When The Wrong One Loves You Right

Luck Be a Lady

"A lady doesn't wander all over the room

And blow on some other guy's dice."

I did a slow turn in the simple, pale eggshell slip dress with the empire bodice of champagne lace. Zahira lifted a matching short tulle veil held in place with pearl combs into my upswept hair, then stood back so that Mom and I could appreciate the full effect in the mirrors surrounding me.

I held my hands out palm up at my sides. "Well, Mom?" I asked softly. "What do you think?"

My mother's lips quivered and her soft brown eyes filled. "Oh, Cammy, my baby!" she wailed bringing a tissue to her nose.

I rolled my eyes and stepped down off the dais and crouched down next to her. "Good grief, Mom. I didn't think you'd get this emotional over my getting married! You've always talked about how you wanted Aaron and me to settle down some day."

She began shaking her head vigorously. "It's not that!" she hiccupped. "It's just that I always knew you'd look this beautiful! And I pictured you looking just like this."

My face softened. "Oh, Mom..." I whispered.

"Marrying a nice Jewish boy. Not Marvin Goff!" she continued, her voice becoming sharp. "Oh, Cammy, baby you're way too good for him. Can't you see..."

I stood up. "Mom, I'm not discussing this with you."

"Cameron Zi..."

"And do not pull the middle name on me!" I exploded. "I'm twenty-eight! Not two!"

Zahira had discretely slipped out having seen enough of my mother last time to recognize the warning signs.

Mom actually looked startled, then offended at my words. "Well!" she said, tears miraculously drying up as she stuffed her tissue into her purse and stood up. "If you think it's alright to talk to your mother like that after I nearly died giving you birth..."

"Mom," I said warningly.

She held up two fingers. "Two blood transfusions, Cammy! Two! And then you wouldn't even latch on..."

"Mom!" I hissed through clenched teeth.

"Worrying me night and day! I was so scared I was starving you. So many times I was afraid we were going to have to give you back to God. Then that awful day at Cape May! If it hadn't been for..."

"OK! Mom, I get it!" I interrupted before she could say his name. "I've been a trial and a disappointment to you. I'm sorry."

"Don't get smart with your mother!" she snapped warningly.

"What is going on back here?" Aaron poked his head through the brocade curtains. 

I crossed my arms. "Mom is having a meltdown."

"Oh." Aaron nodded as this was a common occurrence. "Who's up for the Carnegie? I'm starving."

I gave him a withering look. "Is eating all you ever think about?"

He gave me a smug look. "Nope. I also think about sex and football."

I rolled my eyes. No wonder he and Phillip were best buddies.