Liberty Lee and Summer Holliday had two different ways of approaching exercise. For Liberty, it was a chore...often necessary...but hard work, exhausting and at the end of a session she just wanted a hot cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Summer was the opposite: She loved to exercise, work out, bend, stretch and run around and all she required afterwards was a glass of tap water.
Even the way they dressed for a work out session was different. Liberty preferred to wear a light cotton singlet, loose fitting shorts and sneakers with thick rubber soles. Summer favoured figure hugging leotards and exercise tights and either close fitting ballet pumps or no shoes at all. Liberty couldn't stand wearing anything that was all-encompassing and clingy. She didn't mind wearing stockings or pantyhose with an outfit but thick tights and leotards you had to climb into (and climb out of when going to the bathroom) was a no-no for her.
They had done their exercises in the garden and all Liberty could think of after they were done was breakfast. Summer carried on with some push ups and running on the spot inside. When Liberty was done and gathering up dirty dishes for the sink she passed Summer, who was running her hands down her sides and inspecting her waistline.
"You look perfect, Sum, you always do" said Liberty as she walked past her.
"I can't put on any weight...or lose too much either. I'm trying on wedding dresses today!" replied Summer.
"Oh, is that today? I'm sorry, Summer, I'd forgotten otherwise I'd come along with you to try on bridesmaids dresses! I didn't take time off work..."
"That's OK, Libs. I want to choose my dress first and then we'll go again to get your one."
Travis was around and had a different attitude to exercise. He didn't do any unless he absolutely had to and that was almost never. Sure, he would go to the gym with the girls or with friends but that was mainly to be social. And, when it came to wedding planning...well, he'd already got his suit and was looking at wedding cars so that was two out of his three areas of responsibility (the other being hiring a band or musician) covered. So Travis was thinking about other things, namely a presentation he had to give at work.
"I hope it goes well for you at the dress shop" he said to Summer.
"Well I want to choose one for sure today and you'll get to see my choice on our wedding day" she said with an excited giggle.
"Strange tradition that...I can't get to see you in that dress until we're both at the chapel. Who came up with that idea?"
"I don't know, but it's kind of sweet...I keep you waiting and guessing up to the last minute" was her enthusiastic, wide eyed response.
"I'm going to change jackets and head off to work soon...you be good" he said, walking over to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Summer showered and got dress and made herself look especially smart for this trip. JF&S were the most upmarket clothes shop in the city and she felt like she should make an effort to look her best, lest the staff and other customers didn't look down their noses at her. The reputation of JF&S stood in stark contrast to the laid back, with-it vibe of Pack's Clothing.
She had made an appointment over the phone to be measured and try on some wedding dresses but once she was inside the boutique she was taken aback by the huge range of formal wear they had. The last time she was here it was with Suzy to try on bridesmaids gowns and she ended up getting the same dress as Suzy but in the wedding signature colour of powder blue. This time she'd be trying on the real thing...
Now it was her turn to be fawned over by the shop assistants, to be told about her figure, her height, her complexion, eye colour and even "will Madam be wearing her hair like that?" as a guide to what dress she should get. It got very detailed.
"This, Miss Holliday is a popular design. A column dress which means a narrow shape gown that flows straight down from the neckline to the hem. Ideal for lean frames such as yourself. Made from a combination of silk and satin with a faux gilet they come with matching ball gloves and this delightful, taffeta veil."
"This is a different design...a Trumpet style dress with a fitted through body, flaring out at the hips to the hem...which you'll notice rests at the more popular 'mini' length, for that contemporary look. Close fitting sheer upper and sleeves, choice of hosiery is more important if you are to go with this style...it is not seemly to go bare legged with this dress."
"Staying with short this is, dare I say, more 'racy' but still very much in keeping with current trends and it also features some classical detailing. It's a lace dress, fitted to show off Madam's figure, sheer lace sleeves and with a narrow hemline with no flares. This is a bold fashion statement, if I may say so...is the groom more inclined towards the traditional or more...ahem...'mod'?"
