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fitted.
    Both Braylee and Stephanie held their breath before bursting out into laughter. “My god Braylee, it’s getting harder and harder to deal with mama. She’s almost as mean as a rattlesnake.”
    Braylee took another sip from her glass, “Mmmhmm…so what’s the real reason you wanted to get me alone?”
    “Am I that transparent?”
    “Yes.”
    Stephanie looked sheepish, “Okay, well…I’ve kind of gone over my budget for the wedding.”
    Braylee wished their differences were limited only to the physical appearance. Where Braylee was tall, and slender Stephanie was short and a little heavier or where Braylee kept her hair long and flowing, Stephanie liked the short pixie cut. Braylee would have never gone over budget. The only thing they had in common were their father’s eyes. Stephanie’s lack of responsibility and motivation drove her crazy.
    She finished the rest of her champagne and took a deep breath before responding, “How? How did you go over budget, you’ve just really started planning it?”
    “I know…I know. But…”
    “How much?”
    “I’m over about ten thousand.”
    Braylee almost choked, “Stephanie, I’ve already committed to over fifty thousand dollars on this wedding. Hell, I’ve spent more on your wedding than you have, and it’s your wedding!”
    “You know I’m not working right now and the little bit of money Maurice is making is all going towards the down payment on our house.”
    Braylee rolled her eyes, “You guys have been saving for a house for over two years now, yet somehow you’ve managed to buy a car and go on a couple of tropical vacations. I can’t even remember the last time I even took a vacation. That doesn’t seem like you’re saving for a house to me. What about his parents?”
    “Well, mom and dad aren’t able to financially help, so we didn’t think it was fair to ask his parents for money either.”
    Braylee was seething, “I’m not a bank, Stephanie.” She was ready to ring her neck but just as she was about to lay into her baby sister, Francine and Megan arrived.
    They walked into the boutique doubled over with raucous laughter.
    Francine spoke first, “Hey Girl…Braylee.”
    Megan spotted the champagne on the settee and grabbed one, “Ooohhh…drinks. Heeeey Stephanie!” She didn’t speak to Braylee at all.
    Stephanie was happy her friends had interrupted. No one wanted to deal with the wrath of Braylee, “Hey y’all.”
    It was no secret that Braylee couldn’t stand Megan and Francine either. She went to sit on the sofa as Stephanie and her friends squealed and laughed and acted like obnoxious school girls.
    To say she was angry was an understatement. Stephanie might have been given a moment of reprieve, but she was going to have to set that girl straight.
    The hostess came out, “Ms. Braylee Hinsdale, we’re ready for you now.”
    Two hours later, after acquiring a massive headache, and writing a check to Stephanie Hinsdale for ten thousand dollars and the bridal boutique for an additional two thousand dollars, this little outing was finally over.
    *****
    Alex had just finished getting dressed when his niece peeked around the corner. “Don’t just hide out back there come on in.”
    Cecily shyly walked into his room, “You look nice Uncle Alex.”
    “Thank you, beautiful. What’s going on?”
    “Well…Fabi is forcing me to go to the movies with him tonight.”
    “That should be fun…right?”
    She shrugged her shoulders, “I’m just not really in the mood.”
    What was he supposed to say to that? He didn’t blame her. The kid had just lost her only parent. He didn’t feel like going to this benefit either. But, was forcing himself. Life had to go on.
    “Kiddo…I know this is hard for you…it’s hard for all of us. But, your father wouldn’t want us to stop living. You know him…out of all of us, he was so full of life.”
    Cecily ran into his arms as her tears began to flow, “But, I miss him so much Uncle