Wedding Woes

          Eve was noticeably nervous waiting for the big moment. Her mother, Sonja, was fidgeting with her dress and trying to make her hair more appealing. Sharon, her best friend, and maid of honor, was trying to apply her make-up without making her look like a clown.

         "Will you stand still so that I can make sure you look picture perfect for the photographer", seethed Sonja.

         Angrily, Eve yelled,"Sonja, just leave me alone. This day is nerve wracking enough without you adding to its fury."

         Standing up, red faced, Sonja reeled,"How can you disrespect me like that? I am your mother, not some floozy on the street. I am Mom or Mother to you and nothing else."

         "Mrs. Monroe, I think Eve needs some time. This is a big day for her and she probably never thought she would be getting married. Can you please back off for now? Paul will be here soon. He and Bill were on their way when I called a few minutes ago. I'm sure he's just as nervous as Eve is." Sharon tried to calm the incident.

         Eve started to relax somewhat and let Sharon finish with the make up application. She stood up, looked at herself in the mirror, and tried to regain her composure. The photographer already arrived to take pictures of the bride and her attendants along with few of Eve and her mother..

         As the photographer arranged the people for the various poses, Sonja was still seething at her daughter's earlier remark. As Eve was posing with Sharon, Sonja grabbed her purse and made an abrupt exit. The pictures continued with the rest of the bridal party and the flower girl. The photographer innocently asked Eve, "Will there be any pictures with you and your mother?" Eve was taken aback and didn't know what to tell him. Sharon went out in the hall to find Sonja and prod her to return. In order to not make a scene, Sonja followed like a puppy.

         The pictures were taken and the photographer left. Upon his exit, Randy, Eve's father, peeked in to inform the women that the groom had arrived. He went to get the groom and his party ready for their turn with the camera. After he left, Penny, Paul's sister, came in the room. Fidgeting with her dress and make-up bag, she was very apologetic.

         "I'm so sorry that I'm late. Paul called me and we had to talk."

         Sonja turned to Penny, with left over anger in her eyes. "You missed the pictures with the bridal party. Dana, Sharon, Lisa, Annie, and Pam all came on time. You always have to throw things off schedule."

          Penny shot a look at Sonja that froze the room. Trying not to start an argument, Pam, Eve's college friend, went to find the photographer. Soon, she returned with him to take some more pictures. After their conclusion, the music for the processional began playing. The parties started lining up for the walk down the aisle. First to walk were Dana, Eve's sister, accompanied by Paul's childhood friend, Russell. Next came Annie, Eve's friend from work, accompanied by David, Paul's youngest brother. Third was Pam, Eve's co-worker, ushered by Brian, Paul's co-worker and longtime friend. Fourth was Penny, Paul's sister who was ushered by Kevin, Eve's brother. Sharon was ushered by the best man, Ken, Paul's older brother. Before Eve made her grand entrance, Lisa, her neice, walked unsteadily with the flower basket and holding hands with the ring bearer, Bobby, Paul's nephew.

         As the doors opened, everyone stood up to view the bride's arrival, Eve walked arm-in-arm with her parents to meet her future husband. As she took Paul's hand she glowed, and her blue eyes sparkled. Paul couldn't look directly at her. They both looked at the pastor and the ceremony began.

          While the photographer's camera was flashing, the ceremonial rituals progressed. When the pastor came to the portion of the ceremony that invites possible interaction, Sharon bacame very uneasy. Paul was jittery and wished the whole ordeal was over.

         "If there is anyone here with just cause why these two people should not be married, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

         Sharon stood up and raised her objections. Her husband, Tony, was aghast. Her admission left the church in utter disbelief. A deafening silence enveloped the room. The pastor, not knowing what to do next, allowed Sharon her time to speak. Eve turned to her best friend and the anger in her was illuninating.

         "Eve, you can't marry Paul. He has cheated on you many times since you have been back together. He cheated with Amelia for the last three months. He went to her house last night, after he talked to you. He didn't come back until 4:00 a.m."

