Julian and I had always gotten along. He was quieter than Adrian, but kind. At family gatherings, he was usually the one helping me carry dishes while everyone else argued over football.
I won’t pretend it didn’t hurt that I wasn’t invited.
But after Adrian’s death, I had barely spoken to his family. Conflictresolution workshops
Maybe they assumed a wedding would hurt too much.
Maybe Julian thought watching him stand at an altar would remind me of everything I had lost.
I tried not to take it personally.
Then I noticed Colleen’s corsage.
I had made it that morning.
It belonged to the groom’s mother.
Colleen glanced at me, then hurried after the coordinator.
I watched her go.
Something still felt wrong.
I told myself she was simply uncomfortable seeing me.
Maybe she thought I would be upset.
Maybe she felt guilty that Julian was marrying only three months after Adrian’s funeral.
I forced myself back to work.
The arrangements needed finishing. Candles had to be placed. The ceremony flowers needed one final check. SpecialOccasions
A few minutes later, I saw Colleen near the groom’s room.
This time, I almost ignored it.
Of course she was there. Her son was getting married.
Still, the way she moved bothered me.
She checked the hallway before slipping inside.
Then I heard Colleen’s voice.
“You need to hurry. The ceremony starts in 20 minutes.”
A man answered.
I froze.
That wasn’t Julian’s voice.
But I knew it.
I had heard that voice half asleep in the morning.
I had heard it whisper beside me in movie theaters.
I had heard it arguing about cake.
But that was impossible.
I moved closer to the partly open door.
Colleen stood inside.
Then the man stepped into view.
My hand flew to my mouth.
Adrian.
Alive.
And he was wearing the same suit he’d bought for our wedding. Weddings
I couldn’t move.
For one terrible second, my mind rejected what my eyes were showing me.
“Does everything look okay?” he asked.
Colleen adjusted his tie.
“You look perfect.”
