"That was some wedding, wasn't it?" Lauren said.  She rolled up the sleeping bag from the night before.  The three cousins had slept on the floor. 

"Yes.  I thought the bridesmaid near the end was a little too fat," Annie replied.  "I wouldn't have any bridesmaids that looked too ugly."

"But ugly bridesmaids would only make you look prettier," Lauren started to say.  Everyone knew she had had all her wedding details planned since she was sixteen.

Then they saw how distraught their older cousin Betty looked.  Her eyes were screwed up and her mouth poked out a little.

"What's the matter Betty?" asked Lauren.

"Oh, I just had a disturbing dream last night.  I dreamed I was walking in a beautiful winter landscape.  All alone.  Suddenly, I saw a long shadow beside mine.  I turned to see who was casting it.  But there was no one there.

"Then the landscape changed.  It was a lovely summer day.  I was walking down the sidewalk near my parents' home.  I saw the shadow again.  But no one was casting it.  I tried to run away, but it came after me."

"That's a crazy dream," said Annie.  "I would never have sleeves in my wedding dress.  Strapless or nothing."

"Yes."  Betty sighed and felt cold.  "It was only a dream.  Only a shadow."