CONNIE’S POV
I opened my eyes and turned off my alarm. Everything was quiet. The window next to my bed outlined the familiar landscape of Trickle Lake and the hills behind it. A few houses kept me from seeing the beach of the water, but everything was still so beautiful. I turned onto my back. When my mom and I first moved into that house, I would always complain that my room looked over the side of our neighbor’s house, while hers had his beautiful view of serene water and mountains. That day I wished more than anything that I wasn’t in that room. I wished I was back in my old apartment. I wished that room was empty. Because my mom had left it about an hour ago to drive to my apartment and wake me up for my wedding day.
But that wasn’t the case. I was there instead, with no mother to share wedding jitters with. I pushed aside a few tears and sat up. A knock came to the door.
“You can come in Jules!”
“Sorry. No annoying little sisters this morning,” Katrina came in holding a breakfast tray. She sat the food onto my lap, then hopped up onto the bed.
“You made me croissants!” I smiled.
“Is… something wrong with them?” She asked after I hadn’t touched them, or the rest of my food.
“I’m too nervous to eat.”
“Oh. Well I’m not,” she said, spreading some Nutella on one of the pastries.
“Is it normal to be this sad on your wedding day?”
“Hm. You know,” she said, swallowing her first bite of bread, “I asked Eugene the same thing after we got married. My father had just died, and we were driving from the hospital to the airport.”
“What’d he say?”
“Given the statistical likelihood that one or both parents of the bride or groom is absent on their wedding day, it could be assumed that to many their marriage is less cheery than expected.”
“Really?”
“Yep,” she sighed, “Then he pulled over by Lake Michigan, and took me onto the beach. And that’s where we had our first dance.”
“Wow. I didn’t think Eugene was that romantic. What’s your point?”
“At times, you’re going to be sad today. But one of the most beautiful parts of getting married is that you’re not under your parents’ protection anymore. And I know you haven’t had someone to look out for you like that for a while, but today you’re going to gain it back.”
That’s when I realized it. I wouldn’t have to expect anything from my dad anymore. I wouldn’t belong to him anymore.
“Thanks, Katrina.”
“You’re welcome. Now eat! We need to be at the salon in an hour.”
KATRINA’S POV
Connie, Penny, Jules, and I went and got our nails done. Eugene and Whit were at the church getting things ready. Wooton was spending the morning with Jeff. Buck was at home with Eliza. My keys were in my purse. My phone was in my pocket. It vibrated unexpectedly. With freshly painted nails, I pulled it out of my back pocket and tapped answer.
“Buck! How are things going?”
“Terrible.”
“Really? What’s happening?”
“Well I turned off the TV, and now she hates me.”
“Did she watch for an hour?”
“Yeah. So, it’s my turn now, right?”
“Mhm.”
“Can you tell her that then, because she keeps grabbing the remote from me and stuff.”
I took a deep breath,
“Sure.”
On the other end, I heard Buck bring over Eliza and hand her the phone.
“Mummy,” she sniffed.
“Hey, baby. Buck said you were disrupting him.”
“No… he’s being mean!”
“Did you watch for an hour?”
“…no.”
“No? Buck said you did.”
“Well- the show wasn’t over yet.”
“Yeah, but honey you know the rules. We have to make sacrifices since we only have one TV now.”
She let out a heavy breath.
“But there’s nothing to do!”
“Why don’t you play with your stuffed animals? I’m gonna be home really soon to pick you up.”
“When’s daddy coming back?”
“He’s not. We’ll see him at the wedding, okay?”
She sighed,
“Okay.”
“Alright. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I hung up and saw Penny staring at me.
“What?”
“We’re both moms.”
I chuckled.
“Yep.”
“They don’t get much easier, do they?”
“I’ve never had a baby, but I don’t think so.”
“Do you ever wish you would have done more before you adopted your kids?”
“You mean with my life?”
“Yeah! I mean, you’ll never get to climb Mount Everest!”
“I was never planning on climbing Mount Everest.”
“Maybe not. But there must be things you wish you could’ve done, right?”
“Hm. I guess there is one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I wish I could’ve spent more time trusting God, instead of questioning why I couldn’t have my own children.”
“Hm.”
“Why? Are there things you regret?”
