Chapter 10
Sue and Jack walked out of town hall, holding hands and a manila envelope. Jack entwined his fingers in Sue's as they jogged down the stairs of the office that had just given them 'permission' to become husband and wife.
"Now where?" Jack asked.
"I want to run to that little dress shop on Mass Ave... then maybe the flower shop on the corner if they're open." Sue said hopefully.
"OK, we can do that..." Jack agreed.
"Ummm... it's kinda bad luck for the groom to see the bride's dress before the ceremony." Sue said. Jack looked at her curiously. "You're the groom... hint, hint, hint." Sue said, smiling wide at him.
"Oh... I can take a not so subtle hint." Jack said smirking. "I want to go get a new tie... I'll call you..." He started saying. "You call me when you're ready. Is that OK?" He asked.
"Sure." She said hesitantly.
"Sue? You alright?" Jack asked concerned.
"Yeah... excited, nervous..." She admitted.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked.
"Are you?" She asked, surprised by his question.
"I asked you." He took her hands in his. "Sue, I love you. I know what I want. I want you to be sure before we do this..." He said, as he took a step toward her. "I don't want you becoming my wife if you're not positive that's what you want." He said. Tears filled Sue's eyes. She smiled wide and kissed him.
"I love you too Jack. I want to be your wife. I'm just nervous I guess... Don't take my hesitation as being uncertainty of my love for you." She said as she kissed Jack again.
"OK then... I think you said something about a dress?" Jack said smiling at her, wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
They both jumped into Jack's car hurriedly and drove to the dress shop. Sue hopped out after a quick kiss and headed into the shop. As she opened the door the wind caught the bells on the back of the door. The shop was quaint, stuffed with gowns of all shapes, sizes, colors and designs. Sue's eyes were big as she gazed around the room.
"I'm never going to find something here..." She whispered to herself.
"You never know." A woman's voice said from behind her. Sue began to pull gowns away from one another to get a look. "Can I help you find something?" The woman asked. "Miss?" She asked, a bit louder as she tapped Sue on the shoulder.
"OH!" Sue said as she jumped. "I'm sorry I didn't know you were there." Sue apologized.
"I didn't mean to startle you. I did call to you." the young woman said.
"I'm sorry... I didn't hear you. I'm deaf, if you're not looking at me, or for that matter, me at you... I can't hear you." Sue explained.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I'll try to remember that." She said, holding out her hand to Sue. "I'm Isabella. This is my shop. What can I help you find? Or did you just want to look around?" She asked Sue.
"I'm Sue. And, I need some help." Sue said shyly.
"Sure. What can I help you find?" She asked.
"Umm, I'm getting married." Sue confessed for the first time. "I need a dress." She said.
"Congratulations! When's the big day?" Isabella asked.
"Umm... what time is it?" Sue said, looking at her watch.
"Excuse me?" Isabella asked.
"My fiancé and I decided this afternoon seemed like a great day to get married... this morning." Sue said.
"Oh my... well... then why don't we go about this a different way. What were you thinking of? Do you want big elegant dress? White? What do you want?" She urged.
"Today's just for us. I want something beautiful, but simply elegant." Sue said. "Does that make any sense?" She asked.
"Yes. Color?" She asked.
"White." Sue said quickly.
"White it is... You look like you're about a size 4?" Sue nodded. "I'll be right back with a few ideas for you." Isabella said as she began to walk away.
"Oh... Isabella? I don't have an endless budget... can you keep that in mind?" Sue asked embarrassed.
"No worries Hun. I have gorgeous gowns at all price ranges... I will find the perfect dress for you. I'll be right back." She said. A few minutes later, Isabella reappeared with a slip and nylons. Sue slipped into the pieces she'd brought. After ten minutes, Isabella reappeared holding five gowns in her arms. "Try this one on... this is your dress." She said matter-of-factly. Sue put on the dress, looking at herself in the mirror.
"Isabella?" Sue called. "I need some help..." She called. Isabella peaked around the curtain.
