Page 117 of Wish You Faith

It would’ve felt longer had Mom not showed up in the parlor to accompany her.

“This is our prayer room.” Mom sat down on a couch next to her. Her trembling fingers—with bright Christmas red nail polish—touched the cross pendant hanging on a gold chain around her neck.

“So let’s pray.” Rosie held Mom’s free hand and bowed her head.

They were silent for a while. Rosie could hear Mom sob a bit. She looked up. “Mom, please don’t cry. I won’t be able to stop if you start.”

“Why am I crying?” Mom laughed. “It’s a happy day.”

“Tears of joy, Mom. Tears of joy.”

Mom nodded. “My baby girl is getting married. I still remember when you were in diapers…”

Rosie sniffled. “I don’t like to wear makeup because I don’t know what to do when I have to dry my eyes.”

The makeup artist sprung on Rosie to check her eyes. “You still look amazing. No worries.”

Rosie blew her nose. “Did I ruin the foundation on my nose?”

The makeup artist dabbed the tip of her nose.

“Thank you.” Rosie pointed to Mom. “Could you please check my mom’s makeup?”

“Sure thing.” The makeup artist pressed some loose powder on both sides of Mom’s nose. “You have brown eyes, ma’am. Did your daughter get her gray eyes from her dad?”

“Yes, from her dad.” Mom’s voice cracked again. She reached for Rosie’s hand. “Oh I wish he was here to walk you down the aisle.”

“That’s why no one is walking me down the aisle today,” Rosie said. “No one is taking Dad’s place.”

“Your choice, even though Gabriel would’ve gladly done it.” Mom straightened up.

“Oh, we need to talk about Mr. Gabriel, Mom.” Rosie shook her head at the thought of Mom dating again. Gabriel might be a gentleman, but he was twelve years older than Mom, and the age gap worried Rosie a little bit. “You better watch out for that boy.”

“That boy?” Mom blushed. “Don’t worry, sweetie. We’re both widowed. No strings attached.”

“No what?” Rosie almost fell off the sofa. “How could I leave you here for two weeks while Evan and I go on our honeymoon?”

“I’ll be fine, sweetie.” Mom checked her phone. “Isn’t it almost time for the ceremony?”

Rosie leaned over to look at the large clock on Mom’s phone. “We still have five minutes to pray.”

“Then let’s do it before your mind wanders to where it isn’t your business.” Mom was curt with her.

The last time Mom was curt had been…

This wasn’t the moment for Rosie to remind Mom about Dad, who had been gone for over ten years now. After all, Christian marriages ended at death.

’Til death do us part…

Rosie wondered how long she and Evan would last.

“You pray,” Mom said.

“We lift up Christ now in the wedding ceremony today, Lord,” Rosie prayed. “May people see Your love in us, and may they draw closer to You today. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.”

“Amen,” Mom echoed.

When Rosie opened her eyes, the wedding coordinator was standing in front of her.

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