Firecracker- John Shelby

-sixteen-

Tommy brought me up to zilpha. I was still annoyed and didn't want to do this, but refusing would be catastrophic.
"How does she look" tommy asked zilpha
"Good enough" she said.
I was escorted by Johnny dogs to the stand.
John hovered for zilpha to approve of him too.
Moments later I felt John kneele beside me.
"We're here today to join In matrimony, this man and this woman." Johnny dogs started.
I turned around and noticed Ada in the crowd.
"...and harmony and togetherness. Which is sanctioned and honoured by the presence, and the power of these two families around us. Do you John Micheal Shelby, take Shirley Martha lovell to be your beautiful wife to have to hold in sickness and in health"Johnny asked
"I do" John said.
I resented him for the fact he wanted this and I didn't. He didn't hesitate but he also sounded guilty for it.
Johnny dogs continued but I wasn't listening.
"I do" I said after he finished speaking.
"There remains one more part of the ceremony, it's the mingling of the two blood" Johnny said, reaching and cutting johns palm.
"Where the two family's become one family" he said cutting mine.
We pushed our palms together.
"I now pronounce you man and wife" johnny said
I pecked John on the lips then stood up immediately.
As I was walking away zilpha stopped me.
I stared at her sheepishly.
"Come here girl" she said pulling me into her carriage.
I sat down and she bandaged my hand.
"This is hard for you?" She asked
I said nothing.
"You have no feelings for the Shelby boy?" She asked
Something about her made me want to trust her.
"I'm upset because Tommy doesn't respect me and my decisions" I said
"This was the only way Shirley" she said softly, moving a piece of hair out my face.
"And you will make an effort"she said more firmly.
"After all, your stuck with him now" she said standing up and flattening her dress.
"Now your going to have fun at your wedding night" she said reaching for my hand.
I stood up and followed her out.

When we arrived to the afterparty everyone was signing and drinking and dancing and the atmosphere was intoxicating. It was impossible to feel like you had been wronged.
I walked over to John and Arthur, who looked nervously at me. I kept a poker face. They both waited in anticipation for my next move. I picked up the cup of the unknown drink in front of me, nodding down at the other two in front of John and Arthur. I let the grin escape my mouth and they both finally relaxed and picked up their cups. We all chugged the drinks  and screamed when we where done like children.
I let myself have fun, if this was my life, I was going to make it work.
John had found himself on top of a wagon, I climbed up to him, barely sober enough to stand.
"Alright Shirley?" He asked
"Yea" I said, stumbling.
"Watch it" he said as I tripped over the wheel
I eventually climbed up to him. We sat quiet for a moment.
"We're actually married" I said in disbelief
"I know" he said staring off into the distance.
"Zilpha said to make it work. I don't think I can, I'm the complete opposite of an ideal wife" I said.
"We don't have to just start pretending we're in love straight away, though. We can start from the beginning, except we're already married." He laughed
"I'm never, ever gonna be a house wife. Not some woman you can come home to and have her cook you meals and fuck you whenever you like" I said to John.
"Oh fuck off, should of told me that before I said I do" he joked
"John" I said sternly.
"Look we've already known each other for years, we like the same stuff, your beautiful and you don't mind my lifestyle.I might not love you yet,but so what?" He said
"You think we could actually fall in love?" I asked.
"Give me a year to try and make it work, if you don't fall in love we can give up, fake it for the lees but do our own thing, fuck whoever we want, sleep in separate rooms, whatever, but we have to give it a chance Shirley" he said
"Fine" I said
He leaned in to kiss me but I backed away.
"How am I meant to make you fall in love if I can't kiss you" he asked sitting back.
I scoffed, then grabbed the back of his neck to kiss him back. We heard cheering, clearly everyone had been watching us.