“No. Trust me, I’m so happy to have a child. It’s just sinking in. Especially since Winnie will be in a wheelchair. It’ll make life- harder. And I know Wooton’s always had these big plans for our family, usually ones outdoors or- physical things. We’re realizing that some of those aren’t going to be possible.”
I nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
She let out a short sigh.
“It’s alright. I mean- it’s not completely alright, but we’ll be okay. We’re artists above anything else. Winnie will be able to draw and everything.”
PENNY’S POV
Katrina nodded, then put her phone back in her pocket. I twisted my hands together to keep myself from calling Wellington, who was back at home watching over Winnie. I trusted Wellington a lot, but that was the first time we’d left her alone with someone else. It made me nervous.
“Hey, Penny, do you need a ride to the church?” Connie asked as we exited the small nail salon.
“No. I’m alright. I need to stop by and get snacks for the dressing room anyway.”
“Oh okay. Hey, are you doing alright?”
I nodded.
“I’m good. I don’t need to be with her all the time. I know she’s okay.”
“Hey, it’s alright if you need to bring her to the church.”
“Yeah. Olivia and Zoe can watch her. They’re already baby-sitting Eliza and Declan,” Jules added. I took a deep breath.
“Okay. Maybe I’ll bring her over then.”
“Alright. Well, we’ll see you in a bit.”
I smiled, feeling slightly better, then walked to my car.
I had a nice car. It was weird. Wooton and I had been married for about two years, and I still wasn’t used to being “rich.” Wooton wasn’t excessive in his money spending, but at the very least he wasn’t accustomed to buying things on sale or clearance. Early on I sometimes wondered if he even looked at the price of something before buying it. The car I drove then was my dream car. A vintage blue beetle. The car I’d wanted since I was thirteen.
I drummed my new nails on the steering wheel as I waited for the light ahead of me to turn green. I thought about the Meltsners. How strong Katrina was. I knew how much she worried about Buck, but she could still be away from him for a while. I couldn’t do that yet. All first moms felt that way. That’s what I had been told at least. It felt different though. I felt I needed to protect her. Like she was going to fall apart at any time. She felt so fragile when I held her. So small.
“Wellington!” I called from the entrance of our colorful house. He quickly came into the entryway, cradling Winona safely in his arms.
“She’s perfectly okay,” he reassured, placing her back into my embrace of safety.
“Thank you,” I sighed, finding a seat on the couch. “I thought I could do it.”
“It’s alright if you can’t yet.”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying… I’ll be okay. I’m going to bring her to the church when I leave again.”
“Well. Then um- may I leave? I told Wooton I’d meet him and Jeff to help with decorating.”
“Oh. Sure. Can I send you a check?”
“She’s my niece, Penny. You don’t have to pay me.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, thank you.”
“Anytime. I’ll see you later!”
“Bye!”
I got up and locked the door behind him, then looked down at Winnie, who was fast asleep, wrapped in a yellow blanket. She looked so peaceful. So unaware. So beautiful. I flinched at the thought of her at eight. When she would have to be registered as a Christian. A tiny part of me hoped this insanity would end soon. But I knew it wouldn’t. Prejudice was a hard thing to overcome. I wanted to take my baby and move to another country where we weren’t targeted or feared. But God told us to stay here. We were needed here. I kissed Winnie’s head of light red hair, gathered my things, and drove back to the church.
BUCK’S POV
I rubbed my fingers across the surface of the small metal cross hanging from my neck. I don’t know why I was so anxious. Maybe it was Eliza. She’d been irritable lately. I silently wondered if it was a PTSD thing, but never suggested it out loud. My shoe hit the carpet, again and again, keeping to the music through my earbuds. It was a Twenty-One Pilots song.
‘Surrounded and up against a wall, I’ll shred ‘em all and go with you. When choices end, you must defend, I’ll grab my bat, and go with you…”
That was Connie and Jeff’s wedding day. Like all the other groomsmen, I wore a blue and white tux. It felt so good to wear colors. Special occasions were one of the few times that Christians could wear something other than white or brown, so we took full advantage of those opportunities when they came up.
Katrina unlocked the door to our apartment and came in with purpose. I got in the way.
“Okay everybody, we have got going. Buck- aw.”
“What?”
