Never Forgotten

by Kelly Risser

  On Christmas, when David and Mom announced their engagement, Lydia told us she could pull off a wedding in less than a month. I didn’t believe her, and yet here we stood in a small room in the back of church—the one that was usually reserved for the minister to get ready for service. The only exception was for weddings, when it became the bridal chamber.

  Mom kept patting her hair.

  “You look beautiful,” I told her, and I meant it. She wore a long, silk sheath in a blue so pale it was almost white. A sheer, iridescent layer floated over the top. It shimmered and created the illusion that the dress changed color. It reminded me of the inside of an oyster shell—all silvery whites, pale pinks, light blues, and lavenders.

  “Is it time?” Katie opened the door and peered out into the chapel. “It looks like everyone is here.”

  “A few more minutes,” Lydia said, looking at the clock. “Close the door so no one sees us.” She fussed a bit with the back of Mom’s dress, adjusting the sheer layer. Lydia’s own gown was subdued next to Mom’s, but elegant all the same. She wore a pale, beige, tea-length dress with a sheer jacket.

  Katie and I also wore tea-length dresses, but ours had capped sleeves. Mine was a shimmery, light blue, and Katie’s was silvery lavender. We held small bouquets of lilies of the valley. Their sweet fragrance filled the air. Mom’s larger bouquet was accented with small purple and blue flowers that matched our dresses.

  I heard the soft notes of the wedding march. Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. David specifically picked that song.

  There was a brief, but loud, knock at the door, and then we heard Grandpa’s gruff voice. “Are you ready?”

  “Come in,” Mom said. She ran her hand once more down the length of her dress, took a deep breath, and smiled as my grandfather stepped into the room. He paused for a moment, his eyes widening.

  “Dad?” Mom’s voice sounded uncertain as his eyes watered. He ran his hand over them quickly, before stepping up and kissing my mom on the cheek.

  “You look beautiful, honey.” He turned to me. “You two better get out there. You’re walking down the aisle first.”

  “Oh, right!” Katie and I quickly left the room. Lydia followed us out. Evan and Darren stood in front with David. I’d never seen Evan in a tux before. I stared until Katie elbowed me in the rib.

  “Close your mouth,” she teased. “You’re drooling.”

  “Haha.” I felt my cheeks burn even as I looked away.

  While Katie walked down the aisle, I waited. I knew when she was about halfway down that it was my cue to go. The small chapel was full. I assumed both sides were for the bride, since David didn’t seem to have a lot of friends. I recognized some of the people from town. Everyone smiled at me expectantly. Although I was nervous, I made a point to smile back.

  Taking a deep breath, I began to walk and met Evan’s eyes. He looked stunned at first, but then he smiled. A huge smile, which brought out his dimples. He mouthed, “You look great,” and I blushed.

  “You too,” I mouthed back. He did look amazing in his tux.

  Once I took my place at the altar, we all turned to the back of the church. The music swelled as Grandpa and Mom came toward us. A sigh rippled through the crowd, and I noticed Grandma going through several tissues, dabbing her eyes and wiping her nose. She beamed at them both.

  Mom’s eyes were for David only. When I followed her gaze, I inhaled slightly. He looked so intense. Even Grandpa cocked his head at David, as though trying to figure him out. Clearly, Mom and David were very much in love. I thought about all the years they lost being apart, and it made me sad. Why didn’t they stay together?

  Before I could dwell on that, they were at the front of the church. Mom kissed Grandpa on the cheek. He took her hand, placed it on David’s arm, and then he leaned in, whispering something to David. David nodded curtly and clamped him on the shoulder. I wondered what the exchange was about but, apparently, all was good. Grandpa, with a slight smile on his face, took his seat by my grandmother, and David turned to give his full attention to my mom, a dazzling smile on his face.

  They exchanged vows, promising to care for each other in sickness and in health. I swallowed painfully at the “to death do us part” line, but my parents continued to smile at each other. They were alone in their love, and we were merely spectators.

  Then the vows were over. They were officially husband and wife. When invited to do so, David tipped my mom back and kissed her passionately. I had to look away, and when I turned, I caught Katie’s eyes. She grinned. I looked at Evan, and he smiled back.

