“All navy?” Elly nervously started gathering the white tablecloth in her fingertips. There was not one, not one true navy-blue flower in existence, to her knowledge. There were darker cornflowers, hydrangea, and delphinium, but those weren’t navy. Not even close. Elly forced herself to continue the consultation. This wedding is going to be impossible, she thought. “What were you thinking for centerpieces?”
Lola pushed back her hair, her bangles clinking together. “So. When Joe and I were in Morocco, I saw this tiny little hookah shop tucked back behind this mall area. They had the most beautiful little silver shisha pipes. I bought one, just to own, but I think that I want those to serve as an inspiration for the centerpieces.”
“You want to have actual hookah vases on the tables?”
Lola gave a shrug. “Maybe. I’ll leave that up to you—I trust your talent, Elly.”
The compliment made Elly’s ego inflate with pride, like a balloon expanding in her chest. Lola Plumb thought she was talented! Too bad everything would be hideous!
“Also, I was thinking maybe we could have little Chihuahua statues on each plate?”
The balloon deflated. Hurley appeared beside the table, white china plates of steaming hot food in his hand.
“Miss Plumb.” He put down a gorgeous assortment of dishes in front of her.
“And for Miss Jordan,” he set down a mouth-watering steak, artichoke, and a perfect, tiny piece of pecan pie.
“Thank you.” They began to eat in silence. Elly, ravenous, made quick but polite work of half of her steak and mushrooms. When she looked up again, Lola was motioning for the waiter.
Hurley stood by the table. “Is everything okay, miss?”
“It is, I’m just done.”
Elly stopped, mid-chew, her fork hovering in the air. Lola had maybe taken three bites of everything she had ordered. Her eggplant parmesan sat virtually untouched.
Elly motioned with her utensil. “Are you done already? You barely ate anything!” She instantly regretted being so bold.
Lola gave a sad shrug. “I’m full, I guess.” Elly looked at her with disbelief. Lola fidgeted with her hair. “Well, okay, I’m not full, I’m actually starving, but I can’t eat very much. The last time I put on five pounds, I was on the cover of OK! Magazine. They said I was pregnant.”
Elly remembered a recent story she had read about Lola, claiming she was anorexic. Lola had been disembarking from a yacht, her ribs exposed and painfully visible. “So, if you gain a few pounds, you are pregnant or getting fat, and if you don’t, you are anorexic or bulimic?”
“Or a drug addict.” Lola gave a sad sigh and took a swig of her water. “That’s my favorite one. And occasionally true. And on the cover of Us Weekly a month ago.”
A rush of red-hot guilt flooded Elly’s senses. She had seen that magazine—not only that, she had picked it up at the grocery store and read that specific story, about Lola’s battles in and out of rehab, of her eating disorders, of her wild nights and wardrobe malfunctions and dysfunctional relationship with Chloe Britt. She had been one of those people, those heartless individuals, who had gleefully watched a celebrity fall from grace. Guilt, stabbing and real, ate at her stomach. Elly felt convicted that she had contributed to Lola’s pain—from a distance and indirectly—but she had. “I saw that magazine cover. But I want you to know that I didn’t buy it. I only read it in the checkout lane.”
Lola gave a deep, real laugh, and it sounded lovely.
“But you are sober now, right?”
Lola gave an unhappy sigh. “Pretty much. I’m better than I used to be. I have a hard time staying away from that stuff when I go out, but Joe has helped immensely. My goal is to be one hundred percent sober by the wedding. I promised him that I would. Although, Gemma makes me want to drink. She sets my teeth on edge.”
Elly nodded and took a small bite of steak. “She’s just trying to do her job. I’m sure dealing with celebrities all the time, plus the demands of the network, don’t exactly make for a peaceful job.”
Lola rested her extraordinary face on her palm. “I love watching you eat that steak. I remember the days when I could eat a steak and no one cared.”
Elly swallowed. “I’m not going to lie, it’s a pretty good steak. Have the rest. Please.”
Lola eye’s widened. “Really?”
