Chapter 12

A Retail Experience

Taryn changed into some loungewear and was about to open the door when she sensed her mother there. She opened the door with a thought. "Hi Mom."

"Can I come in?"

"Of course. What's up?"

"I just wanted you to know that for what it's worth, I really like Steve. You seem very good together and we're happy for you."

Taryn smiled. "Thank you. That means a lot."

"And… I'm sorry for all the wasted years."

"Thank you. I am too. So, let's just move on from here, okay?'

"Okay. So…." Her mother sat on the edge of the bed next to her. "Have you been dress shopping?"

"For a wedding dress? Frankly, I haven't had the time…"

"Would you…. Would you like to go while you're here? I'm not saying you'll have to buy something, but maybe we could go looking?"

"Um, well," this was something she didn't expect. "I guess we could since we're here for a few days. I have no idea what I want…"

"Well, good. Maybe this will help you. I can make an appointment for tomorrow if you like?"

"Sure, Mom. Tomorrow is fine."

"Good! Okay, well then. I'll let you finish changing."

Taryn sat on the bed staring at her hands after she finished changing. Her mother wanted to go dress shopping…

Steve finished his conversation with Taryn's father then came up stairs to change. He knocked softly on the door and opened it. He saw Taryn sitting quietly on the bed. "Hey. You okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, I'm fine. Just a bit stunned that my mother wants to take me dress shopping."

"Oh, well that sounds fun…"

She raised an eye brow and stared at him. "For THE dress," she interrupted.

"Oh! Well, you haven't looked for one yet, have you?"

"No… only photos…"

"Then there you go. It will give you some time with your mother and try some things on."

Taryn's mother, being who she was, knew the owners of three prominent bridal shops in town. She made appointments and advised Taryn of the day's schedule.

Steve chuckled. "You going to be okay?"

"I think I'll survive. What will you be doing today?"

"Your father is taking me back to the club to meet his golfing buddies. I guess a few of them are vets so they may be swapping war stories."

"You okay with that? You know Dad doesn't introduce everyone to his friends…"

"Oh it will be fine. You and your mother enjoy the day. It will be good for you."

Maggie drove to the first appointment after breakfast. Bellamy Bridal was owned by her friend Catherine Bellamy. It was a large shop and Catherine had placed them in a private room off to the side. She came in personally to see them. She hugged her mother then turned her attention to Taryn.

"Hello my dear! Congratulations on your engagement."

Taryn shook her hand. "Thank you, Mrs. Bellamy."

"Oh, please, call me Catherine. Let's see your ring! Oh my, that is gorgeous. Is it vintage?"

"Yes, 1946."

"Well it is lovely. So what will you be looking for today?"

Taryn sighed. "Honestly, I don't know what I'm looking for…"

"Well then, let's start trying some things on, shall we?"

Her assistant pulled a few dresses and they retreated into the dressing room. Her first dress was a tight mermaid gown covered with beading and flounced out into a frilly skirt at the knee. Taryn struggled to walk out of the dressing room.

Her mother raised a brow. "Oh, that's… interesting… do you like it?"

Taryn stifled a laugh. "Um… no."

"Oh, thank goodness," said her mother in relief.

"Next," Taryn stated and they went back into the dressing room. Six dresses later and she found nothing that appealed to her. Everything was very modern and couture, so she now knew she wanted something a bit more vintage. They said their goodbyes and moved on to the next shop. Unfortunately she didn't find anything there either. Being lunch time, they decided to make their way to a restaurant where they were seated and ordered drinks to start.

"I'm surprised at how many horrible dresses there are out there," Taryn laughed.

Her mother nodded. "How about that one that was high in the front and low in the back?"

Taryn rolled her eyes. "Ugh, I can just see Steve's reaction if I came down the aisle in something like that."

They ate and conversed and Taryn was surprised at the interest her mother was showing for her life and abilities. Maggie still didn't understand them, but she was, perhaps, a bit more accepting. The waitress brought the check and her mother had taken out her purse to find her wallet when Taryn suddenly sensed something. Her eyes shot to a couple just walking into the restaurant and Taryn could sense ill intent. She looked at her mother and tapped her foot under the table.

"What is it?"

"Mother, I need you to listen to me and not ask any questions."

Maggie noticed a change in Taryn's demeanor. She'd never seen her so serious and focused. She simply nodded in reply.

Taryn continued in a low voice. "The couple that just walked in are going to try and rob the restaurant. I am going to stop them. I am putting a shield around you and you're going to feel a warm sensation. Just relax and act like you don't know anything. Continue to look through your purse."

Maggie was suddenly too frightened to speak. She watched her daughter take up the bill and the couple stepped in behind her at the counter.

Taryn knew that both were armed and she anticipated the woman grabbing her arm and pulling it behind her back. "Don't move unless you want someone to get shot."

Taryn looked at her mother who was starting to get up from her chair. She forced her back down with a thought and mouthed, 'don't move.'

The man pushed his way to the counter and demanded money from the waitress. Taryn threw a shield up around her as well.

"C'mon! The money! Or I'll start shooting!"

"I don't think you want to do that," Taryn said calmly.

The other patrons stared at her as the man turned around and got in her face. "And what are you going to do about it, Bitch?"

"Tsk, tsk, such language…" she said to give her time to project a shield around the couple and herself. If a gun went off, it wouldn't go out into the restaurant. "You'll not be leaving here with any money."

Mentally she pushed the man back against the shield, stunning him momentarily. He dropped his gun and she picked it up with a thought, moved it out through the shield and placed it on a table. Taryn turned to the waitress and yelled, "Call the police!"

"Why you…" the woman behind her tried to fire her gun into Taryn's back, but her hand was held in place. "What the fuck?!"

Taryn reached around her, grabbed the woman by the collar and pulled her over her shoulder. The woman landed on her backside and Taryn pulled the gun from her hand, sending it to the same table as the other weapon. The man regained himself and lunged at Taryn, grabbing her about the waist. She rolled with it, twisting him so that she had him in a head lock. The woman charged, and Taryn threw the man into the shield, amping up the charge and knocking him out cold.

Taryn threw out her hand, blocking the woman six inches from her. She grabbed the woman's arm and pulled in her in to land a punch square on her jaw. The woman dropped like a stone.

One could have heard a pin drop in the restaurant. She then heard sirens coming closer, and the place erupted into applause. Taryn felt her cheeks burn and made her way back to the table and removed the shield from around her mother. Sitting, she kept a shield around the would-be robbers and their weapons for good measure.

Maggie sat staring blankly at her.

"Mom, are you okay?"

"I… I… my God… you… you did all that… you saved…"

Taryn nodded. "That's what I do, Mom. Now you really know."

She was about to speak when the police entered. Taryn stepped up to the officer, showing her SHIELD badge. He took down her statement while two others carted the perpetrators off to jail. It took about an hour for everything to be noted and cleared. Taryn was still getting autograph and photo requests as she and her mother were about to head out. The restaurant owner came to thank her personally and all the while her mother was just staring at her.