Page 43 of Another June with You

Keely stood on a pedestal in front of three full-length mirrors at her aunt’s house. Her mother and Becca stood to her sides while the bridesmaids looked on, all oohing and aahing over the dress and how beautiful she was, and Shannon and Jamie captured it all. She had always been pretty, but standing there in lace and organza with her delicate Queen Anne neckline added another level to her beauty.

Keely rotated, checking out the open back, before turning to look at the front of the dress again. It fit her hips just right before flowing outward in a mermaid style skirt. “I think it’s perfect.”

“It’s beautiful, honey,” her mom gushed.

“You’re gorgeous,” Becca told her.

The seamstress, Keely’s aunt, examined the dress as the bride shifted and turned again. “Looks pretty good if I do say so myself.”

Shannon’s phone suddenly went off in her pocket. “I’m sorry, Keely. I thought I turned that off.”

“You can take it. I don’t mind.” She was still checking herself out in the mirror.

“Shannon McGregor,” she answered.

“Shannon, this is Dr. Ludwig’s office calling about your recent test results.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and she moved into the hallway for privacy. “Is everything okay?”

“The doctor would like you to come in today if possible to discuss the results. She can squeeze you in around three o’clock if that works for you.”

“Um …” Her mind raced, going over the plans for the day. She was supposed to be at the rehearsal by four o’clock. “All right. I can make that work as long as she can see me right at three.”

The nurse snickered. “She’ll do her best. See you at three.”

“Thank you.” Her brow broke out with a sheen of sweat, and her heart began racing. What could it be? Had the results shown something awful? She’d had plenty of routine exams and blood work done over the years but had never gotten this kind of call about any of them before.

This is it. Her mind went to all the worst places. I’m going to die.

“What’s wrong?” Jamie’s eyebrows scrunched together with worry. “You look pale.”

Shannon shook her head and waved a hand at her. “I’m fine. Still upset about this morning, that’s all.”

Jamie grumbled. “You and me both.”

The ladies started in again with sighs and praises as the veil was placed on Keely’s head, and Shannon was reminded that she had a job to do. Her hands shook as she raised her camera. She took a few shots, but they all came out blurry due to her shaking. “Can you take these?” she whispered to Jamie. “I need to get some air.”

“Sure thing.” Jamie gave her a look of concern as she exited the room.

Shannon walked out of the house to the driveway and placed a phone call. The other end rang and rang, and she thought it might go to voicemail, but Duncan finally answered.

“Hey, I thought I wasn’t going to talk to you again until Sunday.”

“Can you do something for me?” The tears were burning behind her eyes.

“Anything.”

Her chin began to quiver. “Can you pick me up at my apartment and take me to the doctor’s office a little before three?”

“Doctor’s office? Are you okay?”

“I … I don’t know.” She fought back tears. “I’m scared, Duncan.”

“I’ll be there.”

Shannon hated this waiting room—the framed black and white photographs of flowers, the pinstriped pattern of the wallpaper, the rack of germ-infested magazines hanging on the wall. She hated that she knew all of the signs posted at the front desk by heart, that there was a snag in the brown carpet by the chair next to the door, and that the receptionist knew her when she walked in.

She stared at the clock on her phone. Five after three. She twiddled her thumbs and stared at the photographs on the wall for the billionth time. Time moved at a snail’s pace. Ten after. She wasn’t surprised they were running late, but she wished this day would be the exception to the norm. How could she be late for another one of Keely’s wedding events? At least she’d managed enough foresight to text Jamie to tell her she might be a little late and ask her to go on ahead to the rehearsal and start taking pictures.

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