September Tango

by Scarlett Jade

  “Hot damn!” She did an awkward victory dance, a cross between a funky chicken and what looked like a bad seizure.

  Calvin stood and put his hands on her shoulders. “Please, for the love of God, never do that again. Really.” He patted her head.

  She snorted. “Whatever! I'm just psyched!” She threw her arms around Calvin. “I'm proud of you for finally picking the right girl.” He spun her around in circles and she squealed like a kid. He put her down and she bounced over to Zoe. “I'm so excited to have you as a sister!” She threw her arms around her and Zoe hugged back. It felt good to be wanted.

  “I'm glad to have you as a sister too.”

  “Okay,” Layla said, pulling back. “We need to go find you a dress! I need details, what are we doing?” Zoe went to open her mouth and Grams kicked it into full speed.

  “She wants a wedding in the afternoon, then a BBQ after. It'd be easiest to have the wedding at the church and then direct folks to the beach.” Grams sat down in her chair and pulled a notebook out from a pocket on the side. “We're gonna be needing some ribs, and craw fish, and shrimp. I know some folks to call that will give 'em to us for free. We're gonna need folks to do flowers.” She trailed off, chewing the end of a black pen.

  Layla nodded. “So we're gonna need something that transitions from church to the beach. Okay, I can handle that.” She pointed at Zoe. “Let's go, Skippy, you need a dress.”

  Zoe shook her head. “I can just wear a sun dress.”

  Layla's mouth fell open. “Like hell I am letting my brand new sister have her wedding day in a sun dress. Oh my God, Calvin, did you not warn her about me? Give me your card. We are going shopping.” Calvin pulled his credit card from his wallet and handed it to her. She grabbed Zoe's arm. “Let's go.”

  Zoe grumbled. “I will require sustenance before we shop.”

  Layla rolled her eyes. “I'll get you a pretzel if you are a good girl. Calvin, tell your woman goodbye.” She flounced out the door then popped her head back in. “Calvin, cough up the keys.”

  He laughed and put his arms around Zoe. “See, I told you they'd love you.”

  “Yeah, it's kind of strange,” she murmured. “I like it though.”

  He pressed his lips to hers, a sweet kiss that made her heart melt. “Get whatever you want. I can afford it, Babe. I want you to be happy.”

  “Can't spend a lot.” She shrugged.

  He kissed her again, and smiled. “Layla will be happy to.”

  Grams hollered, “I'm gonna turn the hose on y'all! Calvin bring your scrawny ass in here, we got a lot to do. Zoe, get on outta here, you need to get to Mobile.”

  They laughed. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. “You excited, Babe?” He handed her the keys to the car.

  “Yeah, I am.” They kissed quickly again and she headed out the door. “See you later.” She bounded down the stairs and saw Layla already sitting in the car.

  “Come on, Dude. It's hotter than hell out here!” She fanned herself.

  Zoe rolled her eyes. “Has anyone told you that you're a drama queen?”

  Layla stuck her tongue out. “Almost daily.” Zoe started the car and the A/C poured out of the vents in cool relief to the late August heat. “Can't believe Labor Day is coming up, man. It's so cute that your wedding day is gonna be September first. You can't forget that!” She sighed and leaned back against the seat as they pulled out to the highway toward Mobile. “Man, I'm not ready to go back to school.”

  “You'll be a senior this year, right?” Layla shot a quick look at the lanky brunette.

  “Yeah, I will. Almost done.” She smiled.

  “What are you gonna do afterward?”

  “I don't know yet. We'll see when I get there, I guess.” She shrugged.

  “Yeah, I know that feeling.” She touched the dial of the radio. “Mind if I turn some music on?”

  “Nah, go ahead, I'll tell you where I want you to go once we get closer to Mobile.” She clicked the dial and they jammed to some 80s as they sped down the highway.

  Chapter Seventeen – Monday Afternoon

  “What am I gonna do now?” Calvin asked himself as he fell onto the couch and searched between the cushions for the remote. Since Grams didn't want to buy end tables, it was usually where it ended up. He finally found it almost completely sunken into the couch and turned on the TV. By the time he found something to watch, he heard a knock at the door. “Grams, you expecting company?” He yelled through the house. There was no reply. “Damn it,” He said to himself as he pushed up from the couch and walked towards the door. The first thing he saw was a police badge casting a reflection on the wall across from the door. “Damn it, what did I do now?” Was his first thought until he saw who was wearing the badge.

