Page 29 of Tailored for Them

Another knock sounded on her front door, and after Signe called out a message saying it was unlocked, Jacqueline finally joined the group.

Everyone was here.

“Before we get started,” Signe gestured to the TV, where the movieMy Old Asswas ready to play, “I had something I wanted to share with everyone before the group Mama left us for greener pastures.” She pouted her lip at Violet. I reached over to wrap my arms around Violet, squeezing her. I had become closer to all the women here over the last few weeks, but Violet was the one who would go out of her way to sit next to me in company meetings. I don’t know if it was because of her maternal instinct or because she was an empath. But when everyone else gave me space to grieve my breakup (mostly because I forced them to give me space), Violet didn’t.

At first, I thought it was because she was new at work and didn’t realize I had closed myself off for a while.

But no, Violet just didn’t want me to feel alone. She’s the one who reminded me of the nights Signe and the others would put together on occasion, reminding me of the time and place. She pushed me to enjoy existing as a single woman again.

Logically, I knew joining them would be good for me. When my parents passed, I saw a therapist a couple of times who really emphasized how important it was for me to find close friends. A social support group to help me through their loss.

Then I met Colleen, and she invited me into her social circle with wide-open arms. I didn’t feel as lonely as I used to, but when we broke up, I suddenly didn’t have that circle anymore.

I hated the feeling of feeling safe and supported, only to go back to loneliness immediately.

It was almost worse than just being lonely the entire time.

Part of my feelings was bitterness, I think. I was bitter at Colleen, her friends, and the world. I was bitter about everyone I had lost. I was bitter about being on my own.

But Violet didn’t care. She saw how closed off I was and noticed how much distance I put between myself and my coworkers. After she gently encouraged me to hang out with our coworkers outside of work a few times, I realized something.

That these friends could bemine. And mine alone. I didn’t need to date someone to have friends. I was capable of that. They wanted to be my friends.

It took me a while to wrap my head around it, but I wouldn’t have been able to without Violet’s friendliness at the office.

Because of that, I felt immensely grateful to her.

“I’m going to miss you all so much,” Violet returned my hug, squeezing me tight. “I’m for sure going to intrude on your girls’ nights via video calls, though.”

“That would be great.” Jacqueline smiled, sitting cross-legged as she pulled out an Oreo from the package Signe brought over.

“What did you want to announce?” Jamie asked Signe, bringing the conversation back.

Signe raised her dark red eyebrows at her, flicking her ponytail over her shoulder as she gave Jamie an amused look, “I don’t know, did you want to announce your news first?”

Jamie’s cheeks turned bright red.

Violet and I exchanged a look, wondering if we knew what the news was. Clearly, we both were in the dark. One glance at Jacqueline confirmed she was also lost; she lifted a shoulder in an “I don’t know” gesture.

Mary was grinning like a Cheshire cat, though. After a moment of awkward silence, Mary reached over to grab Jamie’s wrist. The one she kept tucked in her lap. When Mary lifted her girlfriend’s hand for all of us to see, there was a collective gaspfrom the group when we all noticed what was on Jamie’s ring finger.

A gorgeous golden ring with a dark red ruby.

“Oh my god!” Violet gasped, before leaning forward to inspect the ring. “You’re engaged?”

“Yes,” Mary sat a little taller, before kissing Jamie’s hand and nuzzling her girlfriend’s—sorry,fiancée’s—hair, “I just asked her last night.”

“And I said yes.” Jamie was bright red from head to toe. She shyly tucked a strand of her pale blonde hair behind her ear while holding out her left hand for everyone to admire andoohandaahover her engagement ring. Jamie was reserved, but even so, the joy on her face was palpable.

A sniffling sound was heard, and we all turned to face Signe. She had tears streaming down her cheeks that she desperately tried to wipe away with her hands, “I’m so happy for you two. This is the best day.”

Mary’s face softened before she released Jamie to wrap Signe up in a hug as well.

Iloveweddings. I always have. Some would argue that it wasn’t very progressive of me, but I was a diehard feminist who also loved the idea of becoming legally bound to someone. Of having someone in your corner forever.

When I was a little girl, watching princess movies that ended with women getting married and living happily ever after, I knew I wanted the same. But when I played with my Barbies, pretending women were the ones getting married to each other, eventually my mother caught on to the fact that I might be gay.

When I was about ten years old, telling her about a crush I had on a girl in my class, I remembered the look of heartbreak flickering over her face.

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