Fallout (Crank 3)

swells. Fists unclench. People return

to their places. Still, as the organ

begins to play, anger looms louder.

Aunt Cora appears, beautiful despite

the worry stamped into her face.

Maureen and Trey give her hugs,

then allow Micah to usher them forward.

Grandfather takes Aunt Cora on his arm.

Liam follows his best man to the altar.

That is my cue. I turn to tell Bryce

I’ll see him after the ceremony, but

he is nowhere in sight. The wedding

march begins. No time to look for him

now. I play my maid of honor role

exactly as rehearsed. As the ceremony

progresses, I steal sideways glances

toward the guests, but cannot spy Bryce.

What did I expect? That he’d never

discover the truth? That the shadows

of my messed-up life would never

appear in the face of his sunshine?

Through the pounding surf in my ears,

a watery, You may now kiss the bride.

My eyes overflow. Tears of joy for Aunt

Cora. The usual kind of tears for me.

WEDDING RECEPTIONS

Are good for one thing specifically.

Liquor. Mostly champagne, usually,

but Liam’s parents kindly paid for

a hosted bar. Now I’m definitely not