Sands Of Time

Dressed for Success

Pepa practically dragged me over to the front counter where the owner, Enrique, was standing. His shop wasn't too different from my own. Mannequins wearing outfits were scattered here and there, bolts of fabric lined the walls, and back in the corner was a large set of mirrors with a short stool for the customer to stand on for alterations. Enrique was a fairly tall man with short dark hair and a goatee. A tape measure was draped over his shoulders and his small oval glasses sat low on the bridge of his nose. A pinstripe vest in red and gold sat against his thin frame and over a white shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbow and around his wrist was a pincushion. He was leaning over a selection of fabric swatches that were spread over the counter when we approached. He lifted his head a little and looked at us over the rim of his glasses. "Ah, Ahí tienes. Entra, entra!" He lifted his hands to wave us closer, a big smile graced his features as he walked out from around the counter. "This must be the lovely bride to be." He held his hands out to me and laid them gently on my shoulders. Pepa stepped aside as he guided me to the fitting area. "I believe Miguel was here last time to take your measurements and pattern of choice, sí?"

"Yes, he was very helpful," Pepa spoke up for me. Enrique clapped his hands together.

"Magnífico! I'll be right back." He sauntered off to his backroom while Pepa and I waited.

"Pepa?" I spoke up after a moment. She turned to me from where she was eyeing a particularly pretty bolt of yellow fabric that shimmered in spiral patterns as the light danced across it. "I was hoping to ask a favor of you...for the wedding day." She held up her hand to me in a say no more type fashion.

"Not a drop of rain, I promise. No matter how much I would love to get back at my brother, it wouldn't be fair to you." Before she could turn around again, I voiced the rest of my request.

"I want you to make it rain on us." She paused and looked at me in confusion.

"You... want there to be rain?" She was flabbergasted by my request, but before I could clarify, Enrique came back in with the dress draped in his arms.

"Here it is, siñorita!" He walked over and handed me the dress. "A lovely dress for a lovely bride. Now," He stepped over to a long red curtain and pulled it back to reveal a well-lit dressing room. "If you could put it on and then I can make the necessary adjustments, sí?" His bubbly energy was catchy as I slipped into the dressing room.

I slid out of my clothing leaving just my thin undergarments on. My fingers gently undid the buttons that lined up the back and stepped in. The flowing fabric in the skirt fell perfectly around my legs. When I went to button myself up I found that I couldn't reach some of them. I poked my head out from behind the curtain. "Hey, Pepa?" I laughed lightly at my predicament and she walked over. "¿Podría echarme una mano, por favor?" She smiled and followed me into the little room. I could tell that she was stressing over the request I had made since I could hear her muttering her calming phrase to herself over and over. Her fingers easily popped each button in place and when she was done I spun around, catching her hands in mine. "To answer your question, yes, I do want it to rain on my wedding. After all, water makes knots tighter." I smiled up at her and I could see the war of emotions that threatened to spill forth. "Maybe you could do so at the end after we light the candle? That way Father Nicholas can keep it dry while Bruno and I get rained on while we walk back up the aisle." She laughed and smiled. Pepa's arms wrapped around me and I could feel a few raindrops escape as they fell on my head. When she let go, I winked at her and put my finger up to my lips. "And don't tell Bruno I asked you to do this. I want it to be a surprise." Pepa giggled and winked back with her finger to her lips. Then she waved her arms around at the little cloud above her head to get rid of it.

"Okay. Let's get you fitted, this part seems a little big on you." She pinched at the fabric around my waist. We left the little room and I moved out to stand in front of the mirrors. As expected, Enrique clapped and exclaimed about how lovely I looked.