boy comes from some pretty good genes,” I said.
“Sure does,” Campbell agreed.
“So, I can keep all of these?” I asked as I offered the photos back to Campbell.
“They are all yours. Cade insisted.”
The waiter returned and we started with a midday martini. After we finished our drink and a salad, Campbell ordered a bottle of champagne, which we drank with our chicken Kiev. It was during our lemon sorbet dessert that Campbell did something that touched me deeply. It made me sad for a moment that she hadn’t been in my life since day one. Campbell gave me a box beautifully wrapped in silver with black ribbon. She told me it was from her and Cade.
I opened up the box and saw a burgundy leather journal with a gold plate that had
BASIL AND YANCEY
inscribed on it. “This is nice,” I said, having no idea what I was supposed to do with a book of empty pages. I’m not a diary kinda guy. I guess Campbell figured out I was clueless, so she moved close to me and whispered, “You should make the first entry before your wedding. It should be a letter to your firstborn telling him or her why and how much you love Yancey. It’s a wonderful way for children to know they were loved even before they were born.”
22
WHEN YANCEY was deciding who would be in her wedding party, she suddenly felt sad at the lack of women friends she had in her life. She had never really had real girlfriends and never felt safe in the company of women. She felt most women wouldn’t understand some of the choices she had made and would eventually betray her trust. Being on stage, out front, was the only place she felt safe and in control.
She didn’t have to worry about a matron of honor, since Ava had already placed herself in the role. But Ava felt she needed backup, so Yancey needed to think of three ladies she could stomach for a couple of days. She decided on Judith Moore, a leggy brunette she had become friendly with during her run in
Fosse
.
Judith and Yancey had shared several long lunches on matinee days and shared the same views on having too many competitive females in your life. She would ask Basil’s sister, Campbell, for the second spot. It wasn’t as if they were close friends or were particularly fond of each other, but she thought it would make Basil happy. The final choice was the hard one, especially since the only other person who came to mind was Windsor. Yancey assumed Windsor would be thrilled to be a part of her special day—and she would, if she could meet some of Yancey’s requirements.
Yancey called Windsor to tell her the big news. After a couple of rings, Windsor picked up the phone. She was happy to hear from Yancey and told her everything was going great at home.
“How is Las Vegas?” Windsor asked.
“Very hot and very . . . very gaudy,” Yancey said.
“I know you’re a big hit with the show.”
“Yeah, I am,” Yancey said with an air of confidence Windsor had become familiar with.
“Has Basil been there yet?”
“Yes, he surprised me with an engagement ring on my first night.”
“That’s wonderful. When’s the big day?”
“Before the new year. That’s one of the reasons I’m calling,” Yancey said.
“Do you want me to help with the preparations? I’m real good with stuff like that.”
“My mother is handling most of the plans, but I’m sure she would welcome the help. I really wanted to know if you’d be in the wedding party. I want you to be a brides-maid.”
“You’re kidding . . . right? I’d be honored to be in your wedding. I can’t believe . . .”
But before Windsor could finish her sentence, Yancey interrupted. “Of course, you’ll have to lose some weight. I want my bridesmaids to be looking fierce!”
There was silence on the other end of the line for a couple of moments and then Windsor said, “Thank you, Yancey, but I can’t be in your wedding if you want me to lose weight. I’m very happy with my body, and if changing myself is required . . .
“Sure does,” Campbell agreed.
“So, I can keep all of these?” I asked as I offered the photos back to Campbell.
“They are all yours. Cade insisted.”
The waiter returned and we started with a midday martini. After we finished our drink and a salad, Campbell ordered a bottle of champagne, which we drank with our chicken Kiev. It was during our lemon sorbet dessert that Campbell did something that touched me deeply. It made me sad for a moment that she hadn’t been in my life since day one. Campbell gave me a box beautifully wrapped in silver with black ribbon. She told me it was from her and Cade.
I opened up the box and saw a burgundy leather journal with a gold plate that had
BASIL AND YANCEY
inscribed on it. “This is nice,” I said, having no idea what I was supposed to do with a book of empty pages. I’m not a diary kinda guy. I guess Campbell figured out I was clueless, so she moved close to me and whispered, “You should make the first entry before your wedding. It should be a letter to your firstborn telling him or her why and how much you love Yancey. It’s a wonderful way for children to know they were loved even before they were born.”
22
WHEN YANCEY was deciding who would be in her wedding party, she suddenly felt sad at the lack of women friends she had in her life. She had never really had real girlfriends and never felt safe in the company of women. She felt most women wouldn’t understand some of the choices she had made and would eventually betray her trust. Being on stage, out front, was the only place she felt safe and in control.
She didn’t have to worry about a matron of honor, since Ava had already placed herself in the role. But Ava felt she needed backup, so Yancey needed to think of three ladies she could stomach for a couple of days. She decided on Judith Moore, a leggy brunette she had become friendly with during her run in
Fosse
.
Judith and Yancey had shared several long lunches on matinee days and shared the same views on having too many competitive females in your life. She would ask Basil’s sister, Campbell, for the second spot. It wasn’t as if they were close friends or were particularly fond of each other, but she thought it would make Basil happy. The final choice was the hard one, especially since the only other person who came to mind was Windsor. Yancey assumed Windsor would be thrilled to be a part of her special day—and she would, if she could meet some of Yancey’s requirements.
Yancey called Windsor to tell her the big news. After a couple of rings, Windsor picked up the phone. She was happy to hear from Yancey and told her everything was going great at home.
“How is Las Vegas?” Windsor asked.
“Very hot and very . . . very gaudy,” Yancey said.
“I know you’re a big hit with the show.”
“Yeah, I am,” Yancey said with an air of confidence Windsor had become familiar with.
“Has Basil been there yet?”
“Yes, he surprised me with an engagement ring on my first night.”
“That’s wonderful. When’s the big day?”
“Before the new year. That’s one of the reasons I’m calling,” Yancey said.
“Do you want me to help with the preparations? I’m real good with stuff like that.”
“My mother is handling most of the plans, but I’m sure she would welcome the help. I really wanted to know if you’d be in the wedding party. I want you to be a brides-maid.”
“You’re kidding . . . right? I’d be honored to be in your wedding. I can’t believe . . .”
But before Windsor could finish her sentence, Yancey interrupted. “Of course, you’ll have to lose some weight. I want my bridesmaids to be looking fierce!”
There was silence on the other end of the line for a couple of moments and then Windsor said, “Thank you, Yancey, but I can’t be in your wedding if you want me to lose weight. I’m very happy with my body, and if changing myself is required . . .
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