Page 75 of Threads of Kindness
“Dress Cam, here we come!” Joan said, high-fiving Judy.
Anita’s phone chimed. She glanced at the screen and smiled. “Showtime, ladies. Sunday just arrived at the shop. I’ll let you know how it went the minute she leaves.”
Anita’s headseamstress intercepted her at the front door to the shop.
“She’s in the dressing room,” the woman said. “She’s slipping into the dress she believes she’s stuck with.”
“Good,” Anita said. “I don’t want to suggest we’ll make her dream dress if she’s now decided she likes this one. It really is lovely on her.”
“I agree. We never try to change a bride’s mind about her dress,” she said, reciting the shop’s mantra.
“Exactly,” Anita replied. “Come with me to the fitting room. We’ll know if she’s fallen in love with this dress the moment we see her.”
“I’ll catch your eye and nod if I think she’s still disappointed but making the best of it.”
“Perfect,” Anita said. “Okay … let’s see if we’re about to launch a sewing frenzy around here.”
“I hope we are,” the woman whispered as she followed Anita.
Anita tapped on the fitting room door. “Ready?” she called.
“Yes,” Sunday replied, her voice flat.
Anita shot a knowing look at the seamstress and opened the door.
Sunday stood on the raised platform wearing satin wedding pumps and the gown. She was facing them, not the mirror.
“You look lovely, dear,” Anita said, stepping into the room.
Sunday forced a smile. “Thank you,” she said.
“Turn to face the mirror, please,” Anita said gently.
Sunday turned around.
Anita stood behind her, and their gazes met in the reflection.
“I’d like you to take the straps up, like you suggested before. I think I’ll be happier if the dress doesn’t sit so low on my body,” Sunday said.
Anita caught the seamstress’s slight nod out of the corner of her eye.
“I’ve got a better idea,” Anita said. “One that will make you even happier with your wedding dress.”
Sunday ran her eyes up and down her reflection in the mirror. “What could that be? There isn’t much to work with.”
“We’ve been talking,” Anita said, gesturing to the seamstress and the workroom behind them. “All of us here at Archer’s Bridal. The dress in that picture—the one you originally wanted—is a classic design. It would look stunning on you. We’ve made dozens like it over the years.”
Sunday tilted her head, then turned to face Anita. “What do you mean?”
“We decided,” Anita said, “that, if you came in and weren’t thrilled with this dress, we would offer to make you the one in the picture.”
Sunday clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as she looked from Anita to the seamstress.
“We have most of the fabric we’ll need on hand, and we can purchase the rest of the materials by the end of the week,” the seamstress said, smiling. “And, as Anita said, we already have the patterns. We’ll take measurements today, and you’d have to come in frequently for fittings.”
“You guys …” Sunday’s voice caught. “I can’t believe you’d do this. You realize the wedding is in four and a half weeks, right?”
“We’ll be working overtime, that’s for sure,” Anita said. “But it will give us great joy to do this for you.”
