Beyond the Family Ties

Part 29

The following week passed by in a blur, although each moment felt like an agonising eternity at the same time. Each day that passed felt like a death march towards the date of the wedding, and Becky slept terribly, if at all, trying to convince herself that she could do it. The night before, after a long day of rehearsals that made her feel sick, she was shamefully packing a bag to leave town the next morning. Metropolis was the most logical place to go, the place familiar, yet far enough away to hold no memories of Freen, and she considered going there for the weekend, waiting out the wedding, and coming back while Freen was on her honeymoon. Her friend would be mad, disappointed, upset, and it was cowardly, but Becky was protecting herself.

But after a sleepless night, spent staring at the flight she'd bought for herself on the computer screen, her face washed out by the brightness of the screen's light, she found herself stiffly climbing to her feet as the dark sky outside lightened to a blue a few shades lighter. Running wouldn't solve her problems. She had to go. Even if it was for some painful closure for herself, to watch her friend tie herself to another man, to be torn out of Becky's reach forever, she had to do it.

The sky was light outside when she woke Laurel, the merest hint of puffy white clouds, and a warm breeze on the wind blowing through the city. It was a perfect day for a wedding. Both of them showering, and then dressing in something casual, Becky made them both a hurried breakfast, checking the time to make sure she wouldn't be late to the venue. Making sure she had all of her things, Becky led Laurel downstairs, keeping a tight grip on her daughter's hand, and they climbed into the back of the Uber that pulled up outside.

It was a long and aching ride to Mike's golf club, where the wedding was scheduled to take place, and Becky found herself growing more and more restless with every block that passed by. Eventually they were free of the inner city limits, and the buildings grew squatter, with distinct rows of houses in neat suburbs forming before her eyes. They were in one of the wealthier neighbourhoods, and as they passed through the gates of the golf club, she scowled behind her sunglasses as the low white building came into focus in the distance.

Fields of lush green grass spread out on either side of the driveway, shady oak trees lining the path, and Becky caught the glimmer of a blue pond here, a yellow patch of a sandy bunker there, and found her hands growing slick with sweat as she balled them in her lap. Laurel was exclaiming loudly about her pretty it was as she peered out the passenger window, excited at the prospect of being flower girl with Ruby.

Pulling up outside, the Uber idled, and Becky paused for a moment, before thanking the young woman and climbing out, lugging her bag with her and helping her daughter out. As the car turned around on the large, graveled driveway, Becky shaded her eyes and looked up at the building. A few terracotta tiled steps led up to a shaded porch, wrapping around the outside of the white wooden building, and floor length windows let sunlight stream into the lavish club. White double doors led into the airy foyer, already being decorated with the blue and white flowers Freen had picked out. It was beautiful place to get married, Becky had to admit, but as she looked around at all the details depicting the wedding that was about to take place, it just made her feel nauseous.

People rushed past, carrying flowers, carrying crates of wine down a hallway off to the left, to the room the reception was going to take place in, and Becky skirted the edge of the room, catching glimpses of people rush past outside. A woman spotted her a few moments later, hurrying over to ask her what she wanted, and was led down a hallway off to the right, towards the room where everyone was getting ready.

Knocking on the door she was led to, she poked her head inside, taking in the sights of Freen, Angel and Sam in silk robes, while Ruby played on her iPad in the corner, and Eliza chatted to one of the wedding organisers. Hair and makeup were already there, and Sam was already seated in a chair, her hair in curlers, and a woman applying eyeshadow to her closed eyelids. At Becky's entrance, ushering Laurel in ahead of her and closing the door, she was greeted with a chorus of enthusiastic hello's, and Freen climbed to her feet, giving her a nervous smile, which quickly wilted.