Page 151 of That Last Summer

My siblings and I have used defcon as a way to measure the importance of problems or situations since we were little; we accompany it with a number depending on the seriousness of the matter. We’ve never used one before now.

River Phoenix:

You’re there, finally!! Where are you? Wait, defcon 1?

Priscila:

On my way. I’ll be there in five minutes.

Hugoisthestar:

Oh for fuck’s sake! We’re in the fucking church already.

Adri:

Defcon 1? Are you messing the numbers? 1 is for the most serious and 5 for the least.

Priscila:

I’m going to stop the wedding because Marcos doesn’t want to get married. How serious do you think it is?

Hugoisthestar:

Fuck. Do you need us to do something?

Priscila:

If they get to the “I do” part, stop them.

Adri:

Fuck...

Hugoisthestar:

Fuck...

River Phoenix:

Fuck...

We arrive at the church and leave the car double-parked next to the bride’s. As we walk in all eyes are on us thanks to the click of my stilettos. I look for my brothers and locate them immediately. We stand at the last row and wait. I need to come up with a plan.

We wait a little longer, but I can’t anymore, I need to do something.

“When are they going to say the ‘If anyone objects let them speak now or forever hold their peace’ thingy?” I ask Alex in a whisper.

“Pris, that only happens in the movies.”

“You think? I don’t remember if they said it at our wedding.”

“Me neither, I was focused on other things, but I’m almost sure it only happens in the movies.”

“Alex, that’s my brother over there, I can’t let him make a mistake like this. I at least have to give him a chance to avoid it. To make a commitment like this, you have to be sure. You have to love the other person. You and I met all the requirements and yet look what happened to us.”

I need my brother to take this important step in his life safely. And I need Alex to confirm that I’m doing the right thing. I need him to give me that last push.

“Do it,” he says, taking my hand.