Love Hurts

Twenty Two

Camilla,

                 It has been a few months since Hoss proposed to me, and today my mom and sister Abigale came with me to go dress shopping. We had a great time and laughed a lot. During our shopping trip, Abigale jokingly asked me about how Hoss is in bed, which made my mom blush. We all laughed at her embarrassment. Then, I pretended to fan myself and got playfully smacked on the leg by my mom. I jokingly complained that it's clear who the favorite is. My mom commented that I have really come out of my shell in the past few months and kissed my cheeks. I blushed and thanked her, saying that Hoss makes me want to be a better person. My mom then led me to the dressing room to try on another dress. It was long but not too long, fitting snugly at my waist and cut off at the shoulders. When I walked out, my mom cried and my sister whistled, saying that Hoss won't know what hit him when he sees me walking down the aisle in that beautiful dress. I asked them if we had found the dress.
Abigale enthusiastically agrees, while mom shakes her head. We leave the boutique with my phone and line up against the wall to take a picture of me holding the dress in its sealed bag. My sister posts it on Facebook with the caption "She said yes to the dress." It dawns on me that this is my first time being on social media without the fear of Alan finding me. It's bittersweet because I can't share this milestone with Kim, and I feel a wave of sadness. However, I try my best not to let it ruin our girls' day out.
           After we finish taking pictures and get in the car, mom asks if we're hungry. We both reply in unison, "Starving." I suggest a little diner down the road that is owned by Hoss's sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Mom thinks it's perfect and expresses her excitement to finally meet his family. I assure her that she will love them, along with Abigale.
          It only takes us five minutes to reach the diner. Once inside, I guide us to my favorite spot where I know we'll receive excellent service. Julie, a familiar face, comes over to our table and gives me a warm hug. She playfully remarks that she hasn't seen me in the diner for a couple of months and mentions that she heard about my uncle's proposal from her mom. She adds that it would have been nice to hear it directly from me.
         "Can I ask you to be one of my bridesmaids?" I ask her sweetly, hoping for forgiveness.
         "Yes!" Julie squeals, hugging me again.
         "Okay, now that I got my girly out of the way. What can I get you guys to drink?"
         "Do you have any good, sweet tea?"
         "Do we have good, sweet tea?" Julie says, smiling. "We don't just have good, sweet tea. We have the best in the country."
        "Well, in that case, young lady, I will take your sweet tea," Momma says.
        "Make that two," Abigail says.
        "Make that three... sweetie," I tell her.
        Once Julia is back with our drinks, we all order our food and eat in silence once it arrives.
       As we are getting up to leave, Hoss's sister greets us at the cash register.
      "Hello, I'm Mallory, Rena's big sister," she tells Momma and Abigail.
      "He is going to kick your butt," I tell her.
     "I know," she says, smiling mischievously. "Anyway, how long are you lovely ladies staying?"
      "Until the end of the week," momma confirms.
      "Great! I would love to throw a BBQ at our house and have all of you come."
      "That would be fantastic," I say, looking at momma for confirmation.
     "Yes, that would be lovely. I was just telling Camilla how I couldn't wait to meet the rest of Hoss's family. Is it Rena?"
     "It's only Rena. If you're mad at him or he's in trouble, or you're his grandmother?"
     "Oh, okay, I got it now. Rena is his real name, and Hoss is a nickname," momma says.
     "Yes, that's right," I tell her, laughing at her confused face. "Rena is an Italian name," I explain to her.
     We leave the restaurant and head to my little cottage in the woods to dispose of the dress, and then we decide we want to watch a movie.
     We convince momma to watch the last series of the fifty's movies, 'Fifty Shades Freed.' Once it's over, she tells Abigale and me that we're horrible people for making her watch that movie.
      "Why did you wet your panties, Mom?" Abby asked. "Damn, she's been so vulgar lately, but she's in college, so what can I expect?" Mom swatted Abby on the back of the head. "Watch your language, young lady."
      "Yes, Mom," Abby replied, dropping her head. I couldn't help but laugh at the scene. When Mom wasn't looking, Abby flipped me the bird. Of course, I flipped her off right back, but somehow Mom saw me and swatted my hand. "Ugh, I've raised hoodlums instead of ladies." Abby and I exchanged a look and then both grabbed Mom, showering her with kisses on her face. She was in a fit of giggles, trying to wiggle out of our hold. "Stop," she managed to say. "What's the matter, Mom?" I asked once we were done. "You two just wait until I tell your daddy."
       "What's Daddy going to do?" Abby teased. "Let's get Mom home and off her feet," I suggested to Abby.
                                                                            ♾️
       It's the end of the week, and today is the BBQ at Hoss's sister's house. I'm excited for my mom and sister to meet my fiancé's family, but also sad because today marks the end of their visit. Mom and I are in the kitchen preparing a dessert for the BBQ when Hoss and Abby walk in, laughing. I ask them what's so funny, giving them a suspicious look because it's never a good sign when my sister is laughing uncontrollably. Abby brushes it off and says it's nothing. I reply with a sarcastic "sure" and Hoss comes over, kisses me on the forehead, and affectionately calls me "care bear". I give my sister a warning look, indicating that she spilled the beans about my childhood obsession with care bears until I was fifteen. Abby responds with a big smile and says not to be mad, calling me "care bear" again. I playfully tell my mom that if she still wants a well-behaved daughter, she should tame Abby. Mom bursts into laughter, tears streaming down her face. About an hour later, we all arrive at Hoss's sister's house.
