Page 126 of Bridesmaid By Chance
With Sloane’s hand held tightly in mine, we walk up to the Mayfair Club’s front doors, which are managed by a bellman.
“Good afternoon, sir, ma’am. How may I be of assistance?”
“Hello. We’re meeting with Archie Wimbach.”
“Right this way,” he says as he opens the door, revealing mahogany walls, green-and-blue-plaid carpet, and the smell of old books combined with pine. This is exactly what I expected it might be like inside the Mayfair Club. An old parlor club.
We are led into a study where books from what seems the eighteenth century line the walls. Not a speck of dust on them, yet they look like they haven’t been touched for years. A secretary desk is positioned catty-corner to the window, and a seating area of antique furniture rests in the middle.
“Mr. Remington will be right with you.”
“Thank you,” I answer as the man shuts the door behind himself.
Sloane turns toward me and whispers, “Uh, I feel like I don’t belong here. It’s extremely fancy.”
“This is what money will buy you.”
“Musty walls and furniture that was built in medieval times?”
“Exactly.” I chuckle just as the door opens and in steps a man in a suit. He’s bald except for a whisp of hair on either side of his head and clean-shaven. His glasses barely hang on the tip of his nose, and his bow tie matches his pocket square.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hopper, thank you so much for making it in today. It’s delightful to meet you. I’m Mr. Remington, and I’ll be your advisor regarding your club membership. Please, be seated.”
With Sloane’s hand still in mine, I bring her over to the couch and we sit. She chose a white dress with thick straps that cover the ice-blue straps of the bra I know she’s wearing. She paired the dress with a white hat with a pink ribbon around the base. Her hair is down, and she looks every bit the part she’s here to play.
She crosses her feet at her ankles and sits tall next to me.
“Thank you for having us,” she says. “The club, from what I can see, is breathtaking.”
“Thank you, we take great pride in maintaining the building’s original structure. We were forced to make some renovations after the kitchen fire back in 1942, but other than that, everything else is original, besides some flooring that has suffered wear and tear from heels over the years.”
“Very impressive,” Sloane says as she looks around.
“Thank you. And I must say, your application into the club came with a very high recommendation from Archie Wimbach. His family has been members of the club for generations now.”
“We are very grateful for the recommendation,” I say. “Archie and his family are very good people. We’re honored.”
“They are, and wonderful donors. I see that you’ve put in a donation amount as well.” Sloane glances at me, but I ignore it as I nod.
“Yes, earmarked as well.”
“I see that. For the Brothers and Sisters program, correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“Wonderful, and I’ve read your reasoning, which was touching. I’ve brought your membership request to the board, and they’ve all agreed that you would be a superb fit for the Mayfair Club. We’d like to welcome you as members.”
I feel a wave of relief release through me as I say, “Thank you. That means a lot to us.”
Mr. Remington stands, so we do as well. “It’s an honor. And I believe the Wimbachs are waiting for you upstairs. In the Sherry Room. Mr. Wimbach said he’d be delighted to give you a tour.”
“Thank you.” I shake his hand and so does Sloane before we both head out of the room and up the curved staircase.
“What’s the Brothers and Sisters program?” Sloane asks quietly as we make our way up.
“They focus on matching children with mentors, it’s like the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program in the States.”
“How much did you donate?”