  Everyone clapped. Joining arms, David and my mom walked out of the church. Darren and Lydia went next, and Katie, Evan and I followed.

  Evan leaned down and whispered, “You look amazing.”

  “You look pretty good yourself,” I said.

  At the back of the church, I was able to briefly hug and congratulate my parents before we formed a receiving line. I smiled and shook hands with people I knew and people I didn’t. I accepted their compliments with a gracious nod and, in between greetings, I rubbed my hands up and down my arms. Every time the door opening, a freezing blast of artic air filled the small space.

  A warm blanket covered my shoulders. Well, that was what it felt like, but I realized it was Evan’s coat. “Is that better?”

  “Yes, thank you.” I looked at his long-sleeved dress shirt and vest. “Won’t you be cold now?”

  “I’ll be okay,” he said. “You’re clearly freezing.”

  The warmth of Evan’s jacket relaxed my muscles. I leaned forward to see around my parents. How much longer was the line? Coppery curls caught my eye, and I gasped. Surely, Ula didn’t come. My mom knew that I had a friend named Ula, who I met at the clinic. It wasn’t like Ula was a common name, like Becky or Amy. I’d never heard it before I met her. How was she going to explain that she was my aunt and her mom was already dead?

  “You okay?” Evan looked at me closely. He must have heard me gasp.

  I grimaced at him. “Fine. Just tired of standing in line.”

  He nodded. “It’s almost to the end.”

  I couldn’t see the other end of the receiving line where Katie stood next to her parents, but I could see that it was Ula standing there. I knew Katie would remember her, since they’d met several times, but I wondered if Evan would. He’d only met her once, and it was brief. I didn’t hear Katie shout anything, so it couldn’t have been too bad.

  Ula stopped in front of David. She exchanged a look with him, and then hugged him tightly. By his response, I gathered he was expecting her. A tall woman with exotic features stood behind her. She wore a long, clingy dress of deep purple with bell sleeves. A silver belt of Celtic knots rested on her hips. Her long, straight hair was black and glossy, and her eyes were a bright, clear violet. She was breathtaking, but her expression was cold as if she surveyed the wedding party with disdain. She nodded at David. To my surprise, he pulled her into a hug. She stiffened at first, and then hugged him back. Who was she?

  Mom looked as bewildered as I felt. When David released the woman, he tugged at his collar before taking Mom’s hand. He leaned forward and looked at me, addressing us both. “Sharon, Meara, I want you to meet my sisters, Ula and Brigid.”

  Mom’s brows wrinkled as if trying to remember something, but then they smoothed over and she smiled. “Pleased to me you both. I had no idea David had sisters. He never said anything.”

  The reproach was clear in her voice. David had the decency to look sheepish. Ula squeezed Mom’s arm. “No doubt you had more important things to discuss than us.”

  “Doubtful,” Brigid said with a frown. “We are, after all, his only sisters.”

  Once again, David squirmed. Ula seemed to take pity on him. “C’mon Brigid, we’re holding up the line.”

  Ula rolled her eyes at me and stuck out her tongue when her back was to Brigid. I bit my own. I didn’t think I should laugh as my new aunt approached. She looked much too severe.<
br />
  “Hi Meara. Evan.” Ula’s tone was chipper, almost unnaturally so. Maybe she was trying to make up for Brigid’s frown.

  Evan’s brows knitted. “You’re David’s sister?”

  “I am.” Ula looked sheepish. “It wasn’t nice of me to keep it from Meara.”

  Evan gave me a pointed we’ll-talk-later look, then said, “Good to see you again.”

  “You too.” She squeezed his hand. It must have been her signature gesture—the squeeze.

  “You must be Meara.” Brigid’s eyes pierced my own. Her cold gaze made me shudder. “Merry Meet, niece.”

  I didn’t know what that meant. I assumed it was a friendly greeting. “A pleasure to meet you, Aunt Brigid.” I extended my hand. She stared at it for a moment before taking it in her own. Her slim hand was cool and dry.

  “Brigid. Just Brigid.” Her accent was much more pronounced than Ula’s was.

  “Will you be going to the reception?” I asked, trying to address both of my aunts. It was difficult, since Brigid was scanning the room, her eyes on alert.

