She’s a glorious bride. I don’t know how this day compares with her dream of the perfect wedding, if she had one, but her face is bliss. I’ve watched her since morning preside over the event like the owner of the day. I saw her take the news about the fallen cake without a twitch. Does it have a good side, she asked, for the photographer? I wanted to propose. A lifetime of knowing her has not prepared me to stand so near her on her wedding day, not next to her, not promised to her, but next to the one who is. When did she become this marvel who, on the altar, at this hour, before this raggedy crew of mismatched relatives and friends, makes us all look good? The ring I’m holding in my rented pocket keeps finding its way onto my finger. You want to know how she looks and I wish I could tell you. I only see the wedding dress in terms of how she shapes it, so for instance, my report on the neckline is that I would set up camp there if she let me. Her butt sits up so proud. I’m crass, okay, so maybe that’s why I’m one step behind and one to the right, over here peering past the groom to watch her framed against the faded oyster bridesmaids. I held out, and now it may be too late to make my move. How would she react, I wonder, this radiant spirit whose intelligence and grace entitle her to everything, but who instead is grateful, this girl to whom it never occurs not to be grateful—how will she react if I step past the groom when they ask for the ring and place it on her finger myself?
Copyright © May 25, 2008 David Hodges
Very Short Novels 
7 comments
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May 26, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Jessica
I like this. Very well written. 🙂
Thank you, Jessica. I took great joy in writing such an unabashed appreciation for a change.
–David
May 28, 2008 at 7:45 am
Litlove
I really loved this. Whenever you decide to base your vsn in the realm of yearning, I know I’m in for something spectacular. No one, but no one, does unrequited love as brilliantly as you do.
So you think he doesn’t have a chance, huh? Thank you very much, Litlove.
–David
May 28, 2008 at 2:34 pm
grantman
..after reading all of the new three, a line from Harry Chapin’s Taxi comes to mind…” and we’ve both gotten what we asked for, such a long, long time ago!” great pieces David…good to have you back..
grantman
Thanks, grantman. Good to be back!
–David
May 29, 2008 at 4:49 am
briseis
This is beautiful, David! Beautiful and sad and everything we could ask from 299 words.
Thank you so much, Briseis. Did you notice it linked itself back to Wind Prints automatically?
–David
May 31, 2008 at 7:42 am
Hoda Zaki
David,
In my mind, I could see him still trying to make his feelings known to her, just in case she does have feelings for him on some subconscious level. You see, if he doesn’t try, he’d live all his life saying “what if” and never finding peace.
Too romantic?!
Hoda
That’s romantic, all right, Hoda! Personally, I’m looking forward to the comic sequel in which he does in fact try to marry her on the spot and all hell breaks loose. But there’s room for both versions! Thank you so much.
–David
June 2, 2008 at 2:35 am
wizzer
I like it – one I don’t have to think too deeply about! Never live with regrets – ask the question a “NO” is better than not knowing!
On the other hand, how much should we trust a proposal that takes place under such duress? Thanks, Wizzer.
–David
June 9, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Jannie Sue "Funster"
Faded oyster bridesmaids? How great is that? I’m not exactly sure of course, what the heck it exactly means but it dazzles quietly through an opaque curtain.
–Jannie
That’s very generous of you, Jannie. I couldn’t decide myself whether the phrase described the bridesmaids or their gowns, but it felt right, so it made the final draft. Welcome to Very Short Novels!
–David