One Day at the Bridal Shop
It had been a pretty normal day for me during my shift at the bridal shop, until late in the afternoon, when a small group of girls came in.
They were obviously a bridal party, with the bride-to-be giggling and blushing as her girlfriends teased her with different gowns.
Then she turned the tables on them by throwing the most God-awful bridesmaid outfits possible, an assault they took with giggly grace.
While this was going on, I went to the display window to straighten up when I looked outside and saw a young man sitting outside on a bench, looking at the store with a strange look in his eyes.
It took me a moment to realize the look. It was longing.
I turned to the bride-to-be and asked “Who’s the guy waiting outside? The groom?”
She looked out the window, and said, “Oh no. That’s my friend James. He’s my oldest friend, and offered to help today.”
“Well, I would say he looks kinda lonely out there. Wouldn’t you?”
She stared at him for a while, and then said, “You’re right.”
She went to her girlfriends, had a whispered conversation, and then went outside and dragged the young man inside.
“I cant forget my best friend. Who else is going to be my maid of honor but you?” I heard her say.
He said, “But ... I’m a guy?”
“Are you? You never hang with the guys, but fit in perfectly with us girls. I’m a little surprised it took the saleslady here to help me see it.”
“You’re .... not making fun of me, are you?”
“You’ve known me most of my life, have I ever made fun of you?”
“What about your girlfriends?”
“If Alice here is okay with you as her maid of honor, we are okay with it too.” one of the other girls said.
So they spent an hour or more helping ‘Jamie” come out of her shell, and when they finished she glowed almost as much as the bride-to-be did.”
When they left, Alice came over and said, “Thank you for not hurting her feelings. I’ll definitely throw in a little extra for you when I pay for my wedding gown.”
“it was my pleasure. I’m glad she had a good time.”
“She did. But ... how did you know.”
“I saw the look she had on outside, and I’ve seen that look before.”
“Where? If you dont mind sharing.”
“In the mirror, when I was a little younger.” I said, and went into the back of the shop.