"I'd say a bit more mod"
"Ah, well, he might very well approve of this one..."
"Finally we have our most classic and elegant look: Sleeveless fit and flare design with layers and a swoop of material across the lower body and held in place by these silk roses. Again, to be teamed with the long ball gloves. I would recommend suitable neckwear...we stock a wide range of bridal necklaces."
At the end of her visit she was both exhausted and elated. She had chosen a dress and was wondering if it was the right one as she walked to the next place she was going to visit. When she tried on that particular dress it fit her so well; even though it was just for trying on and would need some alterations. She loved it, loved the way it felt on her but it was a more 'daring' option. She wondered if it would be shocking for some, like the older members of her family. However, she didn't have much time to deliberate on her choice as she arrived at the wedding venue itself.
The place was stunning. She had only been here once before, for Suzy and Neil's wedding, and it looked all the more impressive in the early summer afternoon where the sun was shining brightly and the immaculate white walls, columns and railings caught the light to make it look idyllic.
Inside was also breath-taking. "This...is...perfect!" said Summer out loud as she looked at the décor. It looked like something out of a Victorian picture book of what a wedding chapel should look like.
Summer was impressed by the look of the place but sampling the bar and looking at the catering menu with a critical eye convinced her that this was the place to book. Her experience of working in catering, with a stint being a cocktail waitress, enabled her to judge the barman's daiquiri and approve it.
It was decided...bride's choice. This would be the venue and that would be the wedding dress. She got out her diary, made a booking with the manager, made a note of the cost and thought about how she was going to pitch it to her father, who would be paying for it all.
Meanwhile, back at Foundry Cove, Travis and Liberty arrived home at the same time. Liberty couldn't help but notice that Travis was looking downcast.
"Hey, you look bothered, Trav. What's up?" she asked.
"I....don't want to talk about it...." he replied, forlornly.
"Oh, it's that bad! Is it something to do with you, Summer and the wedding?"
"Nothing like that...something happened at work today, that's all" he sighed, looking away from Liberty and staring all around him. She decided not to press the issue with him but instead tried a conversational segue.
"Soooooooooooo, it's the Spice Festival town this evening. I was thinking of going, how about it?"
"Sure...I don't think I want to be alone at home this evening anyway..." he said, solemnly.
Down at the festival Travis' mood lifted only slightly. However, the music and the food were good.
Liberty was enjoying herself immensely and Travis was trying to put the day's misfortune behind him by being distracted by Bakko Jang belting out the hits on his guitar. Both of them tried the exotic food that was prepared by some of the city's most authentic Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Thai cooks. Liberty, being Liberty, tripped and almost sent a plate of Ma Po Tofu flying over a group of people sitting at a nearby table.
They eventually sat at a table near Bakko and she once again tried to pry out of Travis what had gone badly at work.
"So what was the problem?" she asked him.
"I had to give a presentation to a group of my managers and....well....I had egg on my chin" he replied, awkwardly.
"You had egg?...."
"On my chin. It's a euphemism. I could have said I was flying low"
"Were you in a plane?"
"No...I mean...well, the stable door was open but the horse hadn't bolted"
"Huh?"
"I was a bit The Red Baron Flies Undone"
"Flies undone?"
"YES! Zipper was at half mast. YKK was not OK"
"Oh the zipper on your pants was undone!" she let out a giggle.
"That wasn't the worst of it...I discovered by mistake and tried to zip up but way too quickly and my...manly part...got trapped. The pain....was tremendous." He said with embarrassment written all over his face.
"Oh Travis, you poor thing!" she said in sympathy.
"There was no blood or anything so Summer's going to be OK on our wedding night if you know what I mean."
"I don't want any gross images in my mind thank you. Speaking of Summer, she'll have chosen her wedding dress by now! Are you still excited for the big day?"
Travis stopped mooching, sat bolt upright and looked around at the evening sky before looking Liberty directly in the eye.
"I'm ready. I want this to happen....and soon."
