Chapter 4 #2
“I understand the schedule is always changing,” Shannon said, smiling when she saw her mom set down her giant tote bag that contained all things wedding. Obviously Cindy wasn’t here to talk about work.
“But if you’re going to take the job, you have to do all the work,” she continued. “They didn’t wash the floors.”
“It was a mistake,” the woman on the other end of the phone said. “I’ve talked to them. It won’t happen again.” She hesitated.
“We can take a hundred dollars off the bill.”
Shannon thought about the two hours she’d had to spend washing the floors herself and knew a hundred dollars wasn’t anywhere
near enough. Yet the cleaning company they used was usually reliable and often squeezed in new listings with very little notice.
“I don’t want an adjustment,” she said. “I want the work done.”
“I get that, and I’ve been clear with the teams. We’re going to follow up with them after every job, going forward.”
“That sounds like a good solution. I’ll be in touch.”
She hung up. Cindy beamed at her. “You were very forceful but polite. Good for you.”
“Thanks.”
Cindy smiled. “I think I found the venue.”
Something Shannon had heard three times already, only to have her mom change her mind. “Tell me.”
She pulled a folder out of her tote and opened it. “It’s right on the beach, with plenty of parking. I know it’s a little
pricey, but everything would work, and I think it’s lovely.”
Shannon took the offered paper and stared at the oceanfront mansion. It was obviously seventy or eighty years old and gorgeous.
The views were stunning, but wow, was it going to cost money.
“Isn’t this a little grand for what you’re talking about?”
Cindy grinned. “Oh no, not that. Turn it over.”
Shannon did as she asked and saw a charming bungalow with a walled garden.
Trees provided shade while bougainvillea climbed the stone walls.
The small building was open on the inside.
Looking at the picture, she counted a dozen or so tables of eight—more than Cindy and Luis would need if they kept their guest list to the approximately fifty they were talking about.
“It’s really pretty, Mom.”
“I know.” Cindy clasped her hands together as she shimmied in her chair. “I’ve always wanted a garden wedding. See all the
trees and the flowers? It’s like a little oasis.”
“I didn’t know you wanted a garden wedding.”
“I did when I was little.” Her mother leaned toward her. “You know how when you’re growing up you daydream about what your
wedding will be like? Oh, the man in question is always sort of fuzzy, but other details are so clear. At least they were
for me.”
Her expression turned dreamy. “I wanted a beautiful princess-style dress, something off the shoulder. My hair up.” Her smile
returned. “When you were little, I pictured you in one of those cute dresses, maybe your hair in ringlets, tossing rose petals.”
“You saw yourself getting married when I was that young? But I don’t remember you dating anyone. Did I miss it?”
Shannon tried to recall if there had ever been a man hanging around. There’d been her grandfather, of course, but no one else.
Later, when Cindy had gone to work for Luis and Gloria, they’d been visitors, along with their two boys, but as to someone
her mother had been involved with? She didn’t have a clue.
Cindy sighed. “No, there wasn’t a man. When would I have had the time? I was so young when I had you, and trying to keep us
going took all I had. Then your grandfather took a turn for the worse, and I had to take care of him. Plus the medical bills.
Like I said, it was just a daydream.”
“Which you’re about to turn into reality,” Shannon said lightly, thinking that her view of those early days and her mother’s couldn’t be more different.
She remembered laughing and playing. There’d never been a hint of a financial struggle.
Oh, sure, there were things they didn’t have, but the situation had never seemed dire.
Now with a little perspective, she could imagine that back then, her mom’s life had been pretty shitty and difficult.
She’d gotten pregnant at seventeen and had given birth the week she graduated from high school, which was no one’s idea of a thought-out life plan.
Shannon remembered how she’d demanded swimming lessons. At first her mom had balked at the cost, but then she’d figured out
how to pay for them. She’d driven Shannon to her lessons and then to practice. There had been things like dance and new clothes
every school year. Once her mother had started working for L&G Real Estate, the money had been better, but they’d never had
surplus.
“I’m sorry things were so rough for you,” she said quietly. “You were so careful to keep all that from me. I wish you’d been
more clear that money was tight.”
“Don’t say that.” Her mother patted her arm. “We made it. Look at how happy we are. There were a few difficult years, but
everyone goes through something.”
As always, her mom was trying to make her feel better. “Mom, you need to have your garden wedding. This place is beautiful.
Let’s go look at it.”
Cindy took the paper from her and studied the pictures. “Are you sure? You said it was grand.”
“That giant place was, but the bungalow and garden are perfect. You need this in your life. No, you deserve it.”
Her mother pressed her lips together. “Maybe. Would you want to get married here?”
“No. It’s lovely and very you, but I want something more casual. Maybe barefoot on the beach. Or a park wedding.” Aaron would
appreciate the simplicity of that.
“With your hair long?” Her mother leaned forward. “I can see it. Aaron could wear one of those cream-colored linen suits. Of course, you couldn’t wear a princess dress to a beach wedding. It would look out of place.”
“You’re the princess-dress bride, Mom.”
Cindy waved that away. “I’m too old.”
“You’re not. You look great. We’re both tall. You could totally carry it off. You’re going to be a beautiful bride, whatever
you decide. Have you scheduled your appointment with the bridal shop?”
“Not yet.”
“You keep putting it off. You have to start making decisions, or the wedding is never going to happen.” And the longer it
took for her mom to finalize things, the longer Shannon would have to wait to tell her about the engagement. Even as she sat
there, she felt the weight of the chain around her neck.
Cindy looked longingly at the pictures. “It is lovely, but so much money.”
“Luis isn’t hurting, Mom. He does well, and he wants you to be happy. You have to pick one thing. The dress or the venue.”
Cindy squirmed in her seat. “You’re right. I just . . .” She stood and pulled her phone out of her trouser pocket. “I’m calling.”
She glanced at the paper, then dialed the number. “Hello, hi. My name is Cindy Van Horn, and I’m interested in looking at
your bungalow for a wedding.” There was a pause. “About forty or fifty people. We haven’t picked a date yet. Uh-huh.” She
listened for a few seconds. “Oh, that’s very soon. Yes, of course I want to see it. I’m going to bring my daughter with me.”
Another pause. “Good point. Absolutely.” She read off her phone number. “Tomorrow. We’ll be there.”
She ended the call and stared at Shannon. “They had a cancellation, and we can get in tomorrow.”
Shannon stood and hugged her. “Mom, that’s great. We’ll go see it.”
“I thought there’d be more time. It’s a huge decision.” She clutched her daughter’s hand. “You have to come with me. And Javiar. Luis won’t want to bother, but he needs representation. Plus Javiar has such good taste.”
“He does. Let me text him right now. This is good, Mom. A first step. You don’t have to rent it if you don’t love it, but
at least you’re making progress.”
Cindy looked more than a little stunned. “You’re right.” She pressed a hand to her belly. “I’m so nervous all of a sudden.
I’ve never looked at a wedding venue before.”
“You’ve never been engaged before. This is going to be so fun.” And hey, if Shannon got a few ideas for herself along the
way, that would be good, too.
Her mother nodded. “The lady warned me that someone else would be there looking at the larger location, but we’ll be the only
ones viewing the bungalow.”
“Perfect. I can’t wait to see it. Tomorrow is going to be fun. You’ll see. And once you’ve decided if you love it or not,
we can move on to dresses.”