what the heart wants

chapter 10: love like this may come once.

It was the week before Ella’s wedding. I was still the maid of honor, but I wasn’t doing much. Russell and Leo stopped by The Happy Drinker every once in a while. And Russell told me that James and Emily were trying to fix their relationship. So, I wasn’t really mad at James, in fact I no longer cried myself to sleep. The bar was doing better, and the last time I saw Emily, I didn’t have the need to punch her, in fact, I even said hi. 

It was 6 in the morning and I was already running around and finishing up the final touches for the wedding. I was in the room where the reception was going to be. I had a few more table arrangements I had to touch up, then I was needed at my mom’s house, where Ella was going to be getting ready. I was alone in the room, and I liked it. I was adding the final coral daisies to the centerpiece. After that I needed to add 3 candles to a table where we had run out the previous night. I heard the door open and close. I looked over my shoulder and saw Mrs. Laid glaring at me. “Good morning Mrs. Laid,” I said. As I moved over to the table missing candles. 

“No funny business today, got it?” Mrs. Laid said as she rearranged the flowers I had just fixed. 

“Sure thing Mrs. Laid,” I replied. 

“I’m surprised you haven’t told James....anything.” 

“Why would I?”

“I underestimated you Mildred.”

“No worries, everyone does.” 

“But I’ll keep an extra eye on you.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to do any less.” Then Mrs. Laid walked out and I collapsed on a chair, dropping a box of candles that rolled under the table. I quickly crawled under the table and picked up the candles. As I began to crawl out, I heard the door open and voices filled the hall. 

“I don’t want you near her,” Emily said. I froze under the table. I wasn’t sure what to do. 

“Don’t worry about me,” James said. I took in a deep breath. It’s amazing how just hearing his voice affects me so much. 

“You don’t want me to worry, then stay away from her,” Emily said. 

“I have been, haven’t I?”

“Yes, and I love you for that.” 

“Wait!” I heard Mrs. Laid say. 

“Something wrong mom?” James asked. 

“No....I just.....I thought some of the workers were in here,” Mrs. Laid said. 

“Ok....well we should get going James,” Emily said. The room grew quiet, but I could hear Mrs. Laid’s heels walking around. 

“Smart girl,” Mrs. Laid said. Then she left. I crawled out and snuck out the back. This was going to be long day. 

I walked into my parents house at 7, on the dot, and it was quiet. I had a bag with my junk and my dress in the little plastic cover bag thing. I put my things in the living room then I went into the kitchen and got some coffee. Someone must have gotten up already. I heard the front door open and close. “Hello? Anyone up?” Emily said. I took a deep breath and continued drinking my coffee. 

“They’re probably still asleep,” James said. I gently placed the coffee cup on the counter and snuck into the family room. Then I heard someone in the kitchen. I quickly went to the stairs. 

“I’m going to go wake them up,” Emily said, and lucky for me, she went to the other stairs. I quickly went up the stairs I looked down at the family room and saw James walking in. I slowly continued on up. You see normally, I wouldn’t go to such extremities to avoid James. But about a day or so after I’d told James about Emily, Russell told me that Emily wasn’t pregnant. So, I obviously was expecting James to go running to me and tell me that he was free, but I didn’t hear from James. In fact, Ginger called me the day after that to tell me that Emily had picked her as her maid of honor, and she was wondering if she could have the bachelorette party at the bar, and I of course did what any reasonable person would do; I hung up on her. So, I honestly didn’t want to see James because if I do I have a sickening feeling that I will do one of 2 things. I will either punch him and kick him in the crotch, or throw myself at him and beg him to not get married. It could really go either way. I was now safely in the ‘sitting room’ which was basically another family room but upstairs. I sat there pretending to be asleep until someone saw me. About a minute after I heard someone at the entrance.