Read One That Came Back Online
Authors: Lexy Timms
Emily sat next to her mother waiting for Angela to step out of the dressing room. It was Saturday morning and the bridal store was filled with young brides trying on and displaying dresses, and their wedding parties going through bridesmaid dresses.
It seemed busier than what Emily thought a bridal store would be.
A large round stage divided by four walls took the center of the showing room. Curved couches in gray raw silk ringed the stage, spaced apart from each other to give the brides a small aisle to step up on the stage. Behind them were the dressing rooms, two free-standing cubicles per section. Each dressing room had an occupant, and a couple anxious brides-to-be stood next to the cubicles waiting for their turn to try on dresses. When a bride stepped out, she could step up to their section of the stage to show off gowns to their mothers, sisters and bridesmaids.
“We should’ve come during the week,” fretted Emily’s mother, “not on Saturday. But we really can’t wait, not with the wedding six months away.”
Emily almost didn’t hear her. She watched the young women in their wedding finery, fighting back her sadness. With the way Luke had talked about getting married she should be one of these women. Not now, not since he pushed her away. She took a quick breath to steady herself. This was all about Angela and she wasn’t going to ruin her sister’s happiness with her own selfish thoughts.
“Well, one of us works,” said Emily dryly. “And I believe that’s the bride.” She didn’t mean to sound miserable. Luckily her mother didn’t seem to notice.
One of the waiting brides knocked on the door of the cubicle behind them. Emily turned.
The girl smashing her hand on the door wore flip flops, ripped jeans, and a skinny tank, looking more like a sleaze than a bride. Emily glared at her, somehow the bride reminded her of the last time Emily saw Luke, with those two women hanging off him during Gibs’ funeral.
The nascent bride-zilla glared back. “Is she ever going to come out of there? Other people are tired of waitin’!”
Emily’s mother tutted, but Emily stood and faced the woman. After what she’d been through, she refused to take shit from anyone ever again. “I’m sure you’d appreciate a little courtesy when it’s your turn in there.” Emily spoke in a deadly serious voice and the girl shrank back.
But the rude girl was right. Angela was taking longer than she should in the dressing room.
Emily knocked lightly on the door. “Angela, how’re you doing in there?”
“I’m fine,” said Angela in a small voice. Obviously she was not fine.
Emily tried the door. “Do you need another size?”
That’s when Emily heard some snuffles, like Angela was crying. Alarm raced through Emily. “Open up, Ang,” she said urgently.
“What’s wrong?” Her mother looked up from her chair, clutching her purse.
“Nothing, Mom. I think her zipper’s stuck.” Emily waved her hand.
“Well, help her.”
I’m trying.
Emily turned her head so her mother wouldn’t see her roll her eyes. How old was she? Nearly thirty and she had to hide her face from her mom? That needed to stop as well.
The door latch clicked and the door opened slightly. Emily slipped in and closed the door. Angela stood in front of the mirror, her eyes lined red. She wore a beautiful all white gown that hugged her skinny curves. Emily’s mother picked it out but Angela was reluctant to try it on, but did so at her mother’s insistence.
“Hey,” said Emily gently, “what’s wrong? Is there something wrong with the dress?”
“No. It’s beautiful.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Angela snuffled again. “I can’t wear white.”
“What? Of course—”
She stopped talking when she suddenly understood Angela’s meaning. Her sister stared at her wide-eyed. “Well, that’s no reason not to wear white. It’s the twenty-first century, women do it all the time. All the time. That’s no reason.”
“But this dress is, or will be, too tight.”
Emily gave her a quizzical look. “The dress nearly fits. You just get it altered so it’s perfect. Probably ninety percent of brides have to get their dress altered. It’s not worth cry-stressing over.”
“Oh, Emily!” The distress in her sister’s whispered voice was evident.
Emily tried to imagine herself in the dress and wondered if she’d be crying because she shouldn’t wear white. It seemed silly.
Rattling at the door startled both of them. “Hurry up! It’s my turn!”
“Put a sock in it!” snapped Emily. “We’ll be out in a minute.”
Angela dissolved into a puddle of tears, and Emily took her into her arms.
“I think… I’m pregnant,” Angela whispered.
Emily stared at her younger sister. Angela never confided to Emily about how intimate she and Justin were. She just assumed her and Justin were messing around. They were practically married already. Yet here Angela was, shaking like she’d done something wrong.
Of course, in the eyes of the church premarital sex was a sin, even if it was with your fiancé. But in this day and age? Emily figured it was nervousness from the wedding, the possible embarrassment, and what their parents would say.
“Does Justin know?”
“No!” whispered Angela. “I’m not even sure I am. I’m a few days late and just paranoid.”
“Come on,” said Emily. “Let’s get you out of this dress and get out of here. Today’s not the day to dress shop. This needs to be special, not nerve wracking.”
“But, Mom—”
“She can wait to shop for your wedding dress. She’s not the one getting married. How about during the week when it isn’t so busy? It’s too crowded here to make such an important decision today.” She turned her sister around. “Let’s ditch Mom at home and you and I are hitting the drug store.”
She helped her sister change and left the dress hanging in the change room.
“Mom?” Emily took the reins and guided her sister toward the door. “We’re going.”
“It’ll be fine, Mom.”
“I don’t know how she expects to get married in the Fall. Six months is not enough time to plan a wedding.”
“Mom,” said Emily as she walked her mother to her car and glanced at Angela, looking lost as she headed for the car she and Emily had driven in together to meet their mom at the bridal shop. “A few days won’t make any difference. Ang’s tired. She’s had a busy week, and just needs some rest.”
