White Tulips & Wedding Cake

by Jonathan Solomon

  Jack had written to Iris to say he was visiting Grafton to see them. Gladys wrote back that they could meet up at a playground. Jack had made it clear he did not want to see Mum and Dad. Just Iris and Gladys.

  It took a long time for Jack to be on speaking terms with Gladys. For a while Iris thought he must have moved to Sydney and this was confirmed when she received a letter from Jack in 1969. Mum and Dad also received a letter but they refused to say anything about Jack. Dad was drinking even more and poor Mum was getting frail.

  Gladys then sat on the park bench and Jack joined her as Iris continued to play in the playground area, climbing up onto a slippery dip.

  “So, what are you doing in Sydney? Are you with anyone? A girlfriend?” asked Gladys.

  “Not at the moment. I’m holding down a job and I’m living at Potts Point,” said Jack.

  “By yourself?” Gladys enquired.

  “No, I live with a flatmate,” Jack said.

  There was a pause as they both watched Iris swing her way under the monkey bars.

  “Look, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for missing your wedding, the birth of Iris and your husband’s funeral,” said Jack.

  “You weren’t to know,” said Gladys. “We didn’t know your contact details until well after those events.”

  “I just hope you understand why I had to leave home,” said Jack.

  “Of course I understand Jack, but you left me to look after Mum and Dad by myself. You know they are both unwell and ageing. I thought you would be intelligent enough to know they don’t like to be upset and shocked,” said Gladys.

  Jack looked sullen and looked down at his leather shoes.

  “Anyway, it’s clear you’re now based in Sydney. A life away from your family,” said Gladys. “But it would be nice to have some assistance.”

  “You mean money? Gladdie, I don’t have a lot to spend. The money I do earn I spend on restaurants, theatre shows and rent. I’ve also been paying for quite a few French language courses over the past few years. I’m not rich,” said Jack.

  “I meant your time,” said Gladys. “I don’t believe you about the money. Look at your clothes. It looks like you shop at David Jones. A lot.”

  “I want to look nice Gladys!” said Jack.

  “Don’t we all,” Gladys said bitterly.

  Jack was about to say something but thought better of it.

  “Jack, what were you going to say?” asked Gladys. “Say it!”

  Jack shook his head. He left the bench and went over to see Iris on the playground equipment. His mood changed visibly to one of happiness as Iris laughed and giggled in her uncle’s presence.

  Gladys felt so guilty at the recollection. Why was she see-sawing between different emotions of anger and remorse for her brother? She thought she should have been a better sister so that Jack had someone to confide in. Gladys got up from her sofa in the lounge and went to help herself to some triple-chocolate Bavarian cake.

  Chapter 20

  Saturday, 13 May – 11:07 am

  Jonquil was sipping her cappuccino at Tick Tock Coffee, a Paddington café on Oxford Street.

  Camille walked past the café but stepped backwards to the front of the café. She had now found the cafe to meet up with Jonquil.

  Camille took off her sunglasses and stepped inside where she nodded at Jonquil and sat down at the table for two.

  “Hello Jonquil,” said Camille in a stiff fashion.

  “Hello Camille,” greeted Jonquil. “I wasn’t sure if you were meeting up with me. Heath said he and Anthony had booked a weekend away to Cairns and they couldn’t come along to the florist and the cake store today.”

  “To be honest, I didn’t want to come. But Anthony got really mad at me and said I had to go,” said Camille.

  “Well, I’m glad you came,” said Jonquil. “It’ll be fun. Do you have the list that Anthony and Heath wrote up at that dinner at Double Bay?” asked Jonquil.

  “Yes, it’s in my bag,” said Camille as she showed off her expensive handbag to Jonquil.

  “That’s good. Did you want a coffee or something to eat here?”

  “I’m good. We can go straight over to the florist,” said Camille.

  “No problem,” said Jonquil as she finished off her cappuccino. “I’ve already paid, so we can head over now.”

  Jonquil and Camille both got up and hauled their handbags over their shoulders.

  “So, are you nervous about the wedding Camille?” asked Jonquil.

