The Night Before the Wedding

Chapter 1: Groom

The night before her wedding, the bride met the man she would remain married to for sixty-two years.

He was not the groom.

The rehearsal dinner was already underway when the cousin arrived. He entered through the side door of the restaurant, quietly apologizing to the relatives seated closest to him. His journey had taken longer than expected, and most of the family had already finished their first round of drinks.

The restaurant was warm and crowded. White tablecloths covered several long tables pushed together beneath strings of amber lights. Silverware clinked against plates, relatives talked over one another, and every few minutes someone tapped a glass to make another speech about marriage.

At the center of it all sat the bride.

She smiled whenever anyone looked at her.

She had been smiling for so long that evening that her cheeks hurt.

Beside her, the groom accepted congratulations with an ease she envied. He laughed loudly at his uncles’ jokes and told everyone how relieved he was that the planning was almost over.

“By this time tomorrow,” he said, raising his glass, “she’ll officially be stuck with me.”

Everyone laughed.