Shattered Glass

This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives. The invitations were sent out months ago. The RSVP’s were already in, the pretty burgundy dresses were brought for all ten women, the smallest pink and white dresses were bought and fitted for the littlest members of the bridal party and of course, the bride and groom were all ready for the ceremony. 

Three years ago a chance meeting turned into a proposal of marriage. 

Athena started her day just like she did on every other day. She hated Mondays because Monday’s took her from sleeping late, having leisurely brunches with her girls, going shopping and watching old movies on the movie channel to waking up super early, getting her girls ready for school, grabbing a hot cup of coffee for herself and running out the of door trying not to be late for work. She could hardly wait until her vacation time rolled around. She counted the minutes when she could just put her feet up at the cottage in the country she rented and relax with her girls and her mother.  

“It is almost time.” Athena told her best friend, Elisha over the phone.

“Almost time for what?” Elisha asked.

“Almost time for my vacation. I know you didn’t forget about the vacation. You are supposed to meet me and the girls and mama there on the 20th. Don’t tell me you can’t come.”

“Athena, girl, you know that I didn’t forget. I am packed now as we speak. I am packing that swim suit I told you about. The blue one.”

“Oh no, not that little strip of material you call a swimsuit? I know you aren’t talking about that one?”

“Yes, I am. I have to show off my beach body and maybe land me a man while I am up there. You know I heard that Kennedy from college and his good looking friend Braxton will be there. I heard it through the grapevine, Kennedy’s sister’s cousin’s grandmother’s second cousin, Rose, that they are going to be up there on the 22nd. Kennedy had some business meetings in the area and they decided to meet up and make a long weekend out of it. So, I may run into handsome Braxton and I have to look good.” Elisha laughed.

“Elisha, you are something else. You know that you are so extra don’t you? Well, all I plan on doing is relaxing, eating, and sleeping. I can care less about who is going to be where.”

“Well, girl, you really need to get over Justin. That was over a year ago, Athena.” Elisha said.

“I am over him, believe me I am. I just want to go and relax and not think about work or men or anything else. I just want to have fun with my girls and mama and of course you if you can fit me into your schedule.” 

“Well, I gotta go. I need to finish packing. I have some shopping to do. I need to get a little black dress just in case.” Elisha said as she hung up the phone.

Athena looked at the phone on her calendar and smiled. She only had 3 more hours and she was on vacation. All her clients would be taken care of while she was gone for 3 weeks of relaxation and fun. This was a vacation she desperately needed. After the break up with Justin she was due for some time away from the day to day grind. 

Justin and Athena met while she was in college. She was in her second year and he was in his third. Athena was at the library studying for her physiology class and had just gotten up from the table where she was reading until her eyes blurred the words and she felt someone bump right into her back. She couldn’t believe that someone didn’t see her and was going to give them a piece of her mind. She turned around and there stood the very tall, very handsome Justin Banks. His books had fallen in a scattered pile at his feet and he looked as tired as she felt. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you.” He said barely looking up at her as he picked up the books on the ground.

“No problem. Do you need some help?” Athena asked bending down to help him. 

“Sure, can you grab that Chemistry book? It is by your right foot.” Justin said, still looking down at his books by his feet.

“Here you go.” Athena handed him the book and  was about to leave before Justin stopped her.

“I’m sorry. Let me introduce myself. My name is Justin. I didn’t mean to bump into you. I guess I wasn’t looking where I was going.” 

“No problem. I was studying late too and am kinda tired. My name is Athena. Nice to meet you.” Athena said shaking his outstretched hand. 

“Do you want to go and get some coffee sometime?” Justin asked smiling at Athena. 

Justin had the prettiest brown eyes she had ever seen. It complimented his light brown hair. He looked like the sun had just kissed his skin in the most perfect ways. She tried not to stare too much at him but for some reason she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. 

“Yes, that sounds good.” Athena managed to say. 

“Cool. How about Friday? Are you free on Friday around noon?” Justin asked.

“Yes, why don’t I meet you at Corinthos Coffee Shop?” 

“See you there.” Justin said as he walked away. 

“I need a cold shower.” Athena said to herself as she walked in the opposite direction.

Athena had to be one of the prettiest women that Justin had seen since he started college. She had the best smile on campus he thought. Athena was petite but had curves and judging from the stack of books she was carrying she was smart too. He liked the way she flipped her head back when she talked to him and when she raised one eyebrow while talking over coffee he knew that he instantly liked her and wanted to get to know her a lot better.

Over the next three years Athena and Justin were rarely apart from each other. They worked for the same firm and even lived together for the last year of their relationship. Everyone thought that they would get married. Athena thought the same thing but apparently Justin didn’t. 

One night Athena returned early from work and when she opened the door to the apartment that she and Justin shared she got the shock of her life. She tried to find any excuse for the noise she heard coming from their bedroom. She tried to think that it was the Television, or maybe a movie on YouTube he was watching but in the back of her mind she knew what those sounds were and what they met. She had heard him make those noises many times before. 

Athena’s hand was shaking as she reached for the closed bedroom door and turned the doorknob. The door was locked but she could hear on the other side of the door bodies scrambling to get off the bed and possibly scrambling to get dressed and a possible explanation for the activities that were going on. She heard footsteps coming towards the door and she saw the door open slowly. She also saw the horror on the woman’s face standing behind Justin.  Justin didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. The woman mumbled that she was sorry as she ran past Athena and out of the front door. That woman was her sister. 

“Hey are you on your way?” Athena said as she answered the phone.

“Yeah, you there with the girls and your mom?” Her friend asked. 

