Todays Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

Arm-in-Arm

By Michele Wallace Campanelli

" Who will walk you down the aisle? " my mother worried.

My fianc, and I had been planning this wedding for months. I had taken

care of the dress, the flowers, the hall, the catering and even the cake.

Our

invitations proclaimed, " Dreams do come true. " But to my mother's question,

I

had no answer.

My father died about a year before I started dating Lou. I was haunted

by

the thought that Lou loved golf, my father's favorite pastime, but they

never

had a chance to play a single round. Sadly, they never even knew each

other.

I thought about walking down the aisle alone. But I wanted it to be a

happy occasion, not a reminder that I no longer had a dad. I didn't want

people

to feel sorry for me.

" What about ? " my mother suggested.

My brother? Maybe he could!

I sensed a glimpse of hope - until all the obstacles surfaced. He'd

have

to fly in early to rent a tux and make it to rehearsal, but because his work

required him to be on call, it would be difficult for him to request time

off.

I was reluctant to ask.

" Mom, you know is very busy. "

" If you want him to do it, you should ask, " my mother encouraged.

I knew I wanted my brother by my side during the most important time in

my

life. He always was in the past. Together we'd endured a traumatic

accident,

Dad's battle with lung cancer and, finally, his death. No matter what,

was there. It seemed only right for him to take my father's place. I

decided

to place the call.

When he answered the phone, I asked, " D-? Do

.. . . do you think you could walk me down the aisle? "

" Yes, " he said without hesitation. " It would be an honor. "

" You mean it? " my voice escalated like a shy schoolgirl's. " You'd . .

..

you'd have to come a couple days early for a tux fitting and to make the

rehearsal. "

" Hmm, " he said. " Now that's a problem. I'm not sure I can get more

days

off. I'll have to speak with my boss and get back to you. "

" That's fine. If you can't, don't worry about it, " I said in a rush,

hoping my voice didn't betray my disappointment. I decided his response was

a

kindhearted excuse for " No. " Maybe I was asking too much. My heart sank.

And the weeks passed without another word from .

Four days before my wedding a strange car pulled up in the driveway. I

went outside and saw my brother standing before me.

" Are you that blushing bride I've been hearing so much about? " he

asked,

with a proud grin on his face.

I ran and threw my arms around him. " But what about work? "

" I found a new job. This one pays better and gives me more free time. "

Knowing my brother, I had a funny feeling that wasn't the only reason

he'd

switched jobs. " Really? "

" Yes! " He quickly changed the subject. " Now what size tux do you think

I

wear? "

The next few days passed quickly leaving me little time to spend with

him.

But when the famous strains of " Here Comes the Bride " cued him,

knocked on

my dressing room door.

" It's time. "

I swung the door open and stood in front of him in bridal white.

" Wow! " he said, offering his arm. " You look beautiful! "

At that moment, I saw my father's pride beaming at me through 's

eyes,

the same shade of blue as my father's. I realized that in many ways Dad was

with me on this important day. And so was the brother I had always relied

on.

and I walked down the aisle, smiles gleaming and tears flowing, but

most

importantly, arm-in-arm.