A Beautiful Wedding

“Yes, that would be great,” I said, sitting down.

“Be right back,” she lilted as she backed out of the room and closed the door behind her. I could hear her humming down the hall.

I leaned back against the couch, trying to process what had just happened, and wondering if Chantilly had just chugged a 5-hour ENERGY, or if she was just naturally that chipper. Even though I was just sitting, my heart was pounding against my chest. This is why people had witnesses: to help them keep calm before the wedding. For the first time since we’d landed, I wished Shepley and my brothers were there with me. They would have been giving me all kinds of shit, helping to keep my mind off the fact that my stomach was begging to throw up.

The door opened. “Here you are! Anything else? You look a little nervous. Have you eaten?”

“Nope. I haven’t had time.”

“Oh, we can’t have you passing out at the altar! I’ll bring you some cheese and crackers, and maybe a little fruit plate?”

“Uh, sure, thanks,” I said, still a little bewildered by Chantilly’s enthusiasm.

She backed out, shut the door, and I was alone again. My head fell back against the couch, my eyes picked out different shapes in the wall texture. I was grateful for anything that kept me from glancing down at my watch. Was she coming? I closed my eyes tight, refusing to go there. She loved me. I trusted her. She would be here. Goddammit, I wished my brothers were here. I was going to go out of my everlovin’ mind.


Abby

“Oh, don’t you look pretty,” the driver said as I slid into the backseat of the taxi.

“Thank you,” I said, feeling relieved to be out of the casino. “Graceland Chapel, please.”

“Did you want to start out the day married, or what?” the driver said, smiling back at me from the rearview mirror. She had short, gray hair, and her backside filled up all of the seat, and then some.

“It was just the quickest we could get it done.”

“You’re awfully young to be in such a hurry.”

“I know,” I said, watching Las Vegas pass by outside my window.

She clicked her tongue. “You look pretty nervous. If you’re having second thoughts, just let me know. I don’t mind turning around. It’s okay, honey.”

“I’m not nervous about getting married.”

“No?”

“No, we love each other. I’m not nervous about that. I just want him to be okay.”

“You think he’s having second thoughts?”

“No,” I said, laughing once. I met her eyes in the mirror. “Are you married?”

“Once or twice,” she said, winking at me. “I got married in the same chapel that you are the first time around. But so did Bon Jovi.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“You know Bon Jovi? Tommy used to work on the docks!” she sang, very much to my surprise.

“Yep! Heard of him,” I said, amused and grateful for the distraction.

“I just love him. Here! I have the CD.” She popped it in, and for the rest of the drive we listened to Jon’s greatest hits. “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Always,” “Bed of Roses”; “I’ll Be There for You” was just finishing up as we pulled over to the curb in front of the chapel.

I pulled out a fifty. “Keep the rest. Bon Jovi helped.”

She gave me back the change. “No tip, honey. You let me sing.”

I shut the door and waved to her as she left. Was Travis already here? I walked up to the chapel and opened the door. An older woman with big hair and too much lip gloss greeted me. “Abby?”

“Yes,” I said, fidgeting with my dress.

“You’re stunning. My name is Chantilly, and I’ll be one of your witnesses. Let me take your things. I’ll put them away, and they’ll be safe until you’re finished.”

“Thank you,” I said, watching her take away my purse. Something swished when she walked, though I couldn’t pinpoint what exactly. “Oh, wait! The . . .” I said, watching as she walked toward me holding out my purse. “Travis’s ring is in there. I’m sorry.”

Her eyes were barely slits when she smiled, making her fake lashes even more noticeable. “It’s fine, honey. Just breathe.”

“I don’t remember how,” I said, sliding his ring over my thumb.

“Here,” she said, holding out her hand. “Give me your ring and his. I’ll give them to each of you when it’s time. Elvis will be by shortly to take you down the aisle.”

I looked at her, blank faced. “Elvis.”

“As in The King?”

“Yes, I know who Elvis is, but . . .” My words trailed away as I pulled off my ring with a small tug, and placed it in her palm next to Travis’s ring.

Chantilly smiled. “You can use this room to freshen up. Travis is waiting, so Elvis will be knocking any minute. See you at the end of the aisle!”