in fact, standing alone, in back.
Aunt Cora goes off to the dressing
room, gown hidden beneath a plastic
bag. “I’ll be right there,” I call. Then
I go over to Bryce. “Glad you made it.”
His eyes light up. You look great.
But I feel like a fish out of water.
I guess you can’t sit with me, huh?
“I have to stand up in front and hold
Aunt Cora’s bouquet. But I’ll sit
with you at
the reception.” I should
introduce him to some people.
There’s Micah, too handsome
in his tux. No, not him. Not sure why.
IT’S AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY
First, I’m having a hard time
remembering everyone’s names.
And as I struggle to label faces,
Micah comes over to, uh … help?
First he gives me a major once-
over. Whoa now. Don’t you look
kind of amazing? He ignores
my intense blush, turns to Bryce.
Don’t believe we’ve met. You
must be a friend of the bride?
But before Bryce can respond
(and say what? Sort of? Not exactly?),
Grandfather’s semi-feeble
screech interrupts, Holy shit