“You just look so handsome,” she smiled.
“Oh. Thanks.”
“Oh. But we could do something better with your hair. Why don’t you blow dry it like I showed you?” She asked, walking to the bathroom.
“I try! It’s just hard to hold the hair drier and the brush at the same time.”
“Well, you’d get the hang of it if you practiced.”
I followed her into the one sink bathroom.
“My hair’s already dry. So…”
“Well, I think we can fix it with some jell. Or whether you can.”
“What?”
“I’m not doing your hair for you anymore. You’re seventeen. And Eliza’s still in her PJs. But I believe in your hair styling abilities,” she comforted, patting me on the shoulder before swiftly moving into the hallway towards Elizabeth’s room. I looked at myself in the mirror. It was going to be a long day.
Connie’s POV
“But don’t you think it’s weird that she never said anything?”
“I don’t know. Does Nancy even like tacos?”
“I really thought she did.”
“Huh.”
Katrina and Penny spoke as they did their makeup in front of a wall-length mirror.
“There. How’s that?” Lucia asked, spinning me around to see myself in the mirror.
A dreamlike sense rushed to my cheeks in a blush as I stared at the curly braid that fell across my right shoulder.
Katrina gasped.
“Connie! You look gorgeous!”
A sob came to my throat as I nodded, my hands over my mouth. I’d never felt more beautiful. A whispered, ‘Thank you,’ escaped my lips.
“You’re welcome, dear. Now, stop this crying. You’ll ruin your makeup!” Lucia lightly scolded, handing me a kleenex.
I laugh-cried, dampening the tissue with a few stray tears. With a deep breath, my composure was regained.
“Alright,” Penny hopped up, smiling. “Let’s-”
“Connie,” Jules came into the little dressing room, shutting the door behind her. “Jason’s at the door.”
JASON’S POV
My heart pounded as Connie came out of the dressing room. She wore her normal jeans and t-shirt, but her hair and makeup were done.
“Hey. You look beautiful.”
She smiled.
“I feel beautiful. What’s that?”
I adjusted the referenced papers and cleared my throat.
“This is me- fixing things.”
“What?”
“They’re divorce papers. I want you to sign them.”
She stepped back a second.
“N-no see- we- you need- you need reassurance and-”
“Connie. Connie, listen. If you aren’t legally married to Jeff, you’ll never have his last name- you’ll never-”
“I know,” she said quietly. There was a minute where no one said anything. She wanted to sign those papers. I could see it.
“I love you. It’ll be my fault if something happens…”
“No, it won’t. I’m taking responsibility. Because I love you. Consider it a wedding gift,” I shrugged. I outstretched a pen, and hesitantly, Connie took it from me.
“You’re sure about this?”
I nodded, uncertainty dragging across my stomach.
She signed the papers, then handed them back to me.
“I’ll um- I’ll go tell Jeff.”
I left quickly, oblivious to the intense consequences of what we had done.
JEFF’S POV
“Really?” I asked, trying to hide my immense delight.
“Yep. We both signed them. It’s official. You should be able to get married today legally.”
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
“Your welcome.”
There was a second of silence.
“So. Are you nervous?”
“You have no idea,” I laughed.
“Well- I wish I could give you some wise words.”
“You’ve married her already. I figured you’d have the best advice.”
He chuckled before a slight anger flickered beneath his brow.
“I love her. We’ve been through a lot together…” we locked eyes, “Jeff, if you hurt her in any way...”
“I won’t,” I cut him off. “I know you want to protect her, but maybe I could take on some of that responsibility?”
He sighed and nodded.
“Yeah. Yeah, I know. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” I smiled slightly, “It’s good she has someone who can defend her like you do.”
He twitched back a nod of loneliness and made a quick exit.
“Are- are you alright, Jeff?” I felt Wooton’s hand on my shoulder.
“Is it okay that he scares me?”
“In what way?”
“I don’t want Connie to love him more than she loves me.”
JULE’S POV
I sat in front of the dressing room mirror, Katrina behind me, braiding my hair. I turned my phone over in my hands. Katrina noticed the nervous twitch.
“Has he called yet?”
“No.”
“How long will you give him?”
“I should give him ten minutes and be done with it. I mean- he’s disappointed us so many times- he’s not going to show up- right?”