         Hearing this news shocked Eve. Paul had sworn to her that he and Amelia were finished. She dropped her bouquet and ran from the room. Sharon ran after her, hoping that she didn't hate her. Randy ran out of the pew straight for Paul. He roughly walked him out in the lobby.

         With piercing anger flaring in his eyes, Randy wanted answers immediately. "Well, you'd better start talking boy. What just happened in there? My daughter is in tears and you are the cause. Did you cheat on her? Who is Amelia?"

         "Mr. Monroe, this is between Eve and me. I need to talk to her now," Paul said uneasy.

         "No it isn't. You have involved all of us in this. I want to know what is going on, so talk, son. Right now," Randy demanded.

         Paul couldn't face Randy. He felt like a bear in a trap and wanted to find the exit and fast. He started stammering and slurring his words. Just as he was about to tell everything, the door to the church opened. Amelia stepped in and walked over to Paul.

         She stood next to Paul, but turned to Randy to confess everything. She introduced herself to Randy and gave Paul a kiss on the cheek. Seeing this infuriated Randy.

         "I'll expect some answers from you. I will leave you with this mess. You have a lot of explaining to do to my daughter," Randy said furiously.

         Randy walked away to find Sonja and Eve. Paul, shell shocked, turned to Amelia and ordered her to leave. Amelia looked at him with her eyes lowered.

         "Aww, come on Paul. You knew you were with me, and it was GREAT! That prissy pants had to be told the truth," Amelia responded.

          Amelia sat down on the only chair in the lobby. Looking at Paul, she shook her head.

         "Were you really going to marry that little Bo Peep? Yes, you took her virginity. She let you, for God's sake. Another notch on your belt, that's all she was."

         "You don't know a thing, Amelia. I really did love her. I still do. Now that you've come here, everything is ruined. Thanks a lot," exclaimed Paul.

         Amelia rose from the chair. She walked over to Paul, put her hands on his shoulders, gave him a long enduring kiss, then abruptly stopped when she saw Penny out of the corner of her eye. She stepped back, tried to gain herself and started stammering.

         "What are you doing here, Amelia? Putting more salt in the wound?," Penny hissed.

         "I'm here to claim what's mine. Paul and I were never over. I still and always will love him. You and I used to get along. I'd think you'd be relieved that I stopped this farce," Amelia retorted.

         "I'm friends with Eve. This isn't right. I'm going to see if I can talk to her, and straighten this out. I'm also going to talk to this person, and knock some sense in his head," Penny said, pushing Paul.

         Penny headed to the bride's room to find Eve. Upon arrival, she was met by Randy and barred from entering. She pushed her way through and went to comfort her friend.

         "Are you here to plead your brother's case? Eve doesn't want to hear what you have to say," Randy said angrily.

         "Mr. & Mrs. Monroe, I am truly sorry for my brother's actions. I'm not here to plead for him. I'm here as Eve's friend," Penny pleaded.

         "Penny, you're his sister, my friend, and you didn't say anything. Why? He's been doing this all along? I feel so dirty right now. I gave him something very precious-myself. All I want to do is go home, take a shower, and curl up."

          Penny and Sharon looked at each other. They were at a loss as to what to tell Eve. All they could do was apologize for their part in the whole fiasco. They wondered if Eve would forgive them.

         Randy paced the floor and all he could do was complain about the money that was spent. Sonja nagged about what the extended family was going to do or say. Eve looked at both of them and couldn't believe that she was a product of these two people.

         "All I know is that we need to go back out there and try to do some damage control," Randy surmised.

         As Randy started walking out to try to calm the guests, Sonja was talking after him trying to tell him what to say and how to make it come across. As they left the bride's room, they passed Paul, who was coming to talk to Eve. Randy didn't know what to do, either go to the guests or prevent his daughter's fiance from talking to her. He opted to protect his daughter. Sonja told him that she would handle the guests.

