A Princess and Her Gown Pt. 4

Oh, poor Elsie! She’s long dreamed of this day, and I’m pretty sure her mom has, too. In fact, I can’t help but wonder if, as she and her daughter were trying on gowns that Sunday afternoon so many years ago, if Sharon was looking ahead to this very day–the day when her princess would be a bride.

But what she never envisioned, can hardly fathom, even now as events are unfolding, was that her daughter could potentially walk down the aisle alone. The very idea is causing Sharon’s heart to break, but she feels powerless to do anything about this.

Will she have the courage to talk to her husband? If she does, will it change things?

I know we’re all anxious to discover the answers to those questions, but first, I have some fun news to share. My debut novel just released on Amazon! Yay! (It will be in bookstores Sept. 8th.)

Beyond I Do:

Will seeing beyond the present unite them or tear them apart?

Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonist mother, who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed socialite psychiatrist. But as her wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream and ignites a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé. To embrace God’s best and find true love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.

You can read the first chapter HERE.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program. ;) (If you haven’t read the previous scenes, or would like to review, you can read part one here, part two here, and part three here.)

And now for part four…

Sharon pulled the pink and purple card from her bedside draw and studied the image on the front. It was of a mother and daughter, holding hands, and walking through a flowery meadow. The girl looked to be seven or eight, and with her long, braided hair and rosy cheeks, reminded Sharon of Elsie at that age. Which was probably why Elsie had chosen it, in her effort to remind Sharon of how things once were.

As if she needed the reminder. Her heart ached with it every day. And now, with her wedding fast approaching…

Tears stung her eyes as and she pressed her fingertips to her mouth to keep a sob from coming out.

“Oh, my princess. When did we lose you?” She opened the card, reading for the hundredth time the words carefully printed within. She’d read them so many times, in fact, she could recite them by heart.

“But He was pierced for our transgressions,
    He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,
    and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5 NIV).

Elsie’s words followed:

Jesus is this man, Momma. He was pierced for us. For me. For you. So that we could be made right with God. I’d love to talk with you more about this. Wanna do coffee next week?

Sharon had never answered that question. Hadn’t known how to. Not without betraying her husband. Besides, she saw no sense in listening to such foolish notions. Elsie was wrong.

Wasn’t she?

Her mother’s words came to mind. “What if she’s right? What if in her search for God, He led her to this knew faith?”

Closing her eyes, Sharon bowed her head. Almighty Father, Creator God, if she is right, if this Jesus is truly Your Son, the long-promised Messiah, show me.” She breathed deep and exhaled slowly. “And give me the courage to speak to Harold.”

Returning the card, she stood, crossed the room, and continued down the hall. Watching her husband, she lingered in the living room archway. Sitting in his recliner, remote in hand, he looked so… angry. Though she knew him better than that. No, the scowling brow and tense shoulders were the result of a broken heart, but he was much too proud to admit that. Much too proud to admit he’d failed, which was how he interpreted Elsie’s new-found faith. As the spiritual leader of their family, it was his job to raise their daughter to love Yahweh. It was his job to see that she followed the traditions of the Torah. It was his job, and hers, to see their daughter found and married a good Jewish man.

“You gonna stand there all day?” Gaze locked on the television screen, Harold changed the channel.

Smoothing her hair behind her ears, Sharon entered and sat on the edge of the couch cushions. She twined her hands so tightly, the tips of her fingers turned red. Stared at them.

“How much did you spend?”

“What? No. I didn’t…” She released her hands and spread them, palm down, on her thighs. “We need to talk.”

***

Yes, I know, this is not where you want to me to stop today’s scene, but this post has already surpassed the legal word count for effective blog posts. (Although in my defense, a chunk of that was my book blurb, which really shouldn’t count. ;) ) So as to avoid upsetting all of cyberspace, I believe it’s in everyone’s best interest for me to stop now. Release the keyboard and step away before anyone gets hurt.

But have no fear, A Princess and Her Gown will continue! And you can help! What could Sharon say that would encourage her husband to listen to her, and to Elsie? Will anything change his mind regarding Elsie’s new faith, or do you think he’ll reach some sort of mental compromise that will allow him to walk his daughter down the aisle? Or do you think he’ll remain as stubborn, and wounded, as ever?

Share your thoughts here, and who knows, they just might influence my next scene!

Jennifer Slattery (13 Posts)

Jennifer Slattery is a missional romance novelist with New Hope Publishers. She writes and edits for Christ to the World Ministries, is a regular contributor to Crosswalk.com, Internet Cafe Devotions, Faith-filled Friends, and Jewels of Encouragement, and manages the social media for Takin’ it to the Streets, a ministry that serves Omaha’s working poor and homeless. She’s placed in numerous writing contests and her work has appeared in numerous compilations, magazines, and e-zines.