My mom continues to be silent.
“I think it’s beautiful, Kate.” I glanceover at Olivia.
“Thanks Olivia.”
I look back at my mom but nothing, just astoic face and a purse of her lips now and nothing. “Okay,” I whisper to Becca.She helps me back to the dressing room. “We better find something she likes, orit’s going to get worse in there.”
Becca gives me a sheepish smile. “Got it.Give me a few minutes.”
I text Cole:Can we elope?
A few minutes later my phone chimes witha reply:Yes, meet you at Elvis’ Chapel of Love. That good, huh?
Yep.
Sorry Cookie.
No worries. I already got the guy.Everything else is cake.
You do love cake.He has me peggedthere. I sit my phone down on the chair.
“Okay.” Becca comes back into thedressing room. “Let’s try this one.”
I don’t mind this one but it’s verycouture; it doesn’t have any lace or beads. But it does have three-fourthsleeves, a natural waist and a bateau neck, like the previous dress. It’s verymodest, my mother better love it.
“Okay, what about this one?”
“This one is much better.” My motherspeaks. Hallelujah! This day may get better yet.
“It’s so plain,” Laura chides.
“Yes, it’s very couture.” Olivia pointsout.
“It’s very you.” Jill gives me a lookthat says; take that.
Annie helps me out though and pinchesJill. “It is a bit simple. I wouldn’t mind seeing a little lace or sequins, atleast.”
“Are you sure you should wear white?”Apparently, Annie’s pinching is losing its effect on Jill.
I look at Jill, my irritation clear.“What do you mean? What other color would I wear?”
“I’m just saying you’re not a virginanymore.”
Holy hell! Thanks for announcing thatfact to the entire room, Jill. I realize it’s a given and not really a secret,but sheesh, she has no tact. “No duh, Jill.”
“No, it’s fine.” My mother waves adismissive hand at Jill. “Kate waited until she was married to be with Cole.”
“Well, technically.” Laura laughs.
My mother turns to me. “Technically?” Shepurses her lips. I give Laura my ‘what the hell’ look.
There’s a spurting noise, I glance atOlivia, who is trying to remain dignified but looks to be coughing up herchampagne. Dammit to hell! Thank you family.
“Cole was your first?” Olivia asksbetween coughs.
After taking a deep breath, I jump offthe pedestal and ignore everyone. “I agree. This one’s too plain.” I’m nothaving the sex talk with my mother in the middle of this shop in front of allthe women in my family.
The next dress has some of my mother’srequirements: it’s an empire waist, with cap sleeves. Everyone’s looking asfrazzled as I feel. “Okay,” I say, standing back up on the stand. “How aboutthis one?”
