Amanda hadn’t been seeing Tom for very long. In fact, they hadn’t really even been seeing each other in the conventional sense. But they had been doing what worked for them. Casual dates, a slower pace, adventures around every corner. There was none of this standard date night bullshit. No social media shout outs, tagged posts, or nauseating “look how much we like each other” pictures plastered together over a pink and red background with a name-blended hashtag to match. That didn’t mean they weren’t seeing each other, it just meant they didn’t need the world to know. What they were doing felt good. That was the important part to her at least.
Tom gave Amanda something others hadn’t, he encouraged her to follow her dreams, kind words that showed how much he believed in her to do more with her life, and the space to actually pursue them. Not to mention amazing sex that she didn’t “get through” to have gotten some.
She had never really been like other girls, or at least she thought wasn’t. She didn’t care about going out to dinner, going out for drinks with each other at the bars they both went to with their friends, or even going to concerts and movies with each other. That didn’t change that lately, she had been bummed the past few time she had suggested they go to a movie together and Tom had either directly shot her down, or had fucked up the planning to such an egregious extent that Amanda had gone alone or not at all.
It was frustrating and disappointing, but at the end of the day, it’d didn’t matter. Over the past few months Amanda had really grown to care about Tom. Even when they didn’t speak for a week or so, she felt so strongly about him and their connection that it was okay. She had never liked spending so much time with one person, and it was nice that Tom wasn’t clingy or felt that they had to constantly be up each other’s ass.
Tom had just called to cancel last minute on Amanda as she had gotten to her mailbox. Annoyed, but understanding of the family emergency that pulled him away she headed upstairs to her apartment. Throwing the mail on her coffee table, she walked into her room to change into the same comfy clothes she had snuggled up to read the night before.
She grabbed her phone and the mail from the kitchen table and the Chinese food menu on her way back to the couch. A long, lonely Friday night in required steamed dumplings, wonton soup, boneless spare ribs, maybe some lo mein, and of course, an egg roll. Amanda placed her order leaving her phone and the menu on top of the coffee table. Picking up the mail she began to sort through it. Bill, bill, bill, junk mail, a card from her grandmother, bill, and an off-white envelope with beautiful golden script on the front. Amanda tossed the others on top of her phone.
Sliding her finger under the sealed back Amanda felt the soft texture of a thick card. Removing the contents of the envelope Amanda saw the most jaw dropping card she had ever seen in her life. The card, like the envelop, had been a creamy off white. There was a simple raised gold border, and a little golden heart etched into middle of the bottom of the card. In theory the card had a tramp stamp, but for its beauty, Amanda hadn’t even been able to laugh at her own joke. She had questioned herself if she had thrown out a “Save the Date” card in the past few months by mistake. Nothing specific had come to mind. Amanda turned the card over, the front had been even more stunning than the back. It read:
Mr. and Mrs. Brandcofft
Are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter,
Beatrice.
We request that you save
the nineteenth of
November in
the year of our Lord
2019
A formal invitation is to follow!
Amanda’s jaw had practically hit the ground. She had let the card drop to the floor. The most formal and regal card she had ever seen was a save the date card. Beatrice Brancofft… BeBa! BeBa was getting married, and Amanda had been invited. She hadn’t talked to her junior year roommate since they had graduated. There was a history between them that time would never erase, but still Amanda was shocked to have been tentatively invited to the wedding.
The wedding was in three months. Well, a little less than three months. BeBa, rather Beatrice, was to be wedded in matrimonial bliss to one Brice Arnold Thomas, the III. Amanda thought about how much of an entitled douche he must have to be with a name like that. Amanda felt her eyes roll. Three months, three months was enough time for Tom to not be busy for a weekend away. The wedding was being held close enough to both of them, but still far enough that they could get a hotel room if needed, or more accurately wanted. Amanda thought about how next level the actual invite would be and how jarring her shitty handwriting RSVPing yes would look on the fancy paper. If she planned on supporting her old roomie it was a necessary evil.
Getting ahead of herself, she wished she could book the hotel room immediately. It would be impestuious but romantic. There would be no way for Tom to not be super excited when she told him. It would be a fabulous time and for Tom, what it would only a plus that she would be writing the check solo.
Amanda was dialing his number when her Chinese food arrived. As his voicemail picked up, Amanda disconnected the line before leaving a message, remembering that he had had a family emergency. She would tell him later.
“Did you say the weekend of the 19th?”
“Yeah, it’s a Saturday,” Amanda confirmed for Tom.
They hadn’t spoke since the night he was supposed to come to her house and bailed. Everything ended up being alright, and while Amanda was grateful she was still kind of bummed they hadn’t seen each other in almost two weeks. They talked and texted, mostly sent each other silly things from the wonderful world of the Internet, but she kind of missed him. And not just to fuck, though that would be nice too. Telling him about an old friend’s wedding seemed out of place. The save the date had been so beautiful, worthy of so much more than a text.