“Really.” Elly slid her plate over and Lola took a single, small bite. She closed her eyes in rapture. “Oh. Oh, that is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.” She paused before taking another bite. “Elly, tell me all about you. It’s rare that I get to just talk with a normal person.” Somehow, something that was mildly insulting came across as charming.
“Well … I grew up in Peachtree, Georgia with my mother….” Elly felt like she talked forever, telling Lola everything in rich detail—her childhood, her mother’s death from ovarian cancer, her marriage to Aaron, the affair, moving to St. Louis, the opening of Posies, about Keith and Aaron and Dennis and Kim, about her new shop and her fears of it not being successful. At the end, the steak was gone, and Lola’s huge brown eyes were flooded with empathy.
“Wow,” Lola said. “I was wrong, you actually have had a really interesting life!”
Elly laughed. “Not compared to you! Let’s see, a childhood television star, the past face of L’Oreal, an Oscar nomination, marrying a hotel heir … yeah, I would say that you best me in the ‘interesting’ category.”
Lola grinned. She actually looked happy. “This is the best day I’ve had in a while. Everything has been so crazy lately, what with BlissBride wedding planning, and when I’m not here, I’m filming Sea Terror 3. I feel like my whole life is getting in and out of limos, calling my PR rep, or swimming away from an invisible CGI shark in a tiny bikini.”
“That’s funny,” deadpanned Elly, “that’s exactly what my days are like too.” They laughed.
The afternoon went quickly, talking about life and flowers. Elly enjoyed her pecan pie, and Lola allowed herself a tiny bite. “Ooohhh….” She gave a moan. “I forgot how good sugar is.”
Elly looked at her watch. “I hate to cut this short, but I have a couple of consultations later today, and then I’m heading over to the new shop after that. It’s opening right after your wedding.”
“How fun, what is its name?”
“It’s very chic—Store B. What do you think?”
Lola tucked her hair back behind her ear. “I really, really like that.”
Elly gave a groan. “It’s not my favorite thing right now. We have a fountain in the store that has koi fish in it.”
“Fish…. Elly, what if we have fish bowls up front at the ceremony?” There it was again, the taste level.
Elly erred on the side of honesty. “That might be a nightmare. What if one of the fish dies during the vows?”
Lola grinned. “Okay.”
They slowly stood. “Do I pay the waiter?” asked Elly.
Lola laughed. “I haven’t paid for anything in years!!”
Reality was not where Lola lived, Elly noted, but at least it hadn’t made her pretentious. “Well, let me leave him a tip.” Elly placed a twenty on the table.
“That’s nice of you.” Lola sighed. “You’re so nice. I really like you.”
Elly really liked her too.
Together, they walked down the stairs, Elly holding Lola’s arm as she tottered on her huge heels. With each step, Elly pondered how to possibly change Lola’s flower desires. How could she fix this pending disaster without further damaging Lola’s fragile state? How could she get Lola to prefer the highbrow flowers that this wedding called for? “I have an assignment for you,” she said, with a smile.
Lola slipped on her enormous sunglasses, which made her look like a praying mantis drag queen—stick thin, huge eyes, funky dress. “Okay. I’ll do it. Homework sounds kinda fun.”
“I would look up some of the most recent celebrity weddings, and see what flowers catch your eye. You know, for the reception.”
Lola gave a sq
ueal. “Oh, like what kind of flowers to make navy and hot pink? That sounds fun. I’ll do it.”
“Great.” Clutching the papers in her hand, Elly gave Lola a half hug. “I had a really nice time today. I’m so glad you are my celebrity. And if it’s okay with you, I’ll say a little prayer for you to reach your sober goal by the wedding.”
“Thank you, Elly.” Lola’s mouth formed into a sad but sincere smile. She didn’t really believe that was possible. It broke Elly’s heart. Her limo pulled up in front, and she climbed in.
Elly walked to her car, noticing with despair that she had left the windows rolled up. Son of a…. She opened up all the doors, the thick heat pouring out in visible waves. Sweating commenced as she leaned against the trunk, looking over the notes she had taken during the consult: “Navy-blue flowers, silver hookah stands, Chihuahua statues.” With a droll smile, she leaned her head against the door. It was burning hot. She leapt back. Elly looked toward the sky with an exaggerated sigh. Sure, she had scored the wedding of the year, but she had also managed to score a wedding that would make her the laughing stock of the entire wedding industry if she went with Lola’s vision. This wedding would be seen by millions of people, probably around the world, and would be featured in magazines galore. The reality was that if she couldn’t fix this, this dream wedding could be her great undoing.
