I turn to the guests, most of whom are now fully invested in this sudden plot twist.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I say with a shaky smile, “we’re making a small change in the program.”
A few polite chuckles.
I take Tim’s arm, and together, we walk slowly down the aisle. This time, my steps feel light. Free. Whole. I can feel
the shift in the air, in the way people look at us. Some are confused, others are teary-eyed.
Jason meets my eyes and nods. He understands. That’s why I’m marrying him.
At the altar, Tim kisses my forehead, and I hear him whisper, “Thank you.”
“No,” I say, blinking fast. “Thank you.”
The ceremony begins again, this time with everything exactly as it should
be.
But the story doesn’t end there.
At the reception, my dad keeps his distance. He nurses a scotch by the bar, his face unreadable. I dance with Jason, I laugh with friends, but I keep watching my dad out of the corner of my eye.
Finally, after the cake is cut and the bouquet is tossed, I walk over to him.
“Dad.”
He doesn’t look at me.
“You could’ve said
