I dig my sandal into the dirt and think about how to start this conversation. Keith and I are close, but this is a big deal.
He turns to look at me since I haven’t said anything for the past fifteen seconds. “What’s the problem?”
“The wedding is in, ah…two weeks.” I stumble over my words. “I, umm, I’ve been thinking.”
He closes his eyes. “You don’t have cold feet, do you?”
“No!” I laugh. “God, no.” I sigh and move closer to him. “I don’t have any family left—from, you know, my side. You’re the one I’m closest to, the one I consider my big brother.” He sets the hammer down and turns his attention on me.Screw it. “Keith, will you walk me down the aisle?”
His face changes as my words sink in, and his eyes soften then gloss over. “It would be my honor, Savannah.” I leap into his arms, and he gasps at the force. “Thank you, Keith, so, so much.”
He hugs me hard before he clears his throat and steps back. “Right, well, you tell me when and where, and I’ll show up.”
I shake my head at his comment.Men.I step back but smirk. “You better.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He grabs his hammer and heads back to the gate. I turn on my heel, feeling so pleased with our conversation.
“Savannah?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“Wow,” I whisper in the mirror. I hardly recognize myself. “Mel, you did an amazing job.” My makeup is flawless, and my hair hangs in long curls with one side pinned up.
“Here we are.” Abigail beams, holding my garment bag. She hooks it behind the privacy divider. “Would you like anything?”
“Mark wanted you to have this.” June hands me a martini. “It will help with the nerves.”
Oh, I love Mark.
“Hand it over,” I say then take a long sip. I’m not nervous about getting married, but the thought of standing in front of everyone gives me the jitters. Thankfully, we kept it to a small number, not that a hundred and fifty is small.
Sue gasps when I step out to show them my dress.
“Holy…” I jump at the sound of John’s voice from the doorway. “Sorry, but you look great, Savannah.”
I look down at the form-fitting white dress that hugs my curves. A slit stops at mid-thigh. The beading starts at the right hip, spreading up and across to my left shoulder and scattering up the halter strap. It’s the only piece of New York I would allow on this day. Sue called in a favor from a friend when she got word about the dress I wanted. Four weeks later, I found it hanging in my old closet with a note.
Your mother would have gotten it for you. I just helped her.
~ Sue
Needless to say, I sobbed.
“Sue,” John motions with his head, “Zack is here with his crew to set up the food. Would you show him where to go?”
“Yes, of course.” She turns to me. “It’s perfect, honey.” I lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you, Sue.”
June appears from somewhere with a secret little smile. She opens a velvet bag and pulls out a deep red garter outlined with black lace. “A little something for later.”
I laugh as she pushes my dress back, slipping the garter over my shoe and up my leg, just above where the slit in my skirt stops.
“I love it.” I wrap my arms around her, thinking this day couldn’t get any better.
“Okay,” June starts to fan her eyes, “I need to grab my camera. I’ll see you down there.”