19. EVERLEE – GINGER BLAZE
EVERLEE – GINGER BLAZE
Lizzy’s bridal shower was… how did Lizzy put it? Over the top. Wowzers banowzers wonderful. Which made me feel good. I feel like so much of this last year has been about me, so I was ecstatic we could spend the entire day focusing on her and her upcoming wedding and my promise to myself is to spend the next six weeks focusing on all things Lizzy.
Betty, Lizzy, and I rented out the house the guys stayed in last Easter which was weird being back in there without them. I think that’s why I opted for the late-night video with Emmett and Jax.
Lizzy’s mother flew in from wherever she’s been living now and helped my mom decorate. The backyard of my parent’s house was decorated with white tables and tablecloths, and bouquets and bouquets of flowers. Mom insisted I let them handle the house and decorations and my job was entertainment, since we didn’t have a lot of gifts to open- most had been sent to her house before the party, so she didn’t have to ship them home.
We did the traditional bridal shower thing, but I came up with a fun idea. Everyone wrote their advice for Lizzy and Tony on a sheet of paper and then we put it in a little wooden boat and pushed them out onto the lake behind my parent’s house. It was so beautiful when all the boats were out on the little lake with the sun shining overhead and all the fresh buds of flowers on the trees. It looked like it came straight out of a movie or picture.
All was going well until I realized I didn’t have a plan to get the boats out of the water. As the wind blew, it shifted some of them to the banks where we could lift them out, but it took us close to three hours… so… that was a fail. But in traditional Lizzy and Everlee fashion, no good deed and whatnot, and then when you add Betty to the mix…
Most people gave up, but of course we didn’t and we had the most fun. Fortunately, this all happened at the end of the shower, so most said their goodbyes, grabbed a thank you gift, and left.
Mom tilts her chin down and points her finger at me. “If you all need a ride tonight, please call me. I don’t want anyone driving after they’ve consumed beverages. Even if it’s midnight. Or past. It will probably be past, won’t it? Late?” She holds up her hand to stop herself from rambling. “You know what… it doesn’t matter. Point is, call me.”
“Thank you, mom.”
“Thanks Mama McKinley,” Lizzy says, giving her a hug.
“I’ll watch over them. Are you sure you don’t want to come with?” Betty asks, shifting her black and pink bedazzled fanny pack on her waist.
Lizzy and I saw it and gave each other a look, but didn’t say anything. Betty is Betty.
“No. I’m going to stay here and catch up with my friend here. I haven’t seen her in so long.” Lizzy’s mom walks into the room with her hair pulled back and some comfy pajamas on.
“Well, if you change your mind, let us know,” Betty says.
“Ready, ladies?”
“Choo choo.” Betty thrusts her fist in the air. “That’s the party train, and she’s a chugging.” She walks towards the door, moving her arms and shoulders around like they are the wheels of a train.
Lizzy looks at me and her eyes get big with excitement.
Lord, I hope we don’t get in trouble tonight. This isn’t the bachelorette party…
We arrive at Will’s and Beckett’s house fifteen minutes later. We opted to leave our rental at their place and call a ride share. Beckett suggested we bring a change of clothes and toothbrush in case we don’t make it home tonight, so…
“How was the shower?” Beckett asks when he throws the door open.
“Faboush!” Lizzy says, throwing her arms above her head and jutting her hip out.
“Sorry we couldn’t make it, but we weren’t invited.” Beckett cuts his eyes at me.
“Oh stop. It was a bunch of prissy wedding gift stuff.”
“I’m gay. We’re gay.” He points between him and Will before stepping out of the way so we can walk into their house. “We like prissy.”
“Noted.” I don’t waste my time arguing with him because it won’t get us anywhere.
“Ok, we don’t like prissy,” he admits when he sees this isn’t going to be a thing. “So, I assume you didn’t eat?”
“No. I figured we could go out to eat then head to where ever it is you want to take us.”
Beckett’s face pulls into a cheshire grin and my heart beats faster.
“I feel like I should call the guys now and ask for forgiveness.”
“Nah, you’re good. I’ve already talked to them.”
