Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 30, Wedding Shopping

Catherine wasn’t ready to get out of bed yet. The alarm rang but she felt tired and lazy. She looked at the clock. It said 4:30. Today was the day to do wedding shopping. John wants to get on the road by 5:00 or after. She had taken her shower last night. All she had to do was wash her face, brush her teeth, and fix her hair. They would get some beverages and sweets on the way. She double checked the electric stove, it was on low. She turned it off.

John was getting ready also. He put some bottled juice and water in a cooler. A few power bars and grapes also went into the cooler.

Catherine would be here soon. John got his duffle bag from the bedroom and put it by the door. His door buzzer went off and he opened the door and it was Catherine. They kissed and hugged. They both smiled and said, “I love you.”

Catherine asks, “Is everything ready? I called Rita to tell her we are leaving. See you in two hours at the farm.”

John says, “I think so. Let me check the other rooms.” He had left the light on in the closet. He turned it off and came back to the living room. John says, “I’m going to drive my truck.”

Catherine says, “Good, it will be useful at the farm.”

They gather up everything and go out to the door. John locks the door and they head out the main door to the parking lot. John opens the doors on his truck. They put everything in the back of the cab.

Catherine asks if he has had any tea or coffee yet.

He says, “No, I thought we’d pick some up at the drive thru.”

Catherine says, “I want the largest one they have. I’ll also have an oatmeal raisin cookie. I dreamed of you and woke up late so I need a big coffee and I need the cookie for energy.”

The girl at the drive thru was very pleasant to them. John ordered, “Two large coffees black, one oatmeal raisin cookie, and I’ll have the large chocolate doughnut.” It came to $6.25 for everything. Catherine said, “Why are you getting a large coffee?”

He says, “I dreamed of you also. I need some sugar for my blood.”

They both hugged their coffee cups. They needed it badly. He got back 75¢ and he checked it to see if it was right. John figured out that they would drive the freeway. They would need to get there as early, as they had a lot to accomplish these two days.

Catherine didn’t talk. Looking out the window, she thought, I’m not saying anything until I have my cookie and coffee.

John was different. He was fine early in the morning. She needed more sleep than him. He turned on the radio to some light music. It looked like a nice fall day, chilly enough for a long sleeved shirt. The sun was coming up in a large red ball, a few fluffy clouds in the sky and the temperature was going to be 72°.

Catherine felt better after she drank all her coffee and ate her cookie. John hadn’t eaten his doughnut yet. Maybe he would share it with her.

John says, “No, I’m going to eat it now. You can have some juice or power bar.”

John let her have one bite.

She got out a bottle of juice and power bar. In another hour, they would be at the farm.

John says, “I called Jack so he could get up this morning.”

Catherine says, “I better give my sister Rita a call.”

Rita answered the cell phone. Yes, she was 10 miles away from the farm. So they should all get there about the same time.

John and Catherine got to the farm. Jack was up and at ’em. They decided to eat a small breakfast: cold cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, toast, and coffee. Catherine helped Jack get the table set and put the food on it.

Rita came shortly after they got things on the table. Greetings were exchanged. They were all relaxed after eating. They rinsed the dirty dishes and put them in the dishwasher. John was going to do the driving to the city. Jack first tried to become romantic with Rita, but Rita didn’t respond. They thought they would try the mall first for dresses and suits. When they arrived at the mall, Catherine and Rita went to the bridal shop, hoping to find what they needed. Rita was upset about Jack flirting with her. “Don’t pay it any attention. They do used to do it all the time at college,” said Catherine. John and Jack went to the store for Tuxedos. They would all meet in two hours by the coffee shack.

Catherine and Rita went to the Bridal Shop and talked to a sales clerk. They told her what they were looking for: a short cream colored dress. The clerk says, “I’ll show you some in the back room.” Rita wants to know why they were in the back room. “It’s so no one can see them. They have to have large dressing rooms.” They had four that were suitable. They didn’t have any that were outstanding. She looked at some white ones also. There was one in cream color that had a lace bodice. The skirt was an A-line fitting. It was okay but not special. White is for purity, cream colored for white hairs, black for widowed, and gray for divorced.

Rita looked at the dresses also. She couldn’t buy one until they knew what Catherine’s dress was like.

