Tomorrow

Chapter Six

I lazily lay sprawled out on the living room couch on a mid-afternoon weekend. I am trying to read "A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens", but I find myself too distracted. I still couldn't believe Cyril was back. I was nervous and excited at the same time.

A small paw pops out from behind the book and starts hitting it.

I jump in surprise.
"Augustus! You silly little cat. You can't read books!"

The black and white feline stares up at me with curious blue eyes.

"Auggy." I stare back at him and tilt my head to mock him. "I don't know how to feel right now. Remember Cyril? Well, I saw him yesterday. Yes, I know, I was surprised too."

He sits on my stomach while continuing to stare at me.

"He suddenly leaves and doesn't come back until 6 years later? What kind of friend is that? I was starting to think that he had vanished from the face of the earth. Auggy, I need your advice."

He stares at me for a second,unblinkingly, as though he was really a psychiatrist and was contemplating everything I said. Instead, he rises and stretches, then jumped down from the couch. The bell on his collar jingles as he trots away.

I stare after him and sigh.

"Thanks for listening, Auggy. We really need to work on your responses though."

I chuckle to myself and pick up the book Augustus had been attacking.

I hear an approaching sound from the hallway as Mom walked in to the living room.

She stood in front of the couch where I was sitting. "Hey Quinn. How's your day been going?"

"It's been good, Mom. Until Auggy came and had a boxing match with my book."

She chuckles and looks towards Augustus.
"Your Dad loved that cat. He said Augustus will listen to anyone if they talk to him. It's almost as though Augustus could understand us."

"Yeah, well he really needs to work on his advice-giving."

Mom laughs out loud and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Why did I come here again? Oh yes, I remember now! Do you remember one of my friends? Her name is Shirley. Blonde hair, a bit short, has a son in college who is a few years older than you."

"Yeah, I remember her. I remember her son too, unfortunately."

"Wasn't his name Anthony? Anyways, she called me this morning, and told me that she is getting married!"

"Wow, that's great. Good for her."
I slowly try to pick up my book in an attempt to avoid the approaching topic.

"Guess what she asked me? She wants you to be a bridesmaid! She asked me to at first, but I told her I was too old for that stuff. So, she asked for you instead!"

"Mom, you know I'm not into that kind of 'stuff '."

"But look at you! You are such a beautiful young lady! You have your Father's hazel eyes, long gorgeous hair, and a slim body. Everyone's eyes would be on you!"

"That's exactly what I DON'T want, Mom. What if I do something embarrassing? Everyone would instantly see it. Then I would be the laughing stock for the rest of my miserable life."

Mom bends down and takes my hand.
"Quinn. Please, consider doing this. It will be a new experience for you, and Shirley told me that everyone who was part of the wedding will go on vacation with them."

My ears perk up as soon as the word "vacation" is mentioned.

"Fine," I try to disguise my newfound excitement. "I'll do it. But only because you gave me the guilt trip about not being social."

Mom's face lit up as soon as I had sealed the deed. "Yes! Quinn! You won't regret doing this!" She claps her hands together. "I'm going to tell Shirley right now!" Mom races out of the room like an energetic child.

I get up and pick up the pillow Augustus had knocked off of the couch. Heading to my room, I keep thinking about what a risky decision I had just made. "I don't want to make Shirley disappointed, but weddings just aren't my thing." I say to myself as I sit on my bed.

I pick up the picture framed photo of Dad that sits on my nightstand. "Hey, Dad. I think I've just made a crazy decision. I'm going to be a bridesmaid." The words sounded foreign as I spoke them.

"I'm going to be a bridesmaid. Dad, I've stepped out of my comfort zone for you. My little shelter that shields me off from the world of people that judge and laugh. Mock and backbite. I decided to say yes not only because there's a free vacation involved," I chuckled at my corny sense of humor. "But I also did it for you. I bet you would be proud."

I hug the picture frame and place it back on the nightstand. I sprawl myself out on the bed and close my eyes as my mind drifts into everything that had occurred since summer break had started. Slowing dozing off, my entire train of thought, including my hopeful and much needed nap was shattered as a black and white feline pounces onto my stomach.

He paws at my face, as if to wake me, and pounces onto my bookshelf while knocking down a globe.

I stare into his curious eyes and sigh.

I really need to get my life together.