should, Hadley,” Morgan says from behind me.

  I shake my head without looking at her. “Why? And get my hopes up? No, thanks.” Morgan brushes past me and pulls the dress out more so she can get a better view of it.

  “Rod, you picked a good one,” she says and peers up at him. He looks down at the dress and grins.

  “Check the back, Morgue.” He spins the dress around and shows us the reverse.

  “Where is the back?” I ask.

  Rod points. “Right above the ass.”

  Morgan says, “I don’t think it goes down quite that far, but yeah, it is low. Look at the top.” She flips the plastic-encased dress over. “It’s a V-neck. There’s lace all over it. Hadley, this screams your name.”

  “Well, let it scream something else in the other direction.”

  “Why don’t you go try it on?”

  “No.”

  Rod waves the dress closer to me. “Come on, Hadders. It’s just us girls!” he shrieks.

  Morgan yanks on my arm. “I’ll try these on, and you can try that one on.” She checks the size, looks at my body and then shoves me to a dressing room, telling the saleswoman that I’m trying on a dress, too. She smiles and again glances at Rod, and her smile drops.

  Once I’m in the dressing room, surrounded by mirrors, I feel sadness swirling in the pit of my stomach. I don’t want to try this dress on, but yet I do. I want Finn to be my husband so much. I want him to love and cherish me for as long as we both shall live. As I will him. Why doesn’t he want me as his wife? He says he wants to share his life with me, but it seems like he doesn’t even want to share his name with me.

  Morgan giggles in the next room. She’s getting everything I wanted. I have to find a way to suck it up and be the friend she needs.

  I hear Morgan open her door and step out. She says my name and Rod knocks on my door. He asks, “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” I make sure the door is locked before I take off my clothes and slip into the dress.

  “Hadders, do you need me to come in there and zip you? I’m awesome with zippers.” “Not a chance. Move away, Gregory.”

  “I’m right here to help,” Paula offers near the door.

  I adjust the V shoulders and look into the mirror. My mind is blank. Wow. Tears immediately spring to my eyes. I look so different. But I’m still Hadley, the want-to-be bride without an eager groom.

  Morgan knocks on the door. “Hadley, are you okay?” I snap my head away from the mirror.

  “I’m coming,” I mumble. I take a deep breath, slowly open the door and step out. Paula is immediately behind me, zipping me up.

  “It’s a little big, so we would just have to take it in here and here, the shoulders and of course, nip the length,” Paula assesses.

  I look over at Morgan. “Morgan, you’re absolutely beautiful! I love the sequins!” Her dress has a deep plunging V all made of silver sequins. The white, silky material sweeps up over her breasts. It’s also a very simple, yet extremely elegant dress. I cover my cheeks with my hands in wonder. I lower them before I say, “I think it’s perfect for you!”

  She grins and twirls what she can of the slinky dress around her. “I love it, too. Look at you, Hadley. You…you are gorgeous.” I look down at the dress I’m wearing and smile.

  Looking up, I see Rod grinning at me. “You really are absolutely beautiful, Hadley. Wilder has no damn clue what he’s missing. I think he would be spee
chless if he saw you wearing it. He’d love it.”

  I bite my lip to curb both a smile and tears. “Thanks,” I say quietly.

  Paula asks, “When are you getting married, honey?”

  I pull my hair over my shoulder and slide my gaze away from everyone. “You’d have to ask my boyfriend that.” Sensing an impending breakdown, Morgan walks over and ushers me back to my dressing room.

  I turn to face her. “I love your dress, Morgan. I would pick that one before even seeing you in the other dress.” I smile and she grins back at me before she gives me a hug.

  “Thank you so much for doing this for me today, Hadley. I know it’s hard for you, so it means so much to me that you did this.” She pulls away from me and says, “I’m not just talking about watching me pick out dresses. You tried one on for me. I’ll always cherish the image of you wearing one and remember how beautiful you looked…” She puts her hand on my cheek. “That is, until you wear your own someday. Then you’ll look beyond gorgeous because of the smile you’ll wear with the dress. It will happen.” Her eyes flick over my face. “I promise you.” I can only offer her a small smile. She turns to go back to her dressing room.

  Before I can shut the door, Rod is in the doorway and quickly instructs me to smile. He looks over his shoulder and then at me, raising Morgan’s phone and taking my picture. “One more. Smile this time.” I give him a real smile and I shut the door just in time for my real tears.

  “Let’s just skip the jewelry store,” I gripe from the front seat.

  “No, Hadley. I got my dress picked out, so I’m in a really good mood.”

  “That was a horrifying experience for me. I’m going to go ahead and wear a trash can now.”

  “Just make sure you’re naked underneath so I have easy access,” Rod says from the backseat. I turn around and my mouth drops open. His grin spreads across his face. “Keep your mouth just like that, Hadders. I might fit.”

  Frowning, I complain, “Rod, you’re being exceptionally crude today. Why?”

  He fleetingly looks away from me and out his window, anxiously rubbing his hands together between his legs. He softly says, “I don’t know. It makes me feel better.” He glances at me contritely and whispers, “Sorry.” Poor Rod. If this helps him feel better, then by all means.