affordable.”
“Yes, but if money were no object, I think a Wang would be perfect for Caitlin.”
“I hear there are some good imitations that look exactly like the real thing,” says Jenny. “But you have to know who to go through.”
“A Vera Wang knockoff?” Joy seems to be considering this.
“Or a Levkoff knockoff,” says Jenny, which makes them both laugh. And suddenly I wonder what on earththey're talking about. It's as if they're speaking another language-maybe wedding-ese.
Because we knew we'd be trying on dresses, Jenny made sure that we both wore outfits that would come off and on easily, as well as high-heeled shoes. But by midafternoon, my feet are killing me, and I am so done with this little shopping excursion. But unfortunately for me, Jenny has gotten her second wind (must be that pasta), and Joy seems unstoppable.
“How about this one?” Joy says as she holds up a satin number that doesn't look any different from at least a dozen others I've already tried on today. However, I know what will happen if I mention this fact. Both Joy and Jenny will point out the subtle details and differences in the cut or the skirt width or the train or the bodice or the whatever. Big deal. They all look like a bunch of long white satin dresses to me.
And I know that I'll be seeing these same dresses in my dreams tonight. It's all I can see when I close my eyes now. I'm sure I'll be haunted by white satin for days, maybe weeks, to come. Even so, I give in to peer pressure and go into the dressing room to try on the dress. Once again, and despite my mother's earlier reservations, this is another strapless number. And here's what's weird: Either these two are wearing me down, or I'm actually beginning to like this style.
Jenny fastens up the back of the dress, then I step out and do the obligatory walk, slowly and gracefully, as if I'm coming down the aisle. I give a half turn so theycan see the back, turn around to face them, and just for fun I even curtsy.
“That's beautiful,” says Joy, clapping her hands together.
“It really is.” Jenny turns me around to face the big three-way mirror so I can see for myself.
I nod and consider the dress. It really is one of the best ones I've seen, and it does fit me perfectly. Okay, it's a little snug, but then I'm going to lose some weight by June.
“I think we should get it,” says Joy suddenly.
“Oh, I don't think-”
“She might be right, Cate. It looks fantastic on you. Really. It's so perfect. It's by far the best one we've seen all day.”
“But I'm not really ready to-”
“When is the wedding?” asks the older woman who's been helping us.
“June,” offers Joy.
“It's not too soon to make a decision,” says the woman. “Some women get their dresses a year in advance. And already we're getting backlogged on certain styles.” She peers at the dress I'm wearing. “Including this one.” She glances around, as if to see if anyone else is listening. “And if you hadn't noticed, this dress is quite similar to a Vera Wang that sells for thirteen thousand.”
“No,” Joy says, as if she'd just been told the dress had been woven from gold thread spun by a traveling band of leprechauns.
“Yes,” says the saleswoman.
“I thought it looked familiar.” Jenny examines the dress more closely.
“I don't expect we'll have this dress for long,” says the saleswoman.
Now I'm feeling desperate. Like there's no way I can agree to buy this dress without both my mother's and Beanie's approval. This shopping trip has gotten totally out of control. I consider calling Josh on my cell phone, then wonder what he can possibly say.
“I really think you need to seriously consider this dress,” says Joy.
I look at my reflection again. And okay, I'll admit it looks good. Really good. But even so, it feels wrong. “But I plan on losing some weight,” I try using this as an excuse but know it probably sounds lame. “I mean, by June I could be a whole
“Yes, but if money were no object, I think a Wang would be perfect for Caitlin.”
“I hear there are some good imitations that look exactly like the real thing,” says Jenny. “But you have to know who to go through.”
“A Vera Wang knockoff?” Joy seems to be considering this.
“Or a Levkoff knockoff,” says Jenny, which makes them both laugh. And suddenly I wonder what on earththey're talking about. It's as if they're speaking another language-maybe wedding-ese.
Because we knew we'd be trying on dresses, Jenny made sure that we both wore outfits that would come off and on easily, as well as high-heeled shoes. But by midafternoon, my feet are killing me, and I am so done with this little shopping excursion. But unfortunately for me, Jenny has gotten her second wind (must be that pasta), and Joy seems unstoppable.
“How about this one?” Joy says as she holds up a satin number that doesn't look any different from at least a dozen others I've already tried on today. However, I know what will happen if I mention this fact. Both Joy and Jenny will point out the subtle details and differences in the cut or the skirt width or the train or the bodice or the whatever. Big deal. They all look like a bunch of long white satin dresses to me.
And I know that I'll be seeing these same dresses in my dreams tonight. It's all I can see when I close my eyes now. I'm sure I'll be haunted by white satin for days, maybe weeks, to come. Even so, I give in to peer pressure and go into the dressing room to try on the dress. Once again, and despite my mother's earlier reservations, this is another strapless number. And here's what's weird: Either these two are wearing me down, or I'm actually beginning to like this style.
Jenny fastens up the back of the dress, then I step out and do the obligatory walk, slowly and gracefully, as if I'm coming down the aisle. I give a half turn so theycan see the back, turn around to face them, and just for fun I even curtsy.
“That's beautiful,” says Joy, clapping her hands together.
“It really is.” Jenny turns me around to face the big three-way mirror so I can see for myself.
I nod and consider the dress. It really is one of the best ones I've seen, and it does fit me perfectly. Okay, it's a little snug, but then I'm going to lose some weight by June.
“I think we should get it,” says Joy suddenly.
“Oh, I don't think-”
“She might be right, Cate. It looks fantastic on you. Really. It's so perfect. It's by far the best one we've seen all day.”
“But I'm not really ready to-”
“When is the wedding?” asks the older woman who's been helping us.
“June,” offers Joy.
“It's not too soon to make a decision,” says the woman. “Some women get their dresses a year in advance. And already we're getting backlogged on certain styles.” She peers at the dress I'm wearing. “Including this one.” She glances around, as if to see if anyone else is listening. “And if you hadn't noticed, this dress is quite similar to a Vera Wang that sells for thirteen thousand.”
“No,” Joy says, as if she'd just been told the dress had been woven from gold thread spun by a traveling band of leprechauns.
“Yes,” says the saleswoman.
“I thought it looked familiar.” Jenny examines the dress more closely.
“I don't expect we'll have this dress for long,” says the saleswoman.
Now I'm feeling desperate. Like there's no way I can agree to buy this dress without both my mother's and Beanie's approval. This shopping trip has gotten totally out of control. I consider calling Josh on my cell phone, then wonder what he can possibly say.
“I really think you need to seriously consider this dress,” says Joy.
I look at my reflection again. And okay, I'll admit it looks good. Really good. But even so, it feels wrong. “But I plan on losing some weight,” I try using this as an excuse but know it probably sounds lame. “I mean, by June I could be a whole
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