“She’s not having second thoughts, is she?”
“Of course not, Mom. You know she usually sleeps at this time of day.”
“I suppose.”
Emily gave her mother a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be home for dinner later.”
“Okay, Emily.” Her mother drew in a breath that spoke of her long suffering with her daughters.
Emily resisted the urge to roll her eyes again. “Bye, Mom!” she said cheerily. She turned and walked quickly to Angela’s car, where her sister sat bent over, head in her hands. It was unusual to see her sister looking so distraught. She felt bad for Angela. “Start the car, sis. Go find us a drug store.” She arched her eyebrows mischievously. “Maybe there’s a Vegas wedding in your future.”
“Vegas! Oh no, I couldn’t.” Angela gripped the steering wheel.
“I was only kidding.” She glanced at her sister. “Why not, though?”
“I want to get married in the church. I want a beautiful white gown, flowers, flower girls, everything.” Angela looked ready to cry again.
“You wanted Prince Charming and fairy castles. Count yourself lucky. You’ve got the Prince Charming. Others aren’t so lucky.”
Angela cast a worried glance at Emily. “Oh, Em, I didn’t mean—oh, heck. You’ll find yours one day.”
Emily turned her head and stared out of the window. “There are very few princes out there Angela, but I’m happy for you. Please don’t think for a moment I’m not.”
“I know you are, Em.”
“Hey,” said Emily, “don’t miss the entrance.” She pointed to a Walgreens they were passing.
Angela turned sharply into the parking lot, nearly careening into the landscaping on the right. She jerked the wheel to the left to avoid hitting the bushes.
“Whoa!” cried Emily and then started laughing.
“Sorry,” said Angela. “I’m just so worried.”
“If you aren't careful, neither one of us will have anything to worry about.” She grinned and winked at her sister. “You wait here and I’ll go grab a kit. Let me prove to you there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be right back.”
Angela pulled into a spot in front of the store and Emily hurried in, picking up a shopping basket as she entered. She scanned the aisles quickly and found the feminine products section. She looked at the quantity of pregnancy tests and shook her head, trying to decide which one to get. Finally, she grabbed one that promised early detection. She was about to pull it off the shelf when she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye.
“Hey, Emily.”
She knew that voice and whirled around in a panic. “You’re supposed to be staying away from me, Evan.” She glanced around, ready to run, and then anger took over her fear. She wasn’t going to be bullied by this asshole.
“Those orders of protection don’t last forever. It expired yesterday, Emily.”
“So what? Now you’re stalking me again?”
Evan snorted. “I never stalked you. I can’t help it if the judge believed that garbage you told him.”
Emily pulled her phone out of her purse. “I’m calling the cops right now. How about we see what they think?”
Evan put his hand on hers. “Please don’t. I don’t want us to fight.”
She wrenched her hand away and glared at him. “We’re past fighting. Leave me alone, Evan! If you haven’t figured it out, I want nothing to do with you.”
Evan glanced over her shoulder to the shelves she stood in front of. “Pregnancy test?” He grinned wickedly as he shook his head and tutted. “What’s the family going to say?”
“They know you’re an ass. Now leave me alone!” She pivoted and grabbed a pink box as she hurried away from her ex. She shook, but not from fear. It was rage. She was so angry. Why the hell would he confront her in the store? She definitely would have to get the order extended. Whatever it took. She hadn’t seen him in months and figured he’d finally moved on.
At the cash register her hands shook when she took out her debit card. She barely paid attention to the price ringing up. It seemed higher than normal but she didn’t care. She just wanted the cashier to tell her the total and let her pay and get out of there.
“You sure you need a combo pack, Ma’am?”
“Pardon?” Emily stared at the girl, trying to figure out what she meant.
“Most people only get one pack. Do you want to change it?”
The cashier held up the box and Emily realized it had three pregnancy tests in it instead of one. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Evan heading toward the same check-out line she was in. “It’s fine. They’re not for me.”
“Sure, Ma’am,” the cashier said with a knowing look that meant she clearly didn’t believe her.
Wanting to get away as quickly as possible, Emily didn’t argue. She swiped the debit card, grabbed the bag and jogged back to Angela’s car. “Let’s go!” she said, slamming the door shut quickly.
“What’s wrong?” Angela pulled the car into reverse. She still looked anxious but at least she hadn’t been crying.
“Evan!” Emily hissed. “He came up to me in the store.”
“What a jerk! Hold on. I’ll get us out of here.” Angela reversed then shoved the car into drive before peeling out of the drug store parking lot like her tires were on fire.
“Was he following you?” Angela asked as she glanced out the rear view mirror.
“I don’t know. I don’t think he’d wait for us at a bridal store. I haven’t seen him in months. I thought he’d moved on with his life.”
Angela snorted. “The guy doesn’t have a life.”
“I’ll have to renew the restraining order. Or whatever it is you have to do to get it extended. Apparently it expired yesterday.”
“I’ll ask Justin. He’ll know.”
They drove in silence the rest of the way to Angela’s house. Evan didn’t follow and Emily let herself relax. Maybe it had just been a coincidence. A scary, freak coincidence.
They headed inside and Emily sent her sister straight to the bathroom with a stick.
“
I don’t know if I can do this,” Angela said through the bathroom door.
“What am I supposed to do? You have the box.”
“It couldn’t be easier. Just pee on the end of the stick.”
Angela became quiet, and a minute later Emily heard the toilet flush.
“How long?” called Angela through the door a few minutes later.
“The box says five minutes,” Emily replied.
“This is the longest five minutes of my life. Nothing’s happening.”
“Well, that’s a good sign.”