It was midday. The afternoon sunbathed the small town in its warm light. Sassi and I followed my mom and my Aunt Louis, that flew in this morning for the wedding. Aunt Louis was way younger than my mom and only sixteen years older than me.

We walked a good fifteen minutes from the car to the boutique that held the mysterious bridesmaid gown. Gosh, my nerves were on edge with the anticipation of this dress. I had zero information on it. I just hoped that it was decent. Shutting my eyes closed for a moment, shuddering at the opposite possibility.

The small town of New Jersey hummed. We crossed a busy road to get to the sidewalk filled with peppy shopping stores and vibrant restaurants. The atmosphere was electric with its diverse culture. But the afternoon was dulled slightly, thanks to the throb in my ear that was still aching inside. I tried to ignore it, determined for it not to bother me further. I just had to remember to get to a pharmacy after the fittings and get some medication.

"Almost there." Mom called back to Sassi and me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Shortly after, we stopped in front of a store called Bows and Vows Bridal Boutique. It was a modest and quaint place. With bridal gowns on display through the large windows. We walked inside and the most pleasant smell hit my nose. The aroma smelled of lavender and a hint of vanilla. It complemented the pretty boutique with its light blue and white furnishings. It looked like a winter secret garden.

Bubbly in classic flutes were handed to us by a lady dressed in a dark blue two-piece suit. She looked polished, just like the boutique. Sassi, Aunt Louis, and I sat on the blue velvet couches. I sipped my flute, waiting eagerly to see my mother in her wedding gown, finally. I kept on glancing to the dressing room at the back, where my mom and the boutique lady disappeared through.

I turned my head to Sassi and Aunt Louis deep in conversation, the topic of discussion sounded like sex. It perked my attention and nudged to join in. But Aunt Louis raised her eyes and looked past my shoulder. Sassi turned around too and smiled.

"Aunt Judy!" She whistled. I whipped around and saw my dear mother standing in front of a long length mirror gazing at herself.

The sight momentarily took my breath away. My mother was a vision all in ivory and lace. Her gown clung to her on top and flowed out at the bottom, with delicate lace patterns caressing both her arms. She had a hair up in a bun, still rocking her dyed blonde hair. It brought a tear to my eye.

She looked absolutely stunning, elegant, and poised.

"Wow! Judy, you look great!" Aunt Louis said.

Mom's eyes slid to mine.

"You look beautiful, mom." I said sincerely.

My mom's eyes were bright, blinking away tears. "Do you think dad would've approved?" she asked softly.

I nodded. I went up to her, and we both embraced in a heartfelt hug.

"Your turn dear." The boutique lady said, ushering me to follow her, breaking the touching spell my mother and I were in.

Well, that moment was fleeting.

I followed the lady into the small dressing room with mirrors at all corners. The boutique lady expertly revealed the bridesmaid dress from its body case.

My eyes popped out, and to my horror, my worst fears came true.

It was awful. No... that word doesn't justify it. It was hideous, ugly, not my taste at all. Sorry mom, but you really dropped the ball this time!

A lime green wreckage stared straight at me. The lady smiled awkwardly, looking at my reaction. She probably saw I didn't like this at all.

"Let's try it on and see, huh." She said, faking a smile. "Your mother ordered it online and it was only delivered yesterday morning."

I faked one back, while giving a stiff nod.

"OMG!... Wow." Sassi said, biting her fist to stifle a laugh, wanting to burst out.

Aunt Louis looked at the dress with a frown. My mom looked concerned. I on the other hand was not impressed at all. I refused to look at the mirror but was forced to by the boutique lady.

I turned around and saw a circus mess. There were sequences everywhere. The dress was two times too big, that hung loosely on me. I mean, jeez mom! couldn't you get my measurements, right? I inwardly moaned. The bright green color, was completely unflattering to my skin tone. It was meant to be a sweetheart neckline, but I don't know what the hell happened. All in all, it looked like a big top tent mixed with glitter.