“Eisha, there was a change of plans. The girls didn’t want to come and so Mama agreed to watch them at home. I think that she told them that I needed to get away with you and so they said something about wanting to go to a sleepover at Stacy’s house. But, it is all good. I am here waiting for you.”

The second night at the cabin Eisha convinced her friend that they needed to get out of the cabin and go out to dinner. They both dressed in black dresses and heels and Aisha pulled her long curly black hair back into a bun matching Athena’s hair style and joked that they now looked like sisters or at least cousins. 

“Look there’s Braxton.” Elisha said looking across the restaurant.

“Where?” Athena said looking around.

“Table four.” Elisha said, trying to get his attention.

“I wonder if Kennedy is here?” Elisha asked.

“Who knows? Stop waving.” Athena said to her friend.

“Why not? He’s cute and I don’t see a wedding ring.” Elisha said laughing.

“Look, look, there’s Kennedy.” Elisha continued.

“He is fine. I must admit.” Athena said quietly, trying not to look at him. 

Kennedy was dressed to the nines. He had on a grey suit and red tie that flattered him nicely. Athena couldn’t help but notice him and he couldn’t help but notice her. 

“Oh they are coming this way.” Elisha said, straightening her hair with her hand.

“Do I look okay?” Athena asked.

“You and me look gorgeous.” Elisha said.

“Hi, Ladies. Do you mind if we join you?” Kennedy asked the women.

“No, not at all.” Elisha chimed in.

An hour later Elisha and Braxton had left to go and get some drinks at another place they both knew about. But, Athena and Kennedy didn’t seem to notice too much. They were in a world and conversation of their own. 

A year later they were planning their wedding. Athena wasn’t  sure at first that she was ready to jump into another serious relationship after the betrayal of her sister and former boyfriend but Kennedy was the total opposite of the cheater. He was kind, smart, funny, and had a good heart. She knew he would be a good dad to her kids who loved him almost as much as she did.

Athena’s wedding day came quickly. Everything was done except to put on her dress and walk down the aisle to the man she loved.

“You haven't dressed yet?” A voice which was very familiar came from the bedroom door.

“Elisha, I am just finishing up my makeup. I will be done in a second or two. I can’t believe that I am getting married in two hours! Are the girls ready?”

“Yes, your mom has them in the other room. You should see how pretty they look. Anna looks just like a mini version of you in her pink and white flower girls dress and Amarie looks so cute in her flower girl dress. I just hope they don’t argue over throwing the rose petals.” Elisha laughed.

“You know my girls. At this age all they do is argue. But, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am so happy today not even an argument can spoil my day.” 

“Are you ready to put on your dress? The one I helped you pick out. “ Elisha laughed as she grabbed the dress off of the bed across the room.

“Yes, I am more than ready. I have dreamed about this day for a long time. I can’t believe it is finally here. In a couple of hours I will be married. Who would have thought that a vacation would lead to finding love?” Athena said fluffing up her dress.

“Not me. I am glad one of us found love. All I found was how cheap and bossy Braxton was and that man got on my last good nerve. He had enough nerve to ask me to leave the tip for the bartender after he chugged down four beers like he was never going to get a beer again in his life. I couldn’t get away from him fast enough.” Elisha jokes.

  “Yeah, you told me about that at least a hundred times.” Athena laughed.

“Well, it is worth telling a hundred and one times.” Elisha laughed.

“Girl, you look so beautiful in that dress. I think you look more beautiful now than the day you did when you tried it on. You look like a princess. No you look like a queen.” 

“Thanks Elisha. I just can’t wait for Kennedy to see me in it. Do you think he will cry?”

“I think he will cry since he cried when he asked you to marry him. I think he is a crier.” Elisha said smiling at her friend.

“Are you ready to go to the church?” Elisha continued.

“Yes, more than ready. Let’s get this show on the road.”  Athena motioned for her friend to open the door for her.

“Where is Kennedy? He is supposed to be here by now.” Athena asked her friend in a panicked voice.

“He will be here. He wouldn’t miss his own wedding.” Elisha answered trying to sound calm but in reality she was worried too.

“Do you think he is a runaway groom? Like a runaway bride? This can’t be happening.  Did he change his mind?”

“Athena, stop, get a hold of yourself. He will be here. He probably got stuck in traffic or something. Maybe he had car trouble or is just running a little late. I am sure it is one of those.”

“I am sure you are right. I will just be patient and wait a little longer but I swear if this man stood me up at the alter…” 

“Athena, don’t go there. He is going to be here.” 

An hour later Athena’s cell phone rang. Her best friend answered it. 

“Something has happened to Kennedy.” Elisha told her friend.

“What? Is he okay?” 

“No, he is not okay. I will tell the best man to make an announcement for the guests and we have to go to the hospital now.” Elisha told her panicked friend.

Athena dropped the water glass she was holding and it shattered on the floor in front of her feet. She had a sinking feeling in her gut that this may be the last time she saw her love alive. 

The women arrived at the hospital in record time. Athena ran to his room still in her wedding dress. She was frantic. She didn’t know what to expect. All she knew was that Kennedy was hurt and needed her. 

She walked into his room and instantly she cried and wanted to scream that this could not be happening. She was supposed to marry this man and he was supposed to be at the altar waiting for her not lying in this hospital bed. It can’t be true. She must be dreaming. But, she wasn’t dreaming. Her reality was here and now. She was standing in an emergency room instead of a church. The man she loved was not standing at the altar waiting for her. He was in a hospital bed. She kissed his forehead lightly just as the angels took his soul to heaven. She was there praying for him.  By then  it was too late.