Page 29 of My Stepbrother's Wedding
“Wedding? Awesome. Can I come?” The boy threw his hands up like he was dancing.
“If you translate for me, I’ll be sure you get aninvitation.”
“No problem, lady. I’m just kidding. I’ll tell them to follow you.” The boy turned to the Malegonians and rambled off something I couldn’t understand. The in-laws nodded, and their faces brightened. They looked at me with excited smiles and started to follow. A few of the older women planted kisses on the priest, who frowned in mild annoyance. A moment later the entire procession of well-dressed relatives was behind me, navigating the muddy side streets toward the location. If anyone thought I was an obnoxious lush who’d ruined the previous evening, they didn’t show it, or at least I didn’t understand them.
We arrived at the correct church thirty minutes late for the ceremony—right on time by local standards. Irena was in the foyer with her parents, waiting for the procession to begin. Her new dress dazzled angelically in the morning light. She was even more stunning than she’d been the previous day. I wondered how much Dad had shelled out on the last-minute switch. My mouth went dry, and my palms sweat when she turned her eyes on me. Her gaze swelled with emotion. I knew it had nothing to do with me though. She was getting married. There were bigger things to worry about.
Petrush extended a handshake, and Miranda hugged me. I started to hug the bride but stopped, fearing I’d somehowdump another cup of mushti on the new dress. My lips tried to form a clumsy apology, but the words stuck in my throat. I worried I still sounded drunk. Irena gave me a faint smile, and I ducked my head and stepped away.
I stepped into the sanctuary and sat in the back next to Kyle and Mark, glad to find people who hadn’t seen me make a fool of myself the night before. Their suits made them hard to recognize. I’d only ever seen them in dork clothes before. They looked almost dignified, even if Kyle wasn’t hiding his bald spot and Mark needed to lose fifty pounds.
Will stood at the front next to Pastor Ludwig. He was handsome in his formal coat and tie, although he fidgeted back and forth, like someone on the high dive for the first time. Our parents stood at his right, Elizabeth beaming and Dad bearing a silly grin. I considered moving to a closer seat, butHere Comes the Bridesounded over the speakers. Every face in the audience turned toward the entrance. The big moment was here!
The bride did not enter.
Instead, a procession of old ladies in black dresses stepped into the sanctuary, the same women I’d just led to the church. Will’s face turned milky white. The pastor fought back a chuckle. The women talked casually as they strolled down theaisle, shaking hands with a few people before sitting down. They seemed oblivious that they’d just ruined the bride’s grand entrance.
The music stopped. The bride was still nowhere to be seen. Pastor Ludwig shouted something in Malegonian, and the ushers in the back disappeared into the foyer. They returned a moment later, followed by the bride, her mother and father beside her. The light from the windows reflected off the jewels on her dress, transforming Irena into a sparkling queen, breathtakingly stunning. I’d never seen a more beautiful bride. Her new dress was even nicer than the one I’d ruined, and there was no sign of the nuclear holocaust her hair had endured a couple of days prior.
“Music,” Pastor Ludwig said.
Screeching feedback ripped through the sanctuary. Everyone covered their ears until the hideous sound ended. The men manning the soundboard broke into an argument and took a few seconds to get their act together. FinallyHere Comes the Bridesounded over the speakers, and Irena walked forward.
The bride seemed to float down the aisle, as if some beautiful magic carried her ahead. Once she arrived at the front, the pastor started his benediction. It took longer than mostchurch services because everything was translated from English into Malegonian. Will and Irena stared at each other the entire time, seeping with nervous energy. I half expected one of them would pass out, but they didn’t, amazingly.
The preacher told a few funny stories about the couple and gave them a backward dollar bill in a picture frame. He said it was for them to remember “In God We Trust” when hard times come. He said it with such sweetness that my eyes watered. After that, the couple exchanged vows and placed rings on each other’s fingers. I couldn’t help but get a little emotional watching them confess their love to each other. I’d seen a million weddings, of course, but watching my dorky stepbrother become a man was something else. A smile stretched across my face. I was glad to be there, honored even.
Irena’s skin turned redder than a firetruck when the kiss was announced. She glanced at her father, who stood as stiff as a statue. Will leaned toward her, clearly not expecting a delay. She took a deep breath and planted a kiss on my stepbrother’s lips. The pastor announced they were married, and the room erupted in applause. I stood and clapped along with everyone in the church. The perfect moment was cut shortby ear-shrieking feedback, followed by traditional wedding music. It was official. My stepbrother was married.
Chapter 12
After the ceremony, we piled into a conference hall in the back of the church. The room had a few posters with inspirational quotes in a foreign language but was otherwise unremarkable. Will and Irena stood against the wall, shaking hands with well-wishers and getting their pictures taken. They had a lovey-dovey gloss in their eyes, like you get from the gas at the dentist’s office. Adorable. I weaved my way through the crowd and joined them.
“Wini!” Will wrapped his arms around me. “Thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I said, surprising myself with the honesty of the statement.
“We’re glad you’re here,” Irena said.
I doubted she could mean it after the previous night, but her smile was convincing.
A photographer aimed his camera at us. I gave a beaming smile, sandwiched between the bride and groom. A man I didn’t know squeezed beside Will just before the camera snapped. He was thin as a cornstalk, with orange hair and gapped teeth. The way he hung at Will’s side made it seem like they were brothers.
“Who’s that?” I whispered to Will.
“I think his name’s Armin. He comes to church sometimes.”
“Are you friends?”
Will shrugged and kept his voice down. “I barely know him, to be honest. He’s a little off.”
I nodded and moved away so the next person in line could get a photo with the couple. One of Irena’s uncles stepped up for a picture. Will’s new best friend, Armin, made it into that photo as well.
My next stop was the refreshment table. I picked up a cup of water and noticed the three old ladies who’d crashed Irena’s grand entrance shoving finger foods into their purses. I started to say something, but the scowls on their faces made it clear there’d be trouble if I did. They took everything not tied down and scurried away like cockroaches in a cheap hotel room.
I retreated outside, where most of the crowd had already dispersed. Mira spotted me. My cheeks flushed as soon as we made eye contact. I gave her a sheepish smile. She tilted her head with a concerned look. “Are you feeling better today, Wini?”
“I’m …” The words felt like sandpaper in my mouth. “I’m embarrassed about last night.”
