Page 3 of The Vow We Made
I put my hand to my mouth, blocking my amusement.
“What? What is it?” Bronte hasn’t noticed what’s going on behind her. She gives me a questioning stare then turns slowly to focus towards the swirl of red hair bouncing towards the direction of the exit. We manage to catch up with Steph quickly and Bronte catches her arm.
“What the hell?” Steph mumbles, not realising who it is until she’s spun herself around.
“Where are you going?”
“I feel so much better!” And with little effort, Steph swings the door open wide and shouts in her wake, “Come on girls, the dance floor awaits!”
“Oh God,” Faith adds, “I’ll go after her.”
Hands on hips, Bronte turns to me while I’m having an awakening of my own. “Vickie? Are you alright?” She snaps her fingers in front of my eyes to break my aimless stare into space.
My head spins from too much alcohol and a sense of melancholy washes over me. “This is killing me, Bronte,” I tell her honestly. “Do you think I’ll ever get back to being that carefree again?”
“I’m certain you will,” Bronte assures me. “Of all the people I know, you’re the strongest. You’ll get there.”
My eyes close, my lip trembles. “I doubt it.” I’ve become one of those women who gets all maudlin after a drink. “What if this is it? What if you and Steph and Faith find the loves of your lives, then head off to family land? I’ll be left behind; unable to trust another man. I’m destined to grow old and lonely without my friends or someone to love.”
Her hands grip the tops of my arms and she takes a long look into my eyes.
“I don’t know why you said that, sweet. You will always have us for as long as we live and you had a good one in Andy. You’ll meet a good one again.”
I’m desperate to confide in Bronte and Faith. I want to tell them how wrong they were about my husband and the kind of man he really was, but I can’t widen the circle of people who know. I've made a promise I have to take to the grave.
Thankfully, Bronte doesn't wait for an answer and continues with her mission to make me feel better. “Your second chance is out there. You were never destined to grow old on your own Vickie.” Bronte may be a fitness fanatic; all lean muscle with the height to match, but she has the softest face and kindest heart.
“It’s not easy for you,” Bronte continues, “losing your husband was the hardest thing to go through but no one will think any less of you if you found someone else.” She smiles hopefully. “After all this time, you need to get on with what you were put on this earth for, Vickie. To live.”
Her love and support surround me with warmth. “You’re right,” I splutter. “Ignore me, I’m being a total pain. Too much drink probably.”
She hands me a tissue from her pocket. “That’s probably it. Now wipe your eyes, clean yourself up and slap on your war paint.” I nod then make my way over to the basin and while glancing in the mirror, I spot her delving into her magic pocket of goodies. She produces a tube of Extra Strong Mints and offers them in my direction. “Thanks Bronte.”
“No problem. We better make sure our sick friend has a couple of these too; her breath must be hanging after being so ill.”
When we eventually catch up with the girls, they’re dancing with every ounce of energy they have.
“You alright?” I mouth to Steph with the hint of a smile, and she answers by nodding with a little too much enthusiasm.
“Come on you two.” She grabs our hands, pulling us forward and I have to admit, she certainly has some stamina.
The infectious beat of the music overtakes our bodies and the four of us fall into a natural rhythmic step. My mind wanders as I dance in the company of my amazing friends and I remember what Bronte said earlier:“It’s time to get on with what you were put on this earth for, Vickie. To live.”
Now all I need to do is put her words into practice.
