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Love Reunited

By Tara Taffera

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Elizabeth

It’s a good thing I’m not looking for happily ever
after. If I were, I’d move to the dance floor among the
other unmarried women in their newly bought dresses
lining up to catch the bouquet. I step toward the door,
needing some air, and my gaze falls on the bride and
groom—two of my best friends. Tony and Anna stand
wrapped snugly in each other’s arms, their love visible
for all to see. Everyone knows those two are meant for
each other, and to be a part of their big day as one of
the bridesmaids is a blessing.
Anna’s dark hair falls on bare shoulders, and her
olive skin, the benefit of her Greek roots, makes all
girls in the vicinity jealous. Tony matches her coloring,
though his comes from an Italian gene pool. Tony stares
at his wife for the millionth time that day. He gazes at
her strapless dress, which hugs every curve, grazes her
cheek with his hand, and kisses her softly on the lips.
My heart melts to see Christian, Anna’s brother,
whispering in my best friend Gina’s ear. He brushes a
stray hair that escaped the glittery clip, somehow
keeping her thick Italian mane in place. Those two
complement each other in every way, aside from their
matching Mediterranean skin tones. Two kids haven’t
lessened their love story. If anything, it blooms more
each day.
I exit the room, grateful for the cool air. Or as cool
as it can be on a May night in Florida. The only time
one feels a breeze is when a storm rolls in. That
certainly isn’t the case tonight, evidenced by the palm
trees a few feet away from me, their branches still as
the rocks scattered near the trunk. Tony and Anna chose
the ideal resort for their wedding, as I view beauty at
every turn. From the perfectly groomed shrubs to
flowers that burst out at every glance, including Anna’s
favorites—tulips and lilies. Earlier today, she exuded
giddiness, taking photos with her wedding party, the
heavenly florals as nature’s backdrop.
Two men engage in conversation several feet
away. The younger one leans on the deck rail, his build
and demeanor somehow familiar. I sit on one of the
benches and can’t help but listen. I guess they are father
and son—their comfort with each other and how they
both slouch against the rail. That same Northern dialect,
the little I can hear—all give it away. They are likely
here for another wedding—three are happening tonight.
I listen to the discussion centered around faith, and a
pang of jealousy shoots through me—of conversations
never to be held with my own dad. I distanced myself
from him a long time ago, after he tossed my mom and
me aside.
The young man, who paid me no attention until
now, turns my way, and recognition slams against my
senses. The messy brown hair, those hazel eyes. My
legs go limp. Please don’t faint. Don’t react. Then I
turn away from the memories and back toward my best
friends—my family, my lifeline. Away from the past,
hurtling toward me with a force that almost knocks me
to my knees.
~
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost. You’re scaring
me,” Gina says.
If Gina only knew the truth behind those words.
She follows me to my car while I struggle to get my
breathing under control. The air does nothing to fill my
lungs, and the humidity chokes me with each gasp. I
lean against the car, needing something to ground me
before my legs give out.
Gina transforms into caretaker mode. “I’m going to
get Christian.”
“No!”
Gina whips around, her face etched with surprise at
a tone never directed at her—until now. I stayed by
Gina’s side when her first husband and two-year-old
daughter were killed in a tragic accident. I know
everything about her, yet my past remains locked tight.
“Fine, but you have to tell me what’s going on,”
Gina says.
“Not here. And you can’t disappear. It’s your
sister-in-law’s wedding!”
“You’re right, but text me when you’re home safe.
And you need to talk to me at some point. Deal?”
“Deal. Thanks, G.”
She appears unaware that she threw me a lifeline,
saving me from the abyss. I would have drowned if I
stayed. I’ve treaded water for the past ten years, and I
pray the tide fails at swallowing me whole.

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