True Choices (4 page)

Chapter 3 HER

I was going to save my "congratulations" cupcake from Jeff until after lunch, but I keep picking at it with my coffee. He was so sweet when he opened the car door for me and handed me the pink box, saying, "Ya gotta have cake to celebrate." And it's my favorite, red velvet. He must have asked Max.

I was surprised at first that he knew already. But Max has text and called everyone. He's giving a heads-up that the wedding is right around the corner. So far, I've only told my family, Tracy, and Laura. I'm sure my Mom has let the rest of the family know, so I'm covered there. And I have a few college friends and co-workers that I want to invite. Max said I have to give him my list tonight. He's having his assistant make out our invitations.

Since I'm in the office so early and no one else is around, I start on the list. I have to look up a few addresses, but I'm up to 25 pretty quick. Wow. I didn't even think I knew 25 people that well.

"Aren't you a busy bee...making up for slacking off yesterday, Lucy-Goose?" Kevin, my fellow recruiter, sets his bag down on his very neat desk. We've been officemates and co-conspirators against our boss for over a year, I add his name to the list.

"What's your address, Kev?"

"Why? My birthday was last month...Am I being served again? I told that cop that I didn't know that boy was underage...he
was
dancing in a cage at Chain Gang after all." Kevin loves to tease me with his raunchy stories, all made up. He's been in a committed relationship since before I knew him. But he decided that I was too "corn-fed" as he called it and needed some shocking. "Stop! What....is....thaaat?!" He points to my left hand.

"Oh, this is just my shiny new ring. You like it?" I twist and turn my hand in the air for him to see.

"Oh my God, girl. That ain't a ring, that's a strobe light!" He comes bouncing over and grabs my hand. "At least four carats," he pretends to put on glasses, "Excellent cut and clarity, flawless color." He tries to take it off my hand and I smack his fingers. "Mr. Knight-in-Shining I presume?"

"Of course."  I continue flicking my hand around in front of his face, making the diamond sparkle more in the ugly fluorescent lighting.

"And you want to invite moi to your wedding?" He acts like he's tearing up and pulling a hanky from his shirt pocket.

"Of course! But since I know how busy you are with all the chain gang underage club thing...the wedding is next month."

He looks me up and down in my chair. "Girl, you ain't showin a bit!"

I hit his stomach. "I'm not pregnant!"

"So what's the hurry?! The engagement is the best part...ya get parties and presents and ya can still call the whole thing off if he pisses you off."

"We don't want to wait." I say this a little more defensively than I intended, but Kevin doesn't seem to notice.

"Well...count me in! I ain't missing the shindig that goes with
that
ring!" He sits at his desk for a little while before saying, "Congrats, Lucy. I see how happy you are with Max and I'm happy for you!"

I take another bite of my cupcake. Now if I could just get my best friends to be as happy for me...

                                                                                    .....

It's just before noon before Tracy and Laura show up. I've had to sit through two meetings and four interviews worrying about what they'll say, so by the time they peak their heads into my office, I'm a wreck. Tracy only sent back a curt text last night, "See you tomorrow."

"You ready for lunch?" Tracy sounds almost nice. I'm shocked.

"Yes...yeah...let's go." I grab my purse and follow them to the elevator.

                                                                                    .....

On the street, Laura finally smiles at me. "So let's see the ring." I put out my left hand. "Oh my...It's so pretty!"

"It's like a frickin billboard. Lucy's taken!" Tracy yells this on the sidewalk, Laura pushing her shoulder to get her to stop repeating it.

We're only getting to-go, since they both have busy meeting schedules, so I know this will be thankfully brief.

"So are you coming to Romona’s tonight?" Tracy isn't saying much, but she's speaking volumes with her hostility.

"Yes." I already got Max's approval to go with them to our usual Wednesday night dinner. He told me to be back at his place by 9:30 and Jeff would be waiting outside with the car, but I can go at least.

"Good."