         Randy went back to see how Eve was handling things. Sharon, Penny, Lisa, and Dana were still with Eve and were comforting her. Eve's eyes were bloodshot and her appearance was not of the beautiful bride of a half hour ago. Lisa walked up to her aunt and gave her a big hug.

         "I'm sorry Aunty Eve," Lisa said.

         Eve hugged Lisa and wiped her eyes. She stared and felt drained. She knew she couldn't marry Paul. The relationship was over. He saw to that. The puddle of tears soon turned to defiance and rage.

          "Eve, what do you want to do? Mom is out in the church making a bad situation worse. It's your choice," Dana said sternly.

         Randy motioned for Dana so he could talk to her. She went over to see what he wanted. As they were talking, Eve stood up and started looking for Paul. She needed to tell him exactly how she felt and repair what he did and get some dignity back.

          "I'm going to thank the guests for coming. There won't be any wedding. I'm also telling Paul's family and friends that they are not welcome to join us at our "Separation" party. I'm very sorry for everyone spending all the money they did. The one thing is, we shouldn't let all that good food go to waste. There is a great D.J. who plays great music."

          Upon hearing Eve's confession, Randy's mouth was agape. He walked over to her, followed by Dana and the other women. They were met by Sonja who was returning from her speech to the guests.

         "Mom, what did you tell everybody? Is anyone still here?," Dana asked.

         "I told them that there would not be a wedding. I also thanked them for coming."

         She looked at Randy, and asked the ultimate question. "What about the reception and D.J.?"

         "Eve wants to still have the party with the D.J.. She wants to say something to the guests. Don't worry. We will handle things as they come. Let her go. She needs to handle this."

         "She's too upset, and what if she runs into Paul? She needs me," Sonja pleaded.

         Randy pulled Sonja back and prevented her from interfering. Sonja knew by Randy's look that she had to back off.

         Once Eve reached the church, she composed herself and walked in to face her guests. Before she spoke, she scanned the room, looking for Paul. He wasn't in the room.

         "Hello everyone. I know my mother has already spoke to you and thanked you for coming. I do the same. There won't be a wedding today. I apologize for your inconvenience. Paul and I are longer together. I don't want to ever see him again. Now for the good news. There will still be a party. Instead of a reception, it will be a "My Life Party." Everyone here is invited, except Paul's friends and family. All gifts will be returned as soon as possible."

         Eve turned to go back to the bride's room to get out of the dress that she despised. Before starting to do this, she removed her engagement ring and flushed it down the toilet. The ring she bought for Paul was still in its box. She opened it, looked at it, then closed it. She hoped the store would take it back and give her the money back.

         While Eve was changing, there was a knock at the door. She hesitated before answering.

         "Who is it?," Eve asked.

         "Eve, it's me. It's Paul. I need to talk to you. Please let me in," Paul pleaded.

          "I don't want to talk to you. You're nothing but a lier. Please leave," Eve angrily retorted.

         "I'm not going to leave until you let me in to talk to you. I need to explain things to you," Paul demanded.

         "There is no way you can explain cheating. Besides, I thought you'd be with your one true love, Amelia," Eve said snidely.

         "You're my one true love. I know you don't think so, but it's true," Paul begged.

         Eve put her finger down her throat, imitating wanting to vomit. She hurried as fast as possible to get out of that room and get away from the man who made what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life the worst. After washing her face, combing her hair out and straightening her appearance, she looked at herself in the mirror one last time.

         Paul was still outside the door as Sonja and Randy passed by him to enter the room. Randy tried the door and found it locked. Perplexed, he knocked and called out Eve's name.

         Eve opened the door and looked at her parents. "What is he still doing here?,"Randy angrily asked.

         Not answering her father, Eve walked past everyone. "I have a party to attend. It's my life, after all."