  “Sup, Bro?” Tim said when Calvin was in view. “Long time no see.”

  He laughed. “What's going on, man?” He said, opening the door and shaking his hand.

  “Just thought I'd drop by and give my congratulations in person.” Tim smiled.

  Calvin scratched his head. “Congratulations?”

  “Yeah, Dude. You know, popping the question, you being engaged. Getting married to Zoe.” He punched Calvin in the chest.

  “Oh, yeah! Damn, I forgot how fast news travels in the small town.” He shook his head.

  “So, where's the bride-to-be?” Tim asked peaking through the doorway. “I'd expect she'd be attached to your hip right now.”

  “No, she's heading up to Mobile; dress shopping with Layla.”

  “Oh, I see.” Tim looked back at the driveway. His patrol car was parked at the edge of it. “And since I don't see the little sardine can you try to pass off as a car in the drive, I guess that means you're stuck here?”

  “Pretty much,” Calving nodded, “There's still a lot I need to get done. I didn't bring my dress blues so I have to find something to wear, I've gotta... ”

  “Dude,” Tim said grabbing Calvin's shoulders and giving a quick shake, “Are you forgetting who your best friend is? All you gotta do is say the word and I'm all over it. You remember my cousin, Maurice, don't you? He owns O'Sully's now. We can go there now to get you your tux.”

  “Oh, yeah, I remember O'Sully's. It's still like the only men's store in town, right?” Tim nodded. “Wait, Maurice owns it now? What happened to O'Sully?”

  “He got pneumonia and we couldn't get him to Mobile in time. He left the shop to Maurice in his will.”

  “Damn, that sucks.” There was a moment of awkward silence before Tim spoke.

  “Alright, Dude, let's get going.” Tim began to walk down the steps towards the driveway.

  “Give me one second,” Calvin said quickly. He turned and yelled, “Grams, I'm heading out with Tim to run some errands.”

  “Go on then,” she hollered. “And while you're out, bring home some milk. Between you and Layla, we can't keep the shit in the house.”

  “Sure, Grams.” Calvin shook his head as he turned to leave. He climbed into the passenger seat of Tim's patrol car and closed the door behind him. Tim put the car in drive slowly pulled away from the house. Calvin looked in disbelief at the car Tim drove. “You know, if anybody had told me when we were in high school that Tim Taylor would grow up to be a cop, I probably would have laughed in their face.”

  “You and me both, Bro.” Tim shook his head. “With my grades, I didn't think I had a shot in hell.”

  “So, what even made you decide you wanted to be a cop?”

  “I don't know, man, I guess you can say you kinda inspired me.”

  Calvin raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

  “Well, straight outta high school, you decided you wanted to do something better with yourself, become a better person and what not. You were so sure that was what you wanted to do no matter how much I tried to talk you out of it. Once you left, I really got to thinking: Fuck man, this shit is boring without Calvin, so I decided to enter the force.”

  “Dude, that sounds like bullshi
t.” Calvin said shaking his head.

  “Yeah, you're right, it kinda is. True story is, you remember my dad, right?” Calvin nodded. “Like, three years ago, they promoted him to a county cop leaving a space open for the town. He put in a damn good word for me and next thing I know I'm in Mobile for training.”

  “Good shit, man.”

  “I guess this shit runs in the Taylor blood, well, at least the men.” Before long, they had entered the business district. It was a shell of what it used to be with a few collapsed buildings, several of them had paint peeling, bricks missing and broken windows. All but a few stores had old style signage that had letters where the paint had completely peeled away, letters that were falling off and some letters that were missing entirely. There was only one shop on the strip that had a sign in decent shape and stood out from the rest of the town. It read 'The new and improved O'Sully's' in hot pink paint.

  “Exactly what HAS Maurice done to the place?” Calvin raised an eyebrow.

  Tim shook his head. “He says he's given it more of a 'modern twist'. I'd say he gave it more of a 'queer eye for the straight guy' look.”

