Missing Pieces Part 12
Meadow's Special Day - 02/04/07
Dear Journal -
Well, I'm not sure what exactly took place inside Meadow's head, but I'm glad it happened...
...because she's now a married lady!
Things had been a little strange for a week after my previous entry. Then came the holiday season. Meadow and I were invited to participate in a Christmas choraling group. They advised us to try to find a traditional choraling costume to wear.
Here was my outfit. I was quite proud of it. I had worn it years ago when I participated in a similar event my freshman year of college. Yes, I was in college choir. It didn't last long, as my inner geekiness took over and I traded in my choir books for chem and bio books.
I could tell Meadow was doing better...
...as this was her idea of a "traditional" outfit. The men in our choraling group didn't have any problems with it!
We decided to get all dressed up and go out together to celebrate the holiday season. As usual, Meadow surpassed me on the hot-o-meter, but I still had a blast!
It was on that night that she told me that she was going to go ahead with the wedding with Jonathan. She didn't go into detail when it comes to what happened, but she seemed very happy again, so I just accepted it and went back to helping her finish the planning.
Work has been going very well. I've become better friends with Jonathan's sister, Carline. In fact, a few days before the wedding I was hanging out at her house, and Jonathan was there!
Notice that blond ponytailed person painting behind Jonathan and Carline?
It is none other than the mystery blonde that Dustin was photographing the other day. It's Carline's roommate, Alice. I'd heard about Alice before. She's supposedly head over heels in love with an adorable blond guy. Sound familiar? Either I was wrong about the name of Dustin's fiance, or he's an even bigger creep than I thought!
I decided to make some idle chit-chat to see if I could find out more information. I never did get the name of her love interest, although she did say that he was an artistic type that is always using her as his model. Who else could it be?
Part of me wished I'd never spoken to her. She was so sweet and kind. How can I be angry at her now? It was much easier when I felt like I had some blonde bimbo to blame. Now I had no reason to really hate her.
Before we knew it, it was the night before the wedding. Meadow didn't want a bachelorette party. I'm not too surprised. Meadow is very popular and has a lot of friends that wanted to have a party for her, but she has always kept her relationships very private, so she just wanted to spend the night at home with me.
We danced. A lot. We both tried not to think about the fact that it was the last night we would spend sharing my house. The next night Meadow would be on her honeymoon, and then she would be moving into their new home when she returned. I would be alone again.
That night, I did one last check of my bridesmaid/maid of honor dress. Everything looked good. I also practiced smiling. I wanted to make sure I wasn't too obvious about how sad I was that Meadow was moving out. I was genuinely happy for Meadow...but I couldn't help but be sad that my best friend would be moving out of my house.
Then the big day arrived.
Meadow was absolutely radiant. She just beamed. I'd never seen her so happy and in love.
She could barely contain herself as she watched Jonathan put her wedding ring on her finger.
And he was equally giddy when she put his ring on!
*sigh*...I couldn't stop staring...they were just so happy...
...yes, that's Dustin behind me. Meadow hired him as the photographer. She didn't want it to be awkward for me, but he was willing to do it free of charge, so I bit my lip and told Meadow that it was fine for her to hire him. He got most of the wedding photos. He took a quick break after the kiss. That's when another guest captured this picture.
They couldn't stop smiling at each other.
I was so happy for Meadow. I walked over to the buffet when the reception started, and caught myself staring up at them again. One of the guests had to nudge me to remind me that I was holding up the buffet line! Oops.
Right after I set my plate down at a table, Meadow ran up to me and hugged me. We were both choking back tears.
"I'm married, Stel!! Can you BELIEVE it?!! I never thought this day would come!!!"
"I did. I knew it would happen. You're too special to be single."
"...so are you, Stel. You'll meet someone...I'm sure of it."
"...thanks..."
Then Meadow walked towards the buffet. I turned around and...
"Hi, Stella...how've you been? Long time, no see..."
"Uhh...I'm doing fine, thanks..."
"....Stella?"
"Yeah?"
"...is something going on?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Well, I've been trying to get in touch with you for weeks now. You won't return my calls or e-mails. What's going on? Did I do something to upset you?"
I really had to think fast. How did I want to answer that question?? Did I want to yell and scream at him? Or did I want to play it cool?
"...I met Alice."
I went for cool.
His eyebrows raised. He sighed.
Ooh, he was SOOOO BUSTED.
"...I don't understand. Are you angry because I didn't introduce you to my sister??"
...SISTER?!!
"...your...sister?"
"Yeah. Alice is my little sister. She lives with Jonathan's sister, Carline. She's engaged to marry my photography school classmate, Brian. She's always posing for Brian and me to help us build our portfolios."
I must have turned as green as my dress.
"...did you think I was dating her?"
"..........."
"Hahahahah!!! No, Stella! I'm not dating my sister!!! Can we go back to being friends now??"
...friends. Yeah. We can be friends. I smiled a half-smile and tried to nod. He gave me a hug. It felt...strange. He went off to take more pictures. I turned my attention back to the plate of turkey I'd lovingly assembled. I watched Meadow and Jonathan do their first dance as husband and wife.
Before I knew it, they were off and running to the limousine to take them off on their honeymoon.
I was alone for a week. A very lonely week, it was.
Then Meadow came home...and the goodbye process started.
It started with some forced, lighthearted conversation and a little dancing...
Then the teary-eyed hugs...
...and then I was alone.
My best friend is off enjoying married life, and here I am, back in my big, lonely house. Sure, Dustin is not dating that cute blonde, but what of this Nina or Dina chick I heard about? I love how he just skated around the whole dating thing. Why didn't he come clean? Why didn't he mention her? Must I do everything myself?
So, now it's back to Single Stella. I think I'm going to start dating again