"Oh my gosh... this is gorgeous on you!" She said as she began to tighten the lacing on the back. "What do you think?" She asked Sue, looking in the mirror. "Can you read my lips in the mirror?" She asked. Sue chuckled.
"It's really difficult." She admitted. "So, what do you think?" Sue looked at herself in the mirror. She smoothed out the tummy area and tears began to fill her eyes. "It's beautiful." She said.
"I told you... try on the others, and we'll compare." Isabella said.
"No. This is the one." She said, wiping the water that began to fall onto her cheeks. "Can we do something about the length, just tack it up some maybe?" She asked.
"Sure. That won't be too much. I'll do just that, put a few tacks, and that will give it a look of waves, it'll be beautiful." Isabella offered. "Do you have something else you need to do? I'll tack it now, and put a few more in while you're running your last minute things. It won't take long." She assured Sue.
"Ok. I did want to go to the flower shop for a bouquet." Sue said.
"Go to the grocery store around the corner, you'll get some beautiful flowers, and save a ton of money! The girl behind the counter is awesome, she'll set them for you..." Isabella said. Sue agreed and slipped out of her underwear and back into her street clothes. She walked into grocery store with no thoughts in mind for style or even color for her flowers. She looked around for a few minutes, and settled on some Lilly's and roses, all white and a bright blue hydrangea sprig to fit into the middle. As she approached the counter a young woman asked if she wanted her to arrange her choices. She agreed. The young woman walked to the refrigerator case, pulling out some rose buds, carnations, and baby's breath. After a quick cut of the stems and some floral water pods which she wrapped in a soft white satin and tied with a white satin ribbon. Sue was in awe at what the girl was able to do for her for only a few dollars.
"Wow... these are beautiful. Thank you." Sue said as she handed the girl her credit card.
"Congratulations." The girl said as Sue walked passed her.
"Thank you!" Sue said as the pep got back into her step, and she nearly skipped back to the dress shop.
As she walked back to the dress shop, she realized she's only been gone fifteen minutes, and Isabella had said it would take about an hour. She slowed her pace, and soon realized she hadn't done anything with her hair. She passed a chain hair cuttery. On a whim, she walked in. There was an older woman sitting behind the front desk, playing a computer game. She instantly looked up at Sue, smiling.
"Hi. Can I help you?" She asked. The woman's voice was raspy with a thick New England accent.
"Uh, I don't know. I was wondering if you could do something with this?" She asked, pulling her hair out and letting it fall back to her shoulder.
"Sure." She said. "Have a seat" The woman said. "What are you thinking about? What's the occasion?" She asked.
"Actually, I'm getting married." She said.
"Oh... so you want to try a few things, see what you like?" She asked.
"Not really. I want it mostly down, but I also want it to stay off my face. I wasn't thinking about it when I left the house this morning." She said nervously.
"Ahh.. I see, the hubby to be likes it down does he?" She teased. Sue shook her head yes. "So, when are you actually getting married?" She asked as she began to compile product to start Sue's 'do'.
"Umm, in about..." She looked down at her watch. "Two hours..." Sue said.
"Today!?" The woman exclaimed. Sue scrunched her nose and smiled shaking her head yes.
"We sort of decided this morning..." Sue said smiling.
"Well, then... let's get a move on!" She said. After a quick comb through, Judy, the woman working miracles with her hair, began to apply mouse and gel. A blow dryer and curling iron were fast paced tools of Judy's trade. She worked them like a skilled iron worker would a torch. Sue watched in the mirror as Judy's hands worked their wonder. A very fine braid pulled back from her cheeks just enough to pull it back. The hair products worked together with the curling iron to form beautiful waves that were being held back off her cheeks. She told Sue to close her eyes, and she began to apply some quick make up. It was soft, simply and elegant. Sue couldn't believe how nice she looked. Judy said the makeup was on her. Sue thanked her when they were finished, and left, headed back to the dress shop.
"Wow!" Isabella said as she entered the store once more. "You look great!" She pulled lightly on the curls. "Have you seen?" She asked Sue. Sue shook her head no. "Then don't look! Go into the room, your dress is done. I'll be in to tie you up." She offered.
