Thirty-Eight

  

Being over the hill is much better than being under it.

~ Sign outside the Senior Center

  

The next morning, Mavis assisted a hungover Birdie with the zipper of her bridesmaid dress in the small choir room just off the sanctuary of the Methodist Church.

“Shouldn’t Attalee be here by now?” said a bleary-eyed Birdie.

Elizabeth, who’d already donned her bright purple dress, had a look of dread in her eye as she studied her reflection in the mirror. “Am I retaining water, or is it this dress?”

“It’s all those bows and puckers,” said Mrs. Tobias, who was standing behind her. “They aren’t very flattering.”

“This dress reminds me of something Cher would wear if she’d guest-starred on Little House on the Prairie” Elizabeth said, frowning into the mirror. “Oh well, anything for our little bride. She is late, isn’t she?”

“Maybe her case of cold feet returned,” Birdie said, slipping into her dyed shoes.

“I’ll give her a call,” Mavis said. She headed for the door and almost bumped into Attalee.

“No need to call,” said a weak voice. “I’m here.”

They all turned toward the door to see her. Attalee appeared to sway on her feet in the entryway; her gray hair was a tangled nest, and her eyes were nearly swollen shut behind her glasses.

“You look how I feel,” Birdie said, rushing to her side. “But I didn’t think you drank nearly as much champagne as I did. Come along, and we’ll help you with your hair and makeup.”

“Ladies?” Rusty’s voice came from the hall. “Is everyone decent? I wanted to know if—”

“Come on in. You need to hear this, too,” Attalee said as she feebly gestured him inside.

“There you are,” said Rusty, wearing a powder-blue tux. “I have a question about the procession: Do I stand to the right or the—”

“Ain’t going to be no procession. Not for me,” Attalee said in a barely audible voice. “No wedding neither.”

“Attalee,” Birdie tutted. “What’s this nonsense? I thought you were over your jitters. We’ll get some coffee into you, and you’ll feel like a new woman.”

Attalee violently shook her head. “This ain’t about jitters. And I’m not hung over. I’m not getting married today, because...” A strangled sound escaped her mouth. “Dooley’s dead. And it’s all my fault.”

“What?” Mrs. Tobias led a shaking Attalee to a folding chair in the corner of the room as the others looked on in shock. “Tell us what happened.”

It took several moments before Attalee could gather her composure to speak, and when she did, her words were continually stalled by sobs.

“I took your words to heart, Mrs. Tobias,” Attalee said in a pained whisper. “Last night when I got home, I had a powerful yen to see Dooley. I realized how much he meant to me, and I just wanted to hold him close. My roommate Myrtle had moved out of the apartment, so we could finally have our privacy.”

She wiped her eyes with a corner of her blouse and continued. “He came over in two shakes, and I greeted him wearing one of my brand-new nighties. We’d waited so long to be alone. One thing led to another and... I guess it was just too much for his heart. When I woke up this morning and leaned over to give him a good-morning kiss, his lips were cold as stone. I called an ambulance, and the paramedics screeched over. But it was too late. He’d been dead for hours.”

A hush fell over the room. One by one, the women gathered at Attalee’s side.

“You didn’t kill him, you know,” Mrs. Tobias said, stroking back Attalee’s disheveled hair. “It was just his time.”

“He was my man,” Attalee said, covering her face with her hands. “And I loved him.”

“What a terrible shame!” Rusty’s eyes welled up with tears. “Dooley was a real good egg.” He paused, as if trying to gain control of his emotions. “I’ll speak with the minister, and tell her there won’t be a wedding today.”

“Yes,” Birdie said with a nod. “I’ll stand outside and inform the guests as they arrive.”

Attalee lifted her head and cried. “All my beautiful plans. A wedding was meant to take place today.” As Mrs. Tobias handed her some fresh tissues, some of the misery drained from Attalee’s expression; her face grew curiously thoughtful.

“Wait a minute,” she said choking back a sob. “My plans don’t have to go to waste.” She grasped Mrs. Tobias’s wrist. “You and Rusty are engaged. You could get married today. Everything’s been arranged.”

“Dearie, you’re just distraught,” Mrs. Tobias crooned. “You’re not thinking clearly.”

“Yes, I am,” Attalee insisted. “That way there’d still be a wedding. Please, Mrs. Tobias. It would mean the world to me, and I know it’s what Dooley would want.”

