Opening her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling, Ruby sat up with a start. Hadn't she fallen asleep out in the garden? Thinking very hard she felt fairly certain she had. And yet now she was in her bed, but this was not her room. Everything was too bright.
Suddenly there was a tremendous knocking at the door.
"Ruby! RUBY!" her mother's voice came through the door. "Rudy! You can't sleep in on your wedding day!"
My wedding day? Ruby started at the door. I'm getting married today? When did Herb propose to me? Why don't I remember this?
With another knock her mother came bustling into the room. "Still sleepy? Or is it cold feet?"
Ruby just stared at her mother, her face a mask of unsure emotions. Her mother took this to mean she was having second thoughts. "It's okay dear Ruby. Herb is the love of your life. Now get up, Anne is here to help you get ready."
Anne? thought Ruby Anne! She will know what is going on! Ruby sighed happily and climbed out of bed as her mother left the room. She looked around again. Her room looked the same, except she noted again, it was too bright. Am I dreaming? she thought.
Another knock caused Ruby to jump. "Come in" she called, her voice shaking a little. She turned to face the door as Anne waltzed into her room, ran up to her and hugged her joyfully. "Oh dear Ruby" said Anne happily "I'm so pleased that you are getting married. And to Herb. He's simply dashing"
Anne's happiness quickly filled Ruby. She smiled back at her dear childhood friend who she had recently had many talks with. Hadn't she been ill? As Ruby tried to remember, she realized that should could not remember much before waking up a few minutes ago. Am I dreaming? she thought again.
"Silly Ruby!" laughed Anne "We have to get you ready. We don't want Herb to think you've gotten cold feet do we now?" She hustled a blushing Ruby over to her dressing table and sat here down. "Let me go get your dress" Anne said airily and danced out of the room.
Left alone Ruby tired to piece together what had happened. The last thing she remembered, and even that was hazy and dim, was talking to Anne in the garden. For some reason they had been talking a lot about death. Why would Anne discuss such a morbid subject with me? She knows I don't like to think of it.
As soon as Anne re-entered the room however, all thoughts left Ruby's head besides the frivolous details of her wardrobe. She gushed as the dress she had always dreamed of was placed on her. She nearly cried when she looked at herself in the mirror and saw the exact image she had always imagined. For the first time, she noticed Anne standing next to her, looking just as beautiful, and Ruby was not offended by her loveliness, rather she embraced it as a part of the most joyful day of her life.
Soon, they proceeded into the parlor downstairs and the ceremony began. Throughout, Ruby felt disconnected from it, as if it were a dream, and yet she was fully there, enjoying the greatest moments of her life. Then came the reception of her dreams. Even the decorations were exactly as she had always wanted her wedding to look. Everything was so perfect, and she was so happy.
Later that night as she nestled into her bed next to Herb, she closed her eyes and smiled, so happy to get everything she had always wanted.
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As they placed her in her casket, they noticed the smile that was set upon her lips. All around, those at her funeral looked down and through their own tears smiled at the vision of loveliness laying so peacefully in death. When Anne saw her face, she knew that Ruby had had the peaceful death that she had so desperately wanted. Being ushered into the next world in a happy surrender.
