Susan Walked in Like Nothing Was Wrong

She hugged her son, Daniel.

“You look so handsome.”

Then she turned toward Emily.

“Beautiful dress.”

Emily stared at Susan’s gown.

“Thank you.”

Susan smiled.

There was no acknowledgment.

No:

Sorry, I forgot.

No:

I didn’t realize it looked this white.

Nothing.

Natalie leaned toward Emily.

“Say something.”

Emily shook her head.

“Not today.”

She had spent fourteen months planning this wedding.

She wasn’t going to let one dress become the story everyone remembered.

Unfortunately, Natalie wasn’t nearly as willing to let it go.

Daniel Had Already Seen the Dress

Before the ceremony, Emily pulled him aside.

“Did you know your mom was wearing that?”

Daniel looked uncomfortable.

“She showed it to me last week.”

Emily stared at him.

“And?”

“I told her it looked light.”

“Light?”

“She said it’s champagne.”

Emily looked across the venue.

Under the bright afternoon lighting, the dress looked almost exactly the same color as Emily’s.

“Daniel.”

“I know.”

“You knew I asked her not to wear white.”

“Yes.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

He sighed.

“I didn’t want to stress you out before the wedding.”

Emily almost laughed.

That sentence somehow made it worse.