“Everything went crazy, and I forgot.”
“Mary, it’s a pretty big thing to forget.”
I rub my forehead and whisper, “I’m so stupid!”
“No.” Mom’s voice softens, and she holds my hands in hers. “You are not stupid. You’ve juggled a lot this summer, and you’ve done it brilliantly. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my daughter.”
“What should I do?”
She thinks a minute. “Well … it can be short. Everyone wants to eat. The fewer words the better.”
“But what should those few words be?”
“Ask God to bless the marriage. That’s what I’d do.”
“That’s what a priest would do.” I see Joshua waving at me to come to the head table. Eden and Justin are already seated. “Can you think of a short poem or something?”
She shakes her head. “The only thing that comes to mind is the theme song from that kid’s show with the purple dinosaur. The ‘I love you, you love me’ thing.” She hugs me again. “Speak from the heart, and it’ll be perfect. I promise.”
“I think I’m going to throw up.”
“Honey, trust me. You can’t go wrong with ‘God bless this marriage.’”
I take my seat next to Eden. Like royalty, the bridal party is served first. I’m starving, but I can’t eat. My mind races for words, but now the stupid Barney song is stuck in my head.
Finally Joshua stands and clinks his glass with a fork to get everyone’s attention. “On behalf of my entire family, I thank you all for being with us on this important day.” He looks at Justin. “I can honestly say I’ve never seen my brother so happy. Eden is the kindest person I’ve ever met, and we’re thrilled to have her in our family. Join me in toasting my brother and his wife.”
Glasses clink, and Joshua gives me a nod.
It’s my turn.
Mom was right. A few words worked just fine. All I have to do is use Joshua’s words, but change them around. As soon as I stand up, my mind goes blank. I can’t even remember the best man’s name. Jerry? Jasper? I can’t remember Mom’s words. Something about God and a purple dinosaur. I’m sweating buckets and teetering on my heels. Four words cycle through my head: Don’t. Lock. The. Knees.
Everyone stares, waiting for me to say something. Mom and Dad are at the table closest to the front, so I look at them for strength, and they give me confident smiles. Luke isn’t paying attention. He’s too busy balancing the spoon on his nose. And next to Luke is Nick.
Nick! What’s he doing here? He doesn’t even look mad. He looks happy. He leans forward and quietly mouths, “Don’t dilly dally.”
That boy is a genius. He pulled me right out of panic mode with a simple joke. I take the deepest possible breath and find my voice. “Eden is the best cousin in the world. Now I have to share her with Justin, and I’m okay with that, because she’s happy.” I bite my lip and think. “And I’m getting another cousin out of the deal, because now Justin’s part of our family. And…” I should’ve stopped there. Why’d I go and add an “and”? “… and our family is a little … interesting…” I hold up my arms, look down at the dress, and everybody laughs. I got a laugh! “… and I’m glad we’re interesting and…” Why’d I go and add another “and”? I’m lost in the middle of this sentence, so I look at Mom and quickly say, “… and may God bless this marriage.”
I sit down as fast as possible, and everyone claps and clinks glasses.
Eden leans toward me and whispers, “Rock star.”
* * *
After dinner, I scan the crowd for Nick and find him near the dance floor, watching the band members tune their instruments. I tap his shoulder, and he turns around and laughs when he sees me. “I didn’t know junior bridesmaids wore white.”
“Didn’t you learn about Catholic wedding customs during your religion class?”
“Good one.” He shifts awkwardly on his feet. “This wedding is awesome. You could go viral.”
“That’s what I was thinking.”
“I’m not a wedding crasher. Your grandma came over last night and invited me.”
“Oh. I’m glad.” Wedding talk is tough. I’d give anything to have a basketball or skateboard in my hand. I’m stumped, so I say, “Did you like the chicken?”
“The chicken? Yeah, it was good.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
“Me, too.”
I’m doing it again—I’m not saying what I’m thinking. Because what I’m thinking is I’m sorry, and I want to be friends. I take a deep breath. Nothing can be worse than giving a toast, so I just blurt out the words. “I’m sorry about the Communion thing.”
“So am I.”
Nick looks really relieved I started this conversation, and I’m not done. “Nick, will you think I’m stupid if I still believe in miracles?”
“Like Jesus coming back from the dead and all that?”
“Like that.”
“Well, there must be miracles in this world because you’re wearing the bride’s dress, and your grandma hasn’t fired lightning bolts from her eyes.” I laugh, and he says, “If you believe in miracles, I’m cool with that. Just don’t give up on science.”
“Of course not! Maybe I’ll be a scientist someday. I like science.”
“You could be a scientist. You’re like the smartest person I know.” He tucks his hands into his pockets and raises his eyebrows. “But I’m the best dancer.”
The singer strums his guitar and calls Eden and Uncle Will to the dance floor. Nick and I perch near the speaker. The dance begins with the song “In My Life” by the Beatles. Eden and Uncle Will grip each other’s shoulders and rock back and forth. The motion is so stiff they look like they might tip over. Then the singer says they’re going to play “You Are Wonderful Tonight,” and that this dance is just for the bride and groom. Eden and Justin sort of melt together, cheek to cheek, and sway. I’m sure about one thing: When they’re together, they are comfortable in their awkwardness.
