Chapter 21: The Perfect Dress
We spent most of the morning watching the one woman fashion show. Rachel and AJ really started to relax with alcohol in their system. It helped to provide a much happier atmosphere and experience for Brittany.
As we got closer to noon, I started to wonder if we should move onto the next boutique. It's better if she gets to see more options. But while I thought about it, I heard a very audible squeal. My eyebrows raised as I glanced to Kelly.
Kelly grinned. "She must have found what she was looking for."
We both scooted to the end of the couch, placing our near-empty glasses down on the end table. Then waited patiently.
Brittany came out, glowing. Her smile lit up the room and you could just feel the happiness radiating off her. She stepped up to the mirror and couldn't help but twirling a few times. She admired the dress and couldn't take her eyes off it.
"This is it." Brittany said confidently, not even waiting for input. "This is the dress."
The dress had the beaded bodice she really wanted. It was a push-up, strapless design, showing off her small chest. The skirt and soft ruffles, adding some style and fluff. She really looked like a model.
"This dress was made for you!" Kelly hollered, red in the face. She may have had too much to drink.
But I had to agree. "You look so beautiful in that dress, Brittany! It really flatters your body type."
The back of the bodice was cut low and showed off her shoulder blades and the curve of her slender back.
"Dean is going to want to lock you up." AJ commented.
Brittany laughed. "I'd like to see him try. He won't be able to see this dress until the ceremony." She looked at her mom. "The only bad part...is the price..."
Mrs. Cooper's smile didn't falter. "As long as it's not too crazy, we can make this work. My baby's happiness is all that matters on her special day."
Brittany grinned as she stepped down and went to hug her mom. "I love you, Mom."
Mrs. Cooper rubbed her back. "Alright, alright. Hit me with it. How much is it?"
Brittany whispered. "Two thousand dollars."
"That's almost twice as much as the last dress!" Mrs. Cooper's jaw dropped and distanced herself from her daughter in fear of ruining the dress.
"And it looks twice as good!" Brittany said happily, not scared that her mom will say no. She was an only child and was used to getting what she wanted. "We'll get our money back from returning that last dress or resell it. And then, if needed, I'll work some overtime to make up for the difference."
"We have very flexible payment plan." The consultant spoke up, seeing the chance to make a sale. "We do require a 25% down payment, but in exchange we won't charge for alterations. As long as it's size alterations that is."
"The dress is perfect as is!" Brittany claimed. "Just normal alterations is fine." She smiled and shined. "I'll be getting this dress."
The consultant nodded. "Alright. Great. I'll go get the seamstress so she can get the measurements. Do you want to look at any shoes so we can get the hemline right?"
Brittany's eyes went wide.
I pulled out my phone. "Actually she already has her shoes picked out, but forgot to bring them. I have a picture of them here." I showed the consultant. "I don't know if you have something similar that she can wear for measurement purposes?"
"Sure! We can do that!" The lady looked at my phone. "I think we actually have the same shoe brand. The size of the heel is four inches? Yep. Okay. I'll go grab that too. What's your shoe size?" She asked Brittany.
Brittany told her and the consultant left in a hurry. Brittany then turned to me. "Oh my gosh, Val. You knew that I should have brought my shoes." She put a hand on her head. "I almost had a panic attack."
I laughed. "It's no big deal. A lot of stores will have shoes that you can wear just so they get the hemline right. They don't want you tripping over your dress anymore than you want to." All for the sake of a good review.
"Thank you." She sighed, resting a hand on her chest. "That made my heart skip a beat."
"Valerie is prepared for anything." Mrs. Cooper claimed. She looked over Brittany's dress again. "Just so lovely. You're going to be stunning on your wedding day."
Brittany started to tear up.
This was my cue to leave. I raised my phone. "I have to go and cancel the other appointments. I didn't expect us to hit the jackpot so soon. I'll be right back."
"Okay." Brittany said.
The other girls started to get up and admire the dress from closer up as I left the room. In the hallway, I called the few other places to cancel our appointments, explaining that we no longer needed their services. Once upon a time, this would have made me cringe because I abhorred speaking on the phone. Especially to strangers. Now, it's just business.
As I made the calls, the consultant came back up with the shoes and the seamstress. I stopped her to make sure it was the correct pair, and then gave her the thumbs up. Good to go. Crisis one tackled so soon. Ha. I finished up and prepared to go back to the private room.
"This price is insane!" A sharp yell came from down the hall. "This is the same price as my car in high school! Why are you robbing me?"
Ugh. One of those brides. I headed back to our room.
"It's just money. It can easily be earned again." A familiar voice stated. It was very matter-of-fact and slightly annoying. More than anything, it made me sick to my stomach. Corey.
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