Chapter 35 — Luke
Everything about right now was going wrong. I was being a chicken and I hated myself for it. As soon as Craig had parked outside the church, I jumped out of the limo. We were already late and I hated it. A crowd stood outside. Had I missed the whole ceremony?
I didn’t notice April was sitting there as if she was staring into space until I a soft sound escaped her lips. She was sleeping.
My parents had decided to skip the wedding, and go on their third honeymoon, especially after dad’s scare. They lied and told everyone he wasn’t up to it and in a way he wasn’t. He needed to be somewhere where he could relax and chill out. The Bahamas seemed to be the perfect place for it, so in a way, it wasn’t a lie.
Henry, the only cousin I did got along with despite the long line of my extended family waved at me and walked over.
“Hey, Henry, what’s up? Where’s everyone going?” I shut the limo door loud enough so at least April would wake-up.
“Seems like he took a leaf out of your book?”
I shook my head, thinking he was making no sense, and I wasn’t in the mood for riddles.
“Bride’s been stood up. The wedding is off. I’m just here cleaning up the mess and making sure any latecomers know the drill. Reminds me, not like you to be late?”
He asked and I thought my tardiness would be the least of his worries.
Kim was dressed in a pink dress. She looked like someone out of the ´80’s and I was kind of shocked in this day and age, that she would agree to wear a dress with many ruffles.
“Did you give him a heads up?: Henry nudged me. “Tell him about marriage and all its shortcomings? Uh? Uh?”
I shook my head in my defense because I didn’t even show up to the rehearsal dinner a couple of days ago. I had to sort something out with work and by the time I did remember it was too late. Henry sent me a text reminding me and by the time I looked at my phone I assumed the whole thing was over. Besides I wasn’t a major player at the wedding, I was just a family friend and since my parents decided not to come. I had to show my face, to represent them, which was silly because mom wanted me to go away with them. I wasn’t giving any speech or anything so I doubted I would be missed and after all dad’s issues and missing work, I needed to catch up.
“No. I didn’t.”
Kim cursed out a bridesmaid and stomped off in the other direction.
“You did a great escape plan with that one. Imagine if you had been married to her?” Henry laughed.
I shook my head. “I’ll rather not.”
I glanced over the limo. April was whispering to Craig.
“Look I’m out of here.” I patted Henry on the back, wishing him luck and telling him I was leaving at the same time.
He nodded. “Yeah, we should catch up. Been a while.”
I agreed and then walked over to both Craig and April who stopped talking the moment I came near to them.
“Well, seems like the wedding is off,” I said to April.
“I heard.”
“What should we do then?”
“I’m going home.”
“Right.” I nodded. “We’ll drop you at the apartment.”
She shook her head, crossing her arms.. “No, back home. Where I belong.”
“I know the wedding’s off, but that’s a little dramatic. I wanted to talk to you, but not like this and not here. Let’s go back to my place and talk.”
“No thanks.”
Craig stood between us and his eyes were darting from left-to-right as if he was watching a tennis match. “Where to?”
He wasn’t asking me, but April and part of me was curious as to what she’d said to him earlier, but as she pouted, and moved to the door I could tell she was going to me give a chance to explain and I’d better make it good.
“Please,” I said, knowing she could turn me down, leave and never be a part of my life again. And I didn’t want that. I’d fall on my knees before her if I had to.
“Fine. I’ll give you one hour.” She climbed back into the limo.
Other late arrivals were showing up and Henry told them the bad news.
My Uncle Pete asked, “Does that mean there’s no reception? No buffet?” He was not concerned about the wedding, but only his appetite.
Aunt Rose waved at me and I did the same thing back. We didn't have to talk, after all the wedding was off, there was no need for false pretenses.