AllFreeNovel
Share Us
One Year Later
Christina
A hush fell over the wedding hall as I walked across the polished dance floor. In my right hand, I held a champagne flute. I accepted a microphone with my left.
Tell the truth,Alexis had said.
I looked out at a hundred and fifty guests in gowns and tuxedos.
The past year flashed before me. Instead of the wedding guests, I saw the faces of the people in my life.
My sister, helping me wrangle an internship at a marketing firm— which led to my job after graduation — while I was groggy from quitting Adderall, afraid I could barely handle the interviews. Whomping me during a pillow fight while we lived together. Letting me hold her while she cried the tears she’d been keeping in.
Sydney, handing me the forty dollars she owed after the first fall cheerleading practice.
Dexter, avoiding my eyes all year until he came over at graduation and mumbled an embarrassed “good luck.”
James, who smiled with relief when he saw Patrick visit and act like a bona fide boyfriend.I knew it was all a misunderstanding last spring.
My new friends — Allison, who roomed with me, Megan from cheer squad, Marcus, even Amelia. Real friends, because I allowed myself to be real with them.
My parents, who were so proud when I graduated.
Patrick.
He sat at my family’s table, his blue eyes never leaving me. As far as my parents knew, we’d met at school and started dating last May.
Over the past year, the glaze of ice had thawed completely. He could be cold with me when he chose, but he was so much more beautiful warmed up.
His family wasn’t a collection of faces in a photograph anymore. They were real people who I’d met. I’d spoken to his mom on the phone. Nick and Eddie let me act like their big sister. I got a smile out of his dad when I visited.
“As you know, I’m the sister of the bride,” I said, “and Alexis asked me to talk to all of you about love.”
*****
When the toasts ended and the band began its next set, Patrick led me outside. We stood on a small balcony overlooking the nearby lake. Night had fallen, and lights glittered on the water.
“What did you think?” I asked.
He pulled me close. “I’m a cynical asshole, but I liked your speech.”
In the ballroom, I’d gestured at the candles, dazzling off the goblets and centerpieces.
This is such a beautiful evening. But life doesn’t always glitter like this.People don’t always glitter like this, either.
It can be hard to realize that. To really be with someone and see all the parts that don't shine and glow, as well as the parts that do. It can be even harder to let the person you love see your own dark shadows.
But it’s not just about the gold — or the shadows. Love is everything all together. The dark and the light. The whole truth. Given freely.
“Well, I like you.” I hiked up my pink satin bridesmaid dress, the one I’d almost returned last year, and jumped on him, wrapping my legs around his waist. “How much you want to bet that you, Alexis, and Daniel were the only ones who liked my speech? Everyone else thought it was weird. I’m cool with that.”
He laughed and caught me easily.
“You’re a good girl, Christina. You’re going to be a great mommy to Ember.”
“God,” I snorted. “That kitten has turned you to mush.”
Patrick made no attempt to deny it. At graduation, I’d told him how much I was going to miss Amelia's cat. When I visited his apartment a few days later, he greeted me with a tiny black kitten. She was staying with Patrick until I moved to my own place, and he didn't seem at all sorry about it.
