The Wedding

The wedding day finally came and the ceremony was to begin at 6 p.m. Wendy showed up as soon as she closed from work. She was dressed in a beige silk dress similar to Kate’s.

As Kate expected, her mother complained about her choice of wedding dress, even though it had a high neck and stopped at her ankles. Kate’s belly hadn’t started bulging yet, but her bosom had doubled in size. She was grateful for the increase because she was naturally deficient in that area.

While Wendy was putting the finishing touches to Kate’s makeup, someone knocked on her bedroom door.

“May I come in?” Chris asked from outside.

“Oh, god,” Kate groaned. She’d been dreading this confrontation for days.

“Do you want me to send him away?” Wendy asked her.

“No, let him in,” said Kate wearily. “Let’s get this over and done with.”

“Look, don’t let your brother with his I-know-it-all attitude ruin this evening for you,” Wendy advised her. “This is your life and you get to decide what to do with it, OK?”

“OK,” Kate answered softly.

After giving Kate a quick reassuring hug, Wendy went to open the door for Chris.

“Hi, Chris,” she greeted him cheerfully.

“Hi, Wendy,” he replied with the same energy.

“You will only get five minutes with her and then I’ll come back in,” Wendy informed him. “We don’t want her to be late for her own wedding, do we now?”

“No, we don’t,” Chris said patiently.

Wendy let him in and closed the door behind her as she left. Chris stood by the door with his hands in his pockets, staring at Kate. He was still dressed in his work clothes; a navy jacket, a blue checkered shirt, and a pair of gray pants.

He was a younger version of John; tall, heavybuilt, handsome, and confident. His usually full beard had been trimmed and carved to perfection.

“You look stunning,” he said quietly.

“Thank you,” Kate answered calmly.

“So, this is it?” Chris asked. “That old man downstairs is the man you’re marrying?”

“He’s not that old,” Kate said defensively.

“Are you joking?” Chris asked in surprise. “Are you indeed going to marry a man who could be your father?”

“But he isn’t,” Kate retorted.

“I just want to know why,” Chris demanded fiercely. “And please, don’t insult my intelligence with that lame story you gave me the other day. Tell me the truth. What is going on? Why are you doing this?”

Kate didn’t appreciate his tone. And the way he was firing questions at her as if he owned her, was doing her head in.

“Chris, I know you’re concerned about me and I sincerely appreciate that,” she began. “This is my choice. I am doing what is right for me and everyone in this family. Tony is a good man and Mom and Dad approve of him. Just be happy for me and stop asking so many questions, please.”

Chris shook his head slowly and asked, “What are you guys not telling me? What’s going on with this family?”

Wendy knocked on the door and opened it without waiting to be invited in.

“Time up!” She announced brightly. “OK, Miss Bride, let’s get you downstairs to meet your groom.”

Kate let Wendy lead her out of the room. Chris reluctantly followed them and stomped his feet heavily as he walked. It was something he did whenever he was angry, an old habit from childhood that he never outgrew.

When she reached the den where the wedding was to take place, Kate saw Tony standing beside her father in front of the fireplace. He looked quite handsome in his brown tailored suit.

Laura was standing in front of the old rocking chair, dressed in her favorite purple cocktail dress and smiling brightly at Kate.

Chris’ wife, Rita, was cradling her daughter in her arms and standing beside Laura. She was wearing a blue dress that matched Chris’ shirt.

The only stranger in their midst was Tony’s friend and attorney, Charles, who was about the same age as Tony. He was a head shorter than Tony with a porcelain complexion, light brown hair, green eyes, and a stocky build.

His eyes narrowed suspiciously as soon as they met Kate’s. He leaned closer to Tony and whispered in his ear. Tony’s only reaction was the clenching of his jaw muscles.

Charles straightened himself and continued to watch Kate warily. Kate looked away from Charles and at Tony instead. He was now smiling at her with a look of pride.

“You look breathtaking,” he said to her.

“Thank you,” Kate replied with a shaky smile.

John cleared his throat and said, “Let us begin.”

A few minutes later, Kate and Tony said their vows and officially became husband and wife. Tony then kissed her chastely on the cheek. Everyone except Chris and Charles congratulated them afterward.

Laura had prepared dinner for the occasion. As Kate made her way to the dining room, Charles stepped in front of her with a stiff smile on his weathered face.

“Congratulations,” he said to her.

“Thank you, Mr Huckley,” Kate replied politely.

Charles lowered his voice and said, “I hope you know what you’re doing, young lady.”

“Why would you say that?” Kate asked him.

“Because all that glitters is not gold, but you already know that, don’t you?” He added and walked away.

Kate knew a warning when she heard it. What was Charles trying to tell her? Was Tony not who he claimed to be?

“Having second thoughts?” Chris asked as he came to join her where she stood alone. Tony was still standing by the fireplace, speaking with John.

Kate turned around to face Chris and said, “No, I’m not having second thoughts.”

“What did that man say to you?” Chris asked her.

“Nothing you should concern yourself with,” Kate answered. “If you’d excuse me, I’d like to go and enjoy my first dinner as Mrs DaCosta.”

With her head held high, she walked away from her brother with a confidence she didn’t feel. Nevertheless, a new chapter of her life has just begun.