“Mother,” my mom reproaches with shock.
“Oh relax, Luann. I’m eighty years old,the damage is already done. It’s time to have some fun, what little is left.”
I hold my hand over my mouth to cover mysilent laugh. Becca turns to me. “So, are you ready to try on some dresses?”
“Yes, please.”
“Do you have an idea of what you’relooking for in a wedding dress?”
That’s a good question. I haven’t reallythought about it. I looked through a bridal magazine, but nothing really stoodout. I know I don’t want something over the top, or too fancy. “Well,” mymother answers before I can.
“Here.” She hands Becca the binder.“These are the styles I think will look best on Katie. It needs to havesleeves, and I was thinking of an empire or natural waist to hide her poochstomach.”
I look down at my stomach. “I don’t havea pooch.”
My mom ignores me, continuing to talk toBecca. “Or maybe a corset back to help keep everything tight and in the rightplaces.”
Becca is polite, listening to everythingmy mother demands and nodding at all the right times. “Great, that gives us anidea for sure.” Becca turns to me. “What about you, Kate? What do you want in adress?”
“Something simple, maybe vintagelooking.”
“I think that gives us a great start. Whydon’t you come with me, Kate, and we will see what we can find.” She ushers meback into a large dressing room. I take a deep breath. This is gettingoverwhelming and I haven’t even tried any dresses on.
As if Becca can read my mind, she pats myshoulder gently. “Try to relax. We’ll make this as painless as possible.”
I take another deep breath. “That wouldbe great, thanks.”
“No problem. You put on a pretty goodfront.”
“Oh yeah, well…” I trail off. I don’treally know Becca and I’m sure she doesn’t want nor does she need a detailedfamily history.
“Based on what you’ve liked and kept fromprevious purchases, I went ahead and made a couple of selections to start usoff. In fact, I think you will really like this one by Amelia Sposa.”
Becca helps me into the dress. It hasthree-fourth sleeves that are sheer and covered with lace. “What do you callthis neckline?” I ask, running my finger along the high, long neck.
“It’s called a bateau neckline.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“It also has a keyhole back.” I turn tosee my bare back outlined in lace.
“Oh, my mother’s going to hate that.”Becca holds the train as I walk out into the waiting area.
“What do you think?” I ask everyone.
“Holy crap, Kate, you look beautiful.”Laura winks. “I love the neckline.”
“Yeah, I know. I really like it too. I’mnot too sure about the bow here in the middle. Look at the back.” I turnaround.
“Um wow! You’re done. No need to lookanymore.” Laura snaps her fingers. If I came out in a potato sack, she’d tellme I looked hot.
I finally brave a look at my mother.“What do you think, Mom?”
“I think it makes you look fat.”
I turn to Jill, who’s the one who has sograciously said I look fat. “Oh gee, mom, there you are, sorry.”
Jill looks taken aback that I’ve saidsomething back to her. Actually, I am too.