Chapter Fifteen
“I’m not going.” Dennis sat in front of his computer screen, with his arms crossed in front of him. “There is nothing you can say that can make me go.”
Elly paced in front of his doorway, trying to be polite. Her brown kitten sandals clicked against the hard wood. “It would really mean a lot to me.”
“No.” Dennis turned back to the computer. “Besides, I have to finish this quest.”
“Dennis. You have been in front of that computer for a month. You haven’t left the chair. Please, just come with us. You might like it.”
Dennis looked over at Elly as if she had suggested root canals were a great time. “Uh, I doubt it. I hate church.”
“Have you ever been?”
He gave a shrug. “My mom took me a few times on Christmas when I was younger, but my dad hated it, so we never went back. Which is fine with me. Those people are weird.”
Elly raised her arms in an exaggerated shrug. “I’m one of those people. Do you think I’m weird?”
Dennis took in her green floral skirt, white lacy top, beaded earrings, and hair that was still up in Velcro rollers. His eyes narrowed. “Is that a trick question?”
Elly felt her frustration building. “Dennis, do I ask you for anything?”
Dennis turned away from her. “No,” he said, leveling his gaze at the screen.
“Do I ask you to pitch in for the groceries, or the bills, or even for clothing?” Dennis stayed silent. “The answer is no, I don’t. So could you just, please….” Elly could feel herself losing her temper. It had been one of those mornings, when nothing went right. Her alarm had gone off, only to be punished by being thrown across the room. She awoke in a panic, tossing on a tattered skirt and light top. She didn’t have time to shower, so she threw her hair up in curlers. Limping with one shoe out into the kitchen, she was disgusted at the pile of dishes that had accumulated onto the counter top, as well as the underwear hanging over her computer chair. That’s it, she thought, Dennis is coming with me to church.
And so now, here she was, arguing with a nineteen-year-old, instead of doing her makeup. Keith had quietly let himself in a few minutes ago and was waiting patiently in the living room, looking handsome and dapper in a navy suit that took Elly’s breath away. Ironic, she thought to herself, I thought we had a little time before we were yelling at our teenager to come to church. She tried to lighten her tone. “You might really enjoy it. Reverend Mack is really down to Earth, very honest and frank….”
Dennis wouldn’t even look at her. “Nope.”
Elly suddenly imagined herself as a teapot, with boiling water rising inside her. She was about to explode. She took a deep breath and prepared for what would be a glorious unleashing upon Dennis. “You know what?”
She felt Keith’s hand on her shoulder, heavy and steady. His voice was strong. “Dennis.”
He looked up at Keith with a sneer. “Oh, good, you’re here.”
“Dennis, is there anything that you would like us to do with you? Something that means a lot to you? Because this means a lot to Elly.” Elly didn’t have the heart to tell Keith that she had decided on the spur of the moment to invite Dennis to church. In fact, she had done it out of spite, which was probably not great, but hey, ignorance was bliss. Keith was remaining calm, but Elly could see a vein bulging in his forehead. She wanted to soothe him, to wrap him in her arms and plant cool kisses all over him. But instead, they were arguing with a nerd. Such was life lately. “So what do you say? Could you come this morning, for her?”
Dennis closed his eyes, as if Keith’s words were pummeling him to death. “Fine. God. I’ll come.”
Elly let out a surprised squeak. He was coming, he was actually coming.
Dennis pushed the chair out from behind him. “But I’m not wearing a tie or anything.”
Keith gestured to his bottoms. “Understandable. But would you consider pants?”
Ten minutes later, Dennis emerged from his bedroom wearing his Star Wars T-shirt with an unbuttoned white shirt over it, and the khaki pants that Elly had bought him that week. (“Why do you insist on buying everyone khakis?” Snarky Teenager had raged, pulling at her hair in exasperation when Elly proudly showed off her purchase).
