Free Who Loves Her? by Taylor Storm

relaxed, although at first hesitant, told the couple what had happened.  She had to admit that she kind of wandered around the city for a couple of hours, and that all she remembered was that it was called the Second Street Bistro and had outdoor seating with orange umbrellas.  When she finished her story, Jim made a call to a friend, and told him of the situation, and after his short discussion on the phone, excused himself.
    “This will only take a second .  You think you can find your way home, okay, Donna?”
    “We cam e in separate cars, remember?”  She smiled.  “I’ve been wandering around this little town so long.  Don’t think I’m going to get lost now.  Jim left to investigate the restaurant as Susan had already directed him that her car was also parked in front of it.  Susan squinted with faint worry as she noticed Jim’s hand.  The ring!  I know that ring, dammit!  Susan forced the thought from her mind and waited for the cavalry.
    The whole conversation hardly took fifteen minutes, and as soon as Jim stood up and left, the same group of music performers from the shopping mall appeared out of nowhere.
    “Hello, young lady, the bride-to-be, do you remember me?”
    The Spanish guitar player sang a melodious introduction while strumming on his guitar.”
    “Yeah, hi, how are you guys?” Susan suddenly remembered that she didn’t include the part about the band in her story.  Donna jumped a little and frowned at the surprise, not quite understanding what was going on.  Her son pulled his hat square on his head and glared at the guitar player.  Susan just played along with the musicians.
    “Well, whatever,” she thought to herself.  She was sure that the musicians didn’t know about her stealing the bridal dress from Jenna’s, which of course, she had cut that from her story.  She couldn’t have told that to Jim.  I mean she was the one that was lost.  If the lady at the store hadn’t screwed up the order she wouldn’t even be in this mess.  She didn’t want Jim to think she was crazy or a fake.  After all, her family was going to smooth things over with the bridal shop and the flower people just as soon as the wedding was over.  There was nothing to worry about.  She realized that Donna was giving her a strange look as the musicians stood there.
    Susan felt that same uncomfortable sense of disjointed confusion .  “Nothing to worry about,” Susan assured herself and laughed at the band answering them.
    “What are you people doing here, and wow!  don’t you have a strong memory.”  When she laughed, Donna kind of lightened up.
    “Donna, these fellows were there at the mall this morning where I was as I just told you .  Quite an interesting band I must say, as they have offered their services, but you know, I couldn’t have made all that work without my parents’ approval.  It was a bit out of our plans, you see.”  Susan smiled.
    “Well , Señorita, actually, we were saving you there this morning at the mall,” the harmonica player added between singing and playing.  The bass player filled in behind and kept it up.  The kid with the ball cap started to watch his fingers fly.
    “WHAT? !”  Susan nearly spit out her coffee.
    “Well, yes, Señorita.  In fact, we were there in the shop where you stole that dress.”
    The band sang in chorus , playing their instruments.
    Now it was Donna’s turn to get shocked .  She looked at Susan suspiciously, reaching for her phone.
    “ No, please Donna.  I can explain that, you…you don’t need to make a call to Jim.  I can assure you that there has been a slight confusion today at the shop where I was to get my bridal gown.  I can explain!
    Susan turned on the band in anger. “There is no need to exaggerate the whole situation.  You only know what you saw!  I ordered my dress!  I paid for most of it.  They were going to stop my wedding.  The store screwed up.  I am not a thief!” Susan trembled in