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When I was shopping for a dress, I must have taken Mom to more than a dozen shops trying to find the perfect dress. She flew out many times from Boothbay, and not once did she rush me.
Mom opens her small clutch, which is the same color as her dress—a soft coffee color. Her dress has sheer three-quarter length sleeves, the bodice is lace with a silk lining under it, and to top it off, she has an elegant wrap. Her hair is swept into a chignon, and she has small drop diamond earrings to finish her look.
Smiling and a little misty-eyed, she holds out a red velvet jewelry box for me. I take it from her and open it. Inside are a lovely pair of emerald-cut, diamond halo, leverback earrings.
“Oh, Mom, you shouldn’t have.” My voice is barely above a whisper.
“Do you like them?”
Shaking my head, I say, “No, I love them.”
Mom rushes past me to our bathroom and comes back, dabbing her eyes with tissues. “I told your dad you needed something new for your day, and when I saw these, I just knew you’d like them.”
Taking the earrings out of the box, I put them in my ears and look at my reflection. They match my outfit perfectly.
Turning, I look back at her. “What do you think?”
More tears fall as she dabs at her eyes. “Y-you look so beautiful, honey.”
Blinking profusely, so I don’t cry, I embrace my mom. Another knock sounds at the door, and it’s my dad.
“Betty, you need to go take your seat.”
Mom steps away from me, looks me up and down, and nods. “See you out there, honey.”
The butterflies which had been swirling in my stomach suddenly take flight, and I’m incredibly nervous.
Mom sees the change in my face and whispers, “You’ll do fine. Everyone out there loves you and only wants the best for you. You’re surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones.” She turns and walks away, only to stop at the doorway and look up at Dad. “We did good.”
He kisses her cheek, and she places a hand on the side of his face. Unspoken words pass between them, and I’m reminded of how much they love each other.
Dad watches her go, a smile on his face, then he looks at me. “Ahh, she gave you the earrings. Do you like them?”
I nod and turn to look back at my reflection. “I don’t look like me.”
Dad comes up from behind and places his hands on my shoulder. “You’re still you, but you clean up nice.”
Laughter bubbles up and out of me. “Gee, thanks, Dad.”
Todd walks in with the photographer, who immediately begins taking pictures.
“Okay! Are we ready?” asks Todd.
“Y-yes,” I stammer.
Todd puts both hands in the air and shakes them. “Come on, Athena, you can do better than that. Are we ready?”
“Yes,” I reply firmly.
“That’s more like it. Now, just so you know, all eyes will be on me.” He does a twirl. Todd is wearing a pale pink suit with a white shirt to match the flower arrangements. One of the best things about having a best friend who’s gay is he can pull off any color and make it look good. “They’re about to play our song. I’m going first. Count to five, then you two follow. Got it?”
Todd has made me practice so many times that I don’t need a reminder, but I nod and smile at him. Dad winks down at me and holds out his arm.
Todd has his hands clasped under his chin with a big goofy grin. “Aww, look at you two. Mr. Boswell, your suit color looks good on you, and you match Mrs. Boswell.”
“Of course, couldn’t have my wife looking so hot and not try to match her.”
Todd clicks his fingers in the air three times. “Well, you succeeded. You look hawt.”