       Hoss introduces his mom and dad, as well as his grandparents, to my momma. In return, I introduce my sister to Hoss's siblings and their spouses. It's a joyful gathering as everyone gets along well. I observe my momma and Mrs. Sullivan having a great time, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, Hoss comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. He asks me what I'm thinking, and I respond with a smile and a big kiss on his lips. I tell him that I'm thinking about how good this moment feels. He expresses his happiness that I feel that way. We continue to enjoy the company for a few more minutes before Mallory announces that the food is ready. We all gather around a large picnic table, and it's a heartwarming sight to see the entire family together without any conflicts. Later that night, as Hoss and I lie in bed, I express my gratitude to him for being such a wonderful person.
                                                ♾️
             Mom, Dad, John, and Abigail are all here, and we're running out of time for the wedding. The wedding is still a couple of weeks away, but there's still so much left to do. Honestly, I think Mom just wanted to come back and spend more time with me because we've missed out on so much in the last five years.
          Mom asks if I've contacted a caterer and a flower company yet.
          I whisper to my sister, "Can I just say yes and keep her off my back for a little longer?"
         Abby shakes her head and mouths "Nope".
         I sigh and say, "No, Mom, I haven't gotten that far yet."
        "Camilla Grace Mason."
         "Oh no, she's using my full name. You're in trouble now, John," I say, sticking my tongue out at him.
         "Don't worry, Mom. It's still a couple of weeks away," I assure her.
         "Okay, little missy. But don't come crying to me when it's two weeks before your wedding and you still haven't organized anything," Mom warns.
         "Okay, Mom. I'll call the caterer and flower shops today," I promise.
         "So, is Hoss coming over later?" John asks, deliberately changing the subject.
         "Yes, he is. I think he's going to take you and Dad out for some beers," I reply.
         Just then, there's a knock on my door. "Speak of the devil," I say, walking to the door and opening it, throwing myself at Hoss.
        "Oh, save me, honey. Mom and Abigail are being so mean to me," I exclaim.
        "I'm going to be mean to you too," Mom says, swatting my butt and moving me out of the way so she can give Hoss a big hug.
        "Hey there, my handsome soon-to-be son-in-law," Mom greets him.
        "I see your game, Mother," I say, realizing her plan.
        "I don't know what you're talking about, my child," Momma says , feigning surprise. I raise two fingers to my eyes and then point them back at her, as if I'm watching her closely. "Are you asking if Hoss is jealous?" I scoff. "Please, that's ridiculous."
        Hoss pulls me into his chest and whispers, "I only have eyes for you," before planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. Thirty minutes later, Hoss, Daddy, and John leave for their guys' day out. Meanwhile, I start making calls to caterers and floral shops.
       After comparing prices, I decide to go with the third floral shop because they offer the best deal. I also have a meeting scheduled with the caterer I called for tomorrow morning.
       Later, Momma, Abigale, Olivia, and I gather around the kitchen table, sipping wine and catching up. Momma turns to Olivia and asks, "So, does your handsome husband have a younger brother for my younger daughter?"
      "Momma!" Abby gasps, clearly embarrassed by her mother's forwardness.
       I try my best to suppress a laugh, but it escapes me. "Yes, he does have a younger brother," I confirm, causing Abigale to give me a disapproving look.
       I'm not trying to rush you into marriage. I just want your sister to find a good partner like you did. What about John? He's older than both Camilla and me, and he doesn't have a delicate woman. I've been trying to set up your brother for years, but I think he's a lost cause. Olivia and I exchange looks, and I think I have the perfect person in mind for my big brother. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? And I nod my head yes. "What are you thinking?" asks the girl's mom. "Well, we have a friend at work named Jasmine who we think would be a good match for John. She's a firecracker." "So, you think someone who will challenge him is the right fit for your brother?" asks mom. "Yes, I do!" Later that night, I'm lying in bed, wishing Hoss was lying beside me.
         Hoss: I love you, baby.
         Me: I love you too. I was just thinking about you.
         Hoss: That's funny. I was thinking about you too. So, what are you wearing?
         Me: Rena!
         Hoss: What!
         Me: You're terrible.
         Hoss: Um, will you punish me?
         Me: Maybe.
        We continue texting like this for about an hour, and then I finally tell Hoss goodnight and go to sleep.
The next day, Momma, Abby, and I meet with the caterer around twelve, while Daddy and John meet up with Hoss, his dad, and brother to do some manly stuff.
       "I wonder what they do all day," Abby asks.
       "Golf," I reply.
       My dad doesn't play golf, but my mom loves scarves. Abby and I find it funny that every man plays golf, including our mom. We tease her about it, but she defends herself by saying that everyone has something they do that their partner doesn't know about. She reveals that she has a book club that she attends every Wednesday night, and she doesn't think my dad knows about it. Abby finds it boring, and I playfully slap her for being rude. Abby is much younger than me, and she is the "oh boy baby" of our parents, even though my mom had her tubes tied.
     We finally arrive at the craters, a place with a charming name - Bell's Charming Delight. Bell, the owner, is a lovely lady who is a bit eccentric but that's what makes her great. We try all the delicious food and I feel like I won't be hungry for days. I also order food and cake for the upcoming wedding.

@Crystal Steadman 2023