The Look Of Love

Chapter 65: Gifts Galore

It is now almost a month until the wedding. So much to do. So much to do. This seems to be a running mantra of Fern's, Mary's two aunts, and Bobby's mother. Mary and Bobby's wedding tasks are to write their wedding  vows, make a seating chart, and complete final wedding party fittings (including themselves). 

Sitting in the guest cottage, with their friends, they tried to make out the seating chart. On a huge piece of poster board, Lori had drawn sketches of tables. "OK so let's start with our table. At our table is, your parents, my aunts, Lori and Tommy," Mary stated. Bobby agreed with her. Really he'd agree to anything, just to hurry this seating chart business up. The jet ski is calling his name.

Both Johnny and Dutch huffed and complained. "Why does Tommy get to sit at your table? Why can't we?" Dutch motioned between himself and Johnny.

Bobby ran a hand through his hair. He's already told them why a hundred times. He gave Mary a look for help. "Dutch we've already been over this. Tommy is dating Lori. Therefore, he gets to sit at our table," Mary explained again. 

Looking smug, Tommy shot them both a broad grin. They hit him with a pillow. He smoothed his hair down and muttered "Of all the nerve."

"Back to the seating chart. At table two is Johnny and Gemma, Dutch and Ashley, Jimmy and Gwen, and your two sisters." As Mary thought of this, she quickly changed her mind. "I'm moving your sisters to table three. They don't need to be corrupted by our friends." 

Bobby laughed as they all said "Hey!" She's right though. He doesn't need Dutch, or Johnny, tainting his sister Sara. She's still young and impressionable. He could picture them both saying something inappropriate like... OK yeah, his sister's are not sitting at that table.

Looking at the confirmed guest list, Mary set to work on the next table. "Now for table three. Let's go with your two sisters, my Uncle Bernard and Aunt Gladys, your Aunt Ella and Uncle Paul, and finally your Uncle Ben and Aunt Shelia. How does that sound?"

Instantly he said "no". Mary asked "why"? "Because Aunt Ella and Aunt Shelia don't get along. My mom explained they had a falling out two years ago. They haven't spoken since." He gazed at the guest list. "But you could put Uncle Marty and Aunt Lauren with Aunt Ella and Uncle Paul. They get along great." Mary nodded and wrote their names at table three. 

Just then Lori came bounding in, holding a pretty wrapped box. "Here. This gift came for you, along with a big box delivery. The UPS guy put it in the dining room. Our dining  room is starting to look like a department store." She handed Mary the box, then sat beside Tommy. 

Mary clapped her hands with glee. She loved getting gifts! These weddings gifts are like a giant birthday party, but better because the gifts keep on coming. Gemma was sitting next to her. "Open it. Open it," she encouraged. 

Starting to tear into the package, Mary spoke with an enthusiastic voice. "I hope this is a set of towels, or bed linens." All the guys rolled their eyes, except Bobby. He knew if he did he would be in big trouble. With all of the wrapping removed, she carefully opened the box. Prying back the tissue paper, she saw what's inside. Instantly, and quickly, the lid was put back on. 

Narrowing her eyes, she turned to Bobby. With an unpleasant tone, she asserted "Robert Raymond Brown. What did you do?" This gift has his handiwork written all over it. This is definitely the work of the scanner gone wild.

All the guy's heads turned to their friend. She used his full name. What did he do, they wondered. At the sound of his full name, Bobby's head snapped to Mary's face. "I don't know Sweetie. Why don't you tell me?" He thought back to all the gifts he sneakily added. It couldn't be any of the big ones, so that only left the small ones. Now what would she get upset about? Unless... uh-oh. If it's that, then he's so dead.