Elly was about to speak up when she felt Keith’s elbow buried deep in her side. “You look good!” he said. Elly bit her lip.
Dennis put his hands on his rotund hips. “I feel like a tool. Are we going or what?”
Elly gave an exasperated sigh and walked to the door. Dennis and Keith remained seated. “Um, Elly?” said Keith.
“Yes?” She turned, expecting a compliment on her ravishing beauty.
“You still have curlers in your hair.”
“Oh.” A blush rose over her face as she ran to her bedroom to yank them out.
They drove in silence to Grace Baptist Church of Clayton. It was located in downtown Clayton, a small brick building that faced the parking garages of large skyscrapers. The church itself was very unimpressive—a small carpeted narthex led into a low-ceilinged nave. At the front, a simple wooden cross hung over the pews. The floor was hardwood, and the only bright colors came from the lush floral arrangements at the front. When Elly had first become a member four months ago, they had been silk arrangements, a cringe-worthy mix of dusty carnations, moldy old mums, and disintegrating foxtail. That had changed a week later, when Elly began bringing tall glass cylinders, filled with all her leftover flowers from the week. It was a vast improvement to the church, and had endeared Elly to everyone immediately, except for the ancient Miss Penny, who had made the original arrangements thirty years ago. She always gave Elly an evil eye when she came into church, mumbling about a “chubby white girl, thinking she knows everything.”
Other than those awkward moments, Elly loved her church. When she walked in on Sunday mornings, with the light streaming in the few stained glass windows that bordered the altar, there was a peace that washed over her, a comfort that could only be expressed in worship, prayer, and thoughtful listening. Reverend Mack was a force to be reckoned with, a large, portly black man with thinning hair and the loudest voice this side of heaven. In true Baptist fashion, his sermons tended on the long side, served with a side of sweat and hallelujahs. The Grace Baptist singers, a soaring gospel choir, was the church’s pride and joy, a testament to musical excellence. From classic gospel songs that Elly grew up hearing to more funky, contemporary mixes, the Grace choir brought the house down every Sunday, and Elly was constantly wiping tears of inspiration and joy from her face when they sang. Even Keith clapped along, thoroughly enjoying himself, and completely off count, una
ware that he was usually the only white man in the entire church. Elly didn’t feel the peace she expected to rush through her today, however, as she was too busy watching Dennis, who had suddenly developed a nervous leg twitch and a sweaty forehead. He looked so uncomfortable, as if entering the church had brought on a violent flu. His eyes shifted from side to side as he took in all the ladies’ bright hats, and the men’s suits and ties. He sat next to Elly, constantly fidgeting with his bulletin as the opening hymns began. The songs were uplifting and powerful, and soon everyone was on their feet. Everyone except Dennis, who sat solidly planted on the pew, his hands tucked in his pockets.
Elly told herself that it didn’t matter, that all that counted was that her brother was sitting next to her, that she had gotten him to come, gotten him out of that room, away from the computer. Still, she was more than a little mortified when he just got up and walked out in the middle of the sermon. Elly tucked her crazy curls behind her ears and went to stand when she felt Keith’s solid arm wrap around hers. “I got it,” he said.
Elly gave him a loving smile, one that she hoped conveyed the adoration she felt for his kind heart, his patience, and his willingness to deal with her smelly and somewhat-repressed brother. Keith left, and Elly stayed for the sermon, which dealt with, of all things, forgiveness and the unconditional love of Jesus. After the service ended, Elly spent a few minutes giving hugs to her church friends and catching up with the Bible study schedule.
Keith and Dennis were outside the church, sitting on the exact same bench where Revered Mack had first met Elly. Lingering on the words of the sermon, Elly told herself to be loving and forgiving and a model of charity. Then she saw Dennis’s scowling face and forgot all about it. “Why did you leave in the middle of the sermon?” she asked.
He gave a shrug. “I told you I didn’t want to go.”
“Was it really so bad that you had to walk out right then? You couldn’t have waited for a few minutes?”
Dennis glared back at her. “That guy talked forever.”