Dolly (Part three-Max Mitchell series)

TWENTY FOUR

"I really hope you're planning on dressing up tonight." Stef said, examining my outfit as she pulled on her shoes. She had to leave for home, to get ready for her show.
"The last thing I want to do is dress up, considering I'm constantly worried I might toss my cookies at any given moment."
Stef threw her head back in laughter, and gave me a kiss on the cheek before leaving my house. Tom had scuttled off to Los Angeles, and it was annoying as hell that he couldn't come with to the concert. He was working so hard, and I was incredibly proud, of course...bit still, him leaving at the drop of a hat was irritating. My phone buzzed, letting me know that Wendy was calling.

"I'm on my way over to help you get ready."
"I'm just going to wear sweats and a tank top, ok?"
"Ummmm. No. That's not allowed at a Gaga show. Sorry dear."
I grumbled into the phone. "Fine. I'll see you in a bit."

***

I stood dazed in front of the mirror, in my bra and underwear just after my shower. I pushed my stomach out as far as it would go, trying to imagine what I would grow to look like. The concept was nearly too bizarre to even imagine and it made me laugh. I was having a brief moment of levity, when typically the nerves and nausea I felt were overwhelming. I gave my stomach a little pat pat, and laughed again at myself and the way I was behaving.

"Max, are you up here?"
"Yep, in the bathroom."
"Oh good, you haven't gotten dressed yet. I have a present for you." she held up a garment bag, with the name of my favorite store on it.
"Free People? What did you find?"
"I didn't have to find it, they pulled it out of the back...special, just for you. It's not supposed to be put out in stores for another month."
She unzipped the bag and I let out a gasp.
"It's beautiful." I whispered.
"It's their Principessa Maxi dress. I told them I was looking for something for you to wear, they pulled it from the back."

The Principessa was a black, romantic, open back, v-neck maxi made with floral lace. It's skirt touched the floor and swished when I walked. It also had a crisscrossed, camel colored, skinny leather belt that sat just below the bust. It seemed a bit over the top for concert wear, but then again, nothing is over the top at a Lady Gaga show. I left my hair down and curled loosely, and Wendy gave me soft, yet smoky makeup. I have to say, it did feel quite nice to get so dressed up, even if I was going out without Tom.

***

We were in the car and as we approached Madison Square Garden, I got a little weepy. Seeing Stef's name in lights at such a major venue gave me quite an emotional reaction, either that or it was my hormonal state...I'm not sure which. Wendy and I were dropped off at the crew entrance and once we showed ID, we were finding our way to her dressing room somewhere deep within the venue.

"--gotta go." she hung up her and phone as soon as we entered.
"Wendy, at your service." she said as she held up her bag of curling irons, pins, hairspray and various other styling products.
"This wig is a mess." Stef said, pointing at a purple curled bob wig that was, in fact, quite a well-worn mess. Wendy descended upon it and started working her magic.
"Max. You look gorgeous." Stef said, pulling me into an embrace. "Dare I say, you're glowing?"
I made a 'gag' face.
"I feel anything but. Thank you though. Wendy really nabbed a great dress for me."
"Must be from Free People." Stef guessed.
"You got it!" I said, as I gave a little twirl. She knew what my favorites were.

"Max. Your phone's ringing over here."
I hustled over to see Tom's face on the screen of my phone, and I answered quickly.
"Hi Sugar."
"Hello, my love. How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling pretty great, actually. Wendy coaxed me out of bed with the lure of a new dress from my favorite store."
"Fantastic. I wish I would see you." he sounded notably bummed out.
"I'll send you a picture."
"It'll have to do. I just wanted to tell you to have fun, and I love you."
"Aw, thanks. I love you too, I'm still annoyed you're not here. You're gonna have to make it up to me."
"Oh, I will. Don't worry."

I placed the phone back in my purse, and the disappointment must have been written on my face.
"What's the matter, love?" Stef asked.
"I'm just frustrated with the back and forth all the time. I was really looking forward to him coming."
"I know you were. He'll be back soon, and I'm sure he'll make it up to you."
I let out a clipped laugh.
"He said the same thing."
"See? Not to worry." she handed me a printed set list of her show, in case I wanted to keep track. After a short while I was ushered to our extra special seats, while Wendy finished up. We'd have a prime view of the show from the sidelines without anyone being able to see us. I stepped out onto the stage, in the empty arena and it took my breath away. The setup was massive, and looked like a neon Taj Mahal or something from another planet. A runway extended out and across nearly the whole floor area. In less than an hour, the whole place would be full and completely alive with pounding music and unrivaled energy.

Suddenly, every light went out, and I was left in the middle of the pitch black arena. I couldn't see anything, not even my hand in front of my face.
"Hello? Stef...Wendy?"
Nothing. No response. I stood, unmoving for fear of falling off of the runway I was standing on. I started to panic a little, because I didn't know what was happening and well, panicking is what I do.

"It's been a long time since I came around,
Been a long time but I'm back in town,
And this time I'm not leaving without you..."

Stef was singing one of our songs, and playing piano, I just couldn't see where she was.

Then, a light illuminated one of the entrances of the arena floor, and there he was. Tom, clad in his tuxedo, approaching the stage where I stood, as Stef played on.

"I'm a New York woman born to run you down
Still want my lipstick all over your face
Somethin', about just knowing when it's right
So put your drinks up for Nebraska,
For Nebraska, Nebraska, I love you"

The whole arena was then bathed in faint purple light, yet all I could see was Tom, still lit by spotlight. He stopped at the stage, and climbed up to stand next to me. My heart started pounding, and I knew what was coming.

"You and I, you, you and I
Baby I'd rather die
Without you and I

You and I, you, you and I
Nebraska, I'd rather die,
Without you and I."

He took a small black box out of his pocket, and knelt down on one knee. Holding the box up for my observation, he spoke.

"Maxine Delilah Mitchell, will you please make me the happiest man in the universe and be my bride?"