  “I can’t say I’m thrilled. Anthony is my only child and I would like grandchildren,” Camille said.

  “Well, I’m delighted. I really passionately believe in marriage equality. Our society is better for it, don’t you think?” Jonquil said.

  Camille looked down at Jonquil.

  “So, I’ve bought my tuxedo already online. At least I will look respectable. Have you bought yours yet?” Camille said.

  “Ah, not yet, I haven’t done my searching yet,” Jonquil said.

  “Well, the wedding is only four months away. Chop chop,” said Camille.

  “Yes, of course, I better get onto it tonight,” said Jonquil, which made Camille nod her head.

  “So Camille, when did you know that Anthony was attracted to the same sex?” asked Jonquil.

  Camille stopped in the middle of the pavement.

  “That’s a personal question Jonquil,” said Camille and resumed walking along the pavement.

  “Oh, I didn’t intend to offend,” said Jonquil apologetically.

  “If you must know, it was when I took Anthony to see a rugby union match when he was a teenager. I thought Anthony looked too lingeringly at the rugby union players. I blame the short shorts,” said Camille.

  “So you’ve known for a long time then?” Jonquil said.

  “Yes, but I was hoping it was just a phase. I turned a blind eye and had hoped it would all go away. Clearly that strategy didn’t work. Anthony did have a few girlfriends but they never lasted for long,” said Camille. “How did you know that Heath was attracted to men?”

  “Well Heath was in year 9 and he came to me and he said he thought he liked men. He told me directly and I’ve been as supportive as ever,” said Jonquil. “Though, at the time, I gave Heath quite a lecture about the hard facts of sex, whether with a man or a woman. If it’s not on, it’s not on. I kept repeating to him, “There’s no such thing as safe sex, only safer sex”. I went through the catalogue of all the potential sexually transmitted infections. Then I talked about how powerful the hormones in our bodies can feel, that yes, our bodies can feel physically supercharged for never-ending sex. Yet, there are still real risks involved, no matter how out-of-this-world the orgasms feels. Certain hormone levels can lead to questionable choices being made.”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t scare Heath off sex for the rest of his life,” commented Camille.

  “Well, I know Heath is going to have sex and I want him to enjoy it, too. I just hoped to give him as much information as possible. The rest is up to him,” said Jonquil. “I’ve also always wondered why people go in that direction.”

  “Please don’t say bossy mothers, Jonquil,” said Camille. “It’s just not true.”

  “You never know. There could be multiple causes. Sensitivity traits, various sets of genes, pre-natal stress, increased exposure to progesterone, probability or maybe even overpopulation,” commented Jonquil. “I often wonder if masculinity and femininity is not just limited to the human body but also extends to the nature of our own spirit or soul, if you’d like. Or maybe, just maybe, the soul/spirit decided to be “different” when entering this world? For a new experience, perhaps?”

  “This is all very fascinating,” said Camille. “Well, here’s the florist.”

  Camille and Jonquil stood looking at the storefront window, which were exhibiting silver buckets of white and pink hydrangeas and orange blossoms. They stepped inside the florist store. A woman with bouncy brown curls and wearing
a glossy work apron approached them.

  “Hello, how may I help you?” the woman asked.

  “Ah, Iris,” Camille said as she looked at the woman’s name badge. “Both our sons are getting married in September this year.”

  “Oh congratulations,” said Iris.

  “Please tone down your enthusiasm,” said Camille as she reached into her bag for the handwritten list. Iris’s face dropped a little.

  “So Iris, our sons have written basic instructions on the floral requirements for their wedding and reception,” Jonquil said.

  “Sure, would you like to join me at the workshop table?” said Iris as she moved three stools for the three of them to sit. “I’ll just need to grab my diary.”

  Camille appraised the florist store around her and Iris returned to Camille and Jonquil with her diary.

  “So our sons Anthony and Heath are having a same-sex wedding planned in the Southern Highlands at a vineyard. We were hoping you would be available,” said Jonquil.

  “Well, that sounds like a big job,” Iris said. “But I would love to be the floral service provider. I’ll check my availability. The date is?”

