Two days later, I spun around in front of the mirror. My flowered skirt went to the floor. I loved the silky white top.

The night before, at dinner, Gideon kept singing. “A happy day tomorrow.” He winked at me. “It’s my wedding day, a lucky day for Cora.”

That Gideon! He always made us laugh.

—

It was almost time. Everyone would be there: neighbors, people from church, Gideon’s friends from the ferry, half my class, and Amber. She might be late, but we wouldn’t mind.

I went into Aunt Cora’s room and put my arms around her. I breathed in her perfume and the sweet smell of her bouquet of roses on the dresser.

“Today,” I whispered. “A jubilee.”