“Probably down?” I didn’t know.
“Why don’t you try this?” She suggested, reaching to the glass shelving and bringing down a delicate crown. Placing it on my head, it settled around the top of my forehead, dipping slightly. My reflection in the full length mirror was lovely. I had changed so much since leaving Idaho that fateful month of August last year. My dad would hardly have recognized me today. The thought made me sad.
I noticed Tiesa admiring me. “What about you?” I asked.
“What about me?”
“You’re my maid of honor, right?”
“I’m a witness, Morgan. If you want a maid of honor, you’re going to have to have a proper wedding when the guys return.”
“I still think you should get a dress.” I chewed my lip. “Why don’t you go and pick one?”
“Seriously?” She looked about to explode from happiness.
“Sure!”
“What color?”
“Any color.”
She ended up picking a pretty pink dress that reminded me of the color of my lilies. The skirt ended just above her knees and when she twirled about in the mirrors, I couldn’t help but laugh. I don’t think she could have been any happier.
“Let’s get you some shoes to match,” Sales Lady said and disappeared.
“Thank you for the dress, Morgan.” Tiesa said. “When we’re finished and go on our dates, I’d like to wear it out. Do you mind?”
“Of course I don’t!” I struggled from inside the dress as I tried to pull it over my head. Getting into it was much easier than getting out. When I finished, Tiesa had already changed.
Sales Lady took the dress from me and carefully slid it into its bag. “If you need a place to get your hair and makeup finished, I can get you an appointment within the hour.”
I nodded. “Thank you very much for your help.”
“You hungry?” Tiesa asked.
“Starved.”
“Give this address to your driver,” I was handed a small slip of paper and Sales Lady smiled brightly as I took it. “He’ll know where it is. I’ll call them and let them know you’re on your way.”
“She’s great, isn’t she?” Tiesa put her arm around my shoulder and watched as she left the dressing room.
“You’re great,” I stopped and faced her. “Thank you for doing all this for me.”
She grabbed me into a tight hug, her auburn hair tickling my nose. “That’s what best friends are for.”
In no time at all, we had paid for the dresses, the crown, and shoes. We left the studio, laden with our garment bags, and walked smack into a woman selling trinkets. She shook her head as she looked me up and down.
“You’re going to have to give him this,” she said in a Jamaican accent and handed me a silver pendant.
“Give who?” I asked.
“Your love,” she answered. I didn’t know what to say as she held out her hand for the money. “It’s called a Chi Rho. It’s the ancient sign of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It will protect him.” She moved her hand impatiently, beckoning for money.
“How much?” I stammered.
“Fifty.”
I fished the cash from my purse and handed it to her. She pulled a leather necklace from a large rainbow colored crocheted bag that was sliding off her shoulder. She slid the pendant onto it.
“He won’t die.” She said matter-of-factly and hefting the giant bag back onto her shoulder, turned and left.
My mouth hung open as I turned to Tiesa. She was smiling like a dork.
“Welcome to being The Link!” She chuckled, pushing me toward the limo door. Piling in, we asked Jimmy, our driver, to stop at a fast food restaurant for lunch. He brought us exactly what we ordered - fish for Tiesa and a chicken salad for me. We ate quickly and chatted about everything but the white elephant in the room. By the time the limo stopped, we had managed to avoid talking about ‘It’ at all.
As I stepped onto the sidewalk, a homeless man caught sight of me and ran up to us.
“You’re gettin’ married today,” he said, the foul stench of body odor and many nights spent sleeping on the street circling around us.
“How could you know that?” I couldn’t have been more shocked.
“I know you’re Her,” he continued in a low voice.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, unnerved.
“Please move along,” Jimmy was attempting to get rid of him without touching him.
“Will you bless me?” The homeless man asked, extending his hand. What on earth could I do? I didn’t know how to bless anyone.
“Sir!” Jimmy put his arm between us.