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“We’d like to be married at the end of November,” Bethan said for her soon to be husband, in her quiet nervous voice.
“NOVEMBER!?” Mom shouted.
“Yes, I know it’s only about two months away, but I always pictured myself getting married around Christmas time with the fairy lights and Christmas trees. We could do that, right, can’t we?”
Mom looked at me with panic in her eyes and I already saw the sweat beginning to appear on her forehead. When I married Luke, our wedding was a small summer time ceremony and we had about six months to plan. However, to only have two months to plan a wedding, that would be a challenge, but not impossible, not while mom and I got to organize it.
“Mom and I will help every way we can.” I interrupt, not even knowing why I offered to help other than the look of gratitude from them both.
* * *
We had dessert and another bottle of wine to celebrate. When I heard my phone ringing from the dining room, I suspected it was Crystal, most likely wondering where I was and when I would be joining her and the other girls for drinks. I hadn’t realized that time had marched on, it was coming close to nine at night. Bethan, mom, and I had been chatting about what colors she and Joe would like, the style of dress she wanted to wear and if she had already picked out her bridesmaids.
Joe had also decided that my sweet Daisy was to be their ring-bearer. Which of course was going to be quite funny as she would most likely ignore his calls to walk down the aisle or would get too distracted by the pretty lights. Nevertheless, we would work with what they wanted.
“Do you need a lift?”
Dad asked as he spotted me leaning against the dining table flicking through messages on my phone.
“You sure?”
“Anything for my girl.”
Smiling at dad, I grabbed my things and said my goodbyes before jumping into the passenger side of his truck and headed into town. Everyone drove some form of four-by-four here as it was the best to use whenever we had snow. But this year, it hadn’t arrived yet, so we were all just waiting for the cold to appear.
“How are you feeling?” Dad asked me as I continued to stare out the window.
“I’m fine, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, I remember when you and Luke told us you were getting married and how happy you both were. Must be hard seeing your brother having his turn now.”
“Joe deserves to be happy and to feel that excitement. Beth is family already and honestly, I’m fine.”
I had gotten so used to telling people that I was okay when really I wasn’t. That it was just an automatic response at this point. I didn’t believe my own words. But, I was happy that Joe found the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. As his big sister it had always been my job to look out for him, but to also stand by him whatever he decided to do in life and my grief wouldn't stop that.
“Well, you’re still my little girl and I am only a phone call away if you want to talk.”
“I know dad, but honestly, I’m fine. I’m more concerned about the fact that Joe wants me to bring a date and I have no people skills for picking up guys at bars. Nor am I ready, or would even want to bring a random bar guy as my date.”
“Ahh, you will figure it out, you always do.”
He was right, in some way, I had always had a way of figuring things out and if push came to shove I’d ask Crystal to be my date. Even if I now had to beg her to bake the wedding cake and help us with the catering for the reception. She had grown up with Joe and I, so it only seemed right I’d at least ask her to help my brother, Joe.
I was grateful she was in the business of hospitality. Her cooking was incredible. Maybe I would suggest to her to expand her business one day and offer functions at the café, maybe as she had a knack for it.
As dad pulled up outside The Silver Cat Bar & Grill, Crystal was waiting outside for me as well as chatting to the bouncer. Kissing dad on the cheek before jumping out, I hurried to meet up with her. After she smiled and waved at him, we headed inside.
CHAPTER 4
Kimberly
The bar was one of the newer, updated buildings in town. It had sections within that weren’t all about blasting music. Instead it had areas that had board games, pool tables, dart boards, a hookah lounge as well as a small dance section with a DJ. It had quickly become one of mine and Crystal’s favorite places to go once it opened and it became our normal hangout.
“I need a drink.”
Those were the first words that came out of my mouth as we reached the other girls. The Coven, as she would call them. They had all been to something called a spiritual awakening and the end result demanded beer and thus our night out had been planned ahead.
“Everything alright?” Crystal asked me as I threw back my second shot of tequila.