“I wouldn’t know. Maybe-”
My phone lit up, playing a Fall Out Boy song. I answered immediately.
“Dad. Hi.”
“Hey, sweetheart. Look. I won’t be able to make it.”
I didn’t say anything. A numb hurt formed at my temples.
“…are you on a cruise or something?”
“No. Um… no, I just- have work…. This is important.”
“More important that Connie?”
“I’m- responsible for a lot- you know that.”
“I don’t care. You knew this was coming six months ago.” I choked on a sob.
“I’m sorry. I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”
"But-"
"I'll talk to you later."
I took a breath and pushed down more tears.
“Sure. Bye.”
I hung up and sniffed back more tears.
“I can tell Connie if you want,” Katrina said, stroking my finished hair.
I nodded.
“Yeah. Um. Thanks.”
I stood up and walked out of the room in a daze.
BUCK’S POV
I checked my watch. We had an hour before people would start showing up. Doing my best to follow Eugene’s instructions, I turned another corner and found the closet. I adjusted my earbuds and entered the small, walk-in space. ‘batteries… batteries.’ A hand appeared on my back. I turned around and saw Jules for a split second before she pulled me in. It took me a minute before I could catch up, but I returned the passion once I did. I was backed up into the far end of the closet before I could think again.
“Wait.”
She kissed me again.
“Wait. What are you doing?” I pushed her off me and ripped out my earbuds, shoving them into my pocket.
“Sorry. I- sorry,” she strung her hands together.
“You’re fine,”
She took a breath, “My dad. He isn’t coming. And he’s not even that busy- he just has work.”
“So, are you angry?”
“I don’t know. I can’t- I can’t feel that he loves me.”
I was beginning to understand.
“And I- I missed you and I guess I got scared.”
I took a deep breath.
“Okay.”
“I’m sorry.”
I thought for a moment.
“You can’t rely on me to fix your problems. I- I won’t be a painkiller.”
“I know. You’re more than that.”
“But I’ll be there for you when I can.”
She smiled slightly.
“Then can we talk about it?”
We hugged.
“Always."
KATRINA’S POV
“Did- you hear what I said, Connie?”
“Yeah,” she said, in a detached tone. “Could someone call Whit?”
I nodded and retrieved my phone from the other side of the room. I called Whit and described the situation, then returned to Connie.
“He said he’d walk you down the aisle.”
“That’s good. He’s... He’s been more of a father to me anyway. I’m glad.”
“It’s okay to be disappointed though.”
“I know,” she spoke quietly.
Penny and I embraced her warmly.
“You ready to put on your dress?”
A genuine smile spread across the bride’s face.
JEFF’S POV
I felt a tap on my shoulder, then turned around. Connie stood in front of me in the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen. She blushed when we met eyes. I opened my mouth to say something, but a sob was the only thing that came to my throat. I didn’t want to cry. After a few tears had fallen, I was enveloped in joy. Our hands thread together.
“What do you think?” She asked, biting her lip.
“Stunning,” I smiled, before kissing her through our uncontrollable giggles. I reluctantly let her go.
“We have to take pictures,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
“And Penny probably feels really uncomfortable with us making her wait for us like this.”
“Yeah.”
“Guys, I’m right here. But you two are adorable. Please continue.”
We all laughed.
“You need to give each other your presents! I put them under the bench.”
We sat down on the silk-covered love seat and found our presents. I held the familiar turquoise cube for a moment before giving it to my bride. She handed me a heart shaped gift, a ribbon tied at the top.
“You open yours first,” I nodded to it, seeing her excitement. She did quickly, and lifted, what was quickly identified as a snow globe.
“It’s from Alaska,” I explained, “One of the tribal leaders on our route makes these for a living. Those figures are hand-carved.”
Inside the sphere was a miniature reconstruction of the Alaskan terrain. See-through clouds covered the surface of the glass. A small model of my plane looked like it was flying among them. A layer of glass in the middle of the scene had our vows etched into it.
“That’s amazing.”
“Turn it on.”
She found the switch on the bottom and flipped it excitedly. Snow blew into the landscape and a bell-like melody played the chorus of Broken Vessels, her favorite worship song.
“In the dark, it looks like the northern lights.”
