I have to step on Maggie’s foot under the table as her lips tremble to keep back her laugh and her voice comes out way too high.
“Oh no! I’m all about what’s trending. Please, Rain, I’m counting on you to telluswhat’s the latest trend in weddings.”
I turn my focus back to Gladys to keep from bursting out laughing and make my expression all dreamy.
“Oh, they’re just so lovely! It used to be all the rage to have these huge over-the-top weddings that cost almost as much as a starter house but now…oh…” I breathe out in a gush, “Now, they’re like a fairytale. Small, elegant, intimate affairs that focus on love instead of the production of the day. Outdoor settings, using nature's bounty as the backdrop instead of cold and impersonal banquet rooms. Twinkle lights in the trees…” I close my eyes like I’m really getting into the dream of it all. “Wicker baskets full of wildflowers lining the aisle, rows of slip-covered chairs with bows on them for the guests. An arbor of flowers to stand under for the ceremony and then the reception. Oh, the reception! I just love how themed everything has gotten. It’s so much better than the same old dry chicken or beef or fish. Brides are so creative now focusing on local fare and doing themes that are elevated for the food.”
I sneak a peak at Gladys and see that she’s hesitant but considering my words. She twists her fingers and then taps the book.
“But all the bridal magazines…”
She trails off so I nod knowingly with her and then tut-tut. “I know, right? It’s a little sickening how it always comes down to the money with these big corporations. All big business hates losing money so they try and cram it down consumer’s throats to wring every penny they can take from you. It’s disgusting! Thankfully, savvy brides have social media and Pinterest to find the real trends and ideas and no longer have to rely on the outdated institutions that were making billions of dollars a year and putting newlywed couples straight into debt just to try and keep up with what they were being ‘told’ they had to do to have a special day.”
I let my eyes go wide as though I’ve had an amazing revelation and start to gush.
“Oh, my goodness! I’ve just had the most amazing vision! Picture it, the town square in the fall at sunset. All those glorious old oak trees painted in fall colors and filled with white twinkle lights. Just picture Maggie walking down the aisle on your arm, past vivid fall flowers and electric candles to the steps of the bandstand that’s decorated with more flowers and tall electric pillar candles. What a setting. The reception could be right there as well. The bandstand is large enough for a proper dance floor with a DJ or band off to the side. Covered tables for guests to sit at with a gorgeous buffet of elevated comfort food. I’ve been to weddings that served mini pulled pork sliders and truffle mac and cheese. I loved the one that had the taco bar with fresh garnishes.”
A quick glance to the side and I see the dreamy look in Maggie’s eyes and know I’ve hit the nail on the head so I keep going.
“There’s just so many possibilities! I’ve even been to a wedding that did country chic. It had the most amazing BBQ dishes and they used hay bales for deco…” I cough to cover my groan of pain when Maggie kicks me under the table…hard. “But that was a step too far in my opinion. We wouldn’t want to go overboard.”
I take a deep breath and ask, “What do you think of those ideas?”
Maggie and I both lean forward in anticipation as Gladys murmurs, “That sounds…” I swear I’m turning blue holding my breath by the time she finally squeals, “Perfect!”
Maggie and I blow out our breaths in unison and she grabs my arm and squeezes it with the biggest smile on her face. I glance at Gladys and see tears in her eyes, cutting my happiness off at the knees.
“Oh, oh, don’t cry!” I push the book toward her. “We can do some of these ideas as well. I’m sure I can track down a four-tiered white chocolate fountain! I’ll just need…”
My words stumble to a stop as Gladys places her hands on mine and Maggie’s.
“No, there’s nothing in that book we need. I’m tearing up because this is the first time I’ve seen that look on her face since we started planning things. Maggie, you look so excited and it makes me realize that I never really asked what you wanted. You’re a sweet girl for going long to make me happy, and I’m so sorry for that.”
Maggie jumps up and scoots around the table as she starts crying too and then everyone is hugging each other and Dolly comes over and she gets hugs too because, well - it’s Dolly. Not long after, Gladys leaves for her church group card game with the overstuffed wedding book under her arm and Maggie settles across from me, grabbing my hands.
“My God, Rainy, I can’t thank you enough. Everything you said sounds like a dream and it’s also going to save us thousands of dollars. We might actually be able to have a honeymoon now!”
I wince at that, scrunch my shoulders up and say, “Umm, you might want to hold that thought.”
Rain
By the time Maggie’s done looking over the proposal for her new small business and the list of all the various small business loans and grants I have put together all the confidence I was feeling from earlier is gone and I’m a nervous wreck. I think I’ve chewed all the red off my lower lip when she finally sits back and lifts a brow at me.
“And you’d give me the first six months of rent for free?”
I nod slowly. “Yeah, if I get the building for my offer price, I would. Statistics show that twenty percent of small businesses fail within the first year so not having that overhead would give you a boost at making it work.”
She breathes deeply, leans forward, and taps at one of the lines of the start-up budget.
“I can tell you right now, your numbers are off, right here.”
I look down and see her pointing at the renovation costs and frown. I did a thorough dive into what every detail of this budget would be. When I look up to dispute that, she can’t contain her grin and butterflies take flight in my stomach.
“It will be a hell of a lot cheaper because Hett wouldn’t dare charge his future wife for labor!”
I sink back into my seat and lift a hand to press against my lips, mumbling around it, “You’re in?”
Her smile almost blinds me when she says, “You bet your sweet ass I’m in!” It quickly morphs into a deep frown. “But we need to talk about the name. Maggie’s Café is not going to be the name.”