"Thank you so much... for everything." Sue began as her eyes began to show signs of tears.
"Oh no you don't! No ruining that awesome job with make up!" Isabella said. "And, you're welcome." She said closing the door to the dressing room.
Sue changed back into the slip and stockings she'd had before then once again into the dress. Isabella tightened the dress, tied the very top, tucking the extra laces into a secret compartment on the inside of the back of the dress.
"Close your eyes." Isabella instructed.
"I...I can't. I can't hear... I can't 'not' see too." Sue protested.
"Trust me, it's for 15 seconds, and about 10 feet." She retorted. Sue hesitantly did as she was told. Isabella helped her to the full mirror, and turned on the lights so she could see herself. She tapped Sue on the shoulder to indicate for her to open her eyes. As Sue did, she couldn't believe how beautiful she was. The dress fit perfectly, hugging every curve. Her hair swayed just on her shoulder, swooping down her back. The fine braid was elegant and tied up in the back.
"Wow..." Was all Sue could come up with. "Wow." She said again. Isabella handed her the flowers. Sue couldn't get over how beautiful she was. "Oh... I need a veil." She said. "Do you have something simple?" She asked.
"Sure do." Isabella said, pulling one off the rack next to her. "Medium length, enough to cover your face as you walk down the aisle?" She said. Sue nodded. It was simple, with just a few sequins to shine in the sunlight. "Just put it here, and gently press it in. It will stay." Isabella said. Sue's Black Berry began to buzz. Isabella indicated to Sue that her phone was ringing. Sue picked up her phone and read the text.
"He's ready." Sue said excitedly. "Sure took him a long time to find a new tie..." Sue said thinking about what he said he'd be doing. Sue shook it off as Isabella handed her the coat.
"Here keep this zipped up, hide that dress from him as much as possible." She said smiling at him.
"OK... what do I owe you?" Sue asked, nervous about the total.
"It came to $435." Isabella said. Sue looked at her. "If you don't have that much, we can work something out for a payment plan." She offered.
"No... are you sure that's all I owe you?" She asked. Isabella smiled and said yes.
"Your dress was on clearance." She said. Sue looked at her unsure if she was telling her the truth or just being kind. Either way, Sue paid her, left her a nice tip, and said she would send more business her way. They parted with a quick hug, and a wish of luck.
Myles had snuck into the shower while Lucy said she was going to check to see if the coast was clear. She eased her way into the kitchen area, looking around for Sue. She didn't see anything, not a sign that Sue had been there. She looked in the sink for a sign of dirty dishes, there was nothing, not even a droplet of water.
"Hmmm..." Lucy said to herself as she walked back down the hall to Sue's room. She opened the door a bit and waved. There was no greeting. A knot began to form in the pit of her stomach. It wasn't like Sue to not come home. Lucy tried to push away any bad thoughts, trying to fill that space with sexy romantic images instead. A smirk pushed at the corners of Lucy's lips- she was hopeful.
"Oh, who am I kidding? She wouldn't have slept with Jack..." She said to herself, but out loud.
"No, but perhaps she simply fell asleep at young Jack's house..." Myles suggested, as he walked behind her kissing her neck.
"Hmmm, maybe." Lucy said.
"What does your gut tell you?" He asked.
"My what?" She asked a little shocked.
"Your gut." Myles rolled his eyes. He walked to her, turned her away from him, wrapped his arms around her waist, placing his hands, spread wide, over her stomach. His chin rested on her shoulder as he nearly whispered in a sexy, sultry voice. "Your gut, what does it tell you about Sue? Is it telling you that she's hurt? That there's something wrong?" He smiled as he turned her back toward him, not moving his arms, now resting his hands just above back side. "Or... is it telling you that Ms. Thomas is safe, and probably wrapped tight in her lover's arms eating bon bons?" He suggested.
Lucy gave him a look as if to ask if he'd lost his mind.
