Chapter 27 Annabelle Mad Game #2
So far, things weren’t going too well. The flower arrangements were too short, the van that was supposed to deliver the tables and chairs had broken down, and the band, waiting to board a delayed flight on the other side of the country, hoped they would make it on time.
So I did what I did best in a crisis: I called Ben.
In direct contrast to the “Sure, TL, I’ll run pick up those tables and chairs in my dad’s truck,” I received a “Sorry you’re in a pinch, babe, but there’s no way I could possibly leave work right now.”
Ben’s constant care and attention was a little like water running down the drain. When it suddenly backed up, it took a few minutes for the reality to set in. I ended the call, threw my hands up in the air and said, “So what the hell am I going to do now?” to no one in particular.
A familiar voice from behind said, “The devil got you down, Ann? Or is it the deviled eggs?”
I laughed and turned to see my boss, looking scarcely older than a high school kid in a T-shirt and shorts.
I shook my head. “Someone has to go pick up all the tables and chairs because the rental company can’t get them here.”
Before I had finished my sentence, Father Rob was dialing the phone. “Hey, Junie. What’s up?”
I smiled, thinking of Junie on the other line, rolling her eyes at her young boss asking her what was up. He nodded and said, “Could you round up a bunch of our youth group in need of service hours? And make sure you get some big guys with trucks.”
He hung up and looked around. Before I could even say thank you, he said, “Mrs. Taylor is going to have a conniption when she sees those stubby flowers.”
I sighed. “I know. And the best part is that this will somehow all be my fault.”
“Wait. Where is the hallowed Laura Anne?”
I smiled pertly. “Where is she ever?”
Rob said, “Well, I guess when it comes to fixing the flowers, I’m the best you’ve got right now.” He looked around the room, surveying every element like it was a member of his flock in desperate need of saving. And then we got to work.
We had fixed the first arrangement in a very long line, when I heard a voice I knew as well as my own say, “Oh my God. It’s worse than I thought.”
“Cameron!” I squealed.
In her cutoff jean shorts and white T-shirt, she was ready for work. Cameron had grown up in her mom’s flower shop, and, though she didn’t want to do that for a living, she had true, raw creative ability.
“Cameron, this is Rob. Rob, this is Cameron,” I said as they shook hands.
Cameron raised her eyebrows.
“He’s the priest I work for.”
Her face fell.
“Oh, good,” Rob said, looking toward the driveway. He grinned at me. “I’ll go help the boys unload. Seems like that’s more in my skill set than fluffing flowers.”
Cameron and I both laughed. “All that talent,” she said. “Totally wasted.”
I sat down in the lone chair under the tent because Cameron was already working away. These were her arrangements now. “It’s not a total waste. I mean, he can get married and everything.”
Cameron shrugged. “Yeah. So that means still a total waste for me.”
I laughed. “So, what on earth are you doing here?”
“You’ve been talking about this stupid party forever. I thought maybe I should come help you out.”
That was the thing about Cameron. She was rude and sarcastic, but she had the biggest heart, and, at the end of the day, was always the first person to help you out in a pinch. “And, don’t worry, I brought a very appropriate dress to wear tonight so as not to embarrass you.”
I laughed. “You wouldn’t embarrass me. I can’t believe you’re staying.”
“Oh, yeah,” she said. “After the number of times I’ve heard the name Laura Anne, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
That night, I scanned the crowd, searching for the leggy blonde who was growing taller, whiter teethed and more regal by the moment. So, when a perky, bordering on shrill voice behind me gasped, “Oh my gosh, you must be Annabelle. Finally!” I expected to have to look up to respond.
You can imagine my surprise—and relief—when I turned to find a girl, barely five feet tall, with a brown bob, embracing me like we were old friends.
“Oh my Lord,” she continued, seeming to scarcely stop to take a breath, “that is the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen, and you are the only girl I have ever met who is as beautiful in real life as in her wedding picture.”
I wanted to hate her on principle. I wanted to despise her simply because she had dated my husband, because she had been there first. I’m not one who has ever been much on flattery, but there was something about her face that seemed so honest and open.
As much as I didn’t want to, I could see instantly why she was so dearly loved.
True beauty was intimidating, but soft, nice-featured cuteness wasn’t a threat to anyone.
And I felt myself breathe for the first time since I put on Lovey’s ridiculously tiny dress, realizing that I hadn’t needed to worry all this time. She was really no competition.
An older man I recognized from the club came by, leaned down to kiss her on the cheek and said, “Beautiful job as always, Laura Anne.”
“Oh, thanks,” she replied in that fairy-tale princess voice, “But it was really all Annabelle who put it together.”
It was a nice acknowledgment because it really was all Annabelle who had put it together.
Cameron appeared behind Laura Anne’s head and rolled her eyes.
Laura Anne sipped her champagne and said, “Listen, we have been super swamped lately, but Jack and I must, must throw a party for you and Ben.” Before I even had a chance to respond with a polite “thanks, but no thanks,” she said, “I mean, obviously Ben knows everyone already, but all our friends are just dying to welcome you to town. We’re thrilled to have you here! ”
I thought she might burst into song right then and there, and I couldn’t fathom in my wildest imagination that Ben had ever been with anyone so .
. . perky. I wanted to say that a party wasn’t necessary, but the truth of the matter was that I had already met everyone in town, and they hadn’t quite taken to me, to put it mildly.
As much as I hated it, I needed everyone to know that I was in Laura Anne’s good graces because, as was becoming increasingly clear, that’s what it was going to take for everyone to finally acknowledge that I was Ben Hampton’s wife, not the other woman.
I tried not to laugh as Cameron made a face like she was gagging and then disappeared.
A moment later, I felt an arm around my back and turned to feel Ben’s soft lips on my forehead.
“So I see you two have met,” Ben said, looking amused.
He raised his eyebrows at me as if to say, See why we didn’t work out?
As if on cue, a tall, handsome man in a perfectly fitted tux appeared at Laura Anne’s side and squeezed her shoulder. “Jack,” he said, waiting for me to hold out my hand for him to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
You didn’t have to ask Jack any questions to know everything about him.
He had been to prep school and attended college somewhere that money, good looks and partying are as important for acceptance as grades and SAT scores.
I caught a glimpse of the oversized diamond on Laura Anne’s tiny finger and wondered if she had already scoped my simple Love band.
I wondered if she wished Ben had locked it on her finger and thrown away the key.
“So, Jack,” Laura Anne said, handing her husband her empty champagne glass, wordlessly defining that she needed more and clearly displaying the power dynamic between the two of them. “I was just telling Annabelle that we’d like to have a little celebration for them.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Ben interjected, but I squeezed his hand.
When Jack said, “Oh, no. We insist,” he didn’t argue again.
All I can say, looking back now, is how deeply I wish I hadn’t squeezed his hand.