Cara locked herself in the ladies room. She leaned over the sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The stranger reflected in the glass stared back at her, taunting her. Nervously she looked away and dug into her small clutch in search for the only thing that made her forget. She needed the escape. She found the orange bottle and with trembling fingers she opened the bottle. She shook it until the little white pills fell into the palm of her shaky hand. She brought her palm to her lips and threw her head back. She had become accustomed to taking three or four pills at a clip. She didn’t even need to chase them down with water anymore. A fifth wouldn’t be a problem.
She closed her eyes as they traveled down her throat, making their way home. She told herself it wouldn’t be long. They’d kick in right away and wash away her pain. She felt the tears slide down her cheeks and she wiped at them angrily. She looked down at her hands and the reason the pain flooded back tonight stared her in the face.
The ring Jake placed on her finger twinkled at her, a constant reminder that he was gone and she’d never hear his voice, feel his touch, or see his smile again. Tonight they were celebrating Nick and Sam’s upcoming nuptials. Sam was wearing a ring that held promise. Cara looked back at the ring on her finger, and all it held was absence. She would never marry Jake. There was no promise left. Slowly she slid the ring off her finger. She let out a gasp when she stared at her naked hand that showcased the faint tan line. It would fade over time, just like all his promises, until there was no trace left.
She heard a knock on the door, pulling her out of her trance. She must be holding up the line out front she realized. She shoved the ring into the pill bottle and closed it tightly before dropping it back into her purse. She composed herself quickly and headed out of the ladies room.
She found her way back to the table and took her seat beside Luke. She could feel him staring at her. He knew her secret and she suddenly felt ashamed. She lifted her champagne flute, trying desperately to hold it with her trembling hand; she still smiled at Nick and Sam.
“To Nick and Sam, may you live happily ever after.”