Chapter 40
As always, I don't own any part of Sue Thomas FB Eye! Thanks for all the wonderfully kind words and encouragement! I love hearing from all of you! I'm on vacation right now, so another post may be difficult for a week or so! Thanks for sticking with me! As always, let me know what you think!
Monday morning came all too fast, and once again the team was together. Tara and Lucy were exchanging notes for Sue's bridal shower while Sue was catching up on email. One of her emails was from a man named David Barkley. The title of the email was simply "Want to inspire?" This piqued Sue's interest. She opened the email to find a simple letter with a simple question. Was she interested in speaking on a regular basis around the city and possibly the country on the very real problem of bullying? A smile immediately spread on her lips. The idea appealed to her, really appealed to her. The only problem would be she would have to cut her hours back from the FBI. Would this be something the bureau would be open to? This was something she definitely needed to think about. She would have to find a free minute to talk with Jack about this new venture.
The balance of the day was uneventful. Sue texted Jack, asking him to go for walk with her and Levi after work. He happily obliged.
"So, you don't know this person?" Jack asked.
"Nope. I just got the email with the request. I checked him out though. He's on the up and up. He has a long history on the public speaking circuit. The school said he is well known with them as well. They often use him to set up inspirational speakers." Sue was speaking so fast it was hard for Jack to keep up with her excitement. "So what do you think? Should I contact him?"
"If you're interested yeah." Jack agreed. "I think you'd be great at it."
"Thanks." Sue said happily. "I really liked helping the kids at the school. I really think I got through to some of them."
"Then you should go for it." Jack reassured her. Sue pulled out her laptop and began typing a note back to Mr. Barkley telling him she would be interested in speaking with him about the opportunity his company has.
The pair finished their walk around the park and Jack dropped her at her door. Sue invited him in, but he said he had an appointment. Sue looked at him curiously, but didn't ask. He was up to something, but she didn't know what it could be.
Wednesday came quickly, and the ladies decided a quick bite to eat then the little dress shop downtown. Tara had scheduled an appointment for them, and Sue printed out what she liked for a wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses.
"Welcome to Ashley's dress emporium." A young dirty blonde woman said as the trio entered the bridal shop.
"Thanks." They said in unison.
"Can I get you something to drink? White wine? Coffee? Tea?" The pretty woman offered.
"Oh, water?" Sue asked.
"Same here." Tara added, and Lucy nodded.
"I'll be right back." She said. "Please feel free to look around.
A few minutes later, the lady arrived with three chilled goblets of ice water.
"Here ya go." She said passing out the round of drinks. "My name's Ashley, this is my shop. Can I help you with something?"
"We wanted to look at dresses." Lucy said.
"Great. What's the occasion?" She asked with a large infectious smile.
"Sue's getting married!" Tara gushed.
"Well, congratulations!" She gushed. Sue put out her hand and introduced her friends.
"Ashley? There is one thing. You need to look at me when you speak so I can read your lips." Ashley looked at her curiously. "I'm deaf."
"OK. So, I see you have some print outs of dresses you like?" Ashley asked, not missing a beat. Sue nodded and handed the papers to Ashley. "Oh, great choices. I'll see what I can do. I know I have this one, and I have this… I don't have this one, but I can get it if you want it." She said pausing. She smiled at Sue. "But you won't. This is your dress. I'm sure of it." Ashley gushed.
She showed them to dressing rooms and brought undergarments for each. It wasn't long before Ashely had brought each of the ladies a different style dress that Sue had picked out. She had also brought Sue's top three gowns to her changing room.
Tara and Lucy both finished and exited their cubicles first. Both liked their dresses as well as the others. They waited for Sue to exit her changing area. The curtain came open and everyone turned in her direction. As soon as she stepped out the look on their faces was priceless. Sue looked up and noticed each of them with a look as if they'd just eaten lemons straight off the tree.
"No?" Sue asked. All three ladies shook their heads. "Yeah, I didn't think so…" She ducked back into the small room with her other choices. Time after time, when Sue made her way out of the dressing room, the girls didn't care for her choices. Finally she decided to check out what the girls looked like. As she walked out of the fitting room, she overheard Ashley describing the gowns to Tara and Lucy.
"Strapless bodice features an ultra-feminine and chic sweetheart neckline. It has an empire waist creating a slimming silhouette and is adorned with a sparkling removable brooch. It's one of my favorites. The long skirt adds a touch of sophistication and drama, and it's fully lined so you don't need anything extra to hide you." She boasted. "What do you think Sue?"
