Waiting For A Star To Shine
Anne lay on the grass, staring up at the stars. Tomorrow… tomorrow, Stevie would marry Eric. The bouquet was ready for pick up, Nance said. Everything was ready.
She should be feeling happy for her boss, she WAS happy for her boss, Anne corrected but she also felt…
Jealous
Would she ever care for a man like Stevie cared for Eric? Would she ever be loved in return?
The North Star twinkled down on her, drawing Anne back in time…
“Yes.”
“And see that one?” His finger moved an inch to the right.
“Yes.” What did stars have to do with love?
“Which one is better?”
She didn’t know. “The big one.” Was that the right answer?
“Is bigger better?”
“Its brighter.” She so wanted to be right.
“Is brighter better?”
Anne scrunched up her nose in confusion. “I don’t know, Daddy.” He always told her that if she didn’t know, she should say she didn’t know.
“It gets your attention first though, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Will it always?”
“No.” This she did know. “Mrs. Bennett” her teacher “said stars burn out.”
“And when that happens, people will look at the other star first, won’t they?”
Like they would look at her first. She was the dim star. And Ginny was the bright star. Anne thought about that for a few minutes. “When will my star shine, Daddy?”
“I don’t know, pigeon.” She got a squeeze from her Dad. “But it will shine, I promise you.”
And it would because her Daddy always kept his promises.
Wedding Plans
“F**k James, why don’t you have a fax machine?” Two months later, a familiar voice barked in her ear.
“I spent my money on textbooks and booze.” It was easier to come up with snappy comebacks over the phone.
“F**k you. I need you to come to the city this weekend,” Stevie demanded.
“T…t…this weekend?” Anne thought of her economics project coming due.
“That jackaSS wants to get married and I figured, what the f**k, lets get it over with.”
“Married?” Anne beamed. He actually pulled it off. Eric was going to marry Stevie.
“What the hell, James, you lose your f**king brains? That’s what I said. He thinks us being married will help with transition or some sh**. Anyway, I expect you at the City Hall at one o’clock. Oh, and bring a f**king bouquet. That jacka$$ wants me to have one.”
The phone clicked.
A bouquet? What did she know about wedding bouquets? But… yes, that’s right, Nance had been busy studying the bridal mags, dreaming of her big day. She would scout one out happily. Practice.
