She stood in front of the mirror. Her hair, though short, was put up nicely with crystal covered barrettes. They gleamed in her hair like the tears in her eyes. Her makeup was done, but soon it would be smeared by the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. She didn't care though about the makeup. She never really used it before, unless there was a special occasion. It did look good though, she smiled at herself in the mirror, she looked amazing. She grabbed a tissue and dabbed her eyes to rid herself from some of the tears. As she dabbed she continued looking at herself in the mirror. She hadn't realized how many tears built up in her eyes. With the tears gone and her vision almost normal the brightness of the dress she wore was almost blinding with the sun reflecting off of it. Staring at the dress now she remembered the first time that this dress was worn.
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The organ played far off in the church, upstairs and away from the Bride's room. She watched as the dress was slipped on. The feeling of happiness and pride in her heart was a great feeling. It almost felt like her skin was tingling with excitement. She didn't think it was possible, but her mom was finally getting remarried. The form fitting dress hugged her mom tight and she looked stunning. The crystals in her hair, shined bright just like the dress.
"Mommy!" a little boy yelled as he ran into the room. He'd been wondering around the hallways of the church and his voice held a slight hint of fear.
At the same time as her mom she turned around and said, "What's wrong?" She looked over at her mom and they both smiled at each other. Her son ran up and jumped in her arms.
"What's a'matter you?" She said holding onto him.
"You look pretty!"
"Thanks sweetie," she laughed, "What were you getting yourself into?
"Noothingg..." he shied and pushed away off her chest. She set him back down on the ground. He walked over to his grandmother and hugged at her leg. "Can I have a cookie?" She smiled down at him and then looked at his mother and then back to him.
"Of course you can." She stepped down off of the box she was on and over to the table of food. She grabbed a peanut butter cookie and crouched down to be at the same level of her grandson.
The door to the hallway opened. It was another one of her daughters. "We have to get you upstairs, it's almost time." She handed the cookie to her grandson and stood up again. Moving back to the box to look in the mirror.
"You look great mom."
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Now she stood in the mirror wearing the same dress that her mom wore all those years ago. It seemed like forever, but in reality it wasn't all that long ago. Seconds felt like minutes now as she stared back at herself through the mirror. She loved this dress. It hugged her tight as if her mom was there hugging her instead. On the bed beside her among her hoodie and jeans laid her faithful companions. They looked at her adoringly, their tails wagging with glee.
She said the words to the dogs laying on the bed before she could stop herself. She knew they wouldn't understand her, yet she knew they would. "Isn't mommy pretty?" They barked in agreement or maybe just because of the attention she showed them.
"I know I'm hungry, too" She responded to their barks.
She turned and walked to the kitchen still wearing the dress. Her mind wondered again as she walked down the hall, an almost familiar feeling.
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"You look great mom."
She smiled at the reflection of her son in the mirror. Not so much the little boy anymore. He'd grown up to be such a nice young man. She turned around to look at him in his tuxedo. "So do you." The moment had finally come, her wedding day. She was sad that her dad wouldn't be there to give her away, but was grateful to have her son there to be the one to do the honors. Her smile widened. It was contagious as his smile grew bigger as well.
Everyone else in the room was rushing around. Getting things together for her big day. Her son kissed her on the cheek and told her it was time to get ready. He left her there and went up to the church entrance where she would meet him before walking down the isle together. She finished getting ready and her bridal party made their way to the church entrance as well.
As she slid her arm into her sons they began walking across the back isle and turned into the main isle. She looked out over the people sitting in the pews as they rose and turned towards her. Faces all blended together as she made her way to the front of the church. The first face that came into focus was her mom's. They shared a smile that seemed to last a lifetime. Her mom mouthed the words "I love you" just before she turned to face her soon to be husband.
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Sitting at the table eating the sandwich that she made, crumbs collected on the dress. Her thoughts swirling around in her mind. The weddings were beautiful, she enjoyed them both. But the next thought that came to mind was one of a few years ago. Three to be exact. This dressed belonged to a great woman. A strong independent woman whom she loved very much. They spent many years together before they both found others to grow old with. The distance grew between them, but they were only a phone call away. Talking daily about nothing and everything had become a way of life for them. But now, she was gone. Her mom passed away those three years ago and today was the anniversary of her death. This day was harder than other days. Harder because she didn't just lose a mother that day, but her best friend as well.
The dogs started to bark and she told them to hush. She stood up and wiped the crumbs away throwing the paper plate in the garbage and walking back into bedroom. The woman staring back at her in the mirror still looked amazing. Everyone always mentioned how much she looked like her mom. She took great pride in this. She heard the door open and the dogs barking. She looked behind her in the mirror and saw her son. He smiled at her with a confused look on his face, but didn't say anything to her about the dress. He walked up to her as she turned around and they hugged tightly. She couldn't help but feel her mom there as well hugging them both.
"I miss her too." Her son said as he squeezed her harder.
The love in her heart grew. "I know baby."