  “Did you really just reference that show?” Calvin shook his head. “What the hell is wrong with you, Dude?”

  “It's all I had, okay?”

  “Whatever, Dude,” Calvin said opening his door and sliding out onto the cracked sidewalk that led up to the door into O'Sully's. It looked the same as he remembered on the inside. Two tuxedos were on display in the window on both sides of the door, and as you walked in, there was gray as far as the eye could see. On the show floor, there were a few suits on one side and tuxes on the other ranging from black to gray to blue to gray and back to black. As Calvin pushed the door open, a bell rang and from the back room emerged Maurice. He was wearing a bright purple suit with a pink undershirt, black belt and matching black, shined shoes.

  “Oh em gee, is that Calvin Hall I see?” Maurice asked as he floated to where Calvin was standing giving him a hug. Calvin stood still. “Oh, congratulations, honey! I hear you and Zoe Parker are getting hitched! Boy, you don't know how absolutely perfect you two are as a couple. So much better for you than that slut, Callie, let me tell you. Can you believe that hoe, sleeping around with anybody who had anything dangling between their legs?” He looked down at the floor and shook his head, “Ugh, such a whore. It's a damn shame.” He quickly looked back to Calvin. “So, what brings you here today as if I don't know?” Calvin opened his mouth to speak. Maurice threw up a finger. “Oh, wait, no, let me guess. I bet you're here for something to wear at the wedding, am I right?” Calvin tried to speak again, “Oh, of course I'm right. Come on, now, let's go. I'm gonna fix you right up.” Maurice pushed Calvin towards the back corner of the store.

  “Yeah, Maurice'll fix you up.” Tim laughed from the doorway.

  “I already know what colors she wants at the wedding.” Maurice told him.

  “How could you possibly know that already?” Calvin asked him. “I barely even know.”

  “Cal, let me tell you, I've been in this business a long time, so I know a thing or two about weddings. That, and you grandmother called like a few minutes before you two got here. That gave me enough time to go through my catalog and pick out the perfect suit for you. You look absolutely stunning in blue, don't you?” Calvin tried to speak again. “Oh, you don't have to tell me, I already know. Your skin is the perfect color for it. I don't know why, but men with your complexion always look scrumptious in just about any shade of blue. Anyway, why don't we just go ahead and get your measurements, and I can stitch that son of a bitch together for you right now? Is that okay?” Calvin shook his head knowing he wouldn't be able to get a word in. “Of course it is; now you just stand right there and I'll be right back.”

  Calvin watched through the mirror as Maurice walked away. Man, he thought to himself, I actually managed to forget how over the top Maurice is. It wasn't long before Maurice returned with his measuring tape and wrapped it around Calvin's neck and waist, and then measured from his armpit down to his hip jotting down each number as he read it aloud.

  “Alright, follow me.” He said once he had what he needed. He led Calvin to the rack of suits that were in the middle of the show floor. At the middle of the rack, he pulled out a suit. “Now, this one I think is perfect. It ties in perfectly with the wildflower theme that they have in mind. A nice, deep, manly blue, not too girly, but still something you find in nature. What do you think?” He asked finally giving Calvin time to answer.

  “I was actually kinda expecting a tux,” Calvin started, “But, damn it, I can't stand them. Plus, there's not one in that color. I think it'll be fine.”

  “See, I just knew you'd love it. I'm gonna take this to the back and get started on it right away. When do you need this by?”

  “Probably by 11:00 tomorrow morning, noon at the latest. Do you think you can get it done by then?”

  “Oh, absolutely, honey, that won't be a problem at all. Swing back by here 11:00 tomorrow morning and it'll be waiting for you. I'm gonna pair it with a fabulous shirt and tie and you'll just look amazing. Just you wait. Oh, have you got shoes?”

  “I left my dress shoes in Afghanistan.”

  “Well come on back here and let's get a nice pair.” He trailed through the store to the back wall, which was filled with all sorts of shoes. He tapped his bottom lip and finally picked a shiny pair of black wingtip shoes. “Now these will be fantastic. What size do you need?”

  “Thirteen wide.” Calvin replied.

  “Mmm. Nope, don't have those in a wide.” He tapped his lip again, finally lighting on a pair of brown loafers. “These will have to do. Try them on.”