“Of October?”
“Yes. Why is this so difficult for you to grasp,” Amanda said with exasperation.
“It’s not,” Tom began defensively, “I mean it is, but not for the reasons you’re thinking.”
“I don’t even know what I’m thinking,” Amanda began not quite knowing where she was going with her refusal. “But I have a feeling you’re about to say no and I refuse to hear it.”
“My entire family is coming from all over the country that weekend. There’s a wedding in the family, and it’s just not possible,” Tom began.
“Are you kidding,” Amanda said, an edge hardening her voice.
“November is one of the most popular months to get married,” Tom stated.
“That can’t be right,” Amanda retorted. “Why do you even know that?”
“I dunno,” Tom replied, “I know a lot of random shit I guess.”
“Well, I guess I’ll have to find another date then,” Amanda blurted out hostilely.
“Are you fucking kidding me,” Tom snapped back. “First of all, you haven’t seen or heard from this girl in six or seven years. Second, you’re just going to go with someone else because I can’t go with you even though I want to. And third, it’s three months away. Who knows what will even happen by then,” Tom shouted through the line.
“You’re a fucking piece of shit,” Amanda answered, “even if I wanted to believe you, you refuse to make time for anything I ask you about.”
“I’m the piece of shit? You’re mad at me because I have plans the same weekend you assumed I would be available without talking to me first!”
Amanda had nothing to say. While he wasn’t wrong, Tom was still being a dick.
“Are you still there?”
“Yes,” Amanda said differently.
“Look, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t go to this wedding or that you shouldn’t go with someone else. But can you at least just give me a week or two to think?”
Amanda rolled her eyes as she agreed.
“Thank you. I don’t know what you have planned tomorrow, but maybe you want to do something?”
“I was going to go to the movies by myself,” Amanda informed him.
“Where?”
“Up by Strait Rock. I’m working there from ten to two. I was going to head over after work.”
“And what were you going to see?”
“I don’t know yet. I just wanted to go to the movies.”
“Why didn’t ask me?”
“Would you even be available?”
“Well, maybe,” Tom added, “I’m waiting to hear back from a friend if we’re hanging out tomorrow or not. I hate fighting with you. I’d much rather go to the movies.”
Amanda broke out into a smile, and quickly forced it from her face.
“I’m going regardless. Feel free to text me when you know your schedule, but I’m still going.”
“Good, you should. You deserve to go to the movies whenever you please. Just try not to pick a row with limited seating. Just in case,” Tom said with a chuckle.
“Whatever,” Amanda said with her smirk spreading through her voice.
“I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Bye, Tom.”
Amanda looked at the phone – he had already disconnected the line. They had spoken for ten minutes. The had fought, made up, and might have plans. She wasn’t sure how that even happened, or what the fuck it meant. Amanda was just excited to be going to the movies tomorrow… with or without Tom, of course.
~
Amanda loved the Fall. It was her favorite time of year. That and Summer. She loved the fashion and flavors in both seasons. She was brushing the large leaves out of the hood of her car. The weatherman said it was supposed to rain later, and Amanda hated when the leaves got stuck in the wipers. The leaves she was plucking from the hood reminded her of the last time she was at the movies. The time Tom had said he would maybe swing by to join her.
They hadn’t seen each other since. There was one time, outside of a bar. She had gone to watch the game with some of her friends, and he was heading in for the band that was playing with his. They made small talk outside, smoked a few cigarettes, made out, and talked. He missed her. She missed him, and never wanted to see him again. He couldn’t not see her, but he was busy and she was so mean to him when he couldn’t devote all of his time to her. “Any of your time, Tom,” Amanda said rolling her eyes at his comment. Neither of them wanted to fight. They made out behind the bar in an alleyway until Amanda’s ride pulled up.
Not that that had stopped the texting, the calling, the exchange of funny gifs and memes, or the sexting. They had less fights, which would have been nice if they had still be having as much fun as when they first met. Instead it was as if Amanda was in every relationship she had made fun of her friends falling prey to, minus the part where she actually got to see her boyfriend. Who, of course, wasn’t actually her boyfriend.
The previews had started with a new Thanksgiving Romantic-Comedy movie that was coming out Friday the 18th, which was today. Then the trailer had Amanda laughing to the point of forgetting Tom was supposed to be joining her at all. Now as the opening credits were rolling, she had fought to not start crying, sitting in the movie theater – seat 13 – all alone. Instead she took several deep breaths and several handfuls of popcorn focusing on the large autumn leaves falling from the sky as a little dog barked and ran around a tree.
The movie ended happily, as nothing in real life seemed to do. Amanda gathered up her trash and her belongings and made her way home. Desperately wanting to be snuggled in her couch watching a murder mystery than thinking of the actor who bore a heartbreaking resemblance to Tom. The same actor who portrayed the man realizing the errors of his ways just in time to sweep the girl off her feet. As if, Amanda thought to herself.
