“Girl you have got to get up now!” A voice screamed in my ear.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Get away from me you evil banshee!” I cried as I covered my face with my pillow. I turned over so fast I fell off of where I was sleeping and hit the floor. “OW! What the hell is going on? I feel like I was hit by a train, dragged under a semi-truck and then thrown from an airplane without a parachute,” I said rubbing my eyes.
I slowly opened my eyes to see that I was sitting on the floor of my living room still fully dressed, with a beer bottle nearby. I couldn’t remember what had happened the night before, why I was in my living room instead of my bedroom and why my head felt so bad.
“Somebody turn off the sun please! I want my mom!” I cried pulling the blankets off the couch and covering my head.
“Sorry Sleeping Ugly, but remember what today is? You have to get ready for your sister’s wedding. Come on I’ll help you into the bathroom,” Pilar said.
Pilar helped me stand up, and held me up when I almost tumbled back down. We slowly walked towards my bedroom. I still couldn’t remember why I hadn’t slept in my bed. I also couldn’t see Monica anywhere.
“Pilar, two questions. First, why was I on the couch in the living room and not my bed? Second, where is Monica?” I said.
“You were so drunk last night that you passed out on the couch. I tried to wake you, but you were not going to budge for anything. So Monica slept in your room, and now she is with your mom having a pre-wedding breakfast. They are supposed to meet us at the hairdressers."
I walked to my dresser and pulled out everything I would need for the wedding as Pilar got my dress out of my closet. Pilar laid the dress on the bed, as I started to walk into my bathroom. I took one look at my shower and everything came back to me.
“Ahhh! Oh heck no, I am not taking a shower there!” I screamed.
I dropped all of my clothes and ran out of the room. Pilar ran after me and stopped me before I got out of my bedroom. She walked back to the bathroom and picked up everything I had dropped. Pilar put all of my stuff in my hands and walked me to the bathroom down the hall.
“Here, take a shower in here. I’ll get your shampoo and anything else you might need. I already put fresh towels in there this morning so you’ll be okay,” Pilar said.
Pilar started the shower and left me leaning against the sink. I stared at the wall as I listened to the water fall in the shower. As the steam started to envelope me in warmth I felt my stomach lurch. I practically fell in front of the toilet, luckily the seat was already pulled up. I threw up for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only a few minutes. I heard the door open as I finished hurling, so I knew Pilar had returned.
“Hey girl, I heard you kissing the toilet so I figured I’d wait until you had finished. Here’s everything you need... I’ll be outside waiting. Let me know when you’re out of the shower,” Pilar said walking out of the room.
I got undressed and stepped into the shower. The warm water felt so good on my exploding head, but it also reminded me of what I had witnessed the day before. I didn’t want to spend anymore time in the shower than I had to. I washed my hair and body in record time. I turned off the water and got out of the shower. I must have been moving so fast that I tripped getting out and almost hit my head on the counter, but luckily I caught myself.
“Hey are you okay in there?” Pilar asked through the door.
“Yeah, I just got out too fast and almost lost my balance,” I called back.
I quickly got dressed into my underclothes and favorite jean shorts and blue checked button up shirt. We were getting our hair and makeup done downtown instead of at the church so I didn’t need to wear the dress yet. As I put my contacts in there was a knock on the door. I opened the door to see Pilar holding my sandals in one hand and a bottle of aspirin in the other.
“Thought you might need these, the aspirin more of course,” Pilar said with a smile.
“Do you really have to be so cheery?” I said gritting my teeth.
“Yes I do, you’re lucky I’m not smacking you upside down for getting plastered last night,” Pilar said.
“And who exactly kept handing the beers to me? I may not remember much, but I do recall that,” I spat back.
“It wasn’t my idea. JC brought you in here drunk as a skunk, and told me to make sure you kept quiet. I couldn’t think of anything else to do. You were so far gone by that point I didn’t think a couple more beers would hurt,” Pilar said.
“Just remember you and JC are now on my hate list. If I fall down the aisle instead of walk down it, I’ll blame the whole thing on you,” I joked.