They decided to go to the department stores. McKnight’s was the largest clothing store in the city. The clerk was very helpful. She knew what kind of dress Catherine wanted. They were able to find one that was suitable but it was long. Catherine was looking for a street length dress. They had seen a dress suitable for Rita at the Bridal Shop. It too was long. No need for flower girl nor ring bearer. We don’t need any child in the family. No candle lighter either.

It was time to meet the men at the coffee shack. They had better luck with their shopping. The suits would fit like a glove. Brown suit, cream colored shirts, rust colored tie and cumber bun brown shoes.

Jack tells John that he’s interested in Rita.

“She has a steady boyfriend. Don’t embarrass the family,” John says.

Catherine said, “I can’t make up my mind if I want a long dress or a street length one.”

John says, “It doesn’t matter what you pick out. I’m sure you will look beautiful.”

Catherine says, “I have one more store to go to. If I can’t find one, I’ll get the long dress. Rita can get hers from the Bridal Shop. What are you guys going to do?”

John says, “We are going to the bowling alley and do several frames.”

Catherine says, “Let’s get together for some lunch. Mexican sounds good for me. How about you guys?”

Jack says, “There’s a new Chinese restaurant. It took over the Italian place. Redecorated, it’s quite nice and they make everything fresh for you.”

John thought Chinese sounded good for him. He said to Catherine, “You can get Mexican at home. Then you know it’s going to be good.”

So they decided that they would meet at the restaurant at 1 o’clock. It was going to be Chinese food.

Rita and Catherine went back to the McKnight store. Catherine tried on the long dress. It had net lace bodice and the sleeves were long. It would look good being it is Fall. The length had to be altered to be shorter. For shoes, she had spaghetti strap high heeled sandals. She got her veil and garter here at McKnight’s. Her veil was a short one, just to her shoulders. It has pearls on the crown of the veil. She would wear a pearl necklace. The color of the dress was cream. It would be ready in two weeks’ time. For Rita’s dress, they would have to go back to the Bridal Shop. That dress would also have to be altered. The waist had to be taken in. The clerk said no problem. The dress would be ready in two weeks. Then they can get both of them at one time. Rita’s dress was long and fitted at the waist. She had cape sleeves. Her shoes were thin straps and sandal style.

Catherine and Rita finished with time to spare. They would take the bus to the restaurant and meet the men. They got on the bus and were talking to a senior citizen. She was asking what they were doing in the city. She takes the bus every day and says she knew that they weren’t regulars on the bus. The lady tells Catherine and Rita how her grandson got injured in a car crash. He had been hit by a drunk driver.

They arrive at the restaurant and the men were there already. Catherine and Rita sit down at the table. They were hungry so they ordered right away. The girls ordered the buffet. The men couldn’t decide. Finally, they ordered the buffet too.

Catherine was telling John about her dress. He said, “Don’t tell me as I like to be surprised.”

Jack was telling Rita about his life history. He worked with his Dad growing avocados on the farm.

Rita says, “I love avocados.”

“We can check and see if there are any left on the trees. You can take some home with you.”

They went to the buffet and got their plates. John liked the egg rolls, Catherine the beef with peppers, Jack had the lo-mein, and Rita eats the Mo Go Guy Pan. Everything was hot and fresh. They went back three times for the food. They must have been thirsty as they all ordered some more tea.

For dessert, they had small lemon bars and little cookies, just enough to satisfy the sweet tooth. Jack ordered shrimp fried rice to go. He better get some Mo Go Guy Pan to go. Mom and Dad will like it when they get home.

Jack paid the bill. It is an early wedding gift. They went out the door and to the truck. John said, “Jack you drive, I’m full and tired.” They got into the truck and drove to the farm.

They got to the farm in plenty of time to see the priest about the ceremony

John and Catherine went into town and parked by the Catholic Church. Father O’Riley was in his office. He welcomed them and congratulations were in order for their engagement. They asked him if he would do the wedding ceremony. It’s on the last Saturday in September. He looked at his calendar. He wasn’t scheduled for anything. The secretary brought in some hot tea for them. There were little cookies to go with the tea.

The priest told Catherine about the time John got lost. “John’s parents were talking to me and John was running around the Church. He decided to hide in the changing room. Somehow the door locked. And John couldn’t get out. I heard banging on the door. His parents and I were getting worried about not finding him.” They went outside and looked everywhere for him. it was getting late and Father had to change for Mass at 6 o’clock. When he opened the changing room door, he was surprised to see John. John was so happy to see his mother and father that it was a long time before he left them.

