Written In The Stars

The Loose Ends Will Make Knots

Geo tried to get her words out as she was just as confused as everyone else. "I don't know where these came from. They have to be fake," her voice trembling. Brianna looked at her and then at the copy of the marriage certificate the website had posted. "That's your signature on the certificate though," she said. Geo stuttered as she tried to get her thoughts straight but she couldn't. This is a lie and they're messing with me! 

She grabbed her purse and left the restaurant not knowing what to do. Is production setting me up? Why would they do that? She ripped her mic off as she raced through the parking lot and let it fall to the ground. Production and cameras came out to follow her but she got in her car and drove off towards her apartment. Brianna quickly got into her car and followed Geo. 

Geo walked up the stairs as Brianna called her name. She walked angrily into her apartment and left the door open where Brianna soon came in. Geo sat on her bed rereading the article that was just published and Brianna came and sat next to her. "You haven't unpacked?" Brianna asked. "No, I haven't really felt like it". Geo laid down on her bed and looked up at the ceiling trying to piece that night together. Yeah she had lost a few hours of that night, but she knew it was impossible for her to have gotten married to a stranger. She had just met Devin and didn't even know his last name. It's simply impossible!

Brianna started to unpack the contents of Geo's suitcase as she laid on the bed in thought, pondering why the production team would make up such a lie. As Brianna threw most of the clothes into the laundry basket, she put a few unworn items on the bed next to Geo. She checked the pockets to make sure everything had been put away when she found the envelope. She opened it and noticed she was holding a physical copy of the marriage certificate in her hands. Also in the pocket was a card from the Graceland Chapel with a username and password on it. Brianna left the room and opened Geo's laptop. She knew the password so she logged in and went onto the chapel's website.

She entered the information on the card and was taken to a page titled: Devin and Georgette's Big Day! She scrolled through the pictures of the obviously intoxicated pair and realized this had actually happened. Her friend had gotten married with no memory of it even happening! How is that even possible? Brianna didn't think Geo was that drunk that night, but apparently she blacked out for a few hours and in the span of leaving the club and going to the hotel room, she and Devin eloped at an Elvis themed chapel.

Brianna got the laptop and brought it in the room for Geo to see. "Knock, knock," she said as she entered. Geo was still laid out flat on her back with her hands folded over her stomach. "I know you don't want to hear this but it's true. You and Devin got married and the chapel posted pictures on their website. I'm pretty sure it's not available for public view but they're here for you to see". Brianna sat at the end of her bed and waited for her to respond. 

After a few minutes, she sat up and took the laptop. She browsed through the pictures with a blank look on her face. So I actually did this? It wasn't production? Geo's phone started ringing and she looked at the caller. Mom. She handed the phone to Brianna and she nodded.

Brianna walked into the other room to answer the call from Geo's mom as she looked at the pictures. She walked back in a short time later and handed the phone back. "Your mom was very upset and did not want to talk to me. She just said to call her later". Brianna sat back down and Geo got an Instagram notification.

dbook
Give me your number.

Geo sent her number to him and sat the phone to her side. She sat the laptop on the other side and looked at Brianna. "I remember the Elvis impersonator but nothing else," she said. "How much did you drink?" Brianna asked. "It wasn't that much I don't think. The shots at the bar, then I had like two mixed drinks and...oh my gosh," she said making a sudden realization. "I had like three shots of tequila". Brianna pointed at her and nodded. "And now we know where your night went. You know tequila makes you blackout!" she said. "I know but I was having so much fun and I wasn't thinking too much about it," Geo said. 

dbook
Actually, give me your address. We need to talk.

She gave him her address and looked back at Brianna. "What's going on?" she asked. "It's Devin. He asked for my address saying we need to talk". She nodded. "I think a talk of some sort is warranted here. I'll wait around until he shows up". Geo got off the bed. "I need the company. This is a lot for me to process".

The girls migrated to the living room as they awaited Devin's arrival. Brianna had popped herself a bowl of popcorn and Geo was sitting on the couch with the laptop, Graceland Chapel card, and marriage certificate on the coffee table in front of her. She was watching E! News and they were talking about her Vegas wedding to Devin. "I honestly didn't even know that man's last name," Geo said. "I think it's safe to say you didn't know anything about him. You didn't even know he played in the NBA," Brianna said.

"But what do you think he's coming over for?" Brianna asked. "To get this dissolved, no doubt about it," Geo said. "I think the both of us have enough sense to know what happened that night was a mistake. We're strangers who had no business getting married". Geo looked down at her phone that began to vibrate. Mom. "I should probably answer her this time. I'm gonna go in my room". Geo got up and closed her bedroom door as she wanted a bit of privacy for the conversation. After about fifteen minutes of trying to calm her mother down and explain the situation to her, she walked back into the living room.

Sitting on the couch was Devin who had turned around to look at her. "What's up?" he said when he saw her. "Hi," she said to him. "I'm going to go and let you two talk it out. I'll call you later Geo". Brianna walked out of the apartment and Geo sat down next to Devin. "Nice place you got," he said. "Uhh thanks," she said nervously.

"So I came to talk about what happened in Vegas," he said. "I wasn't expecting you to talk about anything else," she said. Devin licked his lips and said, "Yeah". He looked at the marriage certificate on the table and then at Geo. "I think we can both agree it was a drunken mistake," he said. "For sure. I totally agree," she said. He picked up the certificate and looked at her name. "Georgette Marianne Chamberlain. I see why you go by Geo," he said. "Yeah it's a bit of a mouthful," she chuckled. "Where'd the names come from?" he asked.

"My grandmothers. Georgette Nelson and Marianne Chamberlain". Devin nodded and smiled. "That's cute. Is that a tradition or something? Naming the kid after their grandparents?" he asked. "No," she said. "Both women were trailblazers in their communities so my parents wanted me to have the names of strong women".

Devin wanted to ask just what they were known for but being there, in her home, was awkward enough for the both of them. He didn't want to linger because he only came to talk about the one thing, but he was a bit intrigued by Geo. "So I'll just call my lawyers and you can do the same. We'll get this over with as quickly as possible," Devin asserted. "Yeah I'm definitely on board with that".

 He felt now would be an inappropriate time to ask her about staying in contact since he did come over to tell her that the 2 day marriage was coming to an end. Even though it was something she expected and wanted herself, there's a time and place for everything.

"I gotta get going though," he said as he stood up off the couch. "Yeah, it's getting kind of late," she said as she walked him to the door. Devin stood in the doorway and in that moment, the sensitivity of that night came rushing back to them. That spark between them was there, but neither spoke a word of what they felt. They just gazed at each other with parted lips. "Ok well goodnight," she said breaking the silence. "Yeah goodnight". Devin walked to the parking lot and Geo closed the door. She pressed her back against the door and slid down until she sat on the floor.

"What was that?" she said through heavy breath. The flame that had been extinguished when they left Las Vegas had now been reignited.