by Ashley Woods
The ocean majestically laid itself before them. It was a windy day and the tide was in. Large waves rolled by and splashed up against the gray and weathered boulders. Kristen could feel the mist in her hair and loved the salt spray on her face.
The two of them walked along the shore while Kristen poked nonchalantly at the tiny sea shells, sorting them with her toes.
Michael paused, and sat down on a wide rock. He rolled up his pant legs and reached for Kristen to sit next to him. The surface was soft, and they let their feet dangle in the water. She felt like they were teens again, back at the sailing beach on Lake Michigan.
Michael said slowly, “I can see why you want to live here. It is so peaceful.” She nodded and smiled.
He continued, “Kristen, I have missed you greatly for all these years. I can’t believe that I didn’t try harder to talk to you when I ran into you. But, you were always with someone, and I was afraid to get you alone. I feared that you didn’t share that need to be with me. When I kissed you in New York, then I really thought there was no chance.”
He paused and took her hand, “You need to know this now,” he nervously said, “I think I have always been in love with you, ever since that kiss on the yacht back when we were kids. And, I don’t want to lose you now.”
She looked at him in total surprise. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer whispering, “I have always wished that it had led to something more.”
Kristen touched his arm, “I never thought you cared.” Michael kissed her gently and looked at her. Then, he kissed her again deeply. Kristen fell into his strong arms and became lost in the past.
For the first time, in such a long journey, she felt the dark veil lift off of her, and she now rejoiced in the feeling of how wonderful it was to truly love someone! It was overwhelming how fast their old feelings re-surfaced, and they clung to each other for minutes.
She felt so special and protected being with Michael. He kissed her harder, and passionately started in on her neck. He carefully laid her on the rock with his arm for her pillow and smiled down at her.
Always the helpless romantic, Kristen could only think of Michael now. She wanted to be as close as they could…
A giant cold and angry wave crashed on top of the couple, and pulled them violently away from each other, and off the slab. Kristen was submerged under the water and struggled as her back scraped along the coral bottom. She started choking as the water filled her lungs.
Michael managed to pull himself up, as he trudged through the churning waist-high currents looking for Kristen. He finally spotted her, and swiftly reached down to help her. He held onto her tightly, as he carried her to the beach and carefully sat her down. She coughed for a while and shook the water off her head. Their moment had been swept away.
“Oh, damn! My hair is ruined.” They both laughed.
Kristen looked down and started adjusting her dress,
“I need to get back to the house and get myself fixed up. I only have an hour.”
Michael was concerned, “Are you sure you feel alright? I can bring the car closer to the hill.”
“I’m OK, how are you?”
His expensive suit pants were sopping wet and sandy.
“It’s going to be a drag getting the car all wet.”
Kristen added, “Yeah, and in this humidity, it will never dry.” Holding hands, they ran up the hill to the lot.
When they returned to the car, it was like leaving a time tunnel. Kristen pulled her hand back from his and started looking at her nails to see if her polish chipped.
Michael turned to her smiling and said, “Well…?”
Kristen seemed withdrawn. She was now obviously back in the present, with a myriad of responsibilities facing her, and her love for Anthony still intact.
She cut him off, “Honestly, Michael, I think that all this has ever been about was that “ancient kiss” looking for a resolution.”
Businesslike, she wiped some more sand off her neck, “You should have looked for me sooner, and maybe if that had happened, things could have been different. I really need to get over to the rehearsal.”
She looked down at the door handle. She knew she was avoiding some heartfelt issues, in fact, she was deliberately running from them. That old shield that guarded her heart was back and locked on tight.
Kristen did feel strongly for Michael. But she couldn’t let him know it, or he would stop her plans. Even though Anthony seemed to be distant at times, he was still the one that she thought she now wanted, unless something else changed everything.
She couldn’t sabotage her life any longer, for a moment with Michael, that couldn’t easily define its outcome. They hadn’t had enough time together to see if it could work.
Without saying anything more to him, Michael understood what she was thinking. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed back to Anthony’s house to deliver his bride.
When they arrived, Michael took her hand,
“Kristen, I absolutely do not want to be the one to rain on your parade, and I am not being selfish. But, please listen to me, you can’t marry this guy. He’s no good, and he’s especially bad for someone as nice, and trusting like you.”
Kristen just looked at him sadly, “I am sorry Michael, I don’t know what to say, except that I will see you at the wedding, I hope.” She then walked into the house.
Kristen was running late and rummaged through her closet to grab her special dress that she was wearing to the rehearsal and dinner. She was very upset that the water wrecked her hair, and there was no time to get a hair dresser over there. She was tempted to go look for an old wig she had for just this reason, but feared it was in an unmarked box somewhere.
She heavily moussed her ends, and holding her head upside down, she blew it with a dryer as she saturated it with styling spray. The results made her look a bit wild, instead of the sophisticated look that her dress called for.
Anthony had arranged for a limousine to pick her up. She had just finished slapping on her make-up, when the driver pulled up and honked. She hurriedly applied her lipstick, as she went out to the driveway.
