Page 12 of Shameless

“She didn’t tell me anything.”

She blinked. “What do you mean? How did you find out? She just didn’t show?”

“My sister-in-law told me.”

“How did she find out?”

“Stacey told her, I guess. I didn’t ask because I bolted to go find Stacey, but she wasn’t anywhere.”

“And she didn’t at least call or text you?”

“Only a text before I got on the flight that said she was sorry.”

“Wow,” she exhaled. “That’s fucked up.”

“Tell me about it.”

“And you have no clue why?”

I shook my head. “None. I thought everything was good. The night before the wedding, she’d texted me how excited she was to be marrying me.”

Sarah took a sip of her drink. “My mind is blown right now.”

“Yeah,” I exhaled.

She reached across the table and cupped my hand. “I’m so sorry.”

I smiled warmly. “Not your fault.”

“I know, but still.”

“Yeah,” I sighed.

She withdrew her hand, and we stared out the window at the setting sun. The waiter returned a few minutes later with our entrees and we dug in.

After some time, I finally asked the question that had been nagging me for forty-eight hours. “Why would one stand someone up at the altar?”

Sarah paused chewing, swallowed, and replied, “That, I don’t know.”

“What would make you not go through with it?”

She thought for a moment. “I guess realizing I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life, but clearly I didn’t have that premonition given I just got divorced.”

“Right.” I nodded and played with my food a little. Was that why Stacey decided not to go through with it? I hated not knowing even more than being left. Why couldn’t she have just told me what happened? I would have settled for a text with more than an ‘I’m sorry’.

“I really can’t imagine what you’re going through. How long are you here for?”

“A week.”

“Us too. We have snorkeling, going to see Lands End, and pool days planned. You’re more than welcome to join us,” Sarah offered. “You know, maybe it will help to keep your mind off of things and just have fun.”

“Well, I have some things planned too. Maybe you’d like to join me then?”

“Such as?”

“Couple’s massage.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Private beach day, and horseback riding at sunset.”

She snickered. “All honeymoon stuff.”