Broken Promises and Ripped Dresses

The Wedding Dress

Chapter 1. The Wedding Dress

She walked out in a flowing dress with a sweetheart neckline, and the long, lace train following behind. Anyone could see that the look on her face meant that she'd made up her mind.

"You guys," she said, "this is definitely the one!"

The room filled up with cheers and everyone got up and hugged the person next to them. We came in a group of fifteen to find Mandy a wedding dress; friends, family, and even the family dog.

"Oh Mandy! This is so exciting, you look absolutely beautiful," her mom, Peggy exclaimed, "I am so proud of you."

Tears were gleaming in her eyes, and she pulled out her like tenth tissue of the day.

We'd been at the Lilly Ann Bridal Shop (home to the most extravagant dresses in Phoenix, Arizona) for five hours looking for the perfect dress for Mandy.

She'd tried on thousands of dresses by Vera Wang, Stella York, and ones from famously unknown designers from all over Europe. Finally, she settled on one by an Italian designer named Augusto Pecorella.

"This is a one of a kind dress," the lady who worked in the store told us, "From what I know there are probably only two of these dresses in the whole world."

"Well that must explain how expensive it is! This is an insane price, honey!" Peggy said, grabbing the price tag.

"Mom, are you saying I can't get this dress? It's only..." Mandy paused, looking at the dress, "only 15,000 dollars."

"Well of course you're getting this dress! I just can't pay for it on my own," Peggy answered, looking over at me, she raised her eyebrows.

Mandy looked over at me too. "Angela?" She asked.

I knew at that moment what they were thinking.

"Oh no, I am not helping you pay for that dress!" I exclaimed, "I'm sorry, Mandy, but I just can't do that right now."

Everyone's mood changed toward me, and arms were folded to their chests.

Mandy whimpered, "Angela, I thought you were my best friend? How could you not help me pay for this dress? You know I'd do anything for you!"

Those pleading eyes and pursed lips had me going.

"All right, fine! I'll pay for half of the price," I said, throwing my hands up in the air.

Sometimes I wonder how I let her convince me to do all these things.

"Thank goodness, Angela! You had me worried there for a second," Peggy said, placing her hands on her heart as if she was about to have a heart attack.

I shook my head, "but you better pay for half of my dress too when I get married."

"When you get married?!" Mandy exclaimed, "don't get too ahead of yourself."

Laughter erupted from almost everyone in the room. Even the dog seemed to be mocking me.

"Oh Angela, don't say ridiculous things like that," Peggy hollered, falling back in her chair in a fit of laughter.

"What the hell? Do you think I'm never gonna get married or something?"

"It's not that..." Mandy explained, "it's just that you're probably not going to get married until long after me."

"We'll that's just bullshit. I'll get married when I wanna get married, and it's not going to be such a long time until then."

"Okay sorry, but you're twenty seven and you still haven't had a real relationship since like college," Mandy said.