  Ula frowned before answering. “Unfortunately, no.”

  Brigid’s eerie eyes snapped back to my face. I tried not to flinch. “We have a previous engagement. Fare thee well, niece.”

  “It’s Meara,” I said weakly as she stalked away.

  Ula hugged me and whispered in my ear. “Don’t worry about Brigid. She’s always like that.” She pulled back and winked. “I’m your fun aunt.”

  “What—?” I started. She shook her head.

  “I’ll talk to you later, okay?” She turned and quickly followed Brigid. I watched as they left through the side door of the chapel. What kind of engagement could they have that would keep them from celebrating their brother’s marriage?

  Several long minutes later, the last guest was greeted and we were free to leave. I gave Evan back his coat and went to get mine from the room where we got ready. It was a new faux-fur cloak that matched my dress, completely impractical since I had no idea when I would use it again, but warm and lovely. David paid, so I didn’t worry about it. I did wonder how much money he had, and where he got it from. I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

  The reception dinner was in Halifax at one of the nicer seafood restaurants, The Shores. David rented a private room in the back. He also arranged for a limousine bus for the entire bridal party.

  “Have you ever been on one of these?” I asked Evan as we waited to board.

  He shrugged. “A bunch of us took a limo to prom, but it was smaller than this.”

  The bus was elegantly decorated in dark grays and black. Plush couches lined the walls, broken only by two minibars. Champagne cooled in buckets.

  We sat, and champagne was passed around. Katie and I grinned at each other, raising our glasses in mock solute.

  “A toast,” David said, holding up his glass. We all followed suit. “To my beautiful bride, Sharon, to my lovely daughter, Meara, and to all our friends and family who celebrate with us, may the happiness of today be with you always, and the happiness of tomorrow come your way.”

  We clinked our glasses. I sipped the champagne and fell in love. The bubbles teased my tongue as the sweet flavor exploded in my mouth. I took a slightly bigger sip, and before I knew it, the glass was empty.

  “Can I have some more?” I asked Evan, who was sitting next to the bottle. He refilled my glass.

  “You like it?” he asked as he handed it back to me.

  “Mmmmmmm,” I said, taking a sip and smacking my lips. “Yum!”

  He laughed and put his arm around my shoulder. “Just don’t drink too much. That stuff can give you a nasty headache.”

  I tried to sip slower, but it was hard. I looked back where David and Mom sat. They were talking softly, his arm around her shoulder and hers around his waist. She laughed at something he said, and he bent to kiss the tip of her nose. They were cute together, but it was a bit weird to think of my parents as married. My whole life I had wondered about my father, and now he was here, married to my mom. I should be elated, but it just felt weird.

  I finished the rest of the champagne and held my glass out to Evan.

  “You sure?” He frowned at my empty glass. “Maybe you should wait a bit.”

  I shook my head. “This is my last one.”

  “Okay,” he agreed, even though it sounded like he thought the opposite. He refilled my glass and handed it to me. Then, he placed his arm around my shoulder again, and I snuggled into his warm side.

  Katie pouted at me from across the aisle. She was next to Lydia, and Darren was closest to the champagne. They cut her off at one glass, and she clearly wanted more. “No fair,” she mouthed to me.

  When we stopped in front of the restaurant, I stood to get off. I swayed a little before Evan caught my arm. “Easy,” he murmured.

  “Maybe I should have stopped at two.” I giggled, and then frowned. I didn’t giggle, did I?

  “You think?” He rolled his eyes, but held tightly to my arm, helping me off the bus. Once we had more room, he slid his arm around my waist, which was more comfortable and supportive anyway.

  I leaned into him. He was so warm, so cute. I hugged him and then hiccupped, right before I tripped over the uneven pavement.

  Evan snorted. I gave him the evil eye, which made him laugh out loud. “Let’s get you some food.”

  The party room was at the back of the restaurant in a private wing with its own bathrooms and a concierge to take our coats. Classical music played softly, and the air smelled sweetly floral from the garland draped along the entranceway and the cascading bouquets on the tables. Serving staff circulated trays of appetizers as guests mingled. As we walked around, I nodded and smiled at everyone. Evan filled a plate and handed it to me.

  “Eat up. You’ll feel better.”

