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microphone to announce the wedding party. First all

the bridesmaids entered and then Troy followed. After

a short drumroll, Momma and Tony entered arm in

arm, Momma's face sparkling with excitement. The

applause rose to a crescendo and cameras clicked.

Momma and Tony took the center of the dance floor

and the orchestra began to play a waltz. They danced

as though they had been dancing together all their

lives.

As they turned and moved gracefully to the

music, I couldn't help wondering what my wedding

day would be like. Would I have a grand affair like

this: a full orchestra, hundreds of guests, tons of food,

and a horde of servants? If Momma had her way, I

would. Maybe I would even be married here,

following the Tatterton tradition, which was now to

become my tradition, too. Would my husband be as

handsome and as debonair as Tony? Would I be

deeply in love or would Momma find me some

wealthy aristocrat and convince me to marry him? And when I put on my wedding gown, would I

look anything like Momma did? I saw the awe and the

envy in the eyes of the other women as she and Tony

danced. Not a strand of her gold hair was out of place;

her complexion was perfect. She looked like a

goddess, like a statue of Aphrodite come to life. After a while other couples joined Momma and

Tony on the dance floor, and the reception was in full

swing. Champagne bubbled all around me. I had two

glasses and felt a little dizzy.

I was glad when Troy found me and pumped

my hand, urging me to follow him to "see something."