“You did? What did you say?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” He boops the end of my nose and my eyes land on Will, who has his arms clasped behind his body. With as big as they both are, I feel like they are our personal body guards tonight.
“Beckett!” I turn my attention to Will, but he just shakes his head and holds up his hands, exiting the conversation.
“Choo choo!” Betty says, slowly moving her arms again.
“Is that the party train? Hold up! Here I come!” Beckett waves his arms in the air and hooks his hands around Betty’s waist. “Let’s go!” He waves his hand over his head.
“He’s all yours,” I tease Will.
“Don’t remind me.” He laughs as we all head outside, then stops.
“Where’s the ride share?” I ask, looking at our cars.
“I thought you called them.” Beckett points.
“Why would I call them? I thought you called them when we were on our way over,” I retort.
“I called them.” Will holds up his phone. “They should pull in any second.”
“Our hero,” Betty coos. “And look at those arms. Hubba hubba.”
Beckett throws his arm around her shoulders. “Betty. I feel like you and me are going to be great friends.”
Two hours later, we have full bellies and are standing outside of two large black doors with bass thumping from the inside.
“Where are we?” I ask cautiously.
“Is this a sex club?” Lizzy rubs her hands together.
“Ew no. Not a sex club. You think I’d want to go with my sisters?” Beckett’s nose scrunches.
“He called me his sister,” Lizzy coos, nearly melting into a puddle on the floor.
“He always calls you his sister.” I laugh.
“Yes, but we’re in public.”
“Probably shouldn’t have let you take that third shot at dinner.”
“Ehh. Who’s counting?”
“Me. Me. I’m counting.” I loop my arm in hers as Beckett knocks three times on the steel door. The echo rattles my bones. Very dramatic.
The rectangular peephole opens and a pair of eyes peek through, looking at each of us. Beckett and Will hold up their wrists as a black light flashes over it.
Where are we? I feel like it’s some prohibition like place, but for naughty things.
The door unhooks from the inside and swings open.
Inside, the music is even louder and lights are flashing. It’s some sort of nightclub.
“Where are we?” I ask, clinging onto Beckett’s arm, more from excitement than fear.
“Forbidden.”
“What is that?” Lizzy asks, clinging to Betty’s arm.
We turn the corner and the room opens up to a large golden stage with disco balls and gold and silver streamers hanging down, with tables all around. We pause, taking everything in.
“Shut the front door! A drag club! Yes!!” Lizzy yells.
An announcer calls over the loudspeaker. “Welcome to the stage, our twins, Glitterati and Cliterati!” The music thumps as they strut onto the stage and get the crowd excited.
Lizzy looks at me wide-eyed and mouth open.
“Yeah!” Betty shouts, thrusting her fist into the air. She unzips her fanny pack and pulls out a stack of ones. “Let’s get close!”
“We have a table reserved,” Will says.
“At the front!” Beckett points to an empty table that is set off at the left center of the stage.
“Did you know we were coming here?” I look at Betty, and she’s in her own world dancing to the music.
“No. I thought strip club, but this works too! I’ve never been to one, but it’s been on my bucket list.” She calls over her shoulder then screams out when one of the twins jumps into the air and lands in a full split on stage. “Woah! I don’t know if I should be excited or massage my hoo-ha.”
“Let’s go to our table.”
Just as we get to the table, they begin to sing Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend . Betty and Lizzy, of course, don't sit; instead, they join several others in singing and energetically waving cash over their head, calling for the dancers to come over.
Beckett leans over to me and whispers, “We have a little surprise planned for Lizzy later.”
“What?”
“I’m not telling.”
“Then why in the hell did you even begin? You know it’s going to bother me.”
“I know.” He laughs and starts rocking in his seat, with his hand on Will’s leg.
“Ass,” I mumble.
He claws the air and hisses at me.
Two hours later, we’re four drinks in and all standing and dancing around the stage, living our best life.
A new queen walks out, and the crowd goes wild. She has olive skin and is wearing a red, glossy firefighter's uniform with a beautiful wig of long strawberry blonde hair that curls and hangs perfectly. “Please welcome Ginger Blaze to the stage.” There’s something about her that feels familiar, but I can’t place my finger on it.
Ginger Blaze walks over to us and speaks into the microphone. “Who do we have over here?”
