After a couple of minutes, murmurs break the stillness. Restless feet tap out a soft rhythm as impatience fills the assembled guests. Some bob their heads up and down, trying to decide whether or not to turn toward the back of the sanctuary. Others take the opportunity to slip their phones out of purses or pockets, staring down at little screens with zero interest in the events transpiring near at hand. John squeezes my hand as snippets of conversation reach our ears.
“What is going on?”
“That must be his ex.” My cheeks burn as more eyes turn toward me.
“No. That is the bride’s brother’s ex.”
“Huh?”
“The one who…” The voice fades to an indiscernible whisper, but I know the lies it conveys.
“Oh! Her!”
I grit my teeth to keep my own thoughts from escaping through my lips.
John leans in to whisper in my ear. “Ignore them. Pay attention to me.”
He squeezes my hand softly, leaning into me. I bite my tongue, afraid I won’t be able to hold back much longer. Mama appears in the doorway and gestures toward me. Every eye turns back toward me. John takes my hand as I shuffle toward Mama with my head down.
When I am close enough, Mama leans in to whisper, “I think we ALL need to talk, sweetheart.”
“All?” I squeak.
“Yes, they are waiting.”
I follow her to a small room labeled “Bride’s Room”. I hesitate and John pulls me back toward the door. “We’ve got this.”
Mama raps on the door. “We are coming in.”
As I step inside, I see Caroline and Tom standing on opposite sides of the room. Though her eyes are now dry, streams of mascara transform her into a raccoon rather than a blushing bride. Her mouth twists into a pout as her eyes meet mine.
As I waver, turning back toward the open door, Mama grabs my hand and pulls me into the room. John steps in front of me, as if to protect me from Caroline as he gives her a once over. He relaxes a little as he takes in her petite frame and tear-streaked face. Mama steps behind me to pull the door closed and barricade it with her body. She crosses her arms defiantly.
“No one leaves this room until I am satisfied as to whether or not my son is getting married today.”
“That’s up to him.” I croak.
Tom stands silently, looking from Caroline to me with wounded eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He almost whispers as sad eyes focus on Caroline’s face.
“I didn’t know.” An almost inaudible whisper.
“Really?” His voice rises. “You saw pictures of Tara and I at her wedding…hanging out…”
“By that time, I was in love with you. I didn’t think you would marry me if you knew who I was and what I had done.”
John grips my hand tighter at her words. I step back into him and he wraps his arms around me. I sink into the protective bubble of his arms, leaning my head back against his chest as I grip his hand tighter.
“You admit that you lied,” I snort, “Finally!”
“You know how we were.” Caroline whines. "We were always so competitive and then you broke Vince’s heart.”
“He broke up with me,” I sneer.
“Oh.” Her eyes widen. “That isn’t how he told it.”
“So you told everyone that I cheated on him and stole from you?”
Caroline starts to cry. “I’m sorry. So sorry. Tara, please…” She blubbers into unintelligible pleas, presumably for forgiveness.
But are those tears real? I step forward to peer into her face, confused and unwilling to forget the past, stopping as John pulls me back in protectively. The tears look real enough, gleaming in the corner of her eyes before rolling down her cheeks. She glances at me and then steps toward Tom, reaching out her hand for his. She turns those wet eyes back to him as he stares at her open hand without moving to take it. She manages to compose herself and lowers her hand, clasping it tightly with the other as she breathes deeply and begins her pleas anew.
“I couldn’t tell you about Tara and I. By the time I realized you were that Tom, I was already in love with you. Please! Forgive me! Marry me!” She sinks to her knees in front of him, slipping off her engagement ring off to proffer it to him.
Tom’s features soften. Then he turns to me, awaiting my response. I bite my lip, my eyes riveted on the ring. It has the tiniest diamond I have ever seen. Though she wrapped a curtain around herself to hide her dress, I note that she chose a simple hairstyle and light makeup that doesn’t try to hide the years that have transpired since we last spoke.
“You really have changed?” I question my own realization though the woman before me doesn’t share the same tastes as the woman I knew.
“I have.” She bites her lip. “I will go out there right now and confess to everyone that you didn’t really cheat on Vince or steal from me. I should have done it long ago, but…”
“You were afraid…” I finish for her.