About halfway through the song, the singer says the rest of the bridal party should join the bride and groom. I’m embarrassed, but I take Joshua’s hand and put as much distance between us as possible while keeping my arm on his shoulder. After another verse, the singer invites everyone to the dance floor. Joshua pats me on the shoulder, says, “Nice job, Mary,” and lets go.
I’m about to make my escape from the dance floor, but Nick is still standing by the speaker. He sees that I’m watching him. One of us has to take the first step. One of us has to say something about dancing together.
I guess it’s up to me.
“So,” I say, “you said you liked to dance.”
“Actually, I said I was the best dancer, which is a complete and total lie. It just sort of flew out of my mouth, you know? I was thinking I’d hide in the bathroom until it’s over.”
“We could just sit at a table and watch.”
He seems relieved for a second, but he shakes his head. “That’d be lame, don’t you think?”
“So you do want to dance? Or you don’t?”
“I’ll dance unless you don’t want to.”
I yank his arm and pull him to the dance floor, and we’re dancing. We’re swaying side to side like the other dancers. It’s not too weird. Actually, it’s not weird at all.
And the music stops. Our hands have been pressed together for ten whole seconds.
He laughs. “Told you. I’m amazing.”
The singer tells everyone young and old to get to the dance floor for the “Hokey Pokey,” which is a silly and ridiculous song, but at least I know how to do it. You’re supposed to look ridiculous doing the “Hokey Pokey.” It’s almost the point. Also, we don’t have to hold hands, which is the good part and the bad part.
As the music starts, Luke darts across the room to get in the center of the action. Eden walks to Grandma and holds out her hand. Grandma takes it. They stand side by side, next to Luke, and wait for the singer’s instructions.
Eden does not
change her mind and flee the dance floor. With her arm wrapped around Grandma, Eden puts her right foot in and then out and then in and, no kidding, Eden actually shakes it all about. Justin leans against the speaker and claps. My parents and Aunt Maggie and Uncle Will leave their drinks on the table and join the circle.
We hokey pokey—all of us.
ABOUT BRENT HELZINSKI AND ME
Does anyone pray for Brent Helzinski?
I do.
Also by Shelley Tougas
The Graham Cracker Plot
Finders Keepers
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shelley Tougas is an award-winning writer of nonfiction for children, including Little Rock Girl 1957, and the author of the novels The Graham Cracker Plot, Finders Keepers, and A Patron Saint for Junior Bridesmaids. She lives in Hudson, Wisconsin. You can sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
About Brent Helzinski and me
Part One: There’s going to be a wedding
Chapter One: There’s going to be a wedding
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Two: There’s going to be a wedding … and gossip
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Three: There’s going to be a wedding … and a confession
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Four: There’s going to be a wedding … and a change in plans
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Five: There’s going to be a wedding … and a detour
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Six: There’s going to be a wedding … and a cute neighbor
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Seven: There’s going to be a wedding … really, really soon
Part Two: There’s going to be a junior bridesmaid
Chapter Eight: There’s going to be a wedding in 64 days
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Nine: There’s going to be a wedding in 54 days
Chapter Ten: There’s going to be a wedding in 45 days
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Eleven: There’s going to be a wedding in 42 days
Chapter Twelve: There’s going to be a wedding in 40 days
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Thirteen: There’s going to be a wedding in 38 days
Chapter Fourteen: There’s going to be a wedding in 33 days
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Fifteen: There’s going to be a wedding in 29 days
Chapter Sixteen: There’s going to be a wedding in 26 days
Chapter Seventeen: There’s going to be a wedding in 23 days
About Brent Helzinski and me
Chapter Eighteen: There’s going to be a wedding in 16 days
Chapter Nineteen: There’s going to be a wedding in 15 days
Chapter Twenty: There’s going to be a wedding in seven days
Chapter Twenty-one: There’s going to be a wedding in six days
Chapter Twenty-two: There’s going to be a wedding in five days
Chapter Twenty-three: There’s going to be a wedding in three days
Chapter Twenty-four: There’s going to be a wedding in one day
Part Three: It’s time for a wedding
Chapter Twenty-five: There’s going to be a wedding today
Chapter Twenty-six: There’s going to be a reception tonight
About Brent Helzinski and me
Also by Shelley Tougas
About the Author
Copyright
Text copyright © 2016 by Shelley Tougas
Published by Roaring Brook Press
Roaring Brook Press is a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10010
mackids.com
All rights reserved
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Tougas, Shelley, author.
Title: A patron saint for junior bridesmaids / Shelley Tougas.
Description: First edition. | New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2016. | Summary: Mary Margaret Miller is going to be a junior bridesmaid, but she is also having problems with school buly Brent Helzinski, and her cousin Eden, aka The Bride, is clashing with her mother about wedding plans.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016004841 (print) | LCCN 2016026467 (ebook) | ISBN 9781626724037 (hardback) | ISBN 9781626724044 (ebook)
Subjects: | CYAC: Bridesmaids—Fiction. | Weddings—Fiction. | Bullying—Fiction. | Family life—Fiction. | Christian life—Fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Marriage & Divorce. | JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Values & Virtues.
Classification: LCC PZ7.T647155 Pat 2016 (print) | LCC PZ7.T647155 (ebook) | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016004841
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eISBN 9781626724044
First hardcover edition, 2016
eBook edition, October 2016
A Patron Saint for Junior Bridesmaids Page 15