Before she could stop herself Amanda dialed Tom’s number. Surprisingly he answered. They made small talk, he didn’t have too much time, big night out with the boys. He asked what Amanda was doing this weekend. “I’m going to the wedding. Don’t worry, I know you can’t go. That’s not what this call was about.” The words left Amanda’s mouth more confidently than she felt them.
“Are you bringing a date? Planning on fucking a groomsman?”
“What are you on about?”
“You’re such a girl, Amanda. Weddings, love. You probably cried your way through the Rom-Com tonight.”
Amanda wanted to answer calmly and rationally, which had lasted all of four seconds before she erupted, “I never want to see or talk to you ever again,” into the phone.
Tom’s reply was louder, wet with rage, “WELL THEN DON’T COME TO THE WEDDING TOMORROW SINCE I’LL BE THERE!” Before Amanda had processed what he had said the line went dead.
She would be damned if he was going to just show up and be her date now. This wasn’t the movies, not that he had ever actually shown up to any of those, this had been her friend, her best friend in college. Fuck, she had saved BeBa’s life. If anyone other than her immediate family and groom deserved to be at BeBa’s wedding it was Amanda.
Without taking a chance to table her emotions, she called ahead and told the receptionist that she and her ex-boyfriend had broken up, and that he had been uninvited as her guest to the Brandcofft-Thomas wedding. She explained in no uncertain terms and with more attitude than necessary that it would be appreciated if he did show up, for her to give him no information. After feeling that her point was well made, she hung up the phone. If she had to hear that chipper receptionist say one more time, “it’s hotel policy not to reveal patron’s information,” Amanda was going to spit on her when she checked in.
~
“You’re all checked in ma’am,” the young man said with a wink. She was happy he wasn’t the woman she had spoken to last night. Before he was a young man, probably not too far off in her own age. She wondered if counting his abs would help identify his age, even with the formal attire, he was clearly a fit man. Perhaps it was the attraction she felt, or because she had finally broken free from Tom and had come to her senses, Amanda apologized for the way she spoke to the woman the night before.
The young man, Ollie, smiled at her.
“You weren’t as bad as you think. Trust me, I was working last night. We’ve had brides have to cancel reservations or book their mother-in-laws last minute. Those women make witch hunters look polite.”
She laughed at the joke. They chatted, about the venue, the insanity of weddings these days, and he handed her a large brown paper bag topped with a decorative wooden and floral bow.
“For the guests of the Brandcofft-Thomas wedding.”
“Oh god,” Amanda groaned.
“Turn it over, it’s the happy couple, hand-painted on each one. We were told to hand them out plain side first to all guests so it would be a surprise.”
She turned the bag over. The blood in her veins began racing from her own face. A face, she realized from her reflection in the mirror behind Ollie, hardly looked like her own.
“That’s the,” she stuttered. “The gru-” she tried again as the lights began to dim around her. “Glue,” Amanda slurred as she hit the floor.
“Are you okay?”
Amanda’s eyes fluttered as she looked up into Ollie’s bright eyes. Somewhere between a green and a brown, but brilliantly bright.
“That’s my boyfriend,” Amanda whispered. “Ex-boyfriend. The groom.”
Ollie tucked his hands under her armpits and raised her into the sitting position.
“The one you broke up with?”
Amanda nodded.
“But you’re here for the bride?”
“College friend. Didn’t know. It all makes sense now.” Amanda tried to take deep breaths, focusing on the hairs swopped down in front of Ollie’s eyes.
“Listen, I’m about to be off shift, and I while I’m enjoying having you in my arms, I don’t think you want the groom to see you like this. So, I’m going to pick you up like you fell. Silly, but we can recover. I’m going to walk like we’re the ones getting married and bring you to your room. You’re not going to look to your right. Okay Amanda?”
Amanda’s stomach did forward and backward flip flops trying to process everything. It sounded like the groom was coming this way and Ollie was an angel of sorts – or a serial killer – at this moment she didn’t care. She nodded, laughing at how ridiculous it all was.
True to his word, Ollie swept her into the elevator, towing her overnight bag, and nuzzling his nose against her neck. It wasn’t until the elevator doors began to close that she saw Tom in a full tux standing slack jawed staring at them.
“Thank you,” she said, as the elevator began taking them upstairs. “You don’t want to go to a wedding today do you? I’ll buy you a drink.”
“I love when a girl buys me a drink from an open bar.”
“Only if you’re single.”
“Desperately so,” Ollie said with a straight face. “The only way I was able to pick you up was off the floor.”
Amanda snorted as her laughter filled the elevator. Life wasn’t some Rom-Com, but maybe now she could find out how old Ollie was after all.