"Don't you love the dresses?" declared Beth. "They're absolutely fabulous."
"Mine's too, tight and the bow is crooked" cried Donna. "I'm fat!"
"You're not fat... you're pregnant" Sonia corrected her. "You look really cute in your dress. Just don't eat anything for the next couple of days and you'll be fine."
The six bride maids and Mary Jane, huddled together like the Golden Tigers foot ball team, right before making a play on the field. They were busily trying on their dresses, discussing hair-do's and jewelry, when Missy glided through the dressing room door, as if she were perched upon a cloud. Missy literally seemed to float across the floor towards them.
In a heart beat, a hush fell across the fitting room. All the noise, the hurried rushing about stopped and the girls stood in complete silence, staring in disbelief at the utter beauty of the bride.
"Well... what do you think?" Missy asked, turning slowly in a circle. Missy's dress was elegant, classic and understated. The dress transformed Missy from an awkward 21 year old in to a Goddess. The room, first filled with gentle envious sighs, was quickly replaced with the sound of applauds and loud, inaudible conversations all taking place at the same time.
"Okay... ladies" Missy called out, waiving to everyone to calm down. "I want to show Mary Jane her maid of honor dress."
Missy turned to look at her mother, Evelyn, who removed the dress from the long black dress bag she had been holding. Evelyn gently handed the dress to Missy. "I had this made specially for you. I just hope you like it." Missy nervous with anticipation, removed the plastic wrapper from the dress,
holding it up for Mary Jane to see.
"Poke a dots!" cried Mary Jane in complete amazement. Poke a dots were a running joke between Mary Jane and Missy.
At nine years old, Mary Jane decided everything she wore had to be smothered in poke a dots. That was also the year that
Mary Jane and Missy became best friends. Missy thought Mary Jane was the most sophiscated and stylish person she had ever met. Up until that time, Missy's wardrobe had consisted of blue jeans, corduroy jumpers and purple tennis shoes. Mary Jane's bold fashion statement left Missy in total awe. Twelve years and counting, Missy and Mary Jane were still joined at the hip.
"I love it!" Mary Jane cried as she hugged Missy tightly. "The dress is just beautiful. Really, really beautiful. Just like you."
And with that, the bride and bride maids huddled together once more, carefully strategizing tomorrow events.
Chapter Four: That Evening
"We've been invited to the rehearsal dinner" Margaret yelled to Mary Jane as she came through the front door. "I'll have to see what I can find to wear. That's so nice of Evelyn to include your father and me in the festivities." Margaret was busy in the kitchen baking something. Mary Jane could hear the oven opening and closing.
Mary Jane felt exhausted. She was thrilled for Missy, but at the same time, the wedding only highlighted Mary Jane's disappointments. Afterall, Mary Jane had no one in her life and future prospects weren't looking good. There was every chance she'd end up an old maid, living on what was left of the family farm. Her parents had chosen to sell all but 10 acres of the farm last year. It was a tough decision, but there hadn't been any money in farming for years and her parents were tired of the long hours the farm demanded of them.
Truth be told, although Dan was glad to be rid of the pressures of farming, he was having difficulties adjusting to their new life. Farming was all that Dan knew. His father and grandfather were farmers. It was away of life for countless generations in his family. Selling the farm meant an end to a family legacy. Dan suffered days of great remorse and regret. His grandfather made it through the great depression and still managed to hang on to the farm. Dan couldn't help but feel he had failed his grandfather by selling.
Coming out of the kitchen, her apron covered in flour, Margaret asked Mary Jane how the fitting went. "Did you have a good time? Does your dress fit?"
"Yes, mom, everything is fine. Mine is poke dots. I really love the dress" Mary Jane replied, as she slowly climbed the stairs,
looking forward to a hot bath to unwind, not to mention some much needed peace.
"Oh, my Lord. More poke dots?" Margaret exclaimed, knowing full well the sentimental meaning behind Missy's choice for a maid of honor dress. "That's just so sweet and thoughtful of Missy. You two girls are truly something."
"What are you baking?" Mary Jane inquired, as she stopped
midway up the stairs. "Dinner is catered. You know that, right?"
"We shouldn't go empty handed" Margaret replied. "I'm just baking a dessert or two so they don't run short of food."
"Mom... they aren't going to run short on food." This was so like her mother, Mary Jane thought. She never arrived anywhere without a casserole or dessert in hand. Mary Jane loved that fact about her mother, although at times, it could also be annoying. Like tonight, bringing food to a catered event. Honestly, thought Mary Jane, who does that?
"Love Waits" Continued....