Page 143 of Chosen Road

Waiting. Watching. Worrying.

Not resting.

My brain didn’t know how.

We got downstairs just in time to answer Minty’s soft knock at the front door.

Together, the three of us, with Yiayia supervising, finished getting ready. Our bridesmaids’ dresses were black velvet with lavender lining that flashed with every step from the deep slits, Minty’s on the side, mine up the front. They were different styles, Minty and I each chose our own, while Ruby chose the fabrics.

Minty wore a black, long-sleeved, V-neck, fitted sheath that fell straight to the floor. A thigh-high slit revealed the deep lavender lining with her every step. It was elegant, as she was.

My dress, also long sleeved, featured a crossover top creating a deep Vee in the front, leading to a cinched crossover waist that met in a twist in the front, leading to a draped split right down the middle, showcasing my legs as well as the purple lining. It boasted a seventies vibe which suited me perfectly.

After Minty zipped me up, I helped Yiayia on with her dress, and Minty applied the barest touches of make-up to her face. We bought Yiayia a long-sleeve, gentle scoop neck, black velvet dress with an empire waist that hit her at her knee. We found a belt in the exact same shade of lavender to replace the belt that came with the dress.

“Yiayia, you look beautiful!” Ruby exclaimed.

Minty turned to Ruby. “Your turn,” she said huskily while I swiped the dampness from under my eyes.

We helped her step into her dress, the three of us, always, and Minty made short work of the buttons going up the back.

“Do not let him rip this,” Minty warned her firmly.

I barked out a laugh, but Minty continued seriously. “In fact, I’ll tell him myself.”

I laughed again, knowing she would.

I turned the full-length mirror Minty brought over from her house so Ruby could see herself, and she stared, speechless, at her reflection.

“You clean up good, kid,” Minty whispered.

“Yiayia is very proud!” Yiayia sniffed, and Ruby and I burst out laughing.

“This would be a good time to show her your shoes, Rubes,” I snickered.

Minty opened the shoebox to reveal the rich lavender heels.

“Purple?” Yiayia did her cross over her chest. “What I’m going to do with you? Purple shoes in the church!”

I slid the other boxes towards Minty, and she smiled her enigmatic smile. Given Yiayia’s admiration for her, she knew her role in this.

Opening all three lids, she slipped hers on first, then passed me mine to slip into, then she turned to Yiayia.

“These ones are for you, Yiayia.” She lifted out a low-heeled, classy pump in the exact shade of lavender as ours.

Yiayia’s eyes lit up. She always loved a good shoe. “We gonna be matching!”

Minty laughed her tinkling laugh and helped her put them on.

At that moment, Jace opened the door and walked in.

Gus, Alex, Jace, and George were in the wedding party. Gus and I accepted the role of koumbari, making us both witness and guide to Ruby and Vander’s union. Minty would stand as maid of honor. Jace was pulling double duty, both walking his mother down the aisle, and standing beside his dad with his brother on the altar.

None of the four of us could speak. Here was one of our babies, giving us a glimpse of the man he would one day be.

“Yiayia is very proud!” The tears were thick in her voice, and we all sniffed.

“You will not ruin your make-up, Ruby,” Minty said softly but firmly, and Yiayia laughed.