Ten days later, the vest was completed. Now the four women plus Adrianna had one more surprise for Freddie. A shower. They had booked the sunroom at the side of the Meets ‘N Treats coffee shop for the occasion.
As they waited for Freddie’s arrival, Carole suddenly started to laugh.
“What’s so funny, Carole?” asked Loretta.
“It’s the incongruity of the situation. Here we’re having a shower for Freddie on a day when it’s still raining.”
“Which it has been for almost two weeks,” Janice remarked glumly.
“Yes, it did start a couple of weeks ago with heavy rains and even a couple of gully washers,” replied Loretta.
“Gully washers?” questioned Carole and Jean together.
“I can’t remember seeing any gullies around here,” Jean replied.
“It’s a term I heard used when Len and I were in Texas a few years ago.”
“Well, it sure sounds better than ditch washers,” Adrianna quipped, which caused all to laugh.
Glancing up, Carole spotted Freddie heading towards them. “Here she comes, everyone,” Carole announced.
“As Freddie entered the sunroom, she had a big grin on her face. “Hi everyone, gosh it’s good to see you. I’ve missed all of you and I’m dying to hear what you’ve been up to, because frankly, I’m sure you’ve been up to something,” she said as she walked about the table giving each of them a hug.
The women glanced at one another.
“I knew it!” Freddie exclaimed. “You’re looking guilty. So, what’s up?”
“Okay, “ Carole said, as she stood. “Freddie, we know you specified on your wedding invitations that no gifts be given; however, we decided to give you something that you would find meaningful.” And with that, Carole reached underneath the table and produced a beautifully wrapped box.
“Here’s to you, Freddie, our dearest friend as well as our partner in crime.”
“Shall I open it now?” she asked teasingly.
A chorus of voices shouted a resounding, YES!”
Freddie gradually unsealed the wrapping, lifted the box cover and unfolded the tissue. Speechless, she just stared at the content; then, almost reverently, she held it up. There were tears in her eyes when she saw the vest her friends had created for her. I am truly overwhelmed,” Freddie said as she brushed away a tear. “I have never seen anything so beautiful. And as I look at it, I see that not only have you put on the Yukon’s symbols such as the ravens, Kluane Lake, Mount Logan—even fireweed, but also you’ve machine embroidered everything.” Examining it more closely, Freddie exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, each wave of the lake has an embroidered name on it. I see, each of your names inscribed. This is so beautiful—almost too beautiful to wear.”
“How about trying it on, Freddie, to see if it fits,” Janice suggested.
As Freddie slipped on the vest, everyone could see that it was perfect.