  “I feel great!” I grinned at him, but he took a stuffed mushroom cap off the plate and held it to my mouth.

  “You won’t for long unless you eat,” he insisted, so I took it and ate it. It was delicious. So was everything else on the plate. Soon, it was gone.

  “Oops,” I said. “I hope you didn’t want to share.”

  Evan laughed. “No, you needed it more than me. Did you even eat today?”

  “No,” I said. “I was too nervous.”

  “Do you feel better?”

  “I guess.” I didn’t know if the word I was looking for was “better”, but I did feel more like myself. That lovely, fuzzy head feeling was almost gone.

  “Do you want something to drink?” When my eyes lit up, Evan laughed. “I meant, like a Coke or something, Meara.”

  “Oh,” I said, trying not to sound disappointed. “Diet Coke it is.”

  I followed Evan through the crowd to the bar in the corner.

  “Do you have another drink?” Katie asked. I turned to see her glaring at us, her hand on her hip.

  I raised my glass. “Diet Coke.”

  “Hmmmpf,” she said. “Well, okay then. I was going to insist you get me some too if it was more of that delicious bubbly.”

  “I know, right?” I said. I looked around for Katie’s boyfriend. “Where’s Brian?”

  “On his way, I guess.” Katie shrugged. “He’s coming right after work.”

  I bounced a little on my feet. “I can’t wait for the dancing.”

  “Me, too!”

  The head server announced dinner, and everyone began to move to their assigned seats. Katie, Evan, and I were at the head table. Lydia, Darren, and Katie sat on Mom’s right. I sat on David’s left, and Evan sat on the other side of me.

  David squeezed my hand. “How are you doing, kiddo?”

  “I’m good,” I said. “You?”

  He laughed. “Never been better.”

  Our server set the plates in front of us—lobster tails, filet mignon, scallop potatoes, and asparagus.

  “Oh wow.” I didn’t have seafood often. It was a luxury Mom and I rarely splurged on.

  “Do
you like seafood?” David asked.

  “I love it,” I said.

  “What’s your favorite?”

  I thought for a moment. How to pick a favorite? “Probably crab legs. They are so sweet.”

  “I like oysters best myself,” David said. “But crab’s delicious, too.”

  I managed to eat about half of my dinner before it was time for speeches. David greeted everyone and thanked them for coming. Mom went next and said more or less the same thing. Then Lydia gave a speech as Matron of Honor. I listened to her tell funny stories about my mom from their childhood, relieved that I didn’t have to give a speech. I wondered what she would say about David, but she didn’t say much. When she finished, she hugged my mom and then David.

  I was almost done eating when David led Mom to the floor for their first dance. The lights dimmed, and the song began. I recognized it right away, Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. It was one of my mom’s favorite songs. David held her close, one hand on her lower back, the other clasping hers. They spun slowly around the room, and Mom’s dress floated out around them. Conversations faltered as the room fell under their spell. When the song ended, everyone clapped.

  The next dance was the wedding party dance. Evan offered me his hand, and I took it. When we reached the dance floor, he pulled me into his arms. We moved slowly with the music, and I relaxed against his chest.

  “Are you having fun?” he asked. I looked up at him and nodded. He kissed me lightly. “Good.”

  The song ended, and everyone was invited to dance. The music switched from slow and romantic to a pulsing beat. Katie joined us on the dance floor. Evan didn’t have the best rhythm, but he tried. After a couple of songs, though, he told me that he wanted to grab a Coke and get some fresh air.

  “No more than ten minutes,” he promised.

  We kept dancing, and my skin grew hot. I was about to suggest that we grab a drink, too, when Brian came up behind Katie. He ran his hands down her side and kissed her neck. Unlike Evan, he was a great dancer. The three of us danced to the next couple of songs, until a slow song began. Brian wrapped his arms around Katie and led her away in a dance. I looked around the room for Evan, but he was gone.

  Mom and Lydia sat sipping wine at the head table. They were flushed and a little sweaty from dancing. I imagined that I looked the same. I couldn’t wait to get a drink of something cold.

  “Have you seen Evan?”

  “No,” Mom said. I noticed dark shadows under her eyes. “Maybe he’s with David.”

