Free My First - Jason & Katie by Melanie Shawn Page B

Aunt’s organizational abilities, and enjoyed the chance to sit back and watch her in her element. Everything seemed to be running as smooth as silk and, as far as Katie could tell, they owed that all to Aunt Wendy.
    As Becca and Haley made their way out of the dressing rooms and onto a small pedestal at the back of the shop which was surrounded by a three-way mirror, Katie laid eyes for the first time on the dress that she would be wearing in Sophie's ceremony.
    The knee-length and form-fitted strapless lavender silk creation was as trendy as it was beautiful. Katie smiled a bit as her eyes moistened. She should have known that Sophie would choose lavender as the color of her wedding. Sophiebell had always said that lavender was her “signature color.” She had gotten that line from Katie’s favorite movie, Steel Magnolias. Even though in the movie, the Julia Roberts character favored pink instead of lavender, Sophie had made the necessary adjustment so that the phrase suited her own tastes.
    Katie and Sophie had always watched that movie. It was a staple of any Friday night that Katie was babysitting. It was a tradition.
    God, was there going to be ANY situation this entire weekend that was not chock full of MEMORIES?!
    “Alright then, honey, it’s your turn,” came the no-nonsense voice of Mona, the stout woman who owned the bridal boutique. She strode purposefully toward Katie with a dress in her hand that she had just grabbed from behind the counter.
    Katie's eyes widened. She hadn’t seen the woman since Nick’s funeral. Mona had always had a soft spot for Nick, ever since their junior year when Nick had been trying on a tuxedo at Richard’s Formal Wear, the shop next door which was owned by Mona's husband.
    Katie had heard the story many times. When Nick came out of the dressing room, he found Richard lying on the ground, holding his left arm and was gasping for air. Nick – rather than freezing up or panicking as most kids his age would have done – immediately called 911 and then began administering CPR.
    Nick had learned this valuable skill during his life guard training, but as far as Katie knew, he had never had to put it to the test while performing his duties the previous summers up at Whisper Lake.
    When the paramedics arrived, they said that if Nick hadn’t been there and started CPR. Richard most likely would not have made it – would probably not have even survived the ambulance ride. Mona always called Nick her “guardian angel” after that.
    Needless to say, he had never paid for another tux!
    “Oh my goodness, look at you,” Mona said, her voice an almost reverent whisper as she recognized Katie, “You're so grown up! You look so beautiful.”
    “Well, what did you expect her to be, a dog?” Aunt Wendy blurted out. Katie couldn't tell if this was her natural outspoken nature coming to the forefront or if she was trying to save Katie from yet another maudlin scene, but whichever it was, Katie was grateful. “Of course she's beautiful, she's as pretty as a picture, she comes from good genes. Now, Katie, you go on and try this dress on. You’re the last one and I need to get you checked off my list.”
    “It’s good to see you, Mona,” Katie smiled as she was shuffled into the changing stall by Aunt Wendy. She continued to talk, knowing that she could be heard clearly on the other side of the curtain. “You look great, too. How is Richard doing?”
    “Oh, Richard! He is just fine, thanks for asking. All thanks to Nick, of course, God rest his soul. Your brother is still my guardian angel, Sophie.”
    Mona yelled this last part to Sophie, who was in the dressing room with her mom and cousin.
    “I know! He is to all of us, too. Right, Mom?” Sophie replied.
    “Right,” Grace agreed readily, her voice calm and steady, “He's always watching over us.”
    Katie had to pause for a moment and steady herself with a hand against the wall. She concentrated on breathing deeply and