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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Simmi
I sit on the couch in the small boutique just outside of Bundaberg. The cool air conditioning matches the calm earthy colors of the interior, soothing the most frazzled of bridal nerves while stoking excitement. It’s a rather fancy outlet for this rural metropolis. Kylie and Fran sit fidgeting on either side of me as we wait for Anna to parade in her almost completed wedding dress.
On a small table in front of us are a few bottles of water, glasses filled to the brim with sparkling golden bubbles, and a sliver of expensive cheese surrounded by ruby and emerald colored fruit. I reach over to grab a grape as she tugs the curtain open and Anna steps out.
We all gasp and swallow. The petite mother of three looks like a queen.
“Oh Anna.” Kylie stands, one hand on her hip, the other over her mouth.
“What?” Anna freezes, her large, earthy gaze wide.
“You look like you’ve stepped right out of a movie, babe.”
Fran joins Kylie as they step closer and examine the satin ivory pearl embroidered fabric, which flows into a floor length satin ivory skirt. Its halter-neck accentuates her plump boobs and tiny waist, and the entire ensemble creates the scene of a fairy princess.
“Really?”
She looks to me and all I can do is nod. Tears well up in my throat. Fuck, I always cry at weddings, and no this isn’t the wedding, but I’ve never been a bride’s maid before either.
Once the designer, a woman in her seventies and way too hip and classy for a semi city outback on the coast, finishes showing us the floor length veil, edged in champagne Spanish lace and matching beadwork, she waves Anna back in to the dressing area.
“Get ready. It’ll will be your turn next.”
She smiles at me, Kylie, and Fran.
My stomach flips. I’ve never had to stand in the front of a church watching someone get married. I only hope I can keep my tears at bay. Strange that a wedding can bring out the sook in me when I’ve never believed in the official commitment, thanks to Mom and Dad.
Anna returns a few minutes later, dressed in her regular outfit of shorts and a t-shirt. “Enter my ladies.” She waves toward the dressing rooms, a mischievous grin on her face.
Anna has only had us measured. She wants our dresses to be a surprise for us, saying that each one suits our personalities.
“Better not be shoulder pads and puffy sleeves,” Kylie warns as she pushes Fran to go in first.
“You’ll love it.” Anna grins, taking a seat, and reaching for a glass of bubbles.
I watch as the designer brings out a gray colored bag made to hold suits and expensive pieces of clothing. She hangs it up.
“You first.” She waves Kylie over.
At last, we three are all dressed. With huge smiles plastered across our faces, we stare at our reflections in the full-length mirror.
“You lot done yet? I’m on my second glass already.” Anna’s voice echoes across the store.
“Hold ya horses. Here we come,” Kylie calls back.
“All right ladies,” the designer says as she pulls aside the curtain.
“Oh my god!” Anna squeals as first Kylie, dressed in a soft, ochre, halter-neck bodice and wide, piped matching trousers steps out. She’s followed by Fran in a soft copper colored off-the-shoulder satin ankle-length dress. The satin shimmers and matches the natural copper streaks in her hair.
I hesitate, but after some hooting and chiding from my girlfriends, I step out into the viewing area.
“Well, I guess ya can dress up an old farm Sheila and drag her out to town after all.” Kylie turns to look at herself in the mirror, swinging her hips this way and that. With her hair wound up in a messy bun, it gives her outfit a chic touch.
She leans back and gives Fran an appraising once over before her cool knowing gaze lands on me. I feel the heat rise from my chest and hug my cheeks. I know what’s running through her mind.
“The doc’s gonna love you right out of that.”