“It’s so beautiful. Thank you. Now when you’re away on mission trips, I can have this to remind me of you,” she smiled, but neither one of us liked the thought of being apart.
“Okay open yours now,” she smiled, carefully placing the globe back in its box.
“Alright.”
I undid the bow on the top and removed the lid from the box. It was filled with letters.
“What are these?”
“These…” she began, lifting the top one from the container, “Are letters I wrote to my future husband, starting when I was sixteen. I wrote one every year since.”
“Wow.”
“Except- this one.”
She’d opened the small envelope and taken out the paper inside.
“This is an excerpt from my diary the day you kissed me for the first time.”
“Wait- when we were seventeen?”
She nodded.
“Wow.”
She began to read.
“Today I had my first kiss. It was with Jeff Lewis, who I guess is my boyfriend now.”
I laughed, “Hold on-”
“Shh! Don’t say anything until the end.”
“Okay- sorry,” I rested my chin in my hand and put a curled finger over my mouth.
“He took me on a picnic and at some point, looked at me with the most starstruck eyes and asked if he could kiss me. My face probably turned so red! But I managed to keep my composure until the half second of us touching ended when I smiled and blushed more.”
I snorted despite trying to conceal my joy.
“Why are you laughing?”
“That was my first kiss too.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“No.”
I nodded, nearly in tears. “I was actually super scared.”
“Really? I was convinced you were some big expert on the subject.”
“Absolutely not.”
“But you were a charmer.”
“That’s true. And you were the nerdy religious kid who broke up with me for not going to church.”
“Well, obviously your tastes have changed since then since you’re marrying said religious kid.”
“Nah. I just became one myself.”
“Ah I see,” she laughed.
“This is making me want to read the rest of these.”
“Later!” Penny interrupted, checking her watch.
“We need to get pictures taken!”
"Right!"
"Sorry!"
WHIT’S POV
I adjusted my tie, knowing Connie would be there soon. As I surveyed the large entryway of the newly renovated church, my thoughts drifted back to the last time I walked someone down the aisle. Jana’s wedding. I’d advised against their union, as her fiancé had already been divorced once, but Jenny really liked him, and that knowledge didn’t seem to affect her. So, our blessing was reluctantly given. Of course, six years later, when their marriage too fell apart, it put a space between Jana and me. Jenny and I were able to talk through things as we usually did, but Jana was never the same around me. To that day, tension seemed to trump love in every conversation that turned into an argument.
“Whit.”
“Oh Connie,” I smiled. My beautiful daughter coming into my arms. She stepped back and dabbed her eyes, smiling all the same.
“You look incredible.”
“Thanks.”
“Nervous?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah… I wish I had some sage advice to give you… don’t miss a minute of it. It goes by so fast.”
She nodded. “Can we pray?”
“Of course.”
I took her hands/
“Dear Jesus, thank you for being with us today. Two of your children are about to make a beautiful bond, and we ask now that you would take the wedding jitters from both bride and groom as they make this commitment. Please draw them close to you.”
“Thanks, Whit.”
Eliza handed her a bouquet of white roses, and Katrina guided her daughter toward the door, reminding her what to do. She nodded and went through the door quickly, ready to toss her petals across the aisle pathway, smiling the whole time.
“Ready?”
She nodded, took my arm, and the doors were opened.
CONNIE’S POV
“Jeff. You can go ahead and kiss your bride,” Wilson beamed, knowing how anxious we were. I turned to Jeff, who brought me into the sweetest kiss I’d ever received. I had never felt so safe.
After Wilson introduced us with surpassing pride, we ran back down the aisle, so ready for what was to come next.
The sun was already setting as we cut our lemon flavored cake.
“This is what sunsets taste like,” Jeff whispered, making me laugh right before I tasted it. He was right. I giggled further.
Then, we had dinner.