  Calvin slipped his sneaker off and shoved his foot into the loafer. “They fit.”

  “Good. Oh. We need some khakis and some sandals for the beach. Can't have you sweating up your good suit, now can we?” He plucked some leather sandals off the rack. “I'll get the khakis for you. Everything will be done tomorrow. You two get out of here and let me work!”

  “Thanks, Maurice.” Maurice waved as he disappeared into the back room. Calvin turned to Tim, who was still chuckling. “Dude, I don't know how I ever let myself forget how flamboyant your cousin is.”

  “He's one of a kind, that one,” Tim said wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. “I get one hell of a kick every time I come in here.” He sighed deeply attempting to slow down his breathing. “Okay, I'm good. Is there anything else you need to get done?”

  “Um, not that I know of,” Calvin scratched his head.

  “Okay, good, then there's something I want to do.”

  Calvin raised an eyebrow. “Okay, what?”

  “You'll see when we get there, just hop in the car and let's roll.” Tim pointed over his shoulder. The two of them quietly left O'Sully's and climbed into the car and Tim pulled away from the curb.

  Chapter Eighteen – Monday Evening

  They pulled into the mall parking lot and Layla stretched. “Alright, let's do this. What size are you, Zoe?”

  Zoe coughed nervously. “Sixteen.”

  “Okay,” Layla said, tapping her chin. “We can hit some clearance racks and hope we hit it big from prom. I have a few stores in mind. You ready?”

  “Yeah, I just want my promised pretzel.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine, you can have one after the first store. What color dress do you want? We're probably not going to find a white one.”

  “Good thing,” Layla smirked. “I look like hell in white.”

  “Yeah you are pretty ghostly.” She tried not to gawk at the mall, she hadn't been here in a couple years, and they'd definitely fancied it up. It was a two story building, and the inside was almost completely cream tile, with skylights and a gorgeous fountain standing in the middle of the food court. The scent of food made her stomach rumble. “Bring your ass!” Layla muttered, grabbing her arm.

  She sighed and looked longingly over her shoulder. Finally, Layla went into
a shop and zeroed in on the dresses. She pointed to the other side. “Find your size. I'll say yes or no.”

  “Do I get no say in this?” She laughed.

  “Sure, after I do.” She pursed her lips as she looked at a fuchsia gown. “You know, this color would be pretty on you.”

  “Yeah, hell no.” She shook her head vehemently. “I don't like that color at all.”

  Layla sighed. “Fine.” She flipped to another dress and pulled it out. It was a soft rose. “Oh, Zoe, this one is pretty.” It had a sweetheart neckline with a fitted bodice, flaring out to a soft, floating skirt that would hit her just below the knees. Small pearls trailed down the bodice and through the skirt.

  Zoe tipped her head. “It is pretty. Do you think it's too fancy?”

  Layla shook her head. “It is fancy, but if you do something really simple with your hair, you could pull it off.”

  “Let's call it a maybe, okay?”

  “Okay.” She grinned and laid it over her arm. Zoe found a coral dress she loved; it resembled her peach sun dress. Layla frowned at that choice. “I don't like it. It's too simple.”

  “I just want to try it on.”

  “Fine...” She pouted. “Go try them on. I'll be over in just a second; I need to find something in my size too.” She was flicking through the racks and her brow was furrowed.

  Zoe took the two dresses to the fitting room and pulled her clothes off. She slipped the coral dress over her head and frowned. Layla was right, it was incredibly simple and plain. She shook her head and pulled the dress off. “Layla?”

  “Yeah, I'm here.” She replied.

  “You were right about the coral dress.” She unzipped the rose colored one and stepped into it. “I'm going to need help zipping this one up.”

  “Let me in, then.” Zoe unlocked the door and Layla stepped in. She adjusted the front of the bodice and Layla zipped up the back. Her eyes went wide in the mirror. Layla stepped back with a smile. “What do you think?”

  Zoe turned and looked at herself at all angles. “Oh my god, Layla. It's beautiful.” The dress hung perfectly on her curves. Her skin looked like peaches and cream perfection and the rose highlighted her lips and the soft flush in her cheeks. “I love it.”