All of Me

The caterer had called that morning asking for a final count, which she promised to have to him by the end of the day. They’d chosen chicken kiev, sautéed green beans, and garlic mashed potatoes with a side salad for the meal, and with the open bar, she and Marty had figured sixty-five dollars, approximately, per person. She still planned to order five extra, just in case. The caterer had promised he would box anything up that hadn’t been eaten to take to the homeless shelter the day after.

As she checked off her list, she noted that her mother had not responded to the invitation. In fact, she was the only person who hadn’t responded with either a yes or a no. With a sad sigh, Diana wondered if she’d just show up. Irritated as well as sad, she picked up her phone and scrolled through her contacts to her mother’s number, but she hesitated. If she broke the silence between her mother and her, maybe she would come. However, the woman was as stubborn as a mule and might refuse to come because of her hatred for Marty.

With an unladylike snort, she put her phone down. If her mother was going to behave like a child, Diana could do nothing to change it. She had too many other things to worry about. She yanked her phone up and called the caterer to confirm the number, then called Maura to set up her last fitting for the next day.

Lastly, she called Rena. “Hey, friend. Just checking in to make sure all is ready.”

“You doubt me? I’m hurt,” Rena teased.

“Never,” Diana replied with a mirthless laugh. “I’ve called the caterers with the final head count, and I have my last fitting for my dress tomorrow.”

“Why do you sound like the translation to all that is I’m dying and planning my own funeral?” Rena asked, concern in her voice.

“What do you mean?” Diana asked, interjecting false jollity into her voice.

“Oh please, girl. I know you too well for you to try to lie,” Rena returned. “Now spill.”

“My mom hasn’t RSVP’d.”

Rena was silent for a moment, but Diana heard her swear under her breath. “Diana, please don’t let that upset you. She’s making the bad decision to miss her daughter’s wedding. It really has nothing to do with you.”

“I just can’t believe she thinks this is okay,” Diana murmured. “Marty is a great man. She would know that if she would give him a chance.”

“You know she won’t, not yet anyway,” Rena told her quietly. “After some time, she’ll hopefully realize what she’s missing.”

“Do you think I should call her?”

“Um, you know, that’s not really my place to say.”

“What would you do?” Diana asked pleadingly. “I really want to know. I want your advice.”

Rena sighed into the phone. “Honestly, I wouldn’t call her. Calling her would upset you, especially if she hasn’t changed her mind. You don’t need that stress two weeks out. You’ve got enough.”

Diana nodded as her friend spoke. She pulled herself out of the slouch she’d allowed her body to dip into and said, “You’re right. I have done nothing wrong. I invited her when I didn’t have to, and if she chooses not to come, that’s her loss.”

“Exactly. So are we doing the twinkle lights this weekend?”

“Yes. Come over around eleven. We can have an early lunch, or a late breakfast, whatever, then we’ll get to work.” Diana squealed. “And I want you to come to the last fitting for my dress tomorrow.”

“I’ll bring the champagne. What time?”

“Ten. I’ll bring the orange juice. We’ll make mimosas, which is perfectly fine for morning drinking.”

Rena laughed as they ended the call.

*****

Rena stepped back and looked at Diana, her head tilted to the side. A tear sparkled in one eye as she clasped her hands under her chin and grinned. “Oh my God! You are stunning!”

Diana stared at herself in the full length mirror. She spun in a circle and smiled at Maura, who had come over to help her dress as well as to attend the wedding. “Maura, you were right. I look like a princess. Better than a princess!”

“You are the most beautiful bride I’ve dressed, I swear it,” Maura murmured as she adjusted the skirt. “Now, before you walk down the aisle, I’ll stand behind you and fluff it.”

“Sounds great!” Diana exclaimed, her excitement too much to contain. She looked at Rena. “Are the caterers here? Are Marty and Marcus dressed? Did you send them the whiskey and shot glasses for a pre-drink?”

Diana had bought her future husband and his brother an expensive bottle of whiskey with crystal shot glasses as a pre-wedding gift. The note she had written to him would, she hoped, remind him why they were perfect for each other. And she knew Marty well; he’d be a bundle of nerves just like she was. A shot or two of whiskey would take the edge off, just like the mimosas Rena had brought had settled her.

“Diana, you have to calm down. Today is your day. Let me take care of everything from this moment on, understand?”

“Yes. Now answer the questions.” Diana winked to ease her harsh tone, but the last minute was the worst time for something to go wrong.

Rena counted the questions out on her fingers. “Yes, the caterers are here. Marty and Marcus are mostly dressed, but I’ll go hurry them along and get them outside to their places in the next fifteen minutes. And…I forgot the last question.”

“The whiskey and shot glasses,” Diana said pointedly.

Rena rolled her eyes. “Of course. Those were delivered personally by me before I came in here. And I think you need to have one more mimosa, just to take off the edge. You know, before I kill you.”