HOPE

            She adjusted his bow tie wanting him to look his best on his big day, even though it wasn’t for her sake. She had grown up with this boy. They had been best friends since the fourth grade.

Dominic and I sat in the church getting prepped for his big day to marry this ditzy blonde. We had always been best friends and were even more than that for almost a year, but she came in and gave him mixed feelings. She was like a pesky nat at a BBQ!

Luckily Dom and I stayed best friends through it all, the good times and the bad, just like our mothers had. I hadn’t been looking forward to this day at all for the past three months. I was as crushed, as the bride-to-be was excited! I hoped it wouldn’t show on my face. I didn’t want any of this to happen the way it did. I knew it was too late, but I always thought, what if?

 I kept looking away from him not wanting to start anything before the ceremony, which would be in just a few hours. I couldn’t hold my composure and had to excuse myself to the other room. A pool of water started to form in my eyes. I knew today would be the day that I would make it rain. The tears seemed like they dropped a mile before they hit my cheek. Before I could take a deep sigh, there was a thumb wiping the tears away so my make-up wouldn’t get ruined. I gasped and looked up not knowing whom to expect, but he was there like always, my best friend.

“Come on Rory! You can’t do this to me! It’s hard enough!” he exclaimed. My puppy dog eyes just looked away as I said, “I’m not doing anything! I’m more than happy for you Dom! I wouldn’t miss your big day!” I got up from the pew. “Come on. Let’s go. You’ve got to get your flower on.”

I always thought Dominic and I would give it another chance. It just wasn’t the right time. I thought I would never give up. There in North Carolina at the Church of Christ, my hope had flown away.  April 24^th, was the day I had given up. I started heading out the big brown detailed church doors, not knowing if I could keep myself together.  I headed down the sidewalk to catch some fresh air. I heard footsteps behind me, but continued to walk down the street. My arms were pumping at my sides. For a brief moment my left arm stopped I turned around and there was Dom with tears running down his face. He reached forward and kissed me on the forehead.  I totally lost it. My body weakened and my knees buckled. I slid into a crouching position. My head was buried down in my arms. My dress spread out along the side walk like a flower. He gripped my arms.  He was at my level talking to me. He said, “Rory! Please look at me.”

I continued hiding in my arms much like a turtle hides in its shell when it is frightened. “Rory?” he said calmly one more time, not giving up on me. He began to rub my arms. I forgot how comforting it was for him to touch me. I looked up and dropped my head straight back into my arms trying to catch my breath and keep my tears hidden before having to face him. Again I looked up and our eyes met transfixed.  I could see my reflection in his eyes. His eyes glossed from the tears that had pooled there.  

“I’m alright.” I said.

“No Ror! We’re not alright. Neither one of us is!”

The wrinkles formed on my head looking like waves in the sea. A puzzled look of questions.

“We’re not?” I questioned.

 “Rory!  We both know that you should be my bride inside that church!” he confessed.

I was speechless, not having any idea what to say to Dominic. I was at a loss for words. I took a moment to look at my left wrist and played with the bracelet he gave me for my 18^th birthday. My mind raced searching for the right words to say. “You know what Dom?” I said in a shaky voice.

“What?” he questioned.

“I always wondered if that thought had crossed your mind.”

“Are you kidding me Rory! I think about it all the time!” he said with a smirk on his face. I began to smile, which he could always make me do. I began to cry, happy tears this time. Everything I hoped for fell into place. I had hoped that nat (ex-bride) at the BBQ would be squashed. Our love for each other was too strong for one of us to make such a big mistake.