  “Where’s David?”

  “He went outside to get some air.”

  I got a ginger ale, nodding at Darren and Grandpa, who were drinking beers by the bar. I pushed open the door to the private outside patio.

  The patio was deserted, which wasn’t surprising since it was the middle of January and pretty damn cold. I welcomed the frigid air against my hot skin. All that dancing worked up quite a sweat. I stood, sipping my drink. As my ears adjusted from the loud music to the outdoor silence, I heard hushed male voices.

  “…it was you. I know…admit it.”

  “So what…me? You need to…out…Evan.”

  I heard Evan’s name, and my heart jumped. Who was he talking to? I strained to discern the voices, but they were too quiet. Distinctly male, but it could be any guy in the room. I couldn’t tell if the voices belonged to David or Evan. I didn’t know if someone was addressing Evan or just saying his name. I longed to peek around the corner and find out, but I wasn’t sure how far away they were standing. While I stood trying to decide, the door opened behind me.

  “There you are, Meara!” Katie said. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Oh, I just came out to cool off.” I made my voice sound carefree, in case they were listening, whoever they were.

  “Where’s Evan?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe he’s inside looking for us?”

  She frowned. “I didn’t see him, but I guess we can look again.”

  It was another ten minutes before Evan found me. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me. I jumped a bit. “You’re cold!” I protested.

  He laughed. “Sorry, I guess I stayed out a little longer than I should have.”

  I took a chance. “I went out on the patio about ten minutes ago, and I didn’t see you.”

  “I took a short walk,” he said. “C’mon, let’s dance some more.”

  “Did you walk by yourself?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around his neck, which was cool to the touch.

  He raised an eyebrow at me. “Who else would I walk with?”

  I was disappointed. Was he one of the voices I heard? It would make sense since he was outside, but why hide it from me?

  David tapped Evan on the shoulder. Did I imagine it, or did a look of irritation flash across Evan’s face.

  “May I cut in?” David asked.

  “Of course.” Evan stepped back, turned, and walked off the dance floor. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was angry.

  David placed his hand on my waist and took my other hand in his. He smiled down at me. “You don’t know how happy I am, Meara. I’m so glad that we can be a family now.”

  “Why now?” I asked. “After all these years?”

  “I tried earlier,” David said. “I couldn’t find you.”

  “Couldn’t find us?” I asked. “Did you try? Did you ask my grandparents?”

  David’s laughter was bitter. “You saw how Jamie treated me when I first came back. How do you think he would have reacted if I approached him without your mother there?”

  “Ah,” I hesitated. He had a point there. He was not one of Grandpa’s favorite people. I tried a different approach. “Why did you leave in the first place?”

  David sighed. “I had to.”

  “Had to,” I repeated. “What does that mean?”

  “I will explain,” David said. “Soon.”

  “When?” I demanded.

  “Not tonight,” he said. “I know you want answers, Meara, but tonight is not the night. Tonight we are celebrating, yes?”

  “Yes,” I said. I wanted so desperately to tell him that I already knew what he was, what I was, that I didn’t have to be pawn in his game. Instead, I dropped my head to his chest.

  “Thank you,” he whispered, pulling me into a hug as the song ended. I stiffened at first at the unexpectedness, but then I relaxed. I found myself hugging him back.

  I blinked as the lights went up. Chair scraped against the floor as the guests stood to give their final wishes and leave. David squeezed my hand. “I should find your mother.”

  They were going to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. I was staying with my grandparents while they were gone, and then Mom and I were moving into David’s condo. On one hand, it made me nervous, and I was sad that I wouldn’t see my grandparents as often. On the other hand, I was going to be much closer to Evan.

  I followed David, since I wanted to say goodbye.

  “Meara!” Mom pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek. I held onto her tightly. When we pulled apart, my vision blurred with unshed tears.

  “Have fun, Mom,” I said. “I’ll miss you.”

  Mom wiped a bit of her lipstick from my check and smiled at me. “I’ll miss you, too, sweetheart, but I’ll see you soon.”

  My grandparents started to say goodbye, so I moved to the side. Evan came up next to me. “You okay?”

  “Sure.” I sniffed a little. “It’s just, you know, not every day that your parents get married.”