Keeping Secrets in Seattle - By Brooke Moss Page 0,37
today.” I approached the silk couch and noticed that Alicia and four of her bridesmaids were all dressed completely in taupe. Did they call each other to coordinate? I smoothed down my red skirt. So much for blending in.
Kate leaned forward to look at me and took a long pull of her champagne. “There’s a red net on your head.”
This one was observant. “Yes.”
She scowled. “No, I mean, you’re wearing a hat with a net on your head?”
I nodded proudly. “It’s vintage. I bought it at a flea market downtown.”
“How very…Seattle of you.” Kate’s surgically reduced nose wrinkled. “You’re so funky.”
I planted my butt down next to Shawn, whose braids were woven into a bun on the back of her head. “Thanks…I think.”
As soon as we were seated, Alicia and a gray-haired woman stood before us, causing the girls to fall into a hushed silence. I watched as Alicia raised her glass to the rep and announced, “Girls, this is Juanita. She is the best of the best. A seamstress extraordinaire.” The bridesmaids clapped excitedly, and Alicia’s eyes danced. “It usually takes brides months before they are able to get in with Juanita, but she was willing to squeeze us in. I am beyond thrilled. She is an absolute genius.”
Again, they applauded, and I clambered to join in, offering a few half-hearted claps after the others had already stopped. I leaned over to Shawn and whispered, “Did Juanita design Alicia’s wedding dress?”
She shook her head the tiniest bit, so as not to be spotted being inattentive. “No.” Her voice was so quiet I had to lean closer to hear. “Alicia’s dress is being made in France. But Juanita apparently fit her for it and will be doing the final touches once it arrives.”
“Ahhh.” I straightened back up.
“Juanita is going to see which of the dresses looks best on each of you. Then she will take your measurements and work her magic.” Alicia announced this as if Juanita had cured cancer.
“And,Violet.” She pointed a tiny finger at me. “We’ve got the perfect black dress for you to wear. The one in the picture I showed you?”
I smiled tensely. “Thanks.”
As if they were summoned by ESP, a line of four clerks bustled into the room, holding up every possible version of a deep-red bridesmaid dress one could imagine. There were scoop necks, backless, sleeved, sleeveless, sequined, plain, floor-length, tea-length, full skirts, fitted skirts, and more. They quickly guided the bridesmaids off into dressing rooms, so I settled back on the couch and poured myself a glass of champagne. I watched as Alicia stood primping in front of one of the mirrors.
“So when do we get to see your gown? I’ve heard so much about it,” I said.
“Not for a while yet. It’s still overseas. And it is a sight, let me tell you.” She whirled around to face me, her bony body moving with the grace of a swan. Grace I’d not been blessed with. “I’ve had a team of eight women working on it since four days after Christmas. It’s a mixture of three couture dresses that were melded into one extraordinary gown. It is absolutely breathtaking.”
Alicia sounded like a game show host, revealing what was behind door number one.
“Three different dresses?” I raised my eyebrows. “Wow, I can’t wait to see it. What style is it?”
Her eyes lit up. This was obviously her favorite topic to discuss. “Well, it could be considered a mermaid dress, except that the bustles are raised slightly. And then they pull back to reveal the most exquisite antique lace underneath.” She used her tiny hands to imitate the fluffiness of the fabric. “And the top is fitted, sort of like a corset, but with a very low dipped ‘v’ on the chest and tiny cap sleeves of the same antique lace as the bottom. Then they’ve sewn in the most incredible fabric roses amongst all the ruffles of satin. It’s amazing. I’m almost certain I’ll get my picture in Puget Sound Bride with this gown.”
I feigned amazement and took a big gulp from my glass. Just as the silence between Alicia and me stretched toward becoming awkward, the bridesmaids came parading out of their dressing rooms wearing their red gowns. Rose wore a light sheath of a gown with a low back and plunging neckline; Kate’s was a floor-length taffeta number with bustles; Marissa was grinning in a dress that bore intricate beading on the front that rivaled her giant teeth in the sparkle department;