Chapter 3 Page 3

Life Without Susie
(Eight Years Later)

The telephone begin to ring right before Bill started to leave for work. He picked it up and said, "Hello," it was his mom. "Hi Bill" She said, "I'm glad I caught you before you left for work." He said, "Hi Mom, what's the problem? Is everything okay?" She said, "Oh yes Bill, everything is just fine, I just wanted to see if you needed any help with Sarah's party." "I need lots of help, Mom. I have no idea what she wants. I want it to be girly and special and grown up, I can't believe she's going to be sixteen! It seems like just yesterday, she was four." "I know," Kate said, "And she is quite the young lady. Why don't we do a princess party? You know, like the girl in the movie, The Princess Diaries. I know a place that has the Cinderella carriages, I'll call and order one, it will be my present to her." "Mom, I can't have you do that, it's too much." "Nothing is too much for my grandchildren," She insisted, "Bill, I really want to do it." "Okay, Mom, if it means that much to you," he said.

"Now we need a special dress so I will take her shopping," Kate told him. "Yes, but this is on me, Mom," Bill said. Kate laughed and told him that would be okay, she would take his credit card. Bill agreed, then he had to get to work. He told his mom they would talk later and thanked her for all her help. He said, "I love you Mom," as he went out the door." She replied, "I love you too Son."

Kate and Sarah went shopping the next day. They went to several different stores and couldn't find a dress she liked, Sarah was getting disappointed, then they stopped in front of Macy's department store, waiting for the cross light to turn green. There in the window was the most beautiful dress Sarah had ever seen. It was an off white, floor length gown with sequins that shone in the sunlight from the window. The dress just shimmered, it looked like diamonds! Sarah stood staring at the dress, it was so beautiful it left her speechless. Kate said, "Would you like to go in and try it on?" "Oh yes, Grandma, I would love to try it on!"

The lady in the clothing department found the right size for Sarah and she went into the dressing room to try it on. Soon she came out to show Grandma Kate. Kate stared at her and tears ran down her face as she thought to herself, 'how beautiful she looks.' Sarah smiled and said, "What's wrong, Grandma? Don't cry." Kate hugged her close and said, "You look just like an angel in that dress." Sarah kissed her cheek and said, "Thanks Grandma, but don't cry." Her grandmother smiled and promised she wouldn't. "Now, lets pay for this dress and go find some shoes." "Are you sure Grandma? This dress is $350.00, that's a lot of money." "You only turn sixteen once, honey, and your daddy and I want it to be special for you." So they got the dress and found a nice pair of white pumps to go with it, then the two of them went to lunch.

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