Jackie stayed busy right up until the wedding itself. Details begetting more details, and she was the only one really on top of things. Joy made it back late the night before, scuffing around with her chic short hair and giant man-boots, and telling her to relax. Easy for her to say, Jackie scoffed inwardly. Between JJ, who wouldn’t notice even a critical problem (rings lost, for instance, or the vows misspoken), and Joy, who pretty much didn’t care, Jackie felt herself, as usual, taking on the pressure for all of them.
Still, once she finally found a moment to scramble into her dress – which fit perfectly, and was unmatched by anything else in the assembled group – and made her way to the door of the club, she was inordinately pleased. By her own doing, no one would forget this day. The place had a simple elegance, an easy color scheme, the delicate ribbons and flowers lending just enough of a festive touch to bring smiles as the guests slowly sat.
Jackie caught a glimpse of her father in the doorway of the office that had been designated his dressing room. His suit made him dignified, but his grin really made him look good. He kept darting out to greet people, though he wasn’t supposed to make an appearance until the music started. A moment later, Amelia ducked down the hall toward him, and they stood together for a moment, chuckling quietly about something. She straightened his tie and he whispered something that made her blush prettily like a shy bride.
They weren’t supposed to see each other yet either. His first vision of her in her gown (or in her case, pale yellow dress) should be as her sons escorted her down the aisle. Oh well, there was a limit to Jackie’s powers. Anyway, it was a sweet moment, she thought, wishing she could have caught it on camera.
The music began, and Jackie nodded to the ushers to finish herding people in. She found her sister and brother, and walked them up to the front with dignity. Just a glance back at the people seating themselves, whispering happily back and forth, told her it would be a success. Dad had asked his younger brother to stand up with him, and the two men took their places up front, grinning and nudging each other like school boys.
Two of Amelia’s closest friends marched up, arm in arm, and then everyone took a collective sigh as Amelia followed, each hand resting lightly on the arms of her beaming sons. Her expression was somewhere between joyful and serene. And that was what you noticed, Jackie thought. Hair, dress, makeup – all understated – didn’t really matter. Across the aisle, she saw a similar smile on Karen’s face. She looked like Amelia more than ever now, Jackie thought. Karen caught her eye and flashed a small thumbs up. Next to her, her husband bounced their cute little girl on his lap. It was the kind of wedding where a baby gurgling in the front row just added to the charm.
Dad and Amelia said their vows quickly and quietly, smiling and nodding with the officiator, who was an old friend. Dad’s hand shook just the tiniest bit when he slipped on the ring, and Amelia reached out to steady him. They kissed shyly, just once, before turning with big matching smiles to the crowd, who stood and applauded as they walked back past, arms linked.
Jackie exchanged a quick high five with Joy and JJ, and then with Uncle Cal. The reception was all ready and just steps away in the club’s dining room. From here on out, she knew it would be fine. Her part had come off without a hitch.
She gracefully accepted the thanks and compliments that came her way, and made a point to acknowledge everybody who helped out. It seemed like everybody in the room talked to her – she was as bad as the happy couple, barely able to manage a few bites of the buffet meal between conversations.
But finally she eased onto a chair next to Joy, and wriggled out of her pumps. “It’s fun,” Joy said, reaching over to fill a wine glass for her. “I’ll admit that much.”
“And I’m really glad you’re here. He is too,” she added, nodding toward Dad. Dad and Amelia, and their friends, were ruling the dance floor, grooving to old swing style music, while the younger people stayed on the edges, still nibbling, drinking, chatting.
Karen Emerson pulled up a chair next to them. “Oh my God,” she exclaimed. “My new sisters!”
They all three toasted. “We should get photos with all of us,” Jackie said. “The guys too, where did JJ sneak off to? He’s always liked you, since we were kids,” she added to Karen. That much was true, although he always seemed to smirk a little, when talking about Karen. Who knows what went on in her brother’s head.
“Not yet. Sit for a few minutes,” Karen said.
Just the idea of resting her feet appealed too much to argue, and Jackie took an appreciative sip of the wine instead. They watched Dad and Amelia, now swooping gleefully around the edges of the dance floor, urging other couples to join in. Jackie sighed inwardly. She had promised she wouldn’t give in to self pity, but it sucked being here single.
Karen glanced behind her, mouthing something to her husband. “He’s in charge for awhile,” she said lightly.
“She’s so cute, Karen, I’m so jealous.”
Karen smiled, that happy/calm smile just like her mother’s. “We’re lucky she’s still comfortable with strangers. Supposedly she’s going to start freaking out from new people soon, but for now you can just pass her around like a football and she’s perfectly fine with it.” She was joking around, but a small part of her never lost sight of who had the baby. Close up, she looked both happy and exhausted.
They chatted about family and baby stuff, and Joy soon found an excuse to move on. “Hey, I meant to tell you,” Karen said when it was just the two of them, leaning in. “I know this isn’t really the place, but Mom says you might be taking on new editing jobs?”
Jackie nodded.
“I know this guy – someone I used to work with, who’s helping launch a new company – and he’s going to be hiring for just the sort of projects you’ve been doing.” She went on to explain that the guy was based in Philly, but getting funding out in Silicon Valley, probably going to do the public launch out there. But they needed the tech writing and editing done here and now, wanted someone who could work fast and also coordinate with designers and printers. It was something technical, Karen didn’t know much beyond that. She said everyone she knew out there in California was getting involved in high tech work.
“Tony’s a really nice guy, too,” she added. “We got to be friends through work, and I was sorry he left, although this sounded like a great opportunity.”
Jackie nodded. She would take the guy’s number, see about the job. The “opportunity.” It seemed like she heard that word a lot lately. Opportunity, investment, next big thing. All the computer guys she worked with were like anxious greyhounds at the starting gate, ready to race forward and sure their products were winners.
She looked around the room again. The reception in full swing, guys stripping off ties and jackets, ladies their shoes. Half empty plates and wine glasses shoved aside, loud calls for faster music, and funny configurations of semi-disheveled relatives mixing it up.
Another couple hours and it would be done. Her role officially over. Mom would be moving, Jackie’s credit cards were paid off and her bank account even had a little left over. Not much though. She would have to start working longer hours, especially once she was back in her own place. All those guys talking about the programs they would develop, the money they would make. Maybe it was time to get on board.