microphone to announce the wedding party. First all
the bridesmaids entered and then Troy followed. After
a short drumroll, Momma and Tony entered arm in
arm, Momma's face sparkling with excitement. The
applause rose to a crescendo and cameras clicked.
Momma and Tony took the center of the dance floor
and the orchestra began to play a waltz. They danced
as though they had been dancing together all their
lives.
As they turned and moved gracefully to the
music, I couldn't help wondering what my wedding
day would be like. Would I have a grand affair like
this: a full orchestra, hundreds of guests, tons of food,
and a horde of servants? If Momma had her way, I
would. Maybe I would even be married here,
following the Tatterton tradition, which was now to
become my tradition, too. Would my husband be as
handsome and as debonair as Tony? Would I be
deeply in love or would Momma find me some
wealthy aristocrat and convince me to marry him? And when I put on my wedding gown, would I
look anything like Momma did? I saw the awe and the
envy in the eyes of the other women as she and Tony
danced. Not a strand of her gold hair was out of place;
her complexion was perfect. She looked like a
goddess, like a statue of Aphrodite come to life. After a while other couples joined Momma and
Tony on the dance floor, and the reception was in full
swing. Champagne bubbled all around me. I had two
glasses and felt a little dizzy.
I was glad when Troy found me and pumped
my hand, urging me to follow him to "see something."