.
August 8, 2007
Copyright August 8th, 2007
We Gather Our Roses
By
Mary Fallon Fleming
The flower beds that surrounded the patio were full of blooming rose bushes. Blood-red, yellow, shell-pink and white. What a glorious spring display. Kitty sat in the lanai where it was still cool and admired them. It was hard to feel ill on such a splendid day.
She got up from her wicker chair and set out to see if she could tolerate the heat. Awful hot for April. The offerings to the Virgin needed attending to. She walked through the screen door and saw the soggy roses floating in the small glass bowls. Way past due. She bent over stiffly and picked up the dishes. Slowly and painfully she straightened herself, then she shuffled over to the drum of garden refuse and tossed in the spent blooms. She shuffled back again to remove a sticky spider web from the Virgin’s outstretched hand with her crippled fingers.
She went back into the house, her cataracts allowing only slow adjustment to the light indoors. The door bell rang. She felt wonderful now. A visitor.
“Sadie. Come on in here, girlfriend. So good to see you.” Kitty gave her old friend a hug.
“How are you? What have you been doing on this beautiful day?” Sadie said.
“I’ve been taking it easy and admiring my roses,” Kitty leaned back with her palms on Sadie’s shoulders just so she could get a good look at her. “ What have you been up to? You look like the cat that’s swallowed the canary.”
Sadie looked over her right shoulder. She craned her neck and looked over her left shoulder. Then she tilted her head back with her nose in the air as if sniffing for spies. “Can you keep a secret?” Sadie said.
“Well, I guess I’ll just have to now, won’t I?”
Sadie frowned and didn’t continue right away. She looked over her left shoulder again. She inclined her face to the ground. Kitty could almost see a blush blossoming on Sadie’s dark skin.. Finally she lifted her head and stared straight into Kitty’s eyes.
“I’m getting married,” Sadie said.
Kitty’s mouth dropped open. “To whom?”
“To William, who else? But he doesn’t know it yet. See. I have the invitations. You’re the first to know.”
“But what do you mean, he doesn’t know?” Kitty said.
“Well, I’ll send him an invitation, and then he’ll know,” Sadie said. Her lovely lips were parted, and she seemed to be panting.
“But what if he refuses?” Kitty said.
“Oh, William won’t refuse me. He loves me. Why, after Harold died, he used to come and take me out dancing just so I wouldn’t be lonely. And we’ve known each other for over fifty years,” Sadie said. “Yes, in high school, I had to choose between William and Harold, and I chose Harold. Now he’s dead two years, and I’m ready to go on with my life.”
Kitty was silent for a moment. Then her friend continued.
“Do you feel well enough to go for a drive today? I need to get up to Jacksonville to pick out my dress at David’s Bridal, and I would very much appreciate your fine eye.”
“But where are you going to have the wedding?” Kitty said.
Sadie looked down again, but this time Kitty could see her smiling. “Why, I was hoping to have it here. This is the most beautiful house in the neighborhood. And I can’t wait to get my new wedding band standing up with William in that elegant gazebo of yours.” Sadie threw her head back and laughed.
“Oh, you old rascal you,” Kitty said. “Now I’m excited. When are you going to mail him his invitation?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t trust it to the post office. I’m going to put it into his mailbox on my way home today,” she said.
“And when will the wedding be?” Kitty asked.
Sadie gave her a coy look. “Would two weeks from now be all right? When we get to be our age, you just can’t waste a minute.”
Sadie’s old orange Renault rattled on the road to Jacksonville. They left the city and drove through the countryside, passing through the small towns Starke and Lawtey.
“Watch yourself, Sadie,” Kitty said. “No need to end up with a ticket.”
“All right, all right, I’m just anxious to get there,” Sadie answered.
And they did get there, made excellent time. It was so good to get out of the cramped car. There were wedding gowns and bride’s maids dresses displayed behind a big window. Inside the shop it was cool, and it was good to escape the brightness of the sun. Kitty saw Sadie’s fingers trembling as she touched the first wedding gown.
