Page 7 of The Bride Auction

My mother huffed. “I’m going with her. If I’m being denied wedding dress shopping with my daughter, then you can bet I’m going with her now. I will not let her change alone before her big day.”

Lindsey nodded, and I could read compassion in her eyes. “Very well.” For all the opulence of the main Galactic Bride Auction building’s main areas, Lindsey led us up two floors to a plain room that could best be described as an average hotel room. In the center was a single bed surrounded by racks of dresses all in my size. The colors and styles varied. On the rolling cart closest to the foot of the bed were low-back ones, clingy ones, dresses of chiffon and silk. They all waited for me to try them on.

“We pride ourselves on giving the brides as many options for outfits as possible. All the clothing in here is in your size, with some a size up or down depending on the fit you prefer. Feel free to try on whatever you like, however, be cautious of the time. You have two hours to make a decision,” Lindsey said before leaving the room.

Mom and I immediately went to opposite ends of the cart. “None of these are wedding dresses,” she lamented.

“Mom, it’s not my wedding,” I reminded her.

“It is. You’re getting auctioned off to the highest bidder.”

“Mom, I’m walking down a runway by myself, turning around and then a recording will go out to all the approved males. When I meet my mate, it’s up to me if I have a bonding ceremony or not.”

“I want you to find love again,” Mom said.

“If I do,” I paused, then started over. “I’m doing this because it’s what’s best for me and for you. I can’t stay here.” A lone tear trickled down my face. “David wouldn’t have wanted me to be sad.”

“I know.” Mom turned to the racks of dresses. “Time’s ticking. Let’s find the perfect dress.”

A deep one-shoulder purple number with a thin line of sparkling beads leading down to a V neck caught my eye. “Can you zip me up, Mom?”

“You look beautiful honey.” Mom brushed my hair until it shined.

Before I could say another word, Lindsey opened the door. “You look stunning Summer,” she said. “This way.”

My father waited in the hallway. “You can watch from the viewing room.” Lindsey opened the door. My mother dutifully entered and sat on one of the hard plastic chairs.

My father, in an act of uncharacteristic defiance, held my elbow. “No. I’m walking her to the edge of the runway. She eloped the first time with David. I never got the chance the first time, and you people are not taking my last opportunity away from me. I will be walking her down an aisle, even if it is just to the door.”

Lindsey inclined her head, a lock of hair falling in front of her eyes. “Very well then. You cannot step foot on the runway,” she reminded my father.

“I understand.”

Dad walked me to the door, his hand on my back the entire way. He leaned in, “You don’t have to do this,” he whispered as he kissed my cheek.

I looked at him. “I do. The family needs the money, and this is what I want.”

“You’ve always been a head strong one.”

I smiled. “You wouldn’t have it any other way. I wonder where I got it from.” I kissed him on his cheek and walked down the runway as I had practiced.

My walk lasted under a minute, and when I stepped off, Lindsey ushered me into a different area where my parents waited on a large green sofa. “What happens now?” I asked, sitting between my parents in the comfortable room. Six large TV screens rested on the wall directly across from the couch.

With a flick of her wrist Lindsey and the minotaur-alien lawyer turned the screens on using remote controls.

“What are those?” my father asked.

“These will show her potential grooms,” the alien responded.

“Does she have any say?” my mother asked.

“Mom we’ve gone over this,” I replied. “I know what I'm doing.” I hope. On each screen was a picture of varying aliens, their names and species were listed on the screen.

“Now for the fun part,” Lindsey said, rubbing my shoulders and clapping her hands. “The auction is about to begin.”

Numbers flew across the screens. “These figures are translated into your currency,” our lawyer explained.

“Fifty thousand dollars?” My mothers’ eyes widened as the number popped up under an Olgek, the red Minotaur-like alien of the same species as the lawyer.

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