- 5.
It just comes out.
I don’t look at Ashley’s face, I just walk away.
The wedding starts at six.
The sun is setting, and the sky is all red.
The light shines on the lavender field, like a
dream.
Ashley walks into the lavender field in her
purple dress.
The crowd claps as she takes Mark’s hand.
<
My eyes start to water.
This wedding is exactly what I planned.
I’ve thought about it so many times.
But I’m not the bride.
My love is gone.
I’m like a robot, saying the words I’ve
practiced.
Everyone’s laughing and having a good time,
but I just feel empty.
The wedding ends late.
I barely make it back to my apartment.
I barely make it back to my apartment.
As soon as I lie down, I pass out.
Chapter 2
I wake up to my phone going nuts.
My face is flushed, and I feel like my forehead
could fry an egg.
I’m sick as a dog.
The phone keeps ringing.
I drag myself up and fumble for it.
My vision’s kinda blurry, but I recognize the
voice.
It’s Mark
<
It’s Mark.
He’s already bitching. “Ashley, what the hell?
Can you try to be a little responsible? Can’t
you handle anything after the wedding? I can’t
find you anywhere this morning…”
I hang up.
I don’t have time for his drama.
I’m a business owner, I don’t need to be
involved in every single thing.
I feel like I’m dying.
I find some medicine and choke it down.
Then I pass out again.
My dreams are totally messed up.
Memories of Mark keep popping up, like
something from a horror movie.
It’s like looking in a broken mirror.
I’m sick for a whole week.
When I’m finally getting better, I notice that
the lavender plant I had on the windowsill is
dead.
Lavender means “wait for my love“.
My love has dried up.
All that’s left is humiliation.
I block Mark’s number
If he wants to pretend he has amnesia, I hope
it sticks forever.
I don’t want anything to do with him.
I’m not gonna stay in this town.
I start travelling all the time.
When I finally get back from one of those
trips, it’s been a month.
As I walk out of the office, there’s a Mercedes
parked on the street.
Some guy’s leaning against the door,
smoking.
The smoke makes it hard to see his face.
Then he looks right at me.
He throws his cigarette away and walks over
to me fast.
It’s Mark.
I can’t get away, he grabs my wrist.
He’s yelling, “Sarah, where have you been?
Why haven’t you called me?”
I bite my lip.
I look up at him, acting confused.
I ask, “Excuse me, do I know you?”