BUCK’S POV
Jules and I were put at a table with Jay, Dion, Zoe, and Matthew. It wasn’t until we were all placed at the same table that I realized we were some only teenagers there. I wasn’t complaining. They were really all great people. I felt slightly bad for Matthew and Zoe, as they were the only two at the table who weren’t dating. But I had to hand it to whoever assigned the seating. They put Zoe between Dion and Jules, and Matthew between Jay and me. It was foolproof. Despite being in a relationship, Jay still flirted with Zoe on occasion, causing her to get annoyed more than anything. So, the chances of that happening were greatly dimensioned. Though, the likelihood that Jay would flirt with someone else while his significant other was next to him, was slim- then again this was Jay… I was just happy to be having a meal with my girlfriend. Our talk had really opened things up, and a stronger bond could be felt between us.
After most people had finished eating, and the special dances had taken place, the dance floor opened up. Special dances? That was my second wedding. The point was, people started dancing, and I asked Jules to dance with me.
JULE’S POV
Buck and I danced long into the night, ignoring Eugene and Connie’s worried glances as we danced as close as the bride and groom. The room became more crowded around eight, and Buck began glancing in the direction of the door.
“You wanna step outside for a second?” He asked, his hand on my waist.
“We’re in the mountains. It’s gonna be cold.”
“Meh. Bring your coat.”
I shrugged.
“Okay.”
We exited through the front doors and stepped out onto the chilled porch. Yellow lights gave the space a warm glow and illuminated two familiar faces as our eyes adjusted.
Dion flicked his wrist in our direction, holding a box of cigarettes. I turned him down before Buck could say yes. Jay took one from the box and lit it.
“Hey, you two sing, right?”
We nodded, surprised by the conversation starter.
“Any instruments?”
“I play the guitar.”
Jay turned to Dion with raised eyebrows.
“I play drums. Jay’s learning piano.”
“Cool. So- what you wanna start a band or something?”
“Yeah,” Dion answered seriously.
“Why us?”
“I don’t know. You’re hot both hot and talented. Do you need a better reason?”
Dion laughed, “Look- just think about it. You have my number, right?”
We nodded.
“Hey! Jules! Connie’s about to throw her bouquet!” Penny peaked her head out and gestured toward the inside of the building. It looked inviting. I gave a quick goodbye to the boys and followed her inside, the idea of a band sticking to the back of my mind.
JASON’S POV
“They look perfect together,” I sighed in Wooton’s direction.
“Sorry you’re alone.”
I chuckled. He snorted. We sat at a lone table, watching Connie and Jeff dance to a gentle hymn.
“Do you want to find someone?”
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I mean- it’s getting a little late. I’m reaching forty-three over here.”
“No, I’m sure someone’s out there for you.”
I took a deep breath.
“Yeah. You’re probably right.”
I had hoped that saying it out loud would make me feel better. It didn’t.
“I just want to do something. You know?”
“Oh yeah sure.” He took a breath. “No- actually- no. What are you talking about?”
“It’s the agency. The adventure bug gets everyone at some points. In the CIA we were trained to protect. I get anxious when no one needs me like that.”
“Maybe you should explain that to Jeff.”
I took a breath.
“Yeah. Maybe.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll become a foster parent?”
“Really?”
“The Meltsners did it. Can’t be too hard. I don’t know.”
He shrugged.
“Maybe. Jason, why did you and Connie divorce?”
“I wanted to. She was getting married to someone else, and I don’t know.” I thought a moment. “I love my government. It would be deceiving it. Even Biblically, we are supposed to follow the law. God’s law comes first of course- but what we did didn’t really fit into that.”
“So what’ll happen now? If this camp thing happens-”
“Maybe it won’t.”
“But if it does?”
“…I don’t know.”
KATRINA’S POV
“I don’t know,” I answered bluntly, finding a seat on the bench outside. It was dark and cold, but it was better than the crowded church interior we’d come from.
“This is a turn of events. Usually, I’m the cagey one.”
“Sorry. You know how I get when I hit my people limit.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
We sat in silence for a minute. Taking in the fresh air, the mountains, the lake beneath.
“Why didn’t we move here?” I asked, half joking.
“Away from civilization? I need people.”
“I know. So does Eliza.”
He nodded.
“Hey guys,” Buck walked up.
“Hey! Where’s Jules?”
“Inside. They’re throwing the bouquet or something. Girl stuff. Hey- Mom could we- talk for a second?”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and quickly glanced between me and Eugene. Eugene nodded in understanding and came up with a quick excuse to go back to the party.
“Wanna walk?” I asked once he was out of earshot.
