Page 84 of See You Soon
My chest tightens at the thought of him.
It’s been a while since I’ve heard his voice. Touched his lips.
Danny was starting to feel like a ghost. Like a figment of my imagination, I conjured up. His absence was starting to affect me. Whenever he started to feel unreal, I just looked at my lower abdomen and that was my only verification of his existence in this world.
I was so nervous waiting for his calls or texts. I kept busy between work, friends, family, reading, and the gym. It made the time go by faster. Right after the latest incident of Shane’s threats, I would get regular alerts to my phone from the front and backyard cameras.
“You may now kiss the bride!” The minister exclaims into the mic. His voice disrupts my thoughts. Meredith nudges me gently on my arm, making sure I’m okay. It's obvious I was lost in thought. I nod with a smile.
Harry grabs Emilia’s face with both of his hands, kissing her so deeply, everyone in the venue feels it. The crowd of families and friends erupts in cheers and claps. I whistle, putting my fingers to my mouth, jumping up and down with Meredith. Too bad I couldn’t pop a champagne bottle and drown my sorrows tonight.
Everyone heads towards the built-in tents in the secluded area on the beach. I sit down next to Meredith brushing my long blue dress down. We were at our assigned seating in the venue. It was very crowded inside the tent. Music was blasting loud, I could feel it in my chest.
Our bridesmaid dresses were one-shoulder dresses that were loose around my waist. They had a long v-cut across the chest that revealed a good amount of cleavage. I didn’t mind. My pregnancy gave me more to work. One perk of growing a tiny human.
Meredith is on her fourth glass of wine. The alcohol percentage was higher than usual and it showed. She was already slurring her words and the after-party was just beginning.
“I just love wine. Alcohol is the best.” Meredith sighs twirling her wine in the glass. She leans her chin on the palm of her hand, placing her elbow on the table supporting her head. The wine swirls fast and it look like it’s about to pour out of the glass.
“Woah there Meredith, slow down.” I cringe, backing away from her. I'm trying my best to avoid getting wine spilled on my dress.
“Why? I’m not the one that’s pregnant. I don’t have to slow down if I don’t want to.” Meredith’s tone is sharp and I’m taken aback by her candor. She burps and rolls her eyes.
“Thank you Meredith that’s so kind of you to point out.” I bite the inside of my cheek gently, taking a sip of my water. Sometimes Meredith has a stick up her ass for no reason and she rambles with no filter.
We sit in an awkward silence as the music changes to a slow song. Our food comes to our table. Salmon, baked potatoes with broccoli. My mouth waters and I start nibbling on my food.
Meredith and I both look up from our food to see a short, red-haired man approaching. He stops in front of me, holding out his hand.
“Hello there beautiful. I was wondering if you’d like to dance with me. My name’s Larry I’m a friend of the groom.” He asks, his tone overconfident and flirtatious. I grow uncomfortable.
“Oh, that’s very kind of you, really. But I’m fine, I’m eating right now.” I point toward my plate with my fork, hoping I'm letting him down easily. I give him a comforting smile trying to hide my unease. Larry frowns and pulls back his hand.
“Really, Ari? Come on, go with the nice guy,your baby daddyisn’t here to dance with you anyways.” Meredith cuts in, taking another swallow of her wine. Her tone is emotionless and I’m hurt. Her words pierce through me like a knife. She's clearly unaware of her actions and I freeze with embarrassment. She doesn’t realize she’s outed my pregnancy to a complete stranger and I’m exasperated with her ruthless character.
Larry puckers his lips awkwardly, chewing on the side of his mouth, reading the room.
I glare at her and stand up from my seat.
“Excuse me. I’m just going to get some fresh air. I’ve lost my appetite.” I mumble, throwing my napkin down on my seat.
Meredith freezes and she stops herself from drinking more of her wine. She fidgets in her seat and comes to self-realization.
“Ari, I’m sorry.” Meredith groans putting down her wine glass. She stands up walking behind me. I’m boiling over on the inside with fury.
“Don’t.”I whip my head towards her, ordering her away from me.
Meredith stops following me, frowning, leaning on one side of her body. Larry has walked away from the table, disappearing into the dancing crowd.
I continue walking out of the tent and head towards the ocean. I take off my heels as I jog slowly, one by one. The sun has completely gone down leaving only a full moon to light up the sky. Carrying my heels in one hand together, the waves call out for me.
There’s something about a beach that soothes my soul. It’s so peaceful and it stops me from balling into a complete mess. I stare at the waves crashing, listening to them, doing my best to drown out the music from the tent. The moonlight reflecting off the dark blue water calms my nerves.
I reach the shore and my feet touch the damp sand. The waves reach my feet and I'm enjoying the sensation of cold water.
Meredith’s words hurt me and I make a mental note to stay away from her for the rest of the night. It felt like she was throwing my pregnancy in my face as if it was such an inconvenienceto her life.
I hadn’t announced my pregnancy yet and I can already picture all of the harsh judgments and opinions when friends and family find out I’m pregnant. I’m not even sure I have a boyfriend. Never mind, a husband. My best friend revealed her true attitude towards my unplanned pregnancy and it hurt. I can’t imagine what others will say.