“Sweetie,” Mrs. Tobias said, “you’re talking out of your head. Rusty and I can’t get married today.”

“Why not?” Attalee looked at her through smudged eyeglasses.

“We can’t get married without a license,” Mrs. Tobias said with nervous, darting eyes. “We’d have to apply first, and that takes a couple of days.”

“I’m friends with Fred over at the courthouse,” Birdie offered. “He’ll pull some strings for me. I could be back with a marriage license in a blink.”

“Yes, but—” Mrs. Tobias tugged at the pearls around her throat. “I don’t think—”

“All the people you love are here.” Mavis put a hand on Mrs. Tobias’s shoulder. “It could be so romantic.”

Rusty stepped forward. “I’m willing if you are, Gracie.”

Mrs. Tobias paused. “I don’t know. I think—”

“I’ll call your daughter. She’ll want to be here,” Elizabeth offered.

“You claim to love this fellow, don’t you?” Attalee said. “Or are those just words?”

“Not at all. I just—” Mrs. Tobias stammered, and then she looked over at Rusty, whose whole body was tensed as he waited for her reply. Everyone in the room looked as if they were holding their breath.

“Yes,” she finally said, looking into his Rusty’s dark, hopeful eyes. His shoulders relaxed and his face broke into a heartbreaking grin. “I do, Rusty. I really do.”

Mrs. Tobias decided she could say those words one more time that day.

“Jump,” said Attalee in a ragged whisper after Mrs. Tobias agreed to be a bride, “and the trampoline will appear.”

Mrs. Tobias stood in front of the mirror adjusting her veil. The only person left in the choir room was Mavis. Elizabeth and Birdie had gone home with Attalee to help her freshen up for the wedding.

Mrs. Tobias frowned at her reflection. “I look ridiculous in Attalee’s dress, don’t I? I’ve never see a gown so garishly white. I feel like a big, fluffy snowflake.”

Mavis circled Mrs. Tobias, appraising the dress. “It is a bright white. But I guess with Attalee you’re lucky it isn’t purple or hot pink. It’s a perfect fit though. You and Attalee must be the same size.”

Mrs. Tobias whirled to face Mavis. “I don’t know if I can do this, Mavis. I feel ridiculous. This is the last dress I would choose for my wedding. I love Attalee, and it’s one thing to take over her wedding day, but to also wear her dress?” Mrs. Tobias looked down at her gown in dismay. “A wedding day is a very serious, dignified occasion after all, and this frock is—”

The door opened and Birdie strode in. “Attalee’s coming this way with Elizabeth. Y’all be sure and make a big fuss over how she looks.”

Elizabeth entered the choir room first, urging Attalee inside. Attalee shuffled into the room, powdered and lipsticked, her hair braided and piled up on top of her head.

“Attalee, you’re a picture of loveliness,” Mavis said, clasping her hands together.

Her comment didn’t elicit even a micrometer of response from Attalee. Her eyes remained empty-looking and her expression haggard—that is, until Mrs. Tobias turned around to face her.

“Oh my Lord,” Attalee said, looking at Mrs. Tobias with wide, unbelieving eyes. “Oh my God in heaven.”

“See?” Mrs. Tobias said, tugging on her veil and turning to Mavis. “I’ve just upset her further. I’m sorry, Attalee. I found I just can’t do this dress justice. I’ll take it off and—”

“You look just like Glinda the Good Witch of the North,” Attalee interrupted, blinking back tears and beaming at Mrs. Tobias.

She slowly walked to the center of the room where Mrs. Tobias was standing and reached out to make a small adjustment to the veil. She then bent down to smooth the train. When she stood, she planted a light kiss on Mrs. Tobias’s cheek.

“I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” she said in a whisper. “You’re a beautiful bride.”

Mrs. Tobias touched her cheek and turned to face the mirror. No longer did she see the yards of blinding white satin, or the puffed-up sleeves. She just saw the reflection of a woman who was willing to do what it took to help Attalee through her sorrowful time.

“I do look beautiful,” Mrs. Tobias said. “And I’m ready to walk down the aisle to my groom.”

  

Later, as Mrs. Tobias stood outside the sanctuary waiting for her signal to go in, the front door to the church opened, and Daisy Hollingsworth stepped inside.

