Forgiving
Ember
“Hank, this is ridiculous. Absolutely absurd. A few minutes will be fine,” I argue like I do ever single time Hank makes me lock the store doors when he wants a break. It’s usually only ten minutes, long enough to smoke a cigarette and use the restroom. This has been going on for a week.
“No can do, girlie, especially after the latest message. Have you told him?”
“No, I’ll call when you’re in the back. Take your time.”
Robbie answers on the second ring, sounding exhausted. “You okay?”
“Sure, we got another message on the voice mail. Funny enough, she didn’t sound high or drunk.”
“You know the routine. Save it on the back up.”
“Got it. How’s your day?”
“Tiring. But your dad saved our asses. He’s an insurance genius. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It never really came up. He was an executive before all the crap happened. I’m glad he could help.”
“Help? He more than helped. My dad’s offered him a consulting position. He’s thinking it over, but we could really use him here.”
“Oh my God! Really? That’s amazing. I’ll go by there after work and talk to him, convince him to say yes.”
“Tell Hank to drop you off, and I’ll meet you when I’m done here. It’ll be around seven.”
“Okay, I better go. There’s someone pulling into the parking lot.”
“Transfer the message, babe. Don’t forget.”
We hang up, and I call to Hank that we have a customer. He unlocks the door and takes his place in the chair in the middle of the room. After a few minutes, when no one comes in, I decide to listen to the most recent message from Natalie and back it up.
Once my restraining order was served to her, she went ballistic. Every day I’ve come into the store with a seething message. Today was no different.
Ember, I know you’re fucking hearing these. I need that money. You think you’re something special, but you’re still a worthless piece of shit. Call me back or you’ll regret it.
The words don’t even hurt me anymore. Only make me sad. The bell over the door rings, and I swallow hard when I see Abbi, Ella, and Charlie walk in with wide smiles on their faces.
“Hi Ember,” Ella says sweetly.
“Hi. How are y’all?”
“We’re great. Do you have a few minutes?” Abbi asks shyly. “I have a huge favor to ask.”
“Okay.”
She rumbles in her purse and pulls out a scrap of fabric. The magenta satin shines with a hint of sparkle. When she hands it to me, I know immediately it’s a high quality material that would be perfect for an evening gown.
“It’s a beautiful color, Abbi.”
“Do you think it would be appropriate for a December bridesmaid dress?”
“Absolutely. It would look stunning.”
She looks at Charlie and Ella nervously and wrings her hands. “Listen, I know we don’t know each other very well, but I want something unique and one of a kind. I’m only having a few bridesmaids, and Dad said I could have the dresses custom made. Robbie told Jimi you have incredible sketches, and I wanted to see if you would help me design the dresses.”
She talks so fast my brain takes a minute to catch up. “You want me to design the dresses for your wedding?”