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“He seems like he’s determined to make you happy”

We both get off the bed and I let her helplace sleeves that once adorned her arms The aunts are skilled seamstresses, and between the three of the new and special

“Well isn’t that a sight to see” Aunt Doris beams, followed by Aunt Elisa, who has her arms full

“What is all this?” I ask as they put down ites

“It’s your so old” Doris plucks at the sleeve of my mother’s dress

“Your so new” Elisa drapes a s, “I had a htas how it’s winter, you don’t want to catch a chill before the big night” She winks and my mother fans herself We’ll need to turn the AC on if this keeps up, because my husband to be is seriously hot

“And this,borrowed” Mom reaches for a box on the bed and opens it up It’s her county fair tiara—a beautiful, delicate crown emstones She places it onmy cheek

“Not quite, but I got it Girl needs so for a shoebox She tosses the lid and pulls out a pair of open-toed blue booties The same blue as Tank’s uniform

“Doris, I love them”

She ushers me to sit at my vanity and helps me put them on

“Well, I think our work here is done” Elisa grins, clutching her bosom

“You think it’s tihts or what?” Doris cackles, and my mother shoos her from the room

“Pretty sure she don’t need that talk, Phoebe” Elisa snickers, following the me a wink

I’ ways I walk to the top of the stairs and see ray pinstripe

“Beatrice Nicole” Dad uses my name with a waver in his voice