As they made their way along the ocean, Kristen turned to her right, to see the sun setting to the west over the treetops. It was a beautiful night. She calmed down a bit and was looking forward to meeting everyone. She was especially anxious to see Anthony again.
The church was dark, but the altar area was lit up. Anthony had a special agreement with the priest to enable them to come there this late, instead of the afternoon. All of the wedding party was standing near the door.
As Kristen walked through it, they looked relieved. Anthony walked down the aisle with a frown on his face to greet her. He gave her a quick and worried kiss on her forehead.
Pulling hard on her arm, he said, “You look like you’re ready to hit the clubs. What’s with the hair?”
Kristen felt a bit annoyed, “I had some disasters trying to get ready.”
Anthony snapped, “I really need you to make a good impression. My family doesn’t think I’ve known you long enough.”
Kristen was wondering where this nasty attitude came from. She teared up a bit, and just looked steadfastly ahead. She then took her first look at his three sisters standing in the front. She couldn’t help but be amused, and thought,
“He’s worried about what I look like?”
As Marco had told her, they were very tall. The oldest of the girls had big hair, a low-cut orange top, and a very tight purple mini skirt with tiger stripes on it. Kristen swore she could hear her popping her gum. The other two were a little more toned down, but definitely not by Palm Beach standards, not even Long Island’s. His two brothers were standing off to the side with his mother, and some unidentified “hot girl.”
Kristen looked again. She definitely was not in the family. She was beautiful with a super model look. She had very straight long blonde hair and was wearing a chic outfit.
Kristen nudged Anthony in the ri
bs, “Who’s that?”
He answered quietly, “That’s Antonia, my ex-fiancée, she flew down with us.”
“Are you kidding? I thought she died?”
Anthony dismissed her, “Not the time to discuss.”
He walked off to talk to the priest. Kristen really couldn’t believe how he was acting. Was this all show for his group?
Kristen went up to say hello to his brothers. They were both wearing pin stripes and wide ties and looking at her like wolves. Marco leaned over and whispered something in Vincente’s ear, and they both grinned. Like Marco, he also wore his hair slicked back.
As she came closer, she could tell Marco had a very large gun in a holster inside his suit coat. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and handed her a small jewelry box. He was on his best behavior now. With his thick New York accent, he said,
“Kristen, it is great to see you again! Here’s something blue for my new sister.”
Kristen opened it up. It was a beautiful blue sapphire necklace, “It’s wonderful Marco, just like the ocean. I love it!” He was very happy and gave her a big hug.
Vincente raised himself up on his toes and gave her a light embrace. He said warmly, “Welcome to our family.”
Kristen smiled, “Thank you Vince! I look forward to getting to know you. I hope we can find the time during dinner.”
Marco eagerly brought her over to his mother Sophia. She greeted her in Italian, and they conversed for a short while. Kristen then kissed her on the cheek and held her hand while they waited for the rehearsal to begin.
The quasi-ceremony went without a hitch. While they were waiting for the limos to take them to the dinner afterwards, an inebriated Suzie was now acting quite dishonorable with Marco. They were sitting on a bench outside and she had her eyes closed and looked a little too relaxed.
Anthony helped stuff Kristen, three bridesmaids, her Godfather, his mother and sisters into the first stretch car that pulled up. Kristen watched as the other limo filled up with his brothers, Suzie, and Antonia. His ex-fiancée slid in very close to Anthony.
Anthony’s car started to follow behind. Then it did a U-turn and tore off in another direction.
“What the hell!” Kristen said out loud. She couldn’t restrain it.
One of his sisters laughed, “He probably forgot something at the house. I think they are all a little drunk, it was a long flight.”
Kristen picked up her cell while stating, “New York is not that far away.” She dialed Anthony, but it went to voicemail after a few rings. She didn’t leave a message, because he knew it was her calling, and he declined it. She angrily forced the phone back into her small clutch.
Kristen waited impatiently at the restaurant’s bar for over an hour, before Anthony showed up disheveled, with his shirt hanging out, and obviously more drunk. He was laughing with his limo party, minus Marco and Suzie. Antonia was right by his side. Her hair looked wet and was now clipped back.
The bridal party had a private dining room reserved, and the Maître d’ was getting anxious. Anthony made a grand gesture to encourage them all to go into the table.
Kristen pulled Anthony behind, “Where were you? Where are Suzie and Marco?”
Anthony chuckled, “Where do you think? They’ll be here sooner or later. We dropped them off at Marco’s room at The Colony.”
Kristen said with contempt, “That’s just great. You know Suzie is engaged, don’t you?”
Anthony was acting like she was bugging him, and replied
“Guess, he made her an ‘offer she couldn’t refuse.’ A really big one!” He pulled at her arm again, like earlier. It was so out of character for him.
“You know, things aren’t going as I planned in New York, and I had a very tough time there. I don’t need this crap from you right now.”
Kristen was frustrated and shot back at him, “Why are you acting like a pig? We’re getting married tomorrow. Remember?”
Anthony started to walk off, “I guess I’m a little tired and edgy. I had my bachelor party last night.” This comment irritated her even more, since Anthony refused to trust her to have a bachelorette party.
