Chapter 15 - Dusty Blue Became Margaret’s Favorite
Margaret kept the dusty-blue wedding dress.
For months it hung behind her bedroom door.
Charles offered to buy her something new for a community fundraiser.
She refused.
“I made this.”
“I know.”
“It took me four months.”
“I remember.”
“I’m wearing it.”
The fundraiser supported rural water conservation.
Richard Vale attended.
So did Stephanie.
Margaret entered in the same handmade dress Stephanie had mocked at the
church.
Nobody gasped.
Nobody laughed.
Most people had no idea.
Stephanie did.
She approached Margaret.
“You look beautiful.”
Margaret studied her face.
“Thank you.”
That was all.
No cinematic hug.
No instant family reunion.
Stephanie walked away.
Charles offered his mother his arm.
She took it.
“Careful,” Margaret said.
“I might smell like manure.”
Charles stopped.
Margaret burst out laughing.
He stared at her.
“Too soon?”
“For me? No.”
He laughed too.
The sentence had lost some of its power.
Not because it became acceptable.
Because Margaret decided it would no longer make her ashamed.
Later, Charles found Stephanie near the terrace.
She looked toward Margaret.
“She really made that dress?”
“Every stitch.”
Stephanie nodded.
“I was awful.”
“Yes.”
She gave him a look.
“You could soften it.”
“You already know I don’t do that anymore.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
They watched Margaret dance with Nathan Cole.
May you like
Life had moved forward.
Not back.