After I finished getting dressed Pilar and I slowly walked down the stairs. We got into my car, and drove the five minutes into town to get our hair done. Just as Pilar had said, my mom and Monica were waiting for us. I could tell that my mom’s hair was already done, but they were just starting on Monica’s. I could feel the anger rising up in my throat, but I knew that this was not the place to have a knock out, drag down fight.
I just quietly got in my seat, and let Clarissa the assistant hairdresser work on my hair. I was still feeling awful from the alcohol that I laid my head back and fell asleep as Clarissa did her thing. I don’t know how long I was out but the next thing I knew Pilar was gently shaking me.
“Hey Jen, Clarissa is done. It’s time to go, got to get to the church on time...” Pilar sang.
“Huh? Oh, man that nap felt good. Where are my mom and Monica?” I asked as I got my purse.
“Monica got down quickly so they went on ahead of us. I think Monica wanted to talk to you, but I didn’t think it was a good idea to wake you,” Pilar said.
I paid Clarissa and walked out side the shop. The sun was so bright I could barely stand it. I searched my bag for some sunglasses and put them on. I saw the liquor store sign next door and wanted to get something to take away this pounding in my head. Sure it wasn’t the brightest idea but at that moment it sounded good.
“Pilar could you go across the street and get me some coffee? I think I really need some right about now,” I said.
“Sure, here are the car keys. Unlock the doors and get in the passenger seat,” Pilar said.
“Yeah like I’d really drive the car in this condition. Do you know how many people would line up to kick my butt for that?” I asked.
“I’d be first in line!” Pilar joked.
Pilar crossed the street and when I was sure she wasn’t looking I walked into the liquor store. I quickly purchased some Smirnoff‘s vodka, since I knew it could double as water. I got back to the car and sat down before Pilar returned. I hid the bottle of vodka under my dress shoes in my travel bag.
Pilar returned with my coffee, which considering that it wasn’t from my shop wasn’t all that bad. I quietly sipped away as Pilar drove to the church. It took all of about 10 minutes to get to the church, grab all of our stuff and get inside to the Bride’s chambers.
I knew putting vodka in a water bottle and drinking it in front of everyone just before my sister’s wedding was going to get me killed. I actually smiled at the idea of ruining Monica’s “BIG DAY”. I loved my sister a lot, really I did, but I was sick and tired of her getting away with living in sin. Worst of all I had helped her out, and she repaid me by doing the one thing I couldn’t bring myself to think of without almost hurling.
I walked across the church to the parish hall with my bag holding the vodka. I hoped I’d find a water bottle or something similar that could hide my vodka. I search all of the cabinets and was just about to give up when I found a small bottle in the back of a cupboard. It wasn’t all that big, but it would do.
I was walking back to towards the dressing rooms, when I heard a door open and heard voices. I didn’t want anyone to ask what I was doing when I was supposed to be getting dressed. I dove between the pews and waited for whomever it was to pass. Imagine my surprise when I recognized the voices as my best friend Pilar and my “sort of” boyfriend JC.
“Are you really sure you want to do it today JC?” Pilar asked.
“I’ve never been surer in my life. It has to be done today, I can’t take all of this hiding and pretending anymore,” JC said.
“Have you taken into consideration how Jen is going to react? She’s already in a foul mood because of Monica and Lance’s antics, not to mention the stunt you pulled last night,” Pilar said.
“Do we have to bring that up again? It sounded like a good idea at the time, it’s not like I could drag her way until after the wedding. That wouldn’t have looked suspicious at all,” JC said.
“Well when are you going to do it? Am I going to have to call the paramedics and have them on standby? It could get messy,” Pilar joked.
“Thanks for the confidence Pilar...” JC deadpanned.
“I’m just glad I’m not going to be there, but knowing Jen’s voice, I’d hear it even if I were on Pluto,” Pilar said. “I better get back to the girls. It’s almost time!”
“I’ll talk to you after the party,” JC said.
“If you’re still in one piece,” Pilar joked.