"OK, or at least, trying to apologize for falling asleep on him as they watched some boring movie." He added a more realistic choice for her to choose from.
"Hmm, that's more like it." Lucy said. Myles reached to the phone table and took Lucy's phone off the charger, handing it to her. "What? I'm not calling her!" Lucy argued.
"I'm not suggesting you do that. Maybe she left you a message, so you won't have to worry." He offered. She quickly flipped her phone on. There was a message- from Sue. She dialed her voicemail. She was relieved to hear Sue's voice explaining that she was going to just sleep at Jack's because it was so late. She would talk to you on Sunday night.
"Well, I'm glad I checked. She's fine. She said she was staying at Jack's because it was so late and she would talk to me tonight." Lucy explained.
"Hmm, she didn't even try to come up with an elaborate ruse?" Myles asked suggestively. "Huh! Probably figured you wouldn't believe her anyway!" He teased. Lucy playfully smacked his arm and pushed past him and flopped onto the couch.
"So, what do you want to do today?" Lucy asked.
"Well..." Myles began, raising his eyebrows suggestively.
"Myles Leland III!" Lucy exclaimed. "Is there ever anything on your mind besides sex?" She asked, partially joking.
"Well... no." He said, jokingly serious. "Oh, wait!" He began again. "There is... let me think it will come to me..." He said, putting his hand on his chin tapping his index finger on her jaw line. "OK... yes, there are things, other than sex that I do, on occasion think of." He started. "Bad guys... I think about them all the time, except when I'm having sex- with you. Then, there's food. And, of course, sports!" He said smiling. At that comment, she had her answer.
"So, in other words, unless you're working, no." She said laughing. He leaned forward and kissed her, sweetly on the cheek. "But, I'm serious. What do you want to do today? It looks beautiful out there. I would hate to stay in the apartment all day." She pleaded.
"Would you like to take a stroll in the park? Maybe somewhere nearby." He offered.
"That sounds nice." She answered as she hopped off the couch, and slipped her sneakers on, grabbing her sweatshirt. "Coming?" She asked.
"Now? Umm, alright then." He said pushing himself off the couch.
"How about a picnic-something small? There's a nice little park just out of town. It's a bit of a drive, but it's worth it. You can see the magnificence of the city, and they have a lot of grassy areas to put a blanket on the ground." She started to sound excited.
"On the ground?" He stuttered.
"Yes. That is where you usually have a picnic.
"I was just thinking, isn't a bit chilly?" He pointed out.
"We'll dress warm, and they have benches we can sit on. It's open, yet down, so it's shielded from the cold winds that might kick up here and there. It's beautiful. What do you say?" She asked, her eyes silently begging him.
"Sounds wonderful." He answered, not truly sure of his answer.
Lucy bundled in layers, and Myles said he would stop by his house for an extra sweater.
Bobby lay spread out on Tara's couch. His sweat pants were pulled up to his knees, the sneakers were tied but on the floor about two feet away from each other. Tara sat against his lap working on a crossword puzzle while Bobby watched a cross between the Redskins game and game 3 of the World Series.
"Who's winning?" Tara asked, not really interested, but wanting to engage Bobby's attention on her.
"Redskins are up by a touchdown, and NOT the Yanks!" He growled.
"Sorry- about the Yankees." She said.
He looked at her sideways, smirking at her. "No you're not!" He protested. "Uh... Uhhh... You... You... You're not a Yankees fan, are you?!" He snapped playfully.
"No." She said quickly. She scrunched her nose and shook her head side to side indicating she really didn't care for his favorite team.
"Well... who do you like then?" He said with a hint of disgust in his voice.
"Hmm, honestly?" She asked, but continued before he could answer. "I'm a Cubs fan! She said ducking and scurrying off the couch. Bobby picked up the pillow he was leaning on, and tossed it at her, running after her.
"Truce!" She called. "Please!" She begged. "How about a change of scenery." She suggested.
"Weren't you the one who wanted to stay home and chill out?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah... but I'm getting bored watching you flip back and forth between two kinda boring games." She said honestly.
