Page 19 of Till Death Do Us Part

The attendant swallowed, suddenly marble-white. “I’ll… I’ll get the manager.”

I hated how warm it felt in my chest, seeing someone claim me as a wife they were going to make sure had what she wanted. I’d never… never really had someone… go to lengths to give me what I wanted before.

I think I felt myself crying, just a little, as the manager came out, a stocky man with a serious expression.

“You’re looking for the white dress that was in the window display yesterday?” he said, and Vera nodded.

“That’s right.”

“I’m sorry, but we’ve had somebody place a reserve order on it. It seemed to be a rare vintage piece, and the client wanted to take a closer look. Your wife must have an excellent eye for—”

“How much?” Vera said.

“Well—I’m not at liberty to disclose that.”

Vera pulled a wad of cash from her pocket, what might have been a few hundred dollars, and my stomach lurched as she slapped it down on the counter. The manager looked wide-eyed at it, and then at her.

“More?” Vera said.

“That’s… well.” Flustered, he adjusted his tie. “I suppose you can… outbid them.”

“Then bring my wife the dress already.”

“Vera,” I whispered as soon as he’d left, sidling into her side. “You can’t—”

“Shh.” Vera pressed a finger to my lips. “You’re getting the dress, Elaine.”

Oh, God, I was going to cry. I buried my face in my hands, my chest heaving, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe when the manager came back with a sealed dress protector holding the beautiful white dress I’d seen in the shop window yesterday, even more intricate and breathtaking up close, and he held it out to me.

“Is this the one, ma’am?”

“That’s… yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

He smiled. “It’s all yours. Have a wonderful day.”

“I can’t possibly wear this,” I said as soon as we were out of earshot, Vera leading me towards the changing rooms. “You heard him! It’s a vintage—”

“You like it. It’s a dress. Clothes are meant to be worn, Elaine.”

“But it’s so—”

“You’ve sacrificed more than enough of yourself over the years to deserve this.” She put a hand on my back, pushing me into the changing room. “Go on.”

She drew the curtain shut. I got a little teary-eyed seeing myself in the mirror once I’d changed… it was a perfect fit, comfortable and flowing, soft and romantic, with puff sleeves and delicate lace accents. I took a second to wipe the tears out of my eyes before I drew the curtain back, and Vera gave me an appreciative look.

“There we go,” she said, holding out a hand for me. “My wife looks better with a sparkle in her eyes.”

I blushed furiously, ducking my head. “Vera.”

“We can’t spend too much time here,” she said, and I took her hand, letting her guide me out of the shop, everyone’s eyes on me.

And as if that wasn’t enough, she took me straight from there to the jewelry store, where she told the attendant that we were a couple shopping for wedding rings together, and when the attendant asked her budget, she laughed.

“For my wife?” she said. “There’s no budget too high. Let’s just see your recommendations.”

“Vera,” I whispered, but she didn’t let me get a word in, and this terrible part of me was glad she didn’t, because my heart ached terribly when the attendant showed us the most beautiful set of wedding rings I’d seen in my life.

They were small, delicate, nothing ostentatious, but they were beautifully made, in elegant silver with an oval-cut diamond wrapped in ornate detailing. Vera looked at me for approval, and I clasped a hand over my mouth seeing the price.