I know we'll talk more after work. For now, I got a congratulations out of Laura and one acknowledgement that the ring is nice out of Tracy...it's a start.

                                                                                    .....

"Lucy, you got a sec?" Cruela pokes her head in and out of my office quickly. I jump up and follow her out into the hall, but stop suddenly when I see Rich waiting by an interview room door.

Cruela stands next to him, "Lucy, I know that you're busy today. But Rich requested that you sit in on a first interview for one of his new hires today," she looks at her watch, "and you have an half hour free right now...so I agreed. Rich, let Lucy know if you need a formal feedback report or just a few notes, ok?"

Rich nods and Cruela takes off down the hall to terrorize someone else.

"So..." Rich blocks the door.

"I got your message the other night," I cut him off. "I did leave the party with Max. He's my fiancé." I put my left hand up to show the ring and Rich looks at his feet instead. "Well, we got engaged over the weekend..."

"Oh...well...that's great! Congratulations." He finally looks back up at me. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok...your fiancé seemed pretty angry about something."

I ignore this and point at the door. "I should get in there...I don't have a lot of time..."

"Oh...yeah. Bill could use your help...he tends to let the candidate get him sidetracked...so any pointers you can provide him, I'd appreciate it." He reaches with just one finger to touch my arm, but I move quickly to avoid this. "Thanks for doing this, Luce...maybe I could take you out for a celebratory drink sometime..."

"I...don't think that'd be a good idea...but thanks!" I just wait for him to finally move and knock on the door once before going in.

I try to concentrate on Bill's interview, but I'm distracted. Rich has always been friendly and he's joked about getting me on his team, but today he seemed more like a guy who missed out on a chance to date me. Max was right to be a little jealous of him I guess. I'm surprised that I didn't see his interest before this. I usually have such great instincts about people.

                                                                                    .....

"Oh my girls...all alone tonight, no guys?" Rosa is hovering over us as usual.

"No...We’ve had enough with guys..." Tracy shoots me a look.

"So, the usual then?"

We yell, "Yes," in unison. She stops before going to give our order to her cooks though. "Is that...are you engaged, Lucy?!"

I smile and put out my hand. It's about the thousandth time I've done this today. "Yes. Max and I are getting married next month." I've gotten used to saying the whole thing too.

"It's really nice. Congratulations, sweetie! Max is a really nice guy!"

When she walks away, "If he's so nice, then why were you so scared of him Saturday?" Tracy is eyeing me over her glass of Chianti.

"I wasn't scared
of
him," hopefully she’ll believe this technicality, "I was scared of
disappointing
him. I shouldn't have let another man touch me..."

"Why the hell not?! Who cares?!" Tracy remains leaning back in her chair, but she's getting louder. Laura thankfully just remains quiet, looking between our tennis match.

"Because." I don't want to get into everything with her, so I opt for an easy answer, "Because Max is a jealous person and I know this. And I love him. I shouldn't have pushed him on this."

"Jealous? Try insane, Luce!" She takes another big drink. I'd like to get drunk as usual on our Wednesday nights too, but I promised Max that I wouldn't. "He grabbed your arms and looked like he was going to rip them off for God's sake!"

Laura finally speaks up. "Lucy...we're just concerned that Max...well...he's...he's very controlling and...seems to have a temper..."

"Well...I'm fine. All in one piece." I shake my arms at them. "See...nothing to worry about."

We all sit back in our seats, avoiding looking at each other for a minute. Rosa comes over with our breadsticks. "Hey...what's with the long faces...my girls are usually laughing so loud I have to remind you that there are other paying customers here..."

We all smile up at her and I say a small, "Thanks," before she walks away shaking her head. "Look..." and surprisingly they both do, "I'm marrying Max. I love him and this
is
happening. So I need you two to get on board and be happy for me...
Please
?!" I start to cry. I told myself that I wouldn't, but I'm a wimp!

Laura moves her chair closer to mine and puts her arm around my shoulder. Tracy grabs my hand from across the table, squeezing hard. "We've always got your back, Luce!"