He nodded. We started down the wrap around porch. It was a minute or so before he said anything.
“Jules kissed me today.”
“…okay.”
“Like- she kissed me.”
“Right. So, putting emphasis on different words in a sentence doesn’t always make someone understand what you mean.”
“Sorry. I mean we kind of- made out.”
“Oh.”
“I stopped it before it went too far- it wasn’t a big deal I guess.”
“Hold on. Back up a second. You ‘kind of’ made out?”
“Well she was upset and just decided to find me or something- I’m not really sure how all of that played out…” his voice trailed off.
“So, you ‘kind of’ made out and you stopped things before they went ‘too far.’ What is too far?”
“Well- before we’d been doing anything for too long.”
I let out a restrained laugh.
“Okay, you’re being so vague.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Nothing happened. You don’t need to worry.”
“Then why are we having this conversation?”
“Because- I- want things to go too far.”
“There it is! Congratulations Buck Meltsner you have just admitted your true feelings! What are you gonna do next?”
“Pff. Leave. If you’re not gonna take this seriously-”
“I am taking it seriously. So you want to have sex with your girlfriend. That’s nothing new buddy. Everyone does.”
“Well, you didn't-”
“Hey, my high school love life has nothing to do with this.”
He stopped walking.
“I’m not sure what you mean by that and I don’t think I want to know.”
“You really don’t.”
We laughed and continued walking until his laugh turned into a whine.
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Don’t. I mean- really don’t. Like- God wasn’t kidding when he said flee.”
“Okay.”
“Other than that, I mean, if you two are going to keep dating, put up boundaries. You have people around you that can help you with that. It’s gonna be super hard, but worth it. You have to believe it’s worth it.”
He nodded.
“Hey, I’m really proud of you.”
“Thanks.”
WOOTON’S POV
It was a really fun wedding. Of course, I love people. And love. And celebrations. And lots of people celebrating love. So, that doesn’t really come as a surprise to a lot of people. Penny likes weddings too! Well, she does when she doesn’t have to worry. Or as long as she doesn’t feel uncomfortable or unsafe. The latter was the main issue for her- and really both of us that night. She was worried.
“She’s safe.”
I had to remind her, maybe twenty times throughout the evening. She’d always respond with a dispassionate “I know” or a slight nod before we could continue with whatever it was we were doing. The last time an encounter like this occurred, we were dancing. It was a slower dance. Whit was watching Winnie a few rooms down. There was nothing to fear.
“She’s safe,” I said again. Feeling her pulse against my chest.
“I know,” she said quietly, resituating her head on my shoulder.
Soon after we realized that we were tired- we had hardly slept the night before- so we left around the time Connie and Jeff did.
We pulled into our garage at about ten. Winona was put to bed immediately. By eleven we were showered and ready for sleep. I nearly collapsed onto the mattress that Penny was already comfortably curled up on, inhumed in a blanket. I lifted the covers and we were both warm in a matter of seconds. Her hand slipped into mine as I was dosing off.
“Wooton,” she whispered.
I opened my eyes to see that her expression matched her tone.
“Mhm?”
“I’m really scared.”
I took a deep breath.
“I know… but I’ve been thinking.”
“Yeah?”
“I mean- what an opportunity we have. Out of all the kids born with Spinal Bifida, she’s got the best parents on the planet.”
She giggled.
“That’s true. We’re gonna make it, aren’t we?”
“I think we just might.”
“It’s okay to cry though?”
“Always.”
She pushed back a tear and let me hold her as we were both overtaken by much-needed sleep.
CONNIE’S POV
I opened my eyes. Everything was quiet. I stared up at the designs in the ceiling above me. They were elaborate. Brown and gold sculptures carved into the overhead wall, complimenting the gold behind them. It reminded me of wealthy colonial houses. I smiled.
“Good morning.”
I turned onto my side and looked into those gorgeous blue eyes. I laughed.
“What?”
“You’re so cute when you’re tired.”
“And you’re still stunning.”
He kissed me without restraint, his hand in my hair. At that moment I knew I would be okay. I had someone to protect me. To care for me. He was my knight in shining armor. I was his princess. The man who’d lay down his life for me, as I’d for him. Someone I knew I could depend on. He would always be there. Always be there to keep me safe.