She nods her head. “But I wanted you here. Just as much as I wanted you here.” She turns to Tom, pleading with wide, tear-filled eyes.
“I do love you.” He whispers to her, looking to me apologetically. “But you…”
“I didn’t set out to lie to you. Please.” She begs again and then they both turn to me.
“You would really tell everyone out there the truth…”
“Yes.” She interrupts breathlessly hopeful.
“…on your wedding day.”
She nods, gripping the curtain tighter around herself and stepping toward the door where Mama still stands guard. “I will tell them right now.”
“I will tell them,” Mama says, refusing to yield the door, as she looks to me. “If you want me to.”
“I don’t want today to be about me.” I demur as John gives me a reassuring hug.
“So my son is getting married today?” Mama looks at me.
I look to Tom, shrugging my shoulders. “You know her better than I do. Do you want to marry her?”
He blinks back tears as he nods his head.
“So you’ll marry me?” Caroline asks, slipping the ring back on her finger as Tom nods again.
“We should get this going before the guests give up and leave,” Mama opens the door.
“I have one more big favor to ask.” Caroline says, offering me a hopeful smile.
I narrow my eyes, “How big?”
“I need a maid of honor.”
“What?” I choke out the word.
“I have a dress.” She looks me up and down. “And I think I guessed the size right.”
Caroline reaches toward a garment bag hanging from an oversized hook on the wall. She pulls down the zipper to reveal a cocktail dress in a soft blue.
“Ummm…” I look at John doubtfully.
He shrugs. “That color would look gorgeous on you.”
Mama reaches out to take my free hand. She mouths three words to me, “An olive branch.”
I nod my head and reach for the dress. “I guess I can be a bridesmaid…”
“Maid of honor…” Caroline corrects me.
“…but it will be awkward…”
“I know, but I had always hoped….” I read the memory of weddings we had planned in our youth in her eyes.
I nod my head. “That I could take attention off of you on your wedding day.” I murmur as the irony hits me.
“My own fault.” She replies.
“I better go finish getting dressed,” Tom says, nodding toward John.
“I’ll go with you, so the ladies can get ready.” John gives me arm one last squeeze on his way out.
“Let me help you,” Caroline offers as Mama closes the door behind the men.
“You will not. You will sit down, so I can fix your make-up.” Mama commands, stepping forward to grab tissues and makeup remover from the vanity. “Tara can wait to be zipped until you are gorgeous for those wedding photos I plan to have all over my house to show my grandkids.” She prattles on as she goes to work.
I slide off the simple dress I chose for this event. Slipping the blue silk over my hips and onto my shoulders, I realize Caroline guessed my measurements correctly. I slide the zipper as far up as I can before turning to watch Mama work her magic. Soon no hint of Caroline’s tears remain.
Mama continues to direct us until we both meet with her approval. As we step into the hallway, we are greeted by two bridesmaids in slightly simpler versions of my dress and two groomsmen. They eye my curiously. The best man grins at me as I realize John has been roped into being part of the wedding party as well. He reaches for my arm as Mama begins offering whispered orders to each of us. She lines us up behind Tom, casting a warning glance at Caroline as she peeks out of the bride’s room.
“You wait until someone raps on that door before you come into this hallway, young lady.”
Caroline nods and slips back behind the door before gently closing it.
Mama takes Tom’s arm and guides him toward the door. “Walk your mother down the aisle to appease some gossipmongers.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says softly.
They walk calmly to the front of the chapel. I see heads turning to peer back toward the door, but Mama clears her throat loudly and holds up her hands.
“This is a wedding. A time for the uniting of two families. A time, apparently, for forgiveness. Caroline has asked Tara to be her maid of honor,” She makes a disapproving cluck as murmurs spread through the chapel. “The two have put aside the past. You should do the same. Tara is a wonderful girl and never stole from her friend. Save your gossip and speculation for tomorrow. Today, we celebrate the marriage of my son…”
She lets her unspoken warning fall over the crowd.
When silence reigns again, she motions for the pianist to begin playing the wedding march and the wedding begins…
Finally, the conclusion of our tale from a couple of months ago. I hope you enjoy it. I also hope the Corona Blues aren't keeping you down.
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