Moments later, she was screaming, “Yes, Megan!” as another picture-perfect 3-point shot fell through the hoop. It felt odd for Ashley, essentially watching Megan on TV like some sort of‘fan-girl’vying for her attention. Watching as people cheered her name, asked for her autograph before the game and fought for even a small bit of attention. To Ashley, she wasjust Megan.
***
“Did you get the invite?”Nancy said.
“What invite?”
“I sent them out a couple of days ago, you should have received it.”
“Oh wait, what did I do with that?” Ashley searched the living area and found the invitation on the cluttered coffee table.
“Ahh, here it is. I was too busy watching Megan’s win yesterday. I forgot all about it.” Ashley placed the phone on the kitchen side and proceeded to open the little cream envelope.
“I’m so glad you watched it. She played great,didn’t she?”
“Amazing. Well-deserved MVP.”
“I agree. She was so happy when I called yesterday. It was heart-warming to hear.”
“I bet.” Ashley’s text had still gone unanswered, which wasn’t like Megan. It left her with an uneasy feeling.
“Wait, you’re getting married? You’re already married.”
“It’s a vow renewal, you silly thing.”
She glanced again at the invite, “Oh, of course.” Ashley laughed.
“It’s our twenty-year anniversary in December. We wanted to do something special to celebrate. Might be the last big anniversary wecelebrate.”
“Don’t say that!” Ashley warned. “You’re going to live until you’re at least a hundred, so we will remember this conversation at your Ruby anniversary. That is forty years, isn’t it? Or is it Pearl?”
“It’s Ruby, andI hope so.”
Nancy and Christopher were both in their late seventies. Neither of them had any serious ailments, they still worked over thirty hours a week at the bar and walked around Central Park almost every day.
“I know so. You’re fitter than me.”
Nancy sniggered. “So, areyou coming?”
Ashley didn’t hesitate, “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it forthe world.”
The little white card inside had silver writing that read,‘We still do’,with a photo of Christopher kissing Nancy on the forehead lovingly—a wedding day shot that gaveher shivers.
“I knew you’d come. Will you bring Madison?”
“Yes, if that’s okay?”
“Of course, darling. I just need to know for numbers, so I’ll put you down witha plus one.”
Ashley thought about asking if Megan would be there, but that was a stupid question.
“Where are you thinking forthe venue?”
The card was a save the date style, but the venue was TBC.
“Well, Christopher suggested hiring out a venue, but I don’t want it to be extravagant. It’s not about that, so I was thinking Central Park, by the bench. What doyou think?”
“I think that sounds like an incredible idea. There is so much sentiment behind that bench, that’s what people absolutely adored about your story. I think it’s perfect. Maybe back to Nancy’s for thereception?”