          Paul ran after her, trying to catch up to her. She entered the limousine and it took her to the reception site. Paul followed her in a taxi. Randy and Sonja were at a loss. They followed with all the flowers and other things from the church. Eve was the first to arrive at the hotel. She found the D.J. and told him what happened. She went to find who was in charge of the food, to inform them of the different arrangements. She was told that they were still liable for the food paid for. Paul came in and tried to slow Eve down. He grabbed her arms trying to restrain her. Randy came into the room just as this was happening.

         "Get your hands off my daughter! You're not supposed to be here. Leave!," Randy yelled.

         "I'm not leaving until I talk to Eve about what happened. I have something to give her," responded Paul.

         "The only thing you have to give my daughter is the freedom she deserves."

          While Paul and Randy were arguing, Sonja went to find Eve and see if she was ok. She found her on the phone to the neighborhood homeless shelter. Eve was inviting any and all homeless to enjoy a wedding feast. Sonja was repelled by her daughter's actions.

         "Your father and I paid for the reception. We didn't pay to have a bunch of homeless bums eat for free. The hotel won't allow this," said Sonja, coldly.

         "For your information, Mother, I've already spoken to the manager. It has been cleared. I will be staying here tonight-ALONE."

         Eve turned around and re-entered the ballroom. She stood at the entrance to greet her arriving guests. The music played and her mood steadied. When the doors were closed for privacy, there were over three hundred guests in attendance.

          While everyone was socializing, Eve went over to the cake and glared at it. Her first instinct was to take a sledge hammer and destroy it. She thought better of it. Staring, she spied it up and down. It was sitting regally on a table in a back corner. Five tiers, one each a different flavor. Its top was from Eve's grandmother's cake. Eve went closer to remove it. She placed the top alongside the cake on the table. Looking back at the people now congregating, she withdrew its top layer. It was German Chocolate with buttercream icing.

         "I will use this for my birthday cake tomorrow," Eve said calmly.

          Looking for a waitress, Eve wanted a small box for the layer. After it was taken care of, Eve looked back at the knife that was given to her and Paul at their shower. It was sitting in its box, awaiting its turn to do its duty. Opening the box's cover, Eve retracted the knife and held it. The jeweled handle felt very comfortable in her hand. Too bad she and Paul weren't going to hold it together. As she was ready for the first strike, a voice from behind startled her.

         "Eve, what are you doing? Don't destroy that beautiful creation. To me, it is a symbol of our sweet life together," Paul sadly stated.

         Eve turned on her heels, with the knife in her hands. Her flaming eyes met Paul's anguished ones. Staring at him, the knife was pointed directly at his heart.

         "What should I cut, you or the cake? It's your call. If I do one, I would be doing something wrong. If I do the other, the memories will be consumed by people who are needy," Eve sternly stated.

         "Can we please talk? Amelia is gone. I told her you were my true love. Being with her was a mistake. I want a life with you, if you'll have me," Paul asked.

          Holding his hand out to her, Eve slapped it away. Walking over to the D.J. stand, she took the microphone to make an announcement to her guests. As she was speaking, one of the homeless guests approached Paul and asked him if he was homeless. A shiver ran down Paul's spine and he felt uneasy. He gave the man a negative response. Eve walked back to where Paul stood and looked at him.

         "Go back to Amelia. Do whatever you want, but WE are not a couple any longer. We are finished, over, done, ended. I don't want to hear from you ever again. I will arrange for you to get your belongings. I don't want any emails, phone calls, snail mail, or your body on my front porch," Eve snarled.

         "Where is the engagement ring? Where is my wedding band?," Paul whined.

         "I flushed the engagement ring. As for the wedding band, I'm going to see if I can get my money back. Why? Did you want to propose to your true love, Amelia, and give them to her? Sorry sweetheart, that will not happen." Eve quipped.

          While Eve and Paul were arguing, a song came on the speakers that brought a glint to Eve's eyes. The song was I Will Survive.

          "Now leave. I have a party to attend, and a song to dance to." Leaving him alone, Eve proceeded to ask the first man she saw to dance. Paul left the room, dejected.