"Geez...I hope this isn't what you're planning for the bachelorette party!" Rosa sets our spaghetti and meatballs down in the center of the table.

We laugh and I wipe my cheeks with my napkin while she serves our plates. The rest of the dinner is lighter. I tell them about how Max proposed and how our families reacted. Tracy doesn't make any more snide comments, just tries to be happy for me. She says she would never think of marrying anyone before she's thirty..."the Mark Twain-approved age for knowing thy true self" as she puts it. Laura said she was thinking of breaking it off with Tad and we talked about that for the next hour. It felt really good to be just normal and just us for a night.

"Max already took care of the check...you really are one lucky girl, Lucy...he's a keeper!" Rosa walks away after leaving our tiramisu for us. I look at my watch guiltily at the reminder of Max. Still plenty of time. The diamonds from the watch sparkle up to match my ring...two big reminders that I'm "Always" Max's just like the engravings on both.

Chapter 3 HIM

Smoke rings above our leather club chairs, filtering the low light more, tendrilling around the bookcases of wine behind us.

"I gotta say, I'm enjoying myself," Paul Sr., puffs a small circle in the air, "When you kids said you wanna get married next month, I thought you were crazy. Your Mom just about through a fit of crazy!" He gestures with his cigar towards Paul Jr., who only nods, trying to make a ring himself. "But seeing how much you've already got done...well...I'm just glad that we can sit back like this and not be running all around town trying to figure out the craziness."

"I'm glad you can be here too, Sir. It was important to Lucy." I take another sip of my scotch. Congratulating myself on thinking of this place...nothing like a dark cigar bar, long stogies and tall drinks to bring future in-laws around. I'm glad Paul Jr., took the day off too. It'll be good that he's here for this talk too.

"What's with this Sir...call me Paul...Hell, call me Pop," he's already a little tipsy I think, "You'll be a part of the family in a few weeks!" Paul Jr., only nods again. He's definitely tipsy.

When our server comes in, I signal her for more water and to turn the fans on higher. We have the private tasting room, so the air will clear up quickly. That should help. I don't want to be responsible if they show up drunk later to dinner.

And I want to clear the air in other ways too.

Chapter 4 HER

The buzzer sounds and I push on the door. There's a tiny elevator and stairs. We let Cathy take the elevator with the stroller and girls. Mom and I walk up and get to the second floor before her.

"I toldja they'd beat us!" Priscilla is six and precocious. She runs into my arms and we laugh as I tickle her sides.

"Annie Oocy!" Cassie, only two, has her arms up in the stroller for me to do the same to her. I bend down and tickle her a little, her giggles echoing in the enclosed hallway.

The door opens and a very short, white-haired woman with very large dark glasses holds it open for us, "Miss Shannon?"

I'm not used to being addressed so formally, I blush a little at our loudness earlier. "Yes."

The light in the room is shocking after the darkened stairwell. There's white everywhere and crystal everywhere and a tall woman with equally white hair and large dark glasses coming to greet us. She's carrying a tray of drinks and hands one to each of us, champagne for Mom and me, orange juice for Cathy and the girls.

I smile, Max thinks of everything. He arranged this appointment and must have informed them who was coming with me and that Cathy is pregnant. She's not showing yet, but she does glow! I cheers with her first.

"I already have some specifications from Mr. Traeger and I've pulled a few choices for us to get started. Please, come with me. Ladies, have a seat on the sofa there and we will be right back." She very efficiently ushers me towards a room to the side. Mom and Cathy grin at us.

I'm too distracted with what specifications she means. Max doesn't want to see the dress, but he certainly cares a great deal about how I dress normally. I'm not surprised that he'd want a say in my wedding dress too.

There are three dresses waiting for me. All white, all sparkling, all modest with big skirts.

"We will try this one first." She reaches for the nearest.

"Could...could I try one...that maybe isn't as...I don't know...big looking." I want to say isn't as covered-up looking. They all have long sleeves, high necks and backs.