“We love you, Ginger!” Beckett shouts, with a knowing smile on his face.
Ginger Blaze offers a wink and a smile and bends down on the edge of the stage and holds her hand out to Lizzy. “Lizzy Lulu. Is that you?”
Lizzy looks around, confusion coiled on her face.
“Go!” Beckett urges.
Ginger Blaze pulls Lizzy onto the stage while a fire pole lowers into the center and another performer brings out a chair.
“Now, a little fire house dalmatian told me it was your upcoming wedding, but this is not a bachelorette party.” She enunciates the last several words and the crowd cheers.
“What are they going to do?” I whisper to Beckett. I have to lean in close because Betty is damn near crawling up in a chair and screaming. With as much as she’s been singing and screaming, it’s a wonder she’s not completely hoarse.
Beckett shushes me and squeezes Will’s leg in excitement.
Ginger Blaze rubs her hand over Lizzy’s shoulder, who is smiling and looking at me, trying to figure out exactly what’s going on.
I nonchalantly shrug my shoulders and raise my eyebrows, causing her attention to shift to Beckett. He playfully waves at her and then blows a kiss.
“Do you mind getting a little wet? Of course you don’t. I’ve heard your stud is the cat’s meow.”
“She’s wet now!” Betty yells and screams, throwing a few dollars on the stage.
“I LOVE you!” Ginger Blaze shouts towards Betty, pointing her finger.
“I love you!!” Betty yells, waving her arms over her head and throwing a few more dollars.
The music starts and Ginger dances, clapping her hands in the air when the lights go off and a spotlight falls on the stage. Hot in Herre , by Nelly starts playing as Ginger moves around with her own version, which blends to Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys.
While the crowd claps and sings along, Ginger leans down and whispers something to Lizzy, who nods and smiles, then tosses me a quick glance filled with joy and excitement.
The song changes again to Set Fire to the Rain by Adele, and as Ginger walks across the stage, the crowd gets louder. Lights flicker off for a second, and the crowd gets even more wild and when the lights click back on, Ginger is in a skimpier firefighter’s costume with a hose in her hand. The lights flash and cracks of lightning and thunder feel the room. Rain on Me, by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande plays and at the ‘Rain on me’ part, water falls from the ceiling as Ginger moves her hose back and forth.
Bass is thumping, people are screaming and singing, the energy in the room cannot be touched. Beckett, Will, Betty and I have our arms linked around one another, singing and jumping in unison.
Everything shuts off and when the lights come back on, all the queens are on the back of the stage waving at the audience, who are still screaming while Ginger helps Lizzy off the stage.
“That was…. Amazing!!!” she screams, grabbing my arms, then turns to Beckett and punches him in the chest.
“Ow. What was that for?”
“I love you!” She gives him a wet hug and Beckett screams at first, then hugs her back.
With a sudden burst of brightness, the blaring house lights flash on, signaling everyone to leave. “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here,” the announcer calls over the loudspeaker.
As we make our way outside, Beckett is checking his phone. “Are you all wanting to go home or stay out a little later?”
Betty, Lizzy, and I look at one another, then shrug. “What did you have in mind?”
“We have a friend who has a late-night breakfast and coffee shop on the corner.”
Lizzy and Betty both look at me and shrug again. Apparently, all the yelling and screaming during the show has caught up with them.
“Yes. I could go for some waffles and coffee,” I say, deciding for the team. After that last number, there is no way I can go home and go to sleep.
“She has the best!” Beckett kisses the tips of her fingers.
“Doubt they’re better than Emmett’s.” Lizzy jumps on Beckett’s back. He wraps his arms around her legs to hold her up and they gallop down the street with her yelling and screaming.
Guess she didn’t lose her voice. A smile spreads across my face.
As Will, Betty, and I follow them down the sidewalk, Betty loops her arm in mine. “Thank you for including me in your fun group and for inviting me this weekend.”
“Absolutely! Thank you so much for coming. It looks like you’re having fun.”
“So much fun!”
We watch Beckett and Lizzy acting wild, and I’m filled with such happiness. I wish the guys could be here with us, but it would have been weird to have them at the bridal shower.