“Mother?” Daisy said as she spotted Mrs. Tobias standing outside the door. In her tailored, dark sheath and matching pumps, Mrs. Tobias’s daughter was the picture of elegance.

Mrs. Tobias parted her veil and glided over to her daughter.

“Mother?” Daisy repeated, a bewildered look on her face. “Is that you under all that satin and lace?”

“I’m afraid so.” Mrs. Tobias adjusted her train. “Thank you for coming. I’m sorry it’s so last-minute. I didn’t expect to get married today.”

“I didn’t even know you were engaged. What’s the rush?”

“It’s a long, involved story,” Mrs. Tobias said. “You see, Attalee was supposed to get married today, but—”

The pianist in the sanctuary started playing the first few bars of “The Gambler.”

“Sorry, dear. I must go,” Mrs. Tobias said. “That’s my cue.”

“You’re walking down the aisle to a Kenny Rogers song?” Daisy asked.

“Yes,” Mrs. Tobias pulled the veil over her face. “It was Dooley’s favorite. Wish me luck, darling.”

“Who’s Dooley?” Daisy said, but Mrs. Tobias didn’t have time to answer; she was on her way to the altar.

Mrs. Tobias took measured steps as she walked down the aisle toward a beaming Rusty. Her friends, including Attalee, were all crying into their bouquets.

Matilda Long, the Methodist pastor, recited a short prayer, and then smiled at Mrs. Tobias and Rusty, saying, “I understand the couple has written their own vows for the wedding ceremony. You may begin.”

Mrs. Tobias startled. She hadn’t written any vows, and neither had Rusty. Attalee and Dooley had, but the minister had forgotten to make the adjustment in the service.

An awkward pause followed and the minister, who by this time had realized her mistake, whispered, “Shall we skip the vows and get right to the ceremony?”

“No.” Mrs. Tobias surprised herself by speaking aloud. “There’s something I would like to say to my betrothed.”

The minister nodded. “Please proceed.”

She swallowed hard and locked eyes with Rusty. Her words came slowly at first, then tumbled out as if she’d been holding them back for far too long.

“Sometimes you meet a person, and no matter how hard you try to resist him, you find yourself spiraling into love. Almost as if there were other forces at work, much bigger than yourself, guiding you along.” Mrs. Tobias’s voice caught in her throat and she had to pause before she could continue. “It’s what happened to me when I met you. I couldn’t help but fall in love with you, Rusty Williams.”

The church was so still, you could have heard the exhale of a moth.

“Gracie,” Rusty said, putting a steadying hand around her waist to still her shaking. “My dearest. I love you so.”

They clasped hands and faced the minister. “I think we’re ready to become man and wife,” Rusty said. As the minister began the wedding ceremony, a wave of muffled sniffs and joyful murmurings spread throughout the congregation.

  

The reception dinner, which was held in the church’s small fellowship hall, was jolly, despite the sadness over Dooley’s untimely death.

“I’ll be spilling my tears over Dooley later,” Attalee said, raising her glass of sparkling cider from her spot at the head of the table. “But today belongs to Rusty and Mrs. Tobias.”

“She’s not Mrs. Tobias anymore,” Mavis pointed out as she passed a platter of fried mozzarella sticks to Elizabeth. “She’s Mrs. Williams.”

“I’m Mrs. Williams, now, that’s true,” Mrs. Tobias said. “But isn’t it about time all of you just called me Gracie?”

Everyone at the table was momentarily at a loss for a response. Then Attalee clapped her hands together and all of the guests joined in on her applause as the new couple exchanged a chaste kiss. The deejay started the music for the evening with the selection “May I Have This Dance for the Rest of My Life?”

“Mrs. Williams, can I have the honor?” Rusty whispered into her ear.

“Absolutely,” Mrs. Tobias said, giving him her hand.

The two took to the floor, swaying to the music and beaming at one another. After a few measures, Timothy and Elizabeth joined them. Attalee watched them for a moment and then, as if in a trance, rose from her seat and began a slow, dreamy dance with an invisible partner. Her eyes were closed and her lips were parted as she swayed to the music.

As the melody sighed from the stereo, and her feet shuffled from side to side, she could swear she felt Dooley’s wiry arm wrapped around her waist and his warm breath in her ear as he whispered, “I love you, dumpling.”