Gram's wishes for our privacy, so our well-wishers' polite
comments were limited. There was the occasional “Isn't it nice to
have your father home?” and “How is your family?” We handled it politely as I
tried to fight my urge to cringe at each inquiry.
When we entered the library, I felt like I could breathe again. It was a place
to expect quiet, and most people would defer to the demand for silence…most people. Avoiding eye contact with the other patrons, Cole and I headed straight
for the local history section, located on the shelves furthest from the door.
Hidden deep in the recesses of the building, I left my fiancé to search on his own.
“Cole, I'm so so glad to see you here.” The unmistakable shrill of Jessica's voice rang throughout the large room. “Why are you hiding in the back of the library, all by yourself?”
I peeked through the shelving in time to see her run her fingers up and down
his arms.
I fought my urge to push the bookcase onto her. I grabbed the first book off
the shelf and flipped it open. Perfect, I thought.
“Cole, I’ve found exactly what I want our wedding –” I faked my shock at seeing Jessica. “Oh, I didn't know you were here. What a lovely surprise.”
Jessica wrinkled her nose at me, but I continued my performance. “I'm so glad you’re here. I’ve just been so busy that I haven't found the time to reach out
to you. The hectic life of a budding bride-to-be."
I grabbed Jessica and drug her to a table. I pulled out a chair and practically
shoved her into it. Before she could flee, I pushed my chair next to hers, trapping
the annoying girl. "Since you are here, you can help me with the wedding plans.
It is almost divine intervention that you arrived today. We can go over
everything."
Jessica gave me a terse smile. "I was just…"
"I know time does get away from us, doesn’t it? But you are here now." I pointed at a page inside the book with a photograph of four girls. “Don't you think it would be fabulous if the bridesmaids wore outfits like these?”
The girls in the picture had long dresses with big shoulder pads. The fabric
was covered with bright colors and black geometric shapes. Each girl wore their
hair slicked back into a tight bun that made their dark eyeliner and hot pink lipstick stand out. I held back my laughter as Jessica squirmed away from me.
“Won't it be fabulous?” I scooted closer, not giving her a chance to escape. “I
think they’ll make a perfect bridesmaid's dress. Of course, you will get first pick
as the maid of honor."
I shoved the book away and positioned myself to be face-to-face with
Jessica. "What do you think about food for the reception? Should it be a simple
BBQ or formal dinner?”
“Stop!” Jessica jumped up, knocking the chair over. “We are not friends,
Marina. I don't plan to be in your wedding or wear that horrendous dress. I absolutely don't care what you will be feeding your guests.”
I gasped. “I didn't know we weren’t friends, Jessica.” Fluttering my eyelids, I
blinked back imaginary tears and turned towards Cole. “Did you know this?”
“I thought we were friends, too." His eyes widened in surprise. “Jessica, I can't believe you would pretend to like us. That’s so hurtful.” Cole wrapped his
arms around me. Though I shook with laughter, he pretended to soothe me.
"Don't cry, Mara."
I called Water to fill my eyes before looking up at him. "I just can't believe