“Oh, my, this brings back memories of when I picked out my first wedding gown, so many years ago.” She brightened. “Wow, what do you think of this one? Isn’t it pretty?” She pulled the hanger off of the rack and slowly unwound the dress with its train. She held it up to herself and walked over to the mirror. It was white with a full skirt and a bodice that laced up in the back. It had silver pearls scattered over the hem of the skirt, and it was truly magnificent.
“This is the one I want,” Sadie said. “I need to try it on.” She called over a consultant, a young Asian woman, to help her in the fitting room. When she emerged, Kitty drew in her breathe deeply. What a vision. The dress, of white tulle, was like a ball gown with lace beaded appliqués on the bodice and the skirt. It had a chapel train and laced up most charmingly in the back. The cathedral veil came down in gossamer lengths that wafted to the floor. It was a double veil, with a tiara, that William would carefully lift away from Sadie’s face in preparation for the first marital kiss.
“It’s gorgeous,” Kitty said.
Kitty could see Sadie was satisfied when she looked in the mirror. “This’ll be the last time I get married, and I’m going to do it in style.”
Kitty grinned. All the purchases were soon made, and then they were off in the Renault again, the massive gown lying horizontally across the back seat.
“How much did you spend?” Kitty asked.
“A thousand dollars,” Sadie replied.
Kitty made stiff fists with her gnarled hands, then opened them. “But what if he refuses?” she said.
Sadie laughed. “Oh, girlfriend, I’ve already paid out plenty for this occasion. Why, I had to make a down payment of fifteen hundred dollars for the caterer. Believe me, he’ll be there.”
The next two weeks went ticking by, and Sadie had not heard from William. Still the wedding preparations were made, the caterer, the flowers (donated by an old friend who was a florist) the tables and chairs and white table cloths all were rented. A huge coffee urn. A punch bowel for the strawberry punch that would be laced with rum. On Friday, the day before the wedding, Sadie sat pensively inside the Victorian gazebo, her fingers tap-tapping on the white railing.
“Have you heard from William yet?” Kitty asked.
“No,” Sadie said. “I passed by his house yesterday to be sure there was nothing wrong, but the dog looked fat and happy so I just assumed he’s waiting.” She looked away from Kitty as she spoke.
Kitty sighed. “Well, girl, we’re ready for him. I just hope he shows tomorrow morning.” She paused. “Did you tell him what color tux to rent?”
“Yes, I did. I told him grey. Something light and springy for a beautiful April wedding,” she said.
“Hey,” Kitty said. “You know what we should do? Let’s go over your house and get everything you need to get ready tomorrow, and you’ll spend the night here, with me.”
Sadie smiled. “Oh, that would be just wonderful. Boy, I’m just having a fit of nerves.”
It was peaceful at Kitty’s house after the sun went down. The evening had actually turned cool. Sadie and Kitty sat on the couch and love seat, wrapped lightly in throws. Kitty was impressed that Sadie hadn’t made a single remark about William. But it was cool in the room, and there had been little conversation between them.
“Hey, how about if I light a fire? I have some wood left over from the winter time. And let’s light some candles for good luck,” Kitty said.
Sadie jumped up off the love seat. “Yeah, let’s do. I love it here when all the candles are burning.”
Kitty got up and made her way slowly to the fireplace screen so she could fold it up. She put the two starter logs on the grid and then added the log. “You know, I just love these starter logs. All you do is light ‘em with a lighter,” she said.
Sadie was already at the sofa table, pulling out a box of long matches out of the drawer. Without hesitation she began to light the candles on the sofa table. Soon all the candles in the living room were lit. They turned down the lights.
“Ah, now this is living,” Sadie said. She paused. Kitty remained silent because she felt her friend had something to say.
“Well, if he doesn’t show in the morning, I guess we’ll just have to tell everyone to go home,” Sadie said. Kitty didn’t answer and waited.
