Check Mate

Chapter 2

It is said that time heals all wounds, but whoever said that obviously did not know about the power of binge drinking rosé. I did not have the patience for the amount of time needed that would heal my cluster fuck of a wound.

The rest of my wedding weekend was spent with the women of my life taking it upon themselves to make me their own personal china doll. They force fed me soft foods, made up baths for me, dressed me in comfortable, pajama-like clothes and of course coddled me, like the newfound invalid that I was. If it was any other time in my life I would have protested, but I had no fight in me. It was not until I was in the airport bathroom that I really took a good look at myself. My wavy, light brunette hair looked dull, my normally fragile features appeared harsh and sunken in. My eyebrows needed to be done and my usually fairly pretty grayish-blue eyes just looked sad and red-rimmed. If they were remaking Dawn of the Dead, I would be the perfect candidate as zombie extra #1. I sighed and pulled my hair back in a messy bun. 

Normally, I took Xanax before flights because I was your classic anxious flyer, but I had been self medicating on various alcohols from the hotel, so I figured I would be too drunk to care. The only good thing I could say about Drew right now is it was a phenomenal idea for him to force me into first-class tickets. I got to board practically first and the flight attendants treated me like the princess I deserved to be right now. They offered me hot towels and gave me the flight menu. Within minutes I was reunited with my dear friend, rosé. I told the one flight attendant to keep the rosé coming, she reassured me my glass would not be empty. I love her.

While waiting for the flight to take off, I pulled out my phone. As the women took care of me during the weekend, the men did crowd control and kept any social media and news away from me. Apparently, a lot of the guests were pissed that they didn't get their gifts back right away and did not get to partake in the open bar. Many decided it would be best to voice these annoyances directly to me. So, my cell quite literally blew up with texts and emails, that I never saw. It became Ethan and Ira's self appointed jobs to answer back to these messages, some cordial replies of thank you's for coming and that their silverware set or whatever home starter gift would be returned back to them in a matter of a week. Then on the other hand, there were replies back to guests that followed more of a script of shoving said items, for example a crockpot, where the sun didn't shine. 

Frankie, Collin and Ryan organized the gifts, starting the long process of returning them. My dad acted as the messenger between the A team (the ladies taking care of me) and the B team (the men). He would knock on my hotel door quietly, which would then prompt my mother to excuse herself out to the hallway. After some time she would return back a calmly ask me, as if soothing an animal, different questions pertaining to what I wanted to do with unused wedding stuff. When she asked me what we should do with the expensive steak and salmon entrees, I said offer it to the staff and give whatever is left to a near by food bank. When she asked about all the flowers I said give it to the hospital. That went on throughout the weekend. 

Once it was finally time for me to head to the airport I asked Ira for my phone back. He had been hesitant to give it back. So, I half-assly tried to joke about if I didn't have it on vacation how would I be able to contact him to say I would be joining a convent. He did give a laugh at that attempt of humor, but the laugh didn't make it to his eyes.

"Drew texted and called you. I didn't answer or look at what he said and I didn't block his number, I felt that was your choice," Ira said, slowly handing me my cell. "But, I also think you should really just try to relax on your vacation and maybe not answer him back right away," Ira added, still holding the phone that I had reached to take.

I could see the worry in his eyes, I smiled and went to hug him.

"Thanks Ira," I said while hugging him.