"It's not so bad honey... it matches the décor." My mom said sympathetically. "They'll alter it quickly before the wedding."

"If there's enough time." The boutique lady said, biting a fingernail.

"That's just great." I said miserably.

"Don't worry about it... we'll think of something," Sassi said laughing her head off. "You not going down the aisle looking like Pennywise from IT."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

***

Three hours went by and I comforted myself with some retail therapy. Mom promised the bridesmaid dress will look better before the wedding. I highly doubted it. I popped in the pharmacy and the on-site doctor prescribed me some anti-biotics I had to take for ten days straight. Sassi was right, it turned out I had a damn ear infection. My feet were aching from all the walking from store to store and was glad we made it for dinner. It would be the first time I would meet Patrick's son, Tobey.

Patrick had made reservations for us at a steakhouse and wine restaurant. That sounded great right now, all this shopping made me ravenous. We climbed out of the taxi and entered the laid-back restaurant, that was Italian themed, with our shopping bags in hand.

Patrick and his son were already seated, looking over their menus. He noticed us approaching through the fully booked restaurant and stood up to wave us over. He greeted my mom with a hug, then forwarded the hug to me, my Aunt and lastly Sassi.

We all sat at a wooden table fit for six. Red and white wine were opened and ready.

"I didn't know which wine you gals liked... so I ordered both." Patrick chuckled.

There was banter back and forth from everyone. I observed my mom and Patrick, her hand in his, his fingers brushed over her knuckles. It looked sweet but felt weird all at the same time. I shook my doubts away. Sassi was mumbling about vegan options on the menu. I glanced over to Tobey. He was fifteen years old, that's pretty much all I knew about him. He was quiet as a mouse and wouldn't speak much. His blonde hair was constantly in his face and made it difficult to see his features properly. He either had earphones in his ears or typed furiously on his phone. His face was glued to the screen, and didn't bother to look up much.

After we ordered our meals. The conversation turned to the worst possible topic. Dating!

"When is Trevor arriving Sassi?" Mom asked.

"He's flying in the morning of the wedding, he struggled to get time off," Sassi replied evenly, almost annoyed at the fact.

I knew Sassi's boyfriend would be her plus one at the wedding. I was grateful he was only attending the wedding and not the mini vacay. Being the third wheel was not my idea of fun!

"And what about you, Lil?" Aunt Louis asked, raising her brow. "Any date for the wedding?"

Darn! That's all I needed right now.

I politely shook my head and forced out a tight smile. "Nope, no date." I said, as I shrunk further in my seat. "And besides, my plate is full of bridesmaid duties and all."

Sassi just smiled and so did my mom.

Our food came quick. Thank goodness. My steak sirloin looked delicious, covered in mushroom sauce and fries. I took a gulp of wine; glad the topic will be done with.

"We should do something as a family. Wouldn't it be great to watch a show or play while you gals in town?" Patrick said.

"Yeah, that'll be great!" Sassi said. I was shocked. She's not the type to do shows, clubbing was more her style.

My mom agreed to the plan. They named a few shows around theaters in New Jersey. But Sassi interjected.

"Why not try New York, we so close to the City." she chimed.

"Do you know any shows?" Aunt Louis asked.

"In a matter of fact, I do. It's a musical." She said with a side smirk. I looked at her with a pointed stare. She smiled slyly and winked at me. "Phantom of the Opera is playing at The Royal Hall Theatre... have you guys heard of it?"

They all nodded their heads, and I groaned, sinking into my seat.

Patrick's eyes lit up, like a boy in a candy store. "Yes! I always wanted to watch it. They got rave reviews last month. I read it up."

"uh huh." Sassi said, nodding her head.

Rave reviews, I'm sure... I sighed internally.

Sassi, always the troublemaker, knowing full well the orchestra based at the theatre. An orchestra that had a certain cellist in it... Arthur James.