Page 9 of Brix

“You know, I never thought much about it. My mother controlled everything in my first wedding. I had this God-awful dress that made me look like a giant white cupcake. It was terrible! I didn’t choose the food, flowers, none of it.”

“Well, this is different. You get to choose everything. What do you want?”

“I’m not sure. I know I want it to be simple. Nothing extravagant. I’d love just a nice white summer dress. Maybe not white, maybe a soft pink. That seems more fitting for me, and it being my second marriage.”

“I love that,” smiled Hazel. “What about flowers?”

“Oh, the gardens here are so magnificent. Could I just cut some fresh flowers from here?”

“You absolutely can,” said Claudette, walking toward them. She gave a big smile and a hug to each of the young women. “I’ll cut some roses, a little hyacinth, throw in a magnolia for good luck. Mama wants to know if there’s anything special you would like for food. She’s got the kitchen staff goin’ crazy preppin’ the weddin’ cake.”

“You sound so much like her,” smiled Daphne. “Every time I hear your voice, I think it’s her. It’s amazing.”

“I get that a lot,” grinned Claudette. “I can’t think of anyone finer than my own Mama to emulate. Now, the food.”

“I’m truly not picky. I never cared much for roast beef, and yet it seemed my mother served more beef than England possessed in cows.”

“Then no beef. We’ll do a variety of seafood and chicken, lots of fresh vegetables from the garden. Maybe Pops will do a roast pig.”

“Oh, that sounds wonderful,” laughed Daphne, clapping her hands.

“Good,” smiled Claudette. “Now, you need to get down to the salon. Keegan and her team are ready for you.”

“Today?”

“Yes, honey. Today. You’re gettin’ married tonight.”

“But. But how? How will everything be ready by then?” Hazel laughed at her future daughter-in-law.

“Trust the process, sweetie. Trust the process. We’ve been preppin’ for this since the day you arrived on the property.”

Daphne just stared at the two women, who seemed to have complete and utter confidence in their ‘process.’ Shaking her head, she took Claudette’s hand and followed along behind her.

“Alright. I’ll trust the process.”

CHAPTER SIX

“She’s a special girl, Brix. Beautiful, refined, educated,” said his father.

“Yep. Too good for me,” he laughed.

“No, son. She’s perfect for you. She’s the woman you were meant to have, meant to be with. I like her a lot, and I couldn’t have chosen anyone better for you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“You know, the women always talk about finding the right person for their son or daughter, but we husbands don’t talk a lot about it. I don’t know why, really. I suppose it’s just the usual male bullshit of not wanting to talk about shit that matters. We worry about it as well. We just don’t talk about it. I worried about you for a while.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Dad. I wasn’t acting like the man you raised me to be, that’s for damn sure.”

“You were acting like a young man who wasn’t clear about who he was and what he wanted. Men tend to use sex to ‘discover’ themselves,” he said in air quotes. “Women do as well, sometimes. They get ridiculed for it, but men seem to get away with it. You had an experience that changed you and put you on a different path. The right path.”

“It did. Absolutely. I never felt racism like I did that day. The way that woman made me feel was horrible. Then I realized it wasn’t her at all. I did things to make others think of me that way. I happened to be blessed with your physical attributes,” he smirked. “I took advantage of that, and I’m ashamed of myself for doing so.”

“Don’t be. Many young men do the same thing. You figured it out and changed. That’s what’s so great about maturing. Now, the aches and pains and shit aren’t so great.” Brix just laughed at his father.

“You’re not ninety, Dad. You could still take me in a fair fight. You’re as big and strong as you were when I was a kid. I think it’s incredible.”

“Thank you, son. Is she still worried about the children thing?”

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