AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The sound of silverware clinking against glassware calls everyone's attention to the head table. Charlie is beaming at the crowd.
The bride and groom, Ami and Michael, are sitting next to her with brilliant smiles on their faces. Amelia Landry is a beautiful woman, but after everything she’s been through and with the glow of love on her wedding day, she's breathtaking.
Then there's Abigail. Who's no less beautiful, but right now, looks like she's about to throw up again.
Instinctively I move closer. I lean casually against the end of the bar, as close as I can get to where she is standing, without actually joining the people at the head table.
I clear my throat. She looks over at me. I give her what I hope is an encouraging smile.
She just frowns at me.
"Hi, everyone," Charlie starts. "I'm so happy that you’re all with us today!”
I barely register what Charlie is saying. My attention is fully focused on Abigail.
She's pale, her hands are shaking slightly, and her eyes are unfocused. I would bet that she hasn't heard a word that Charlie has spoken.
These nerves are a little bit more serious than I thought. Obviously, throwing up at the thought of giving a speech is fairly significant, but this is clearly not something that passes easily.
Charlie goes on to talk about a few memories from childhood with Ami, about the first time the girls met Michael as kids, how Michael had been there for Ami as she recovered after a car accident, how Ami had bonded with Michael’s son Andre, the proposal, and on and on. It’s a heartfelt, beautiful speech. It's clear that Charlie and Ami are very close, and that Charlie is thrilled about this wedding.
All of that is lovely.
But all I can really focus on is the path I’ll take to get to Abigail if she faints.
Finally, it's time for Charlie to hand the microphone to Abigail.
I tense up as she takes the mic.
I watch her swallow hard, then lift the microphone to her mouth. "Hi. I’m Abi. Ami’s other sister.”
Okay, her voice is a little shaky, but she’s smiling. Kind of. It’s definitely forced, but she’s upright. And not puking.
So far.
“Congratulations to Ami and Griffin… I mean, Ami and Michael…” Her cheeks are now bright pink, and her smile is gone. “And…” She glances at her new brother-in-law, who is smiling at her, obviously not offended that Abi didn’t get his name right on the first try. “I love you both,” she says. “And…”
She glances at me. My heart thumps and I give her an encouraging smile.
“Good luck and…may the wind be always at your back, and the…”
She trails off, and I realize she’s got no words left.
Light laughter trickles through the room and I can’t keep my mouth shut. I simply have to save the day.
I'd like to think I would've done it for anyone, but that probably isn’t true.
But hey, she started a line from an Irish wedding blessing. It’s like she summoned me.
“Feck, sorry, I missed my cue,” I call out as I make my way toward where she’s standing. “Sorry, Abigail. You set me up perfectly.” I flash the room a smile. “I told her outside that it’s a custom in Ireland, that we’ve adopted in Cara, that everyone offers up a blessing and she thought that was lovely and asked if I’d be willing to start the toasts and blessings from the rest of the room.” I don’t stop until I’m standing between Ami and Abigail. I don’t touch her, but I’m close enough now that if she starts to crumble, I can catch her.
And if she throws up, my shoes are toast.
“And you all know I’m always happy to say a word. Or two,” I say. “Or a hundred or two.”
The room fills with laughter again, but now it’s directed at me.
I can feel Abigail’s astonishment, but I know how this will go.