“And it was memorable,” he added with a jab. I promise you it won’t be my last.”
Kristen groaned, “You are so drunk,” and shook her head in disbelief. He sat next to his mother and Antonia and ignored Kristen. So, she sat with her bridesmaids and Godfather. She couldn’t understand his behavior.
Dinner consisted of several courses, and a lot of wine. Kristen circulated around the table in order to spend time with Anthony’s family. She liked his sisters, and thought they were funny. She avoided Antonia like a disease and noticed that his ex-fiancée had been watching closely, as Kristen and Anthony bickered.
When it came time for the toasts, Anthony came back over to Kristen and sat down, putting his arm around her. Again, she thought, it was purely for show.
Marco walked in the door as if on cue, but without Suzie. Kristen was a bit upset that her Maid of Honor didn’t come back to the dinner. She was an important part of the festivities.
Marco did the traditional best man toast, and roasted his brother to shame, speaking half in Sicilian, before congratulating him.
He was very flattering in his remarks to Kristen. She had put on the necklace he had given her, and she gave it a fond jiggle and a wink, when he looked her way.
When the dinner was over, they still had a late party at The Colony, for all the relatives that didn’t come to the rehearsal. Anthony walked out with Kristen into the hallway, and still seemed a bit distant to her.
Kristen wanted the truth, “What is wrong?”
He replied in hushed tones, trying to be discreet as the others filed out around them.
“So, you really want to know why I am acting like this? I think you know. You know what you did.”
He walked her into a side parlor area and asked her to sit down. He stood in front of her and said,
“What is it with the old boyfriend? Why is he here? You are bringing dishonor to my name and embarrassing me in front of my family.”
“You know that I invited Michael to the wedding. He’s just an old friend. He lived next door.”
This angered Anthony even more, “Friend? Why were you with him down at the ocean overlook?”
Kristen could not believe it, “What are you doing? Have you been having someone watch me?”
“I know everything you do!”
Kristen started to question him, but Anthony cut her short, grabbed both of her arms and lifted her out of her chair. He started speaking loudly, then looked around and lowered his voice again. His face was contorted in anger and he pushed it close up to hers.
“No one crosses me. No one. Especially you! We are not even married, and you are already cheating behind my back. I thought you loved me? Or do you just love the money?”
Kristen couldn’t believe this was happening. She wasn’t sure how much Anthony learned about her walk with Michael.
Anthony fumed, “You had that man in my house, MY house! What is wrong with you? What type of tramp have I met?”
Kristen tried to diffuse the tirade, “Calm down Anthony, nothing happened.”
He became even angrier and raised his hand, “Do not lie to me! Is that the same guy that Marco saw you with in New York at that show? He told me you two were very cozy! Did you sleep with him at the Plaza later?” He then held her cheeks tightly between his hands.
Kristen pushed him away, “You are hurting me Anthony. Keep your hands off of me. What are you talking about?”
She now protected her face and cried, “Are you going to hit me? Are you a mean drunk? Don’t you care what you are saying to me?”
“Quit acting so fragile! You know you’re acting. You’re not so innocent!” He started walking away.
He then turned back, “And one more thing. I am not so sure I want to give you your dream house and keep living here in Palm Beach. The island is being taken over by all those j
erks and celebrities who have too much new money that they didn’t work hard enough for.”
He became more excited, “They aren’t aging very pretty, and worst of all, they are letting everyone know about Palm Beach, and telling them to move here. They are going to ruin it.” Anthony knew he was hitting on a sensitive subject and paused for a moment to study her reaction. Kristen just shook her head like she didn’t care. He was acting like a fool.
“I am going to the party. Are you coming?”
He roughly took Kristen’s hand. As they walked outside, he softened his hold, and the couple both put up a front for the others and acted like nothing had happened.
They climbed into the limousine, and there were no more chances to talk to him in the car, since his mother and Vincente were in there with them. Anthony sat coldly next to her, and pillaged the liquor station the entire way, until they finally arrived at The Colony.
In front of his mother, Anthony gave Kristen’s sore cheek a friendly rub, and said sickeningly sweet,
“I reserved bridal rooms at The Breakers tonight for you and your friends. Your dress and everything is already there.”
He added, “Marco told me that Suzie was dropped off there and is passed out in her room. You might want to check on her. If she doesn’t wake up tomorrow, my sister can fill in.” He went ahead of her and huddled with Vincente. Then, the brothers walked off to the Colony patio, each talking on their cell phones.
The Colony’s lounge was packed, and everyone was swinging to the Mo-Town band. The Fiore family was scattered all over the room, and also out by the pool area.
Kristen took turns dancing with all the male cousins. Anthony mostly ignored her, and stayed in a corner with his brothers, and some first cousins, engrossed in conversation.
Kristen paid no attention to him either and went off to the restroom. When she came out of the stall, Antonia was standing there very tall, and even more foreboding in her six-inch heels. Kristen thought that she might have followed her in there.
“Oh, hello Antonia,” Kristen said, as she washed her hands. She reached for her Chanel compact and brushed on some powder.