"I love this dress!" Sue exclaimed looking at the one that Tara had tried on. "What do you think?" She asked.
"I love it too. I like this one, but that one is gorgeous!" Lucy gushed.
"Tara?" Sue asked.
"Love it." She said. "Love the shape, color… everything…"
"You'll both be comfortable with strapless?" Sue asked. Both friends nodded.
Sue stood there, watching Tara as she twirled for the group to see. The dress was a strapless satin long dress with side brooch. It held side pleats that gathered at the waste and held in place by a broach made of heart shaped satin and complimented with crystals that formed a fluttering bird. The pleats softened as they spread to the base of the skirt. Sue's eyes teared, her friend was absolutely gorgeous. The dress was just as complimentary on Lucy.
"We'll take 2 please!" Sue said barely able to swallow her sob. Ashley smiled.
"Very good." She said jotting down the information. "Do you want them any different from each other? I can add a bit of a longer train onto this one for the maid of honor's dress." She suggested.
"Oh that would be wonderful." Sue gushed. "Can I get the details too? I want to have my niece and sister in law in the wedding as well, but they're in Ohio."
"Not a problem." The young store owner answered. "Now, what about you? You three ladies relax, change back into your street clothes and I'll be right back."
Tara and Lucy changed, hanging the dresses. It was only a few minutes before Ashley returned holding one lone dress.
"Try this one." She said with a wide smile. She took the attendants dresses and bagged them and returned. Sue exited the dressing area wearing the dress that had been handpicked by Ashley.
As soon as Sue stepped into sight of her friends, both gasped and smiled. Lucy covered her mouth with her hand, and Tara's eyes filled. Sue was stunning.
"Oh… Oh Sue, honey… you have to take that dress…" Lucy said as tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Yeah?" Sue asked.
"Yeah." Tara confirmed.
The dress was a strapless gown with a satin bodice with beaded embroidery. It held an organza ball gown skirt, and chapel train. The detail was so finite, it was obvious it was handmade. A tulle under layer was covered by a layer of satin, and one last layer of tulle that held the same handmade embroidery work. It was stunning. It came to the tops of Sue's feet and would probably only need a pair of heels to make it the perfect length. The buttons in the back were woven into the design of the material, and hidden by the intricate detail. Sue was finally brave enough to look in the mirror to see herself. What she saw before her was an elegant, beyond beautiful woman who was more than ready to be Jack Hudson's bride. She smiled wide, and instantly tears fell onto her cheeks.
"You're beautiful…" Lucy whispered, barely audible. She jumped up and hugged her best friend.
"Gorgeous!" Tara said, also pulling Sue into a tight hug.
"Thank you." Sue croaked out before totally falling apart.
"Your wedding is going to be unbelievable." Tara said.
"So is your wedding night!" Lucy teased.
"Luce!" Sue gasped shocked and blushing.
"So, this one?" Ashley asked, quite pleased with her suggestion and trying her best to ignore the cheeky comments between the friends.
"Yes. This one." Sue agreed. She stepped into changing area once more to take off the gown. The three ladies were discussing headdresses when she reemerged.
"Long veil, right?" Lucy asked. Sue nodded.
"Yes. Jack wants to lift my veil.
"That's so romantic." Tara said, her eyes fluttering in a playful way.
"So… any idea where you're going on your honeymoon?" Lucy asked with a big smile and arches a brow at her best friend.
"No…" Sue grimaced. "He's keeping it a secret, won't even give me a hint!" Sue said.
"I'm sure it'll be perfect." Tara said.
"As long as I'm with Jack, it will be." Jack agreed.
Ashley walked from the back room holding paperwork for Sue.
"Here you go Sue. These are the details of the bridesmaid's dresses. Most national chains carry this or can get it for you. They can help you find something you might like for your flower girl as well." She paused. "Will she be wearing something similar to the ladies or yourself?"
"Umm, me I think." Sue decided.
Each of the ladies put a down payment on their dresses and left the dress shop, but not without first getting a hug and a very sincere thank you from the young woman who had just made Sue's day complete.
"Dinner?" Sue asked. Both of her very best friends agreed and they headed to a nearby diner for greasy burgers and carb filled fries. After all, this was the last time she was going to be able to indulge if she wanted to fit into the gown she'd just dropped a nearly a month's salary on.