Page 70 of Life, Love, and Other Messes

He got out of my way. It was still enough time for Gerald to catch up to me in the hallway. “Oh my God, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe…I’m just so sorry.”

I knew I had to turn and talk to him unless I wanted a bigger scene. I tried to settle down, but my voice was still icy from my run-in with Jackson. “Gerald, I’m gay, remember? And I have a girlfriend.”

“I never should have done that. I don’t know why I did that. I mean, I know, I understand, it just seemed like the right thing to do and that maybe we were on the same page.”

Really? “Nope, not on the same page. Look, you’re a lovely guy and my mother really wants to see us together, but it’s not going to happen. I hope you find someone wonderful, but it’s not going to be me.”

He nodded. His face was dark red and it looked like he was about to cry. “I’m sorry.”

I sighed. “I get it. Quit saying that already, okay?”

“Will you ever forgive me?”

That doesn’t matter because I hope I never see you again. “You’re forgiven. We all do stupid things.”

“Thank you. I should probably call it a night. Can I walk you to your car?”

I gave him a terse smile. “I have to stay until the bitter end.”

“Well, good night, then.”

“Good night.”

I didn’t stay to watch Gerald walk down the hall to the exit. I really wanted to wipe off my mouth like a seven-year-old, so I went straight to the buffet table and grabbed a second piece of cake. I didn’t want to taste boy germs for the rest of the night.

I wished Missy and Kevin were still there so I could use the baby as an excuse not to mingle. For the next hour, I sat by myself at the head table, sipping wine and wearing a look that said not to approach me. I watched my parents talking and laughing with everyone. I watched one of the feral kids from earlier in the evening knock over a fake tree and take off down the hall. I found Pastor Hardeman in the crowd, but Jackson seemed to have disappeared.

I finally decided I didn’t care what people thought and took out my phone to text Lisa. I physically ran into my nemesis and Gerald kissed me. It’s been a splendid evening. That about summed it up. I stared at social media until the crowd grew thin and the staff started to clean around those who were still there.

Mom and Dad finally came back to the table to collect Mom’s purse and me. “Do we need to do anything?” Dad asked.

I shook my head. “Kevin and I took care of things.”

“It was just lovely,” Mom said. She waved at the last couple of guests as they headed out, then followed them slowly. “Lovely.”

“I’m glad you had a good time.”

“So many people came! Did you expect all of them?”

“I got a ton of RSVPs, but it seemed like more than that.”

“Well, it was lovely.”

“Do you have those photos on a flash drive or something?” Dad asked.

“I’ll get them to you.”

“Did you and Kevin do all of that?”

“Kevin gave me a few but I put them together.”

“Wow,” Dad said. “That was a lot of work. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. I’m glad you liked it.”

“You are staying for church tomorrow, right?” Mom asked.

I nodded. “I need to get on the road right afterward, though, okay?”