Jonesy dragged her into the
kitchen for a cup of tea, chatting about University gossip. She gave Dale a hug
then left. She wandered about the big house, feeling lost. The pain in her
heart was building. She fished out the wedding notice and, careful not to crumble
the brittle newspaper, read it carefully.
She stared at the picture of the
bride, grinning from ear to ear. Sylvia
was beautiful. She wondered about Cliff. Had he been delirious with joy or depressed or sad at the time?
She sank down into the comfort of
an overstuffed chair in the living room and watched chickadees eat at the bird
feeder.
The memory of her wedding day flashed back. Anna had thrown herself
into wedding plans with zeal. The dress had to be perfect –and it was. The
venue had to be just right –and it was. Even the weather had to be warm enough
and cool enough – and it was. Everything was spot on, except it was the wrong groom.
She remembered standing at the
window, watching the crowd gather slowly. Anna had been called to a food emergency
in the kitchen. Begging for a moment alone from her bridesmaids, Dale stood
quietly, by herself, unable to stop the tears.
She couldn’t stop wishing it was
Cliff, pacing nervously in the black tuxedo, Cliff who would be pledging to
love her forever, and Cliff who would be making love to her that night. The
feelings she experienced then flooded back into her heart. The agony of knowing she could have had her wish stung her like a
thousand bees.
A crack of thunder indicated an
autumn storm. Stupid to wish. Try to
forget. It’s past. He’s gone. Let it go. She sighed briefly as she climbed
the stairs. I can’t let it go. He hates
me for something I didn’t do. Do I tell him? I must, but not now. She
slipped under the covers of the bed in the master bedroom and was blessedly
lost in sleep by six o’clock.
12 comments:
I can feel her pain and hurt. Fantastic scene. I hope things improve for her and she gets Cliff.
Ohhhh, one of those 'wish you could go back in time' moments.
You've done an excellent job at portraying her pain.
What a great job you`ve done of portraying her 'What could have been' moments. That line about everything being perfect except it was the wrong groom is a superb one and hits the reader right where it counts.
I'm wondering what the thing is that she got blamed for. I am really enjoying this story.
Great scene ... the emotions shining through so vividly.
love your descriptions- I write she sat-- you write--She sank down into the comfort of an overstuffed chair in the living room
Hi Jean,
I have had the wrong groom issue too. Totally understand. I do wonder what she is blamed for.
Great job. I feel sympathetic and anxious to get to the next page.
The poor thing. My goodness, my heart breaks for her lost possibility.
As usual, you've drawn me in and left me wanting more. Well done, you!
My heart is breaking for her. She has to tell Cliff the truth even if it's too late. Great writing Jean - I love this!
Intriguing
I hope she gets her wish.
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