"You've got a point. What do you want to do?" He asked.
"Do you have a bike?" She asked.
"Yeah... I haven't ridden it in forever, but yeah, I've got one. You want to go bike riding?" He asked in disbelief.
"Why not? It's a gorgeous day out there, why not go for a ride..." She said cheerfully.
"What the heck, why not?" He agreed.
"Give me a few minutes to get ready, we'll put my bike on the car, then we'll run by your place and pick up yours." Tara said excitedly.
"Sounds like a plan." Bobby said.
Soon Tara was ready to head out, bike and helmet in tow. They drove across town to a park close to his house. The sun was high in the sky, warming the air, making it feel like it was summer, not well into fall. The trees were peaking with their autumn colors, brilliant reds, bright oranges, and bold yellows covered nearly every tree and bush in the park. There was a sprinkling sample of their colors that covered much of the grassy rolling hills. On the far side, Tara noticed little ones laying on their sides, rolling down the hills, little girls were drawing hop scotch boards on the walk way, and some little boys were tossing a football in the air, pretending to be their favorite quarterback.
Helmets on, the couple began to race each other around the paths that were cut out for bike riding. Up and down the twisting hills, through puddles that were caused from a shower the night before. Tara was competitive, but so was Bobby. The two raced each other, pushing one another until both felt as if they'd pass out.
They both stopped near a bench, and hopped off the seats to sit on a bench. They were nearly breathless, yet Bobby still found it in his to laugh and lean into Tara for a kiss.
"What?" She asked.
"I... I'm just wondering... where do you think you're going?" He teased. "This park is only so big you know." He joked once again.
"Oh, you're one to talk!" She teased back. "I felt like I was being chased for my life!" She said laughing as he pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately.
"I'm thirsty." Bobby said. "Don't supposed you remembered to bring water, did you?" He asked hopefully. Tara shook her head no. "There's a shopping plaza not far from here, there's got to be someone open that has bottled water." Tara offered.
"Good idea. C'mon, let's go." He said, pulling up her bike for her to get on. The two rode toward the store.
"I'll stay with the bikes if you don't mind grabbing a few bottles?" Bobby asked, handing her some money, which she declined.
"Sounds good, but it's on me." She giggled as she walked through the automatic doors. When she entered the store, the fresh aroma of Italian bread, and fresh cut flowers invaded her senses. "Hmmm, smeels good." She said to herself, yet out loud.
Tara looked around quickly, but didn't see what she wanted. She decided to ask the florist. The woman pointed toward the far registers. Tara smiled, and headed quickly to the compact refrigerators located next to the front registers. She opened one and grabbed four bottles of water. As she glanced up, for a split second, she thought she saw someone she knew, but when she pulled her head out of the cooler, the woman she thought was Sue Thomas had disappeared. Tara hurried to pay for their drinks and jogged back out the door she'd come in. She found Bobby riding the bike in circles on the far side of the parking lot.
"Hey Luv." He said, greeting her with a kiss.
"Hi." She looked around the parking area.
"Something wrong?" He asked, taking a gulp of the cool beverage.
"Did you see Sue?" She asked.
"Sue? Sue Thomas?" He repeated.
"Yes. I would've sworn I just saw her in the store, walking by the flower shop." Tara explained.
"Why didn't you say hello?" He asked.
"Well, I saw her through the cooler door when I was bent over getting our water." She explained.
"And?" He pressed.
"Well... I wasn't really sure it was her..." She began. "I mean, it looked like her, but she had more make up than she usually does on... and her hair was all done up like she had a hot date." She continued. "And, think about it... what would she be doing on this side of town?" Tara asked.
"Maybe it was Sue. Doesn't she sometimes go to that little church a couple miles from here? Maybe she was stopped in for a drink like we are... Ask her tomorrow." Bobby said, taking another gulp of water.
"You ready to lose another one?" Tara asked teasingly.
"Lose? Another one!?" Bobby asked. "I didn't lose the first one!" He said laughing as he tried desperately to catch up with her.