I could hear Pilar’s laugh as she walked into the bride’s chamber. I waited until I heard JC walk to the other side of the church where the groom’s chamber was located. I knew that people would start arriving for the wedding and I didn’t want to be seen sitting on the floor crying. I couldn’t believe my ears, could my best friend and the man who claimed to love me actually be putting on an act while they hid their love from me? Could this day get any worse? Did somebody upstairs really hate me that much?
“They really must be laughing up there,” I muttered to myself.
I slowly stood up just in case someone was still in the room with me. A quick search proved I was alone. I didn’t want to answer questions so I ran to the bathroom in the back of the church by the entrance. I opened the door, and found it was empty.
“Thank you! I don’t need or want to see anyone right now...” I whimpered.
I carefully washed any smudge marks off of my face, as not to ruin the rest of the makeup. I took the vodka bottle out of the bag filled the small bottle up as much as I could. I took a huge drink straight from the vodka bottle before putting the cap back on and hiding it on the bottom of my bag. After one more look in the mirror, I walked out of the bathroom and back to the bride’s chamber.
“Where the heck were you?!?!” Monica yelled. “You do realize that my wedding is in less than and hour and yet you had to run off? You’re not even dressed!!”
“Oh calm down, it’ll take me all of two minutes to put the dress on!” I yelled back.
“Girls, what’s going on with you two? Jen, you haven’t said two words to your sister all day, and now you’re yelling. I demand to know what’s going on!” My mom asked.
“It’s nothing really, just pre-wedding jitters that’s all,” I said.
“It’s not like you’re the one getting married Jen. I’m a bundle of nerves, and you are NOT HELPING!” Monica said.
“Monica, calm down this instant. The guest’s should be arriving any minute now, and you don’t need them to hear you getting hysterical. Jen, you’ll get married someday and you’ll understand what your sister is feeling at this moment. I want both of you to apologize and shake.” Mom instructed.
We both stuck our hands to shake, and stuck our tongues out just like when we were little. You’d never know from this display that we were in our mid twenties.
“Sorry,” I said.
“Yeah I’m sorry too,” Monica said. “You’ll get married someday and then I’ll get to terrorize you on that day.”
“I wouldn’t count on it...” I mumbled as I looked at Pilar.
We finished getting dressed, and waited for the signal to walk out and start the procession. I knew that my dad wanted a little time alone with Monica so I went out to the hall. I closed the door pulled out my bottle took a quick drink and turned around to see JC and Pilar whispering.
“Get a grip Jen... it’s not like you haven’t gone through this before,” I whispered.
JC and Pilar saw me looking at them and pulled away from each other quickly. Guilt was apparent on their faces, but before I could confront them, Monica and my dad walked out of the Bride’s chamber.
“Okay, is everyone ready to go?” My dad asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Monica said smiling.
We all got in line and the wedding procession started.
Guest kept coming over to congratulate Monica and Lance, most giving comments about the upcoming wedding night. I started to bang my head on the table at one point, but after death looks I got from Monica I stopped. I just walked outside of the tent with my bag, made sure no one was around and refilled my “water” bottle.
I kept hearing comments on how good the food was, but just thinking about eating was enough to make my stomach churn. It was time for the best man’s speech, I knew that Joey had the honor of making the toast because he had beat Chris in a wrestling match a few months back. I could only imagine what Joey was going to say.
“Can I have everyone’s attention? Now it’s time for the best man’s speech,” Joey said.
“No it’s time for your speech. The best man here is I, and I’m not giving the speech,” Chris joked.
“That’s because you have the vocabulary of a 10-year-old. These fine people are too advance for your humor,” Joey spat back.
Before Chris and Joey could start going at it in the middle of the dance floor, I stood up. I walked over grabbed the mike from Joey and prepared to make my own toast. “Sometimes the Maid of Honor gives a speech, but Monica didn’t ask me to give one. Now I didn’t think that was a nice thing to do, what do you all think?” I said.
“What’s going on? Get her off of there!” Monica yelled.
