AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Goodbye, Jenny," he rasps when he finally pulls away from me, his eyes boring into mine. He takes a step back, opens the door. I watch him go and wonder what's gotten into him.
Before I can dwell on it for too long, my phone rings, reminding me I have somewhere to be.
It's Mom.
"I know, I know," I answer. "I'm on my way."
"I'm freaking out, Jenny," she cries on the other end of the line. "The tablecloths are white, not cream. I specifically told them cream."
"Mom," I try to hide a laugh by coughing, "I'll be there in two hours. Just put the tablecloths on. We'll figure it out."
"Drive careful, baby," she tells me.
"I always do."
—
I help Audra slip into her long, lace wedding dress. Her dark hair is pinned in a low bun at the nape of her neck, curled tendrils framing her face.
"How do I look?" she asks as she smooths the silky material over her stomach, eyeing herself in the mirror.
"You look amazing," I smile at her as I pick up my makeup bag.
"This was the backup dress, and I don't think it fits right," she furrows her brow.
"No," I shake my head, "you do not get to say anything mean about yourself. You gave birth a week ago. A week, Audra. You look amazing. If I hear one more—"
But she starts crying before I finish. I set my makeup bag down and walk over to her, my hands reaching for hers. "I don't know if I can do this."
"You don't know if you can do what?" I raise my eyebrows.
"Am I making a mistake here?" she implores, her eyes big and wide and worried.
I don't know what to say. "I can't answer that for you."
"I love him," she closes her eyes, letting the tears fall down her cheeks. "But is that enough of a reason to get married?"
"What do you want to do?" I ask her.
"I don't..." she trails off.
"How about this? Just say the first answer that comes to your mind," I instruct. "Do you love Matt?"
"Yes," she laughs through the tears.
"Do you want to marry him?"
"Yes."
"There. You have your answer then," I flash my eyebrows at her.
"No, I don't!" she says, panicked. "That's the worst way to make a life decision, Jenny. The first thought that comes to mind? Really? This is my future!"
I shrug. "That's right. It's your future. You get to decide what it looks like."
"Go get your mom," she huffs at me.
"What?" I ask, taken aback.