“My Goodness, all that money and all these doin’s, all on account of a man. I thought he was such a good man. What on earth could he be thinking of, not even answering my RSVP?”
“I don’t know, but you know William. He loves to shock people,” Kitty said.
“Well, that’s true , now that’s true . When do I tell everybody to leave? At nine o’clock sharp, or nine-o-five, or nine thirty?”
“I think you’re going to have to decide that for yourself tomorrow. Now listen. It’s time we both got to bed.”
The following morning the sky was overcast and looked like rain. Sadie looked out the window and said, “Well, I guess there just ain’t going to be any sunshine on my wedding day.”
“Let’s just hope it doesn’t rain.”
“And let’s hope William gets here!” Sadie said.
The guests began to arrive at nine o’clock sharp. Even though Sadie had stated no gifts, her old friends came with big boxes all done up with silvery wedding paper and bows. Kitty greeted everyone with smiles. These were their best friends. They came in swirly lacey pale yellow dresses with matching heels. Some wore hats decorated with flowers and feathers. The men came in dark pin-striped suits and melon trousers with sky-blue seersucker blazers. It was hello to all, hugs and kisses all around. After the last of them had trickled through the house out into the backyard there were about fifty in all.
Sadie was in the master bedroom, getting herself ready. Flora, their hairdresser, was helping her with her hair. Kitty decided to go in and check on her. Neither William nor the preacher had arrived.
“Are you almost ready? Everbody’s here, except for—“
“You mean he’s still not here?” Sadie turned around, indignant.
“Well, don’t worry too much now,” Kitty said. “Parson Barker hasn’t made it yet either. Oh, wait, that’s the doorbell.” Kitty hobbled out as fast as she could to open the door. It was Parson Barker. She ushered him in and followed him as he made his way into the backyard. Where was William?
“Now how’s my little bride doing this morning? I imagine she’s gettin’ all dressed up in her finery by now, am I right?”
Kitty turned around, and there he was. Tall, lanky, silver-grey hair and fine moustache groomed to perfection. Snappy grey tuxedo, just as instructed, with a white orchid in his lapel. “Want to get a pre-view glimpse of the ring?” he said.
“Why, you old rascal, how could you leave us in this state of uncertainty for all this time? Yes, show me the ring,” she said.
“Well, you know my darlin’ Sadie loves surprises,” he said. He fished in his pocket and drew out a small ring box in his large hand. He smiled proudly as he opened it. “There,” he said. “A real diamond, and not too skimpy, either.”
“William, Kitty, I heard your voices! So what is it, is the wedding on?” Kitty turned around to see that Sadie had opened the bedroom window and was half hanging out of it with enthusiasm.
“Get back inside, he’s not supposed to see you yet! Yes, the wedding’s on!” Kitty said. She took William by the arm and, limping along, commandeered him around the corner of the house. Sadie disappeared back into the bedroom.
And so Kitty watched her two old friends tie the knot in the elegant white Victorian gazebo. When William lifted the veil to kiss the bride, everybody cheered, and the bird seed flew in all directions. Sadie threw the bridal bouquet of white roses, and Kitty scooted backwards and backwards, until she thought she would topple over, but she caught the bridal bouquet. She stuck her nose into the fresh flowers and breathed deeply of their sweet, clean scent.
“You go, girlfriend, you go!” Sadie was waving at her as she and her new husband headed for the hors d’oeuvre table.
Kitty waved back, smiling. An idea occurred to her as she looked at the bridal bouquet. Suddenly she looked up and took note of everything happening around her. And there, leaning against the gazebo, she saw a well-formed man in his later years. She chuckled to herself. I wonder how he might like to get a wedding invitation some day, she thought. She released the bouquet, and it fell from her knobby hand onto the surface of a table with a white table cloth. With deliberate steps she walked to the gazebo and introduced herself to the handsome stranger.
