I sprung out of bed like toast out of a toaster, peeking outside my window. Yep, I just compared myself to a piece of toast.
Tomorrow was the wedding, and the preparation would begin today. Anna had actually been released from the hospital yesterday, and she stayed with Jayden last night.
I went over to my wardrobe and picked out an outfit. Corduroy pants, a Milla and Honey tee with a knitted cardigan. They were the clothes that made me feel good, inside and out. I walked downstairs to where my mother was standing, looking a lot more refreshed than she was yesterday. A whole new person, you could say.
I picked up a glass from the cabinet and poured apple juice out for myself. She glanced a look at me, as if she was trying to say ''apple juice isn't good for you!'. But holding my apple juice in my hand, I walked over to where she was sitting. She had a huge piece of paper laid out on the table, showing where everyone was allocated to sit at the wedding receptions. I thought that was just something they did in movies. My mum wore her glasses, which she only wore occasionally. They weren't old-people glasses though, in fact, I think they made her look gorgeous; more like stylish glasses.
"Good morning!" she finally spoke, barely even looking at me. Her focus was directed entirely at the piece of paper.
"Honey, Anna and Jayden are going to be coming around soon so we can plan everything and then Anna wants to take you shopping, so you should get ready," I felt my mood lift into a happy, bright sensation.
Shopping with Anna was always the best. Anna was able to afford all the expensive brands and fashion boutiques. (Usually she got things for free because she was a brand promoter) She gave phenomenal fashion advice; that plain tees look good when they're tucked into high waisted shorts, that your highlighter was always the most important make-up on your face. To be honest, Anna looked good in anything. But I treasured our shopping time more than anything.
When Anna and Jayden arrived, I ran up to her and gave her the tightest, most enthusiastic hug ever, even though she claimed I was squishing the baby . She smelt like roses and she was wearing linen pants and a sweater. After they got settled into the house, Jayden and Anna both sat with mum to finish the final touches to the wedding plans.
I just half-listened to their plans from the sofa. Anna signalled with her fingers for me to come over.
"Hey Tara, you ready?" She walked over to where I was.
"I think so."
"Hey mum, Tara and I are going out, ok?" she tousled her hair through her fingers.
"Have fun girls!" We both headed towards the door, leaving Jayden and mum behind.
As soon as we got into her car, she picked up her phone and blue-toothed her favourite playlist onto the stereo.
"Where are we going?" I stared at her.
She turned towards me and looked me right in the eyes, "hmmm...surprise."
I hated surprises, it left me with this dying curiosity inside me. Anna began driving, out of the neighbourhood and into the city. I had a basic idea that we were going shopping, but where? She turned into the carpark of the city mall. The city mall was huge, containing over three-hundred shops. We only went there occasionally, mostly after Christmas, when we had an abundance of money.
"Follow me!" she walked into the mall and down the escalator. I was beginning to understand the situation a little better. We finally stopped in front of a huge bridal store.
"Tara, I want you to pick out a wedding dress for me. Oh, and a bridesmaid gown for yourself too."
I was astonished that she chose me to pick out her wedding dress. It never really appeared to me that she hadn't selected (or had someone select for her) a wedding dress. And in my mind, it would have definitely been Violet or mum. There was already a lady, with a fancy up-do and special badge, standing at the front of the shop waiting for us.