I started to walk around the room ducking when I needed to so they couldn’t catch me. I could hear people whispering different things from “Is she drunk?” to “She needs to get a life.” I didn’t really care what anyone thought at this moment. I’d had enough of playing the happy older sister. “You all think Monica and Lance are so perfect! They were able to keep it clean these last 4 years. Ha! More like the were able to keep it quiet! Although I can tell you from staying down the hall from them this past week, they are anything but quiet!” I said.
“No!!! Someone stop her! Jen shut up!!” Monica cried.
“No. Why should I shut up? My life is pretty much going up in smoke right now, why not add another log to the fire? Did you know that my best friend is sleeping with my ex-boyfriend who says he wants to get back together with me? Oh yeah JC and Pilar I heard you two in the church,” I said.
“What, no Jen you misunderstood what you heard!” Pilar called out.
“Shurt up! I don’t wanna hear dat!” I slurred. “I heard you both going on about how JC needs to break the news to me after the wedding. Well I’ll save you the chance and say “GO TO HELL” right now. All of you.”
I threw the microphone down on the floor and walked out of the tent towards the ocean. I heard lots of shouting, and someone trying to calm everyone down. I just kept on walking to the secluded side of the beach. I took one look at the turbulent water, and I just wanted to end it all at that point. I heard someone running behind me as I reached the water, and then felt a hand grab my arm really tight. I was spun around to face a very angry Monica.
“YOU SPITEFUL BITCH! YOU ARROGANT, SELF SERVING LITTLE BITCH!” Monica yelled. Monica slapped me across the face so hard that I fell down in the sand. The surf rolled over me soaking my dress and covering me in seaweed. “You are nothing but a sad and pathetic excuse for a human! How could you do that to me? Why now? Why today, what the hell is wrong with you? I knew you hated Lance, but why Jen why?” Monica cried.
Monica fell down into a heap next to me. Her beautiful dressed getting ruined along with mine. “Do you really hate me that much Jen? Please explain why you did that?” Monica cried.
“I don’t know,” I lamely said.
“Don’t know?! Don’t know? DON’T THE HELL KNOW?! WHAT KIND OF ANSWER IS THAT!” Monica yelled.
“Quiet down! You’re hurting my head!” I cried in pain.
“Oh so sorry! Don’t want you to feel bad in any way!” Monica said grabbing my hair.
“Ouch! Let go! Let go damn it!” I yelled.
“Give me one reason, and it better be damn good!” Monica yelled stuffing a handful of sand in my face.
By this time Lance and JC must have figured out we weren’t in the circus under the tent and I heard them running towards us calling our names. “Jen, where are you?” JC called out.
“Monica, don’t kill her until I get there!” Lance called out.
“Shut up man before I knock you down right here!” JC yelled.
“Want to try? I’m so pissed off I could take on a lion and not get hurt right now!” Lance called.
“Just shut up and lets find the girls before they kill each other,” JC said.
Monica was about to stuff another handful of sand in my face when I felt her being lifted off of me. Next thing I knew I was being carried out of the water. I still had sand in my face and couldn’t see who was holding me, but somehow I knew it was JC. “Will you two knock it off? Lance you take Monica back up to the shop to get cleaned up. Justin is trying to calm the guests down and Joey and Chris are getting your car ready for you two to leave. I suggest that you two leave on your honeymoon right now, and save any questions or fights until you return in two weeks,” JC said.
“No, I’m not going anywhere until I...” Monica started.
“LEAVE NOW!” JC bellowed.
JC never yelled at anybody, so both Monica and Lance knew better than to keep arguing with him. JC continued to hold me in his arms as he walked farther away from the water. He gently laid me down on the sand and carefully wiped my face off with what I assumed was either his shirt or the bottom of my dress. “Oh Jen, how could you do that to Monica? I know you didn’t mean to do it, but why?” JC whispered.
“I was just sick of the perfect act they were pulling. I don’t know, I just can’t stand anymore lying. Why am I even talking to you? You’re just as bad that those two!” I screamed.
