“Sorry, Mother.”
Elly dug her heels into the carpet. I will finish this consultation, and then I will never have to look at her face again. “Okay, so we’re all set then for the ceremony. I think you will be very pleased with what your mother has picked out. As for the reception, we have the most extraordinary centerpieces: Tall gold candelabras, filled with white phalenopsis orchids, pale yellow mimosa, with blown white garden roses…”
Lucia let out an exaggerated sigh. “That sounds pretentious. I mean, do huge centerpieces really represent Aaron and me? I would prefer something more down to earth. I have this friend named Zoe that makes organic plant arrangements out of natural soils and compost, and we were thinking that if we used those mixed with some silks…”
“Absolutely not,” Sunny exclaimed at the exact same time that Elly deadpanned, “We don’t do silks.”
Lucia curled her lip. “Why not? Flowers just die and it’s a total waste of money.”
Sunny gasped. Now this, this was something Elly was prepared for. Brides expressed this thought from time to time, and Elly was ready with her answer. She leveled Lucia with her level gaze.
“Why have real flowers? First of all, silks are only good for two things: ladies over seventy,” she paused, “no offense Sunny…”
“None taken,” chirped Sunny.
“…and graveside memorial wreaths. Secondly, we have a clause in our contract that says that we are the sole provider of the flowers. I’m not going to let the name of my shop be attached to some planter with silks sticking out of it. Third, your friend is probably not equipped to handle a wedding of this size. Many people who try to do it themselves end up calling me at the last minute.”
Lucia huffed noisily at her mother. “Whatever. Fine, you know what, it’s fine.” Her eyes flashed at Elly. “What matters is that I’m marrying the love of my life. I can’t wait to begin our adventure together, and I know Aaron is so ready to begin what will be the first truly happy phase of his life.”
Elly felt her temper roar, a thick hot mass that pitted in her stomach and flew to her temples. She gripped the ends of the table. Sunny seemed not to notice the exchange as she flipped through Elly’s flower books.
“Ooohhh! Look at this tiny ring of bovardia.”
Elly quickly flipped the contract over, aware that she was dangerously close to breaking. “I think we can call this a day. Sunny, if you would sign here, and Lucia here.” She handed the contract to Sunny, who signed and dotted it gaily. She then pushed the contract aggressively towards Lucia, who signed it with large sweeping letters.
“Thank you.”
All three women stood. Sunny squeezed Elly’s cheeks and kissed them with flourish. “You are so marvelous. I cannot wait to see your creations on the big day. Your mother, God rest her soul, must be so proud.”
Lucia’s face dissolved into fury. “Mom, can you go warm up the car? It’s chilly outside, and I only wore this shawl.”
Sunny rolled her eyes and rubbed her daughter’s back. “I told you when we left the house that this shawl thing wasn’t going to cut it.” She smiled at Elly. “Thank you for all your patience today! I know we aren’t the easiest clients. We’ll be in touch next week with any last minute details, but other than that, we should be all set!”
Elly raised her hand in a half wave. She felt exhausted to her core, ready to weep and mere seconds away from a colossal breakdown. “Thanks for coming in.”
Sunny turned and walked quickly outside.
Elly’s heart sped up as Lucia inched closer to her, her thick red waves hanging menacingly over her face. She pushed towards her until her eyes were inches from Elly’s.
“I don’t know what you are trying to do here, but if you wreck this wedding for us, I swear to GOD, I will come after you. I’m not sure what kind of sick, demented thing this is – what are you, stalking him? – but he will never come back to you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Elly heard a hundred witty responses in her head, but she seemed rooted to the ground, her throat frozen.
“God, you are so pathetic. Do you know that he was sleeping with me for three months before you even found out? He was planning on leaving you, just as soon as his newest show opened. He said I was the best he ever had and that looking at you sometimes made him sick.” Lucia drove her pointed fingernail into Elly’s chest, running, it felt, right into her mutilated heart. “If this is your revenge fantasy, I’m more than willing to play. He loves me, not you. He never did.”