My car puttered into the parking lot of the veteran's hall as the sun set. I had managed to get out of work early enough to race home, do my makeup and hair and put on my new dress. My nerves were shot, and my stomach full of butterflies as I sat behind the wheel, staring ahead at a sky that looked painted. I took a deep breath, smoothing the crinoline on my lap, and thinking back to a conversation I had with Kelly on our first date.
* * * * * *
"Sooo, with this wedding coming up, I think it begs the question - what are YOU going to be wearing?" Kelly sat across from me at 'The Jack', a fancy burger place, picking at her fries and grinning stupidly. We had gone to the movies earlier, and figured on a late bite to eat.
"Well, I have no idea," I remarked coyly. "I'm not sure where one finds pretty dresses in these parts," I reached across the table and stole a french fry. "Besides, you know I couldn't promise you 100% that I would be able to make your cousin's wedding. What with my work schedule and all,"
"Yeah, but I had a thought about that - the wedding itself is in the afternoon, and its just boring stuff. The reception is the really fun part, you could make that, right?"
I looked at Kelly's sweet, pale, cherubic face - those freckles and long eyelashes behind her glasses, and knew I didn't want to disappoint her. It had been a few days since we had our impromptu "tryst" in the change room at my work, and before committing to anything matrimonial, we agreed to go out on an actual date. To be honest, it was my first actual date with another woman, and it scared me. I figured that something familiar like dinner and a movie would be best to dip my toe into the water, and here I was, having burgers at the proverbial 'malt shop' wondering if there was going to be a goodnight kiss.
"How about I pencil you in?" I gave Kelly a sly glance as I polished off another stolen fry.
"Well then, I am cautiously flattered," Kelly leaned back in the booth and pushed her glasses back up on her nose. Her chest stuck out, and I could read the bra lines beneath her t-shirt. She looked downwards and smiled to herself.
"What?" I whispered at her. She looked back up at me with pursed lips.
"I just can't wait to see how beautiful you look in a dress,"
My face warmed as I stared down at the table, suddenly realizing our legs had been intertwined since we sat down.
* * * * * *
Passing a pair of leathery smokers outside, I pushed through an old set of wooden doors and walked into the lobby of the Veteran's hall. Though largely unfamiliar with this branch, I had grown up with one of these in town, its old '50s style decor, stained carpet and panelled coat room. Animal horns, plaques, pictures and trophies adorned the walls, flags limply standing on poles in most corners. These were where life happened for everyone in small towns; wedding receptions, 50th birthday parties for your uncle, tea services after funerals - you knew that all the standard milestones were hosted here.
Though perhaps this one would have been a first I'm guessing.
I looked around and found a sign board on an easel, the plastic white letters spelling out Carlson-Petitte Reception: Armoury Hall. Unable to find further indication of where that was, I began to wander, drawn to the thumping base of a far off wedding DJ. Just as I came to the decorative arch and the dimly light dance hall, I caught a glimpse of Kelly, carrying an empty tray and dashing across the hall to what I guessed was the kitchen. I moved to follow her, and found a handful of women, all of various ages, and states of wedding finery, unboxing desserts and putting them on plastic serving trays. An older lady, with super tall hair and too much makeup looked up at me.
"Hi there, can I help you?"
Before I could speak, i was practically body checked back out into the hallway by a bundle of dark hair and taffeta.
"Oh my god, oh my god! You're here!, Thank you SO much!" Kelly had wrapped her arms around me with great energy, and excitement. I had never heard her so effusive before. She looked up at me, practically beaming.
"I'm sorry I'm so late, it took longer to get here than-" Kelly shyly kissed my nose, and hugged me tight once more. She composed herself and pulled away ever so slightly, perhaps a tad embarassed by her emotion. She looked me up and down, holding my hands and spreading my arms apart.