"Mr. Traeger was very specific in what he wanted..." She gives me a knowing look. As if to say, he's paying her to make sure I get the dress that he'd approve.

Well, I don't need
her
to tell
me
what Max would like! I’ve been following his rules of a how a good girl should dress long enough to know. "Of course. But I know what Max likes and I'd like to see a few other choices before starting...please." She nods only once, putting the dress back on the wall.  I try to describe what I'm looking for and her face goes inward with a frown with each word. It's definitely not the same as what's in this room already. It’s not up to Max’s specifications.

Finally, she stops frowning and says she may have something that we'd both like. She turns on a heel and leaves before I can say anything more.

                                                                                    .....

"What do you think?"

Mom has tears and her hand to her mouth. Cathy is smiling and the girls are clapping.

"Oh, Lucy...you look so beautiful!" Mom finally finds her voice.

I look in the mirrors again. The dress is a perfect blend between what I wanted and what Max specified. At least I hope it is.

All white, all thick lace, no sparkle, a soft trumpet shape with a little train. The sleeves are tight lace ending just above my elbows, the neckline is high, but follows just below my collar bone, ending wide at the tips of my shoulders. I turn a little. The back has a dramatic drop....definitely not to Max's specs, but I think he'll be okay with it. I chew my lower lip.

"What's the matter?" Cathy has stood up and is walking around the dress looking at the details.

"Do you think it's too sexy, open in back like this?"

"My God, girl, you're covered head to toe almost! Gotta show some skin, you're young!"

"Mom...what do you think of the dress?"

"Your Dad is going to cry when he sees you. It's perfect, sweetheart!" She's standing next to Cathy now. The girls both give me thumbs up, but I'm still not sure.

I wish Alex was here...she'd know if Max would approve or not.

"Try on something else if you're not sure...but this almost fits you even." Cathy is sitting back down with Priscilla on her lap.

"It was a dress we ordered for a private runway show last year. My granddaughter is almost your size and she was supposed to model it, but she was sick last minute. So, it's never even been tried on before. It needs a few alterations, but yes...it does suit you." The efficient pronouncement makes up my mind.

"I'll take it."

"Sweetheart, you didn't get the price..." Mom whispers this, but I don't know why since we're the only ones in the shop and Ms. Efficient already walked away to get her seamstress. And she knows Max is paying for everything; he had that talk last night with Dad at PJ's house.

"Max told me not to worry about that, just to get the dress I like best," I smile at myself in the mirror. It's not exactly what I pictured, but I do feel very grown-up, pretty, and, turning a little again, sexy too.

"Well...you look great!" Cathy is holding Priscilla's thumbs up.

I laugh, "And at least in a dress this form-fitting everyone won't be asking if I'm pregnant at the wedding!"

"Lucy!" Mom is shocked by this, although she asked me too in private last night.

"Now...the little girls' dresses. Pink or white?" Ms. Efficient has returned with three helpers. All white-haired, all big glasses. It's a wedding-shop-cult! I have to stop myself from laughing, but Cathy just cracks up on the sofa, covering her face in her daughter's hair.

"Pink!" Priscilla answers for us.

"Pink it is!" I nod seriously at my niece. Cathy gets up and goes back with the girls, still giggling.

The seamstress starts tucking and pulling, twisting me this way and that, arms up, arms down. I feel like I'm already doing a chicken dance.

"Mom...Max said he'd be happy to get you a dress from here too, if you'd like." She's watching the seamstress very carefully and putting her two cents in when she thinks something is too tight. The seamstress is completely ignoring her.

"Oh...no. I don't need anything this fancy...do I?" She's looking around the room uncomfortably.

"Well...his parents are pretty formal people...maybe you should try on some things...we're here..."

And another white-haired helper appears out of nowhere. I can't help but laugh this time...where are they coming from?! The seamstress clucks her disapproval from my feet. I stop moving before I get pinned to the floor.