They said their good byes and headed back to the farm. They would be seeing the caterer on Sunday. They would see her at 9 o’clock. She would come to the farm with her books with pictures.

John and Catherine said all they wanted for supper was a sandwich. Rita and Jack were having a bowl of homemade vegetable soup. Mom and Dad would be home late that night. Rita could sleep with Catherine in the big bed. They decided to play dominoes. It was getting late, they went to bed. John and Catherine were tired as they had been up since 4:30.

Jack’s parents came home about midnight. John’s brother was raiding the refrigerator. He had this hunger all the time. “I think I’ll have a ham and cheese sandwich toasted.” Mama and Papa came in the kitchen when he was eating his sandwich. A glass of milk and a slice of spice cake should tide him over till morning.

Mama and Papa said, “How are things going? We’re going to bed. Very tired.”

Jack says, “Fine. Everybody is in bed sleeping. I’m going now.”

John got up at 7 o’clock and showered, brushed his teeth and combed his hair. He got dressed and went downstairs to make coffee. He needed some toast to go with his coffee. He found some apple raisin. The butter was on the cupboard. He buttered a couple of slices. Coffee was done dripping so he poured himself a cup.

The apple bread was very good. He heard someone come down the stairs. “You better get dressed as the caterer would be here at nine.” Catherine says, “Don’t talk to me till I’ve had my coffee.” She gave him a big smooch and said “I love you. I’ll get dressed when I’ve had some coffee first. Rita is still sleeping.” “Mama and Papa should be getting up soon,” says John.

Catherine says, “We got a lot of things done this weekend. The dresses were the hard part. I’ll go upstairs and get dressed.”

Mama and Papa came into kitchen and said, “How are you, John?”

“I’m just fine. Don’t go making a long breakfast. We can stop somewhere on the way home. There is Chinese food in the refrigerator for the both of you. We ate out yesterday for lunch.”

Catherine comes in the kitchen and gives Mama a hug. She says, “I have to tell you about my wedding dress. The color is cream. The men are wearing brown, rust, and cream. The flowers will be fall ones. The caterer is coming at 9 o’clock. You are welcome to sit in on our kitchen discussion of dinner with John and me.”

There was a knocking at the kitchen door. Mama went to see who it would be. It was Sally the caterer. She came into the kitchen and sat down at the table and had some coffee. She opened her books with the pictures of weddings in them.

She asked if they wanted just appetizer or the cold cuts with buns and potato salad.

Catherine said, “No, as everyone has been eating that all summer.”

John says, “How about prime rib?” Sally says that would be alright but it is spendy. “We’re only having 30 guests plus wedding party.”

Catherine says, “That’s okay by me. What about you, Mama?”

Mama says, “That sounds alright by me. Are you going to check with your mother?”

Catherine says, “Maybe I will. Sally, why don’t you take everything down on paper so we have a definite price. We have to get the cake on the list. I would like a marble cake three tiered one with real flowers on it.”

Sally ordered everything up and told Catherine the price. Catherine says, “Okay, I will run this by my mother. I’ll call you this coming week one way or the other. Also, we will need six dinner of fish.”

Sally says, “Good bye. I’ll wait for your call.”

John says, “We better get going home too.”

Catherine says, “Mama, what do you think? Are we spending too much money?” “It’s what your parents think that’s important,” said Mama.

Rita came down from the bedroom all dressed and ready to go home.

Catherine said to Rita, “Would you bring these papers home and give them to Mother and Father? Have them call me right away tomorrow. Time is running out. I don’t want someone else to get my time slot.”

Rita had some coffee and apple bread. She put cream cheese on it. Catherine got a piece and ate it plain.

John says, “I’d like to get started to go back home.”

Catherine says, “We have to see about the canopy for the back lawn.”

John says, “I just finished talking to your Dad and he’s going to order one for us at the rental place.”

John, Catherine, and Rita went to their vehicles and opened the doors. It was warm out already. They all hugged each other and got into the car and truck. Rita says, “I’ll see you in two weeks for the fittings of the dresses.”

Buster was jumping all over everyone. They got into the car and truck, started engines and drove out of the yard.