By Claire Schön
“The usual suspects, I see.” Not the huge crowd I expected she’d invite; just an exclusive few.
Jokes abound: “She’ll drink the bar dry before we get there,” “Bet there’s karaoke and she keeps the mic all night.” Instead, champagne is served and a girl plays ‘Hallelujah’ on a harp.
We listen for that big-brass-band laugh that always drew a crowd; we hear her tinkle.
I pictured her in flaming red or shocking pink, not the done thing but very her. She wears white.
He slides the ring on her finger sealing every last scrap of her former self to history.
Nice that all presumptions turned out to be wrong; a lesson in not making judgements. Good for her ?
.. Sorry, meant to be a smiley face, not a question mark..
Ring in the changes.
Thank you for commenting, Kelly. It is great to read the many different interpretations.
The death knell. Presented with an excellent choice of words. Kudos!
Thank you, Shoshauna – you just made my day.
Powerful piece. I know a lot of women whose true authenticity becomes repressed when they marry. I love that thus can be seen as merely becoming a more responsible adult as potentially tragic.
Thank you, Rosemarie – yes, inspired by exactly that.
the snarky voice of the narrator vs the bride’s natural bubbliness – great story.
Thanks, Nancy. Glad you enjoyed it.
I found it sad.
Beautifully written.
Thank you, Liz.
Thank you, Rosemarie – yes, inspired by exactly that.
Amen, my sister! This is brilliant and beautiful and captures something most don’t write about or speak of: what does it mean to be truly liberated? how do you know when you are? when do you know that you are not? Thank you.
felt myself dissolving with her- well done!
Wow! So true. You’ve perfectly described someone I know who did this exactly. Well done on the description Claire.
Have read it several times. Has she lost herself or found herself? Great writing Clairey!
Love it. Sad that she is losing herself to someone new. Sometimes this does happen and friendships fall away because of it. Brilliant.