Out of The Box Regifted (10 page)

She’s rambling in a giddy way, and I notice she’s taken every sugar packet out of the plastic holder and has lined them all up on the table. As she’s talking, she rearranges them by color, almost like she’s playing a game. I’m amused watching her do this, as she continues.

“I figured he had a girlfriend or lots of girls chasing him, so I didn’t pursue it or even think it would go any farther than him letting me sit at his table just to be nice. What’s so funny is that I was trying really hard to concentrate on my studying and he was reading his newspaper. He told me he was waiting on a phone call from a guy he was buying a classic car from. I thought it may have been a line of crap.”

She bites her bottom lip, and her eyes twinkle as she giggles. “He was so cute wearing his Ray Bans, trying to act all cool. He kept looking up from his paper staring at me, while I was studying. Every time I looked up and caught him staring at me over the top of his sunglasses, he’d just smile and I wondered why he kept staring at me. It didn’t creep me out or anything, it was actually kind of sexy in a funny sort of way.” She lays her bent arms on the table and puts her chin on her hands, looking up at me smiling. “He’s got the most beautiful smile and the picture perfect face. And God those eyes - talk about gorgeous.” She shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “Geez, I must sound like a blooming idiot.” She bites her bottom lip and continues, “He was the one who asked for my number and suggested we go out. I thought about it a lot before I said yes. I didn’t want to go out with him, have a great time, and then him not ever call me again. I took a gamble, said yes and I’ll tell you honestly, that once he picked me up in that damn Mustang, he had me wrapped around his finger. He’s a terrific guy, but then you already know that.”

I smile and nod my head. “Yep he’s a pretty special guy in my book.”

She smiles, as she continues her story. “So the first time we went out, we met for lunch at a place close to campus. I brought him a t-shirt that said ‘
Plays Well With Others’
sort of as a joke, because he plays in a band. Get it? Plays. Well. With. Others.” She starts to laugh, “I thought it was kinda funny. Anyway, he was really surprised and said he loved it.”

At this point I have to stop her, and I laugh, while telling her the story about Todd coming to see me in the hospital, wearing that very shirt, bragging that he’d just met the most beautiful girl in the world at a coffee shop. “Kyra, I will tell you though that his adjectives were a bit different from how I’m telling it.”

She giggles, “Yeah, he slings that f-word around a lot, doesn’t he? I’ve never in my life heard it used as much as he uses it. It’s kinda cute though, once you get used to it. So, I was gonna to tell you about our first real date, and this is really funny. Just picture this in your mind; he came to pick me up, dressed in some really nice jeans and a nice dress shirt. He was stylin! I came out dressed like I was going out with a rocker, in frayed jeans and a t-shirt. We both cracked up laughing, because we did a complete role reversal. He told me he dressed
up
trying to impress me, and I told him I dressed
down
trying to impress him.”

I have to laugh out loud when she tells me that. The fact that Todd would dress up for a girl, tells me he really was trying to impress her. We talk about him losing his folks and his Grammy, and what a unique friendship he and I have developed. I ask her if he went into detail about his parent’s deaths.

“Yes, he told me all about the accident and how that affected his life. He said that when his Grammy passed, it just sucked the life out of him. I can’t even imagine losing both your parents in an accident and then shortly after, your grandmother. It’s so sad. He’s got such a tough exterior, but such a compassionate teddy bear heart. He told me that you and Mr. Harper, along with Tommy, helped him through that and he’s really grateful to have you all in his life. Looking at him, you wouldn’t think he’d be a sensitive guy, but he really is. As I said, we went through tough times at first, but we’re working on it day by day. He said that he sees a future for us, and that there was a reason he went into that coffee shop that day. I’m not sure I believe in fate, but something definitely brought us together. He also said that the two of you are really close, Olivia…kindred spirits is how he explains it and I’m so glad he has you in his life. He’s got a really cool analogy of your relationship….wanna hear it?”

I smile curiously, wondering what his analogy would be, “I’d very much like to know, or would I?”

She laughs, “He says that you’re like a mom and best friend, all rolled up into one smoking ass hot chick - those are his words, not mine by the way.”

I have to laugh at that and tell her about the first night I met Todd. I tell her that the guys introduced him to me as Bert, how I stupidly asked if that was a family name, and how Ash and Tommy told me the real meaning of that name.

“That is so funny! The guys told me how that all came down and how cool you were with it. I think it’s hilarious. You’re a good sport, Olivia. I’ll bet you were embarrassed - I would have been.”

I’ve got to get one thing resolved, as I tap my nails on the table, “Kyra, I want to ask you something, and I don’t want you to take it the wrong way by any means.” I look up at her.

She’s guarded. “Uh okay…”

“I know you’re crazy about Todd. He’s crazy about you. I see the look on your face when you talk about him. But I sense something about introducing him to your folks makes you uncomfortable. You’re not embarrassed are you?” My heart is beating fast and I wait for her response.

She looks confused, but relieved she can talk freely about this, “Olivia, I’m scared to death to take him home. My dad’s gonna freak, and I don’t want to hurt Todd. I love him and I’m so torn. My folks keep asking about this guy I’m seeing, and I keep making excuses.” She sighs loudly, “Eventually they’re gonna have to meet him.”

I rest my forehead on my hand. “Actually, I had a feeling about this. When I asked about it, the way you answered…”

“Really?” She looks worried.

“Really. Call it a mother’s intuition. Look Todd’s a good man, Kyra - you know that. I’m very protective of him. If you love him, don’t be ashamed. Stand up for what you feel. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but I’m offering you some advice. Don’t take it the wrong way.”

