Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 59489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“May I?” the voice said, revealing itself to be Graham.
“Sure, sure,” Victor said. “Now, where is Melanie?”
Graham did a little bow and took my hand, gently placing one hand on my hip as he guided me into a dance. Graham seemed the lightest on his feet, other than Camden. It made sense since he had been a professional athlete until recently. Still, it was surprising to see such a big man be so agile.
“Congratulations, Kristen,” he said. “You look spectacular. Everyone is saying so.”
“Thank you,” I said, laughing. “Now, I was just getting the story about what happened in your game today.”
“Oh, Camden won,” he said. “I’m not sure if we let him win or not, but the injury kind of stopped the game.”
“I don’t care who won, Graham,” I laughed. “How did he get hurt?”
“Oh, yeah,” Graham said. “First, he slid into home plate like a moron. Then he dove after a ball and dislocated his shoulder.”
“He what?” I exclaimed, then realized how loud I was and looked around, nodding to the other dancers in what I hoped was a reassuring manner. “He what?” I whispered.
“He dove after a ball and landed weird on his shoulder. Dislocated it. Mark had to set it right there so we could get him to the wedding.”
“Excuse me,” a voice from behind him said, tapping his shoulder.
I audibly groaned, and when I saw Mark’s face, he looked crestfallen.
“I was just… going to ask if I could cut in…”
“Yes, of course,” I said, letting Graham go and reaching for Mark. “I wasn’t groaning because it was you. I’ve just been trying to get this story out of all you boys this entire song.”
“Oh,” Mark said. “I assume you mean Camden dislocating his shoulder.”
“Yes,” I said gratefully.
“No problem, I can help with that,” Mark said. “By the way, congratulations. You look splendid tonight.”
“Thank you. Now tell me about Camden breaking himself.”
Mark laughed as he began to move with me.
“He dove and landed on his shoulder. It was a pretty simple dislocation, and once I set it, he was right as rain. Sore, but, fine.”
“Yes, hold on, you said you set it? Right there?”
“Of course,” he said. “No need to go to a hospital when you have a doctor right there. Why? Is he complaining about pain? Perhaps I should check him out.”
“No, he barely said anything about it,” I said. “He mentioned he got banged up playing baseball and that he scared the rest of you boys by thinking he broke himself.”
“Oh, well, yes,” Mark said with a smile. “Graham in particular was very upset. But it was an easy fix, and aside from soreness, he should be just fine.”
“Thank you,” I said. “For telling me and for setting his arm.”
“It’s what I do,” Mark said. “Ahh, the song is over.”
I realized the music had stopped and looked around the room. Camden was coming toward me with Carmela beside him.
“Well, I have to say, that was weird,” he said.
“What was?” I asked.
“Dancing with my sister. Just weird. Do you want anything to drink?” he asked.
“I would love that,” I said.
“Let me,” Mark said. “The happy couple shouldn’t be getting their own drinks on their wedding day. Go, sit.”
“Thank you, Mark,” I said, and we headed to our table.
As we passed the family table, Mom was standing and reached out for a big hug. I took her into my arms and held her there for a moment, letting her get some of her emotion out onto my bare shoulder. When she pulled away, she brushed her fingers over the neckline of the dress, all of which had come from her own dress.
“You did such a wonderful job incorporating the other dresses,” she said. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you, Mama,” I said.
“I just wish your father was here,” she said. “He would be so proud.”
“Me too,” I said. “But I have him in here.”
I pointed to my heart, and Mom nodded.
“Me too,” she said. “Always. But no sadness today. This is a happy day!”
“Agreed!” I said. “How is the food? I haven’t gotten anything yet.”
“Let me make you a plate,” she said. “Brides shouldn’t be making plates. The chicken is spectacular.”
“Okay,” I said, moving over to give my uncle a hug. He was a quiet man, always had been, but the smile on his face said a thousand words.
“Kristen?” Allison’s voice said from the stage area where our table was.
“Yeah?” I asked.
“If you want to come up here, we are going to start with the speeches and stuff now.”
“Okay,” I said. “Husband?”
“Yes, wife?” Camden said with a grin.
“Would you help me onto the stage?”
He grinned and swept down, picking me up like a child and placing me effortlessly on the stage.
“Mr. Smith,” I said, giggling. “What about your shoulder?”
“Right now, I feel like I could lift the world,” he said.