  “15 September, this year,” said Camille.

  Iris flipped over several pages and came to the date in question.

  “Yes, I’m free that day,” said Iris. “Should I pencil in this wedding now?”

  “Yes please,” said Jonquil.

  “So, according to this list, Anthony and Heath wanted the following,” said Camille looking at the list. “Anthony and Heath to wear lapel flowers of rainbow dyed roses. There will be six bridesmaids, each holding a bouquet reflecting each colour of the rainbow. So they need a coloured bouquet each, preferably of Australian flowers only. There will need to be a nice floral arrangement for the gazebo where the wedding ceremony will be held. And for the reception, there will be about 100 guests so the idea is to have two long banquet tables for 50 people each, with flowers provided for the length of the tables. There’s also a table for the wedding party. Oh and it says here that they would like flower arrangements on the walls of the hall as well.”

  Iris was scribbling all this information down furiously. Camille returned the list to her handbag.

  “That job sounds doable. Pahi will definitely need to help me out on this job,” said Iris as she finished writing down the notes. “So how did your sons meet?”

  “Online,” Camille and Jonquil said in unison.

  “But can I tell you about the wedding proposal?” asked Jonquil.

  “Sure. Why not?” said Iris.

  “So a couple of months ago my son, Heath, organised this very elaborate wedding proposal. Heath asked Anthony to see an opera at the Sydney Opera House. After the opera they walked in the twilight to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and there was a crowd of people already there, just looking like they’re relaxing and then all of a sudden they all turn into a flash mob choir singing Dean Fiorentino’s signature song ”You Complete Me Forever and Ever”. I was there and it was so romantic. Anthony looked quite shocked when Heath bent down on his knee and proposed. Anthony said yes and I believe he was jumping up and down in excitement. I also saw the ring Heath had purchased beforehand. It was a gold band with ruby, madeira citrine, yellow diamond, emerald, sapphire and amethyst,” said Jonquil.

  “Wow, that sounds very romantic indeed,” said Iris.

  “I think I’m going to get sick,” said Camille. “Let’s go next door and book the cake maker.”

  Jonquil sighed and gave Iris an apologetic look.

  “Well, thank you for coming by and pass my congratulations on your sons’ engagement for me,” said Iris as she waved goodbye to Jonquil and Camille as they left the florist store.

  “Will do,” said Jonquil.

  Camille and Jonquil then walked out onto Oxford Street and turned to face the next store.

  “Look at these marvellous cakes,” said Jonquil looking into the storefront. There was a large wedding cake with lotus flowers alongside a very scrumptious-looking cake that was in the shape of a very large tower of pancakes and syrup.

  Camille was already inside. She could see a dark-haired man in the industrial kitchen covering a cake with what appeared to be a large sheet of fondant. A young Chinese woman was nearby, astutely cutting petals out of gum paste.

  The man placed the fondant over the cake and was smoothing down the sides. He then looked up and smiled at Camille and Jonquil as she walked in.

  “Hello. My name is Malik. How may I help you?” the man said.

  “Hi Malik,” said Jonquil. “I’m Jonquil and this is Camille. We’re here to order a cake for our sons’ upcoming weddings.”

  “A double wedding? Two cakes?” asked Malik.

  “I wish,” muttered Camille.

  “Oh! I meant our sons will be marrying each other. Heath and Anthony wrote down the concept of the cake they wanted,” said Jonquil.

  Camille fished back into her bag for the list. Camille collected the crumpled piece of paper and handed it to Jonquil.

  “So,” said Jonquil looking at the list. “Heath and Anthony would like a white six-tiered cake with a rainbow theme. That’s all they wrote.”

  “I can definitely create a cake to their requirements. What date is this wedding?” Malik asked.

  “15 September,” answered Jonquil.

  Malik went over to pencil in the cake in his cake orders book. He picked up a book with laminated pictures and placed this on the counter.

  “Please have a look here for the type of look and texture your sons would like. This book also gives you options of flavours,” said Malik.

  “Oh my, we’re spoilt for choice,” said Jonquil as she turned the pages.

