Yours Always by Rhonda Dennis Page A

relationships.  They are extremely wealthy and spared no expense entering Lizzy into every pageant they could find.  Along with those pageants came endless hours of classes and practice sessions, dress fittings and elocution lessons.  Visiting my house was like a vacation for Lizzy. With Mom and Dad always gone, we pretty much did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, and however we wanted.  Unfortunately for her, she always had to return to that lifestyle she secretly resented.  This went on until college graduation, after which, Lizzy proclaimed herself emancipated.  She exchanged the BMW convertible, the designer wardrobe, and the luxury apartment her parents had furnished for her freedom.  They speak to each other occasionally, and she’ll also get a check from her mother every now and again, but that’s about the extent of their current relationship.
    She picks up a bottle of perfume, pops the top, and gives it a sniff.  “I haven’t told them.  You’re the first to know.”
    “When are you going to tell them?”
    “I’m not sure I’m going to.”
    “What!  Lizzy, you can’t get married without telling your parents.”
    “Why not?  Mother will try to swoop in and take over everything.  Father will insist on the best of everything, and before I know it, Ben and I will be getting married on a paddleboat in the middle of the Mississippi River with every magnolia from here to Shreveport adorning anything that will sit still.  The cake will be a ten tier monstrosity, and the guests will be five hundred people I don’t even know.  Trust me, it’s better they not know.”
    “They’ll never forgive you.”
    She sighs.  “No, they won’t.”  Lizzy grasps my shoulders.  “Please promise me that you won’t let them take over my wedding.  Promise,” she says with desperation.
    I look her in the eye. “I promise that I’ll try my best to keep your parents from taking over your day.”
    “And you’ll try your hardest to keep them away from Ben?”
    “That, too.”
    “Thank you.”  She bear hugs me.
    “So if you aren’t getting married on a paddle boat, then where are you getting married?”
    “His vacation house on Lake Martin.”
    “You’re getting married at a vacation house?  What would Donna Reed say about that?” I quip.
    “You just shush.  It’s going to be gorgeous.”
    “You’re sure about this?  You don’t want to take a week or two to ponder this major, life-altering decision?”
    “Nope.”
    “You’re kooky, but you’re far from stupid.  If this is what you want then you have my full support.”
    “You’re the best!” She excitedly jumps up and down a few times before bear hugging me again.  “Okay, I’ll let you go, but first, on a scale of one to ten, how was last night?”
    “Seven.”
    “Sounds promising.  Are you going to see him again?”
    “We’re supposed to go to dinner and a movie tonight.”
    Lizzy works to contain her squeal. “I want to hear all about it!  I don’t care what time it is when you get back…” she chortles. “I forgot who I was talking to.  I’ll be expecting your call around ten.”
    “You know me so well.”
    “Give Grampy my best.”
    “I’ll do that.  Congratulations.”
    Lizzy smiles broadly.  “Thank you,” she says while leaving the room.  I hear the front door latch as she lets herself out. 
                 
                 
    My heart is in my throat as I approach the door to Grampy’s room.  The nurse warned me that his condition had deteriorated quickly, and that they were doing all in their power to keep him comfortable.  Frankly, I’m terrified of what I’ll find inside.  I’ve seen death. Lots of terrible, tragic deaths, however, I’ve never been around someone who knows it’s coming.
    I sneak into the room, and still devoid of the courage to confront my anxiety, I hang out by door.
    “Savannah?” Grampy’s weak voice calls.
    “Yes, sir.  It’s me,” I