I tried to stand up, but the vodka along with all the fighting had made me very weak and I promptly fell down again. JC wasn’t about to let me get way so he pulled me to him and held me tightly in his arms. “Jen you have to listen to me, you have it completely wrong. Pilar and I are not having an affair behind your back. I would never in a million years put you through that again. I swear on my life I love you and only you,” JC said.
“Then what were you two talking about when you told Pilar you could take anymore hiding and pretending?” I accused.
“I was talking about hiding my feelings for you, and pretending that they aren’t as strong as they are. Jen, I never meant to hurt you in any way. I never thought you’d hear me talking to Pilar, or jump to that conclusion,” JC said. “Pilar was right though, you did overreact... just not in the way I had expected.”
“Oh that, you think Monica will ever forgive me for that?” I cried.
“Maybe by her 50th wedding anniversary,” JC joked.
“Ugh! I never meant to hurt her, really I didn’t. I promised to keep her secret, but I blew it and badly...” I whimpered.
“Yeah, I think that was the mother of all toasts. Even Joey could never mess up that bad,” JC said chuckling.
“I’m so glad you’re getting enjoyment from my pain,” I cried.
“It’s going to all blow over, just you watch,” JC said. “Jen, there was another reason for my wanting to talk to you after the wedding.”
“What is it?” I timidly asked.
“Well you have to turn around so I can look into your eyes,” JC said.
“I don’t want to...” I whined.
“Jen, don’t act like a 2 year old,” JC scolded.
I turned around to face JC and saw the most gentle and loving look in his eyes. I couldn’t believe what a jerk I had been. JC took both of my hands in his left hand and with his right hand he dug around in his jacket pocket. I watched as he pulled out a little black box, I knew immediately what it was and was too shocked to move.
“Jen, this is not at all how I had planned this, but this day has been crazy enough, why not add one more thing. I truly love you Jennifer Mason, I think I have since I met you. I screwed up major when I was younger, but you allowed me to prove myself to you. I only hope that I’ve proved how much I am devoted to making you happy. Jen, will you marry me?” JC asked.
I couldn’t form any words, all I could do was cry. My hands were still caught in JC’s, so I had to bend my head down to wipe my nose on my dress. I was about to answer JC when I took a good look at where we were sitting. I didn’t think JC had any clue where he had taken me, so I started to laugh. “Jen? This isn’t the reaction I was expecting either. Care to fill me in?” JC asked.
“You have absolutely no idea where we are sitting do you?” I asked.
“The beach near your shop in Pacific City, Oregon...” JC slowly said.
“No... the exact area to be precise,” I said.
“I don’t get where your headed with this,” JC said.
“You have absolutely no idea how ironic this is! You are proposing to me in the same spot that you dumped me seven years ago,” I said laughing.
JC just stared at me and then looked around, as if a light bulb came on and he started to laugh. “Oh Jen, why would I have thought about that. I feel real stupid right now,” JC said laughing.
“Don’t, it seems perfect like it’s in keeping with the crappy night I’m having,” I said. “I guess you are still waiting for an answer.”
“Actually, I was hoping you’d remember,” JC said.
“Well my answer is, I need time,” I said.
“Oh, I understand,” JC said.
“No I don’t think you do. I need time to clean up all this mess, try to get my sister to speak to me again before I can plan our wedding,” I said smiling.
“Are you saying what I think you are saying?” JC asked.
“Yes, I am... YES, JOSHUA SCOTT CHASEZ, I WILL MARRY YOU!!!!” I yelled.
“Hurrah!!!!!” JC yelled.
JC picked me up off the sand and spun me around. He put me back on the ground and was about to kiss me when I pulled away from him and turned to throw up. “That wasn’t the smartest thing to do JC,” I complained.
“You’re not going to take back your yes are you?” JC asked.
“Not in a million years. I’m your's... stupid mistakes and all,” I said. JC pulled me back into his arms and hummed a tune all his own as he stroked my hair.
“I think we better get back to the circus tent. I think I have a lot of explaining to do,” I said.
“It can wait, it’s our time finally,” JC said. We stood there staring out at the ocean, both tired from the day, and amazed at the journey our lives had taken to get to this moment.