  “Nope, nope, nope, nope,” said Camille as she saw each page being turned over by Jonquil.

  “Oh, that looks beautiful,” said Jonquil as she saw a fondant cake with a floral fusion of white and ivory rose petals. “It says this is an almond, pear and orange blossom cake with buttercream icing. My mouth is watering already!”

  “The fruity aspect really fits in with the wedding theme too,” said Camille. Jonquil gave Camille an appalled look.

  “Well, I guess I’m happy as long it’s not mud cake or chocolate fudge,” said Camille. “I’m trying to stay skinny.”

  “Camille,” said Jonquil, slightly irritated. “This wedding is not about you.”

  Camille stepped back as if she had been slapped.

  Malik, sensing tension, started to pose ideas to Jonquil and Camille.

  “Did you want rainbow coloured ribboning around the base? Or did you want inside each tier to be dyed an independent colour of the rainbow? Or would you prefer a standard white cake with rainbow coloured flowers gradually melting into each other?”

  “That last option sounds really nice. Oh, it will look so beautiful,” said Jonquil as she placed the book back on the counter and clapped her hands together.

  “No worries. I will pencil this job in as a six-tiered white fondant almond, pear and orange blossom cake with buttercream icing. This cake is to have rainbow coloured flowers from the top to the bottom tiers,” confirmed Malik.

  “Yes please, Malik!” said Jonquil.

  After Jonquil had confirmed with Malik the details of the wedding reception address, she and Camille left the cake store.

  “Well that’s the flowers and cake arranged for our boys,” beamed Jonquil.

  “Yes, they’re finally sorted out,” said Camille. “I’ve had an educational morning.”

  “So have I,” said Jonquil. “Well, take care and enjoy your weekend.”

  Camille nodded and they then parted ways.

  Chapter 21

  Saturday, 27 May – 7:45 pm

  Ollie and Jane were working at the Balmain pub pulling pints for the patrons.

  “Ollie, see the guy to the left standing by the bronze sculpture of the boxer, I think he’s looking at you,” said Jane. “I would totally go for him.”

  Ollie loo
ked up to see the man, who nodded and smiled at him. He was in his mid-30s and was wearing a checked shirt and jeans.

  “I think he likes you,” said Jane.

  “Yeah, he’s a local here. His name is Bruce,” said Ollie.

  Bruce had finished off his beer and was about to walk over to the bar.

  “He’s coming over Ollie!” said Jane and made herself look busy by wiping the counter down.

  Bruce placed the empty glass on the bar counter.

  “May I have another schooner, please?” asked Bruce.

  “Sure. Another beer coming your way,” said Ollie. Ollie got a clean glass and poured the beer into the glass and laid the beer onto the counter. Bruce’s hand covered Ollie’s hand on the glass. Ollie flinched ever so slightly and withdrew his hand away from the glass.

  “I like your hair style. Did you have it cut recently,” asked Bruce.

  “Yeah, I thought it was about time I got a crew cut,” said Ollie.

  “Well, it really suits you,” Bruce paused and his face started to go red. “Sorry to be upfront but I would love to ask you out on a date. Would you like my phone number?” asked Bruce.

  “Bruce, I’m incredibly flattered! But I’m not looking at the moment,” said Ollie. Jane, who was witnessing this nearby, could be seen shaking her head, and placed both hands on either side of her head. This was not going to plan at all.

  “No worries, Ollie. I thought I’d try my luck,” said Bruce as he paid and carried his beer towards the horse-racing screens.

  Ollie looked at Bruce and his mind wandered again.

  June 2015

  There was something not right, Silver Fox had said to meet outside Kings Cross Library at 2 pm but he had not turned up yet. Ollie had texted Silver Fox to let him know he had arrived but Ollie had so far received no response. Ollie was confused. He thought he was doing all the right things in the relationship. Staying monogamous, providing good company and being a source of enjoyable affection. So far the relationship had still stayed a weekend relationship with Silver Fox citing work commitments. However, Ollie had been introduced to some of Silver Fox’s friends, but not his family yet.