Her body relaxes. “Oh my God, Olivia. I want my folks to meet him so bad. I just want them to get to know him, and not be judgmental. It’s stressing me out so bad. Maybe I’ll ask them to come watch Todd play.”

“Well that sounds like a great idea!” I can actually visualize that. Having them meet everyone in a relaxed atmosphere with Ash there, I think this would work.

About that time Emily and Mariah come back to the table and we all have coffee. The look on Emily’s face sums it all up; happiness.

Kyra looks at her watch and motions us all to get up. “Ladies, it’s time to head over to Marry go Round. Let’s go find Emily a dress!” We all giggle with excitement, and Emily and Mariah are arm in arm as we leave. Leah, the owner of the shop, cheerfully greets us when we walk in, putting us all at ease. She briefly chats with Emily and then starts pulling selections. The first two are traditional wedding dresses, with lots of lace and beading. They’re fitted and stiff; definitely not the soft flowing look she had mentioned to us. She tries them both on, but they just aren’t her. Way too much beading and detail, and I know that’s not what Emily wants. A third dress is brought out and is a very understated, but elegant dress. It is ecru in color and flowing at the bottom. From the hip up it is fitted and made of beautiful antique looking lace, with a sweetheart neckline and thick lace embellished straps that sit perfectly at the top of her little arms. There is no beading whatsoever, but lace scallops adorn the bodice. It is the absolute perfect dress that I would describe as Boho chic. When Emily comes out to show us, her body is totally relaxed and she is smiling from ear to ear. She looks simply radiant and I know without a doubt, and by the look on her face, that this is indeed ‘the dress’. I experienced this very same feeling with Lainey.

We’ve all got tears in our eyes, and Emily is emotional as well. She puts her hands up to her mouth and exclaims, “Oh my God!” She stares at herself in the mirror, watching as Leah adjusts the train. Still no one says a word. We’re all just looking at her, waiting for her to say something. With a questioning look on her face, she puts her hands on her hips, and with a silly face asks, “Umm guys????”

We all laugh and I’m first to speak. I hold up my hands in an encouraging gesture, “Emily, gee whiz. What can I say? Beautiful! Personally, I love the dress, but that’s just me.”

Mariah wipes a tear from her eye and shakes her head laughing, “I said I wasn’t gonna do this. I’m a crybaby.” She sniffles, then hugs Emily. “Honey I think we all love it, but what do YOU think?”

With a twinkle in her eye and a heart melting grin, Emily takes a deep breath, exhales then laughs, “Guys, meet my wedding dress. I’ll take it!”

We all clap as we group hug, as Mariah takes pictures. Leah lends her opinion, “Emily, sweetie I do this every single day, and I can honestly say that this dress fits everything about you. You’re stunning and gorgeous, and your husband to be is about to have his breath taken away, because that’s just how beautiful you are.”

Leah then asks if Emily has a preference for a veil.

“I’m wearing a halo of flowers in my hair, so just a simple veil if you have one. Nothing too fancy.”

Leah pulls out the perfect veil. It will simply attach to the back of her halo and compliment the looks she’s going for, and Emily loves it. Fortunately the dress fits almost to perfection and needs very minimal alterations. This is where I take over.

“Leah, we need the alterations to be done in 2 weeks. Is that possible?”

Emily looks concerned and worried. I quickly reassure her, “Emily, honey we are gonna make this happen, I promise. I just need a minute with Leah.”

Leah and I talk privately, and I tell her cost is not an issue. I assure her that I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to have the dress ready in time.

Leah shakes her head and says it can definitely be done, so I’m relieved and elated.

I text Ash. ‘
Your future daughter-in-law has found the perfect dress, and she is going to be the most beautiful bride ever…..so happy!’

He immediately texted back. ‘
I have no doubt. You gals have everything under control and I’m so happy. Love you my soon to be OH! Take everyone to lunch….champagne and $pend lots of money...it’s on me.’

I giggle and text him back, ‘
Will do! You may be $orry though... O, soon to be OH!’

Once I tell the girls that lunch is on Ash, Kyra suggests the perfect lunch spot, a trendy little bistro. Once we arrive, we order champagne and begin our planning. Emily says she wants a simple, but elegant wedding. And she tells us that Scott, the tattoo artist, is an ordained minister and that she and Tommy want him to perform the wedding. Who would have thought Scott would be a minister? Emily tells us that Scott actually ministers to drug addicts in rehab. He and Angelica regularly reach out to those in need, and have done so for a few years now.

“Tommy and I have talked about our vows and the ceremony, and we both agree that we don’t want the wedding to be traditional, so I hope you don’t think we’re crazy.” She rolls her eyes and waits for our reaction.

I smile, and I’m the first to comment, “Absolutely not Emily. I think that’s wonderful. I love non-traditional. The wedding should be about the two of you. Your guests are just spectators, sharing in your ceremony. Anything you and Tommy want, is fine with us.”

We all pick her brain and ask exactly what she is wanting. Everyone else agrees, and we’re anxious to hear more.

She’s excited, as she gets out her phone and scrolls to pull up her iTunes. “Well, first off, Tommy wants us all to walk down the aisle to Bruce Springsteen’s
Book of Dreams
and after we’re pronounced man and wife, I want to have them play
Rhythm of Love
by Plain White T’s. I really don’t want traditional music; neither does Tommy.” She turns the volume down and sets the phone on the table, so we can all hear the songs.

Kyra’s face lights up, “Emily, that’s so freakin cool. I
love
it!”

Emily’s asked Kyra and Lainey to be her attendants. Todd and Brady are Tommy’s groomsmen.