My middle sister is getting married. So far nothing thrilling or surprising. She has found the perfect guy. They sound like two songs by Carosone; they look like a finished 10000-piece puzzle, they smell like melted candy in an amusement park. Angus is getting married, and I know it will be perfect. I don’t need to help her. She’s got the dress; she’s got the shoes. She’s a savvy girl overall. But yesterday I got a warning, a death threat in the form of a sister’s whatsapp:
“You have no dress to wear at my wedding. It’s just a couple of weeks remaining. Don’t dream I’ll lend you one already seen by everyone. I know you’d wrap yourself in dishcloths but this time I’m not gonna let you do that. It is the most important day of my life. You are my youngest sister. Make sure you look better than me.”
I immediately make a SOS call. “Luna, you have to give me a hand. It’s a painful favor, but I’m running out of time.” “I told you Carmen, I couldn’t get subtitles for that Vietnamese one.” “You couldn't?! But you said… Ok, forget about that! I have to get a dress for the wedding.” “You mean you have to go shopping and stuff??” “Yes, please, I’m begging you. I can’t go through that alone.” “Last time I went to a clothing store I was in a baby carriage. If I went with you, we both would start panicking. Why don’t you wear one of mine? I have a bunch of pieces of fabric I found in a squat, we could work something up.” “You know what? I’ll call Rosa, I think she’ll be more helpful for this one.”
“Rosa, just take the money and get me a dress. Anything will be fine.” “I can’t, I work from 6 p.m. till 1 p.m., from Monday to Saturday. Shops close at siesta time.” “You haven’t got a job, you have joined slavery!” “Carmen, go by yourself, it will be fast. Just pick the first one on the hanger. It will suit you. You should start handling better things that you don’t like...” “Wait, I’ve got a new message from my sister. Let me check what’s new.”
“I have no vows to read at my wedding. It’s just a couple of weeks remaining. Don’t dream I’ll say something already heard by everyone. I know you’d write a damn piece of poetry so this time I’m gonna let you do that. It is the most important day of my life. I am your middle sister. I’ll lend you a dress if you get my back.”
