It took most of the year, but something unexpected did happen to me that fall. We were accepted to St. Amelia's, a co-ed finishing school. With acceptance there--we were thrust from the docks into social situations with people who were of the same social class as my father had been a servant for! My head was swimming with it all. I think I was the only one though.
Marie-Leah was happy, Terrence went there--and she made lots of friends. After her initial bouts of shyness, Marie-Anne also blended in well, though her heart was quite firmly given to Chase. I--didn't make many friends--and I didn't get out much either. I was applying for scholarships and working, though my sisters had jobs too and still found time for social lives. I've no idea how. One of the few friends I made was Charles St. James, Charlie was about as outgoing as I am--which is to say he isn't at all. His father owns several of the businesses in downtown and is also the educational minister for the city.
Anyway, that fall at the end of the school term, Charlie asked me if I would care to accompany him to an event on Saturday. After reassuring me that he wasn't asking me on a date. (I think he saw the panicked look on my face) I agreed. Even though I told my sisters that it was not a date, they treated it like it was. Though for some reason, Marie-Anne seemed more excited than Marie-Leah did. Though it was Marie-Leah who took me shopping for a dress, which was purple. Something I had been uncertain about given that I have red hair. But she said it was fine.
I arrived at the address, feeling more than a little out of place, I think the idea that drove home just how far out of my social sphere I was is that they put bars around their trees, we put bars across our windows.

Charlie was waiting for me as he had said he would be, by the bridge--which lead to a church. I had never actually asked what this event we were going to was and now I was almost afraid to know.

"Laura!" He called, sounding relieved.

"You look lovely." He said, blushing as he did so.
"Um, Thank you." I said in return.I was going to ask what this event was--but the church bells began tolling and I could only hurry after Charlie toward the doors of the church.

Waiting outside the church doors was a very pretty woman in a lovely dress, she was waiting for Charlie. "Where have you been, the ceremony is going to start any minute."
"Sorry, Carolina." He said. I said nothing--she shooed us inside the church, which was filled with flowers and people and the smell of expensive perfumes. He lead me up the far aisle and motioned for me to sit down.

We'd only just sat down when a group of people immerged from the doors of the church. I gaped. We were here for a wedding. Then as I peered at the bride, I only just caught a gasp behind my teeth. Charlie had invited me to his father's wedding.
Charlie's mother had died giving birth to a stillborn when Charlie was very young. After his two years of mourning was up, he had played the field a bit. He had finally settled on Margarathe Burroughs, a teacher at St. Amelia's. I knew they were going to marry this fall, but I had no idea it'd be like--well--now.

The flower girl and ring bearer started up the aisle. The little flower girl in the lead as she skipped along. They were staying as far as they could from each other. I could hear the matron hissing instructions. "Victoria, slow down you're supposed to reach front together. Don't do that."

When they finally reached the altar, the matron followed, giving me a better look at the man giving the bride away--someone who looked very familiar though I couldn't place where I knew him from at all.