A note to my readers: I'm splitting this chapter in half because it's so long
We were sitting in the parking lot behind my apartment building in his black Ford pickup truck. That day’s counseling session hadn’t been about how to handle an argument, or how to turn away from adultery’s temptation, it had simply been about the details of our ceremony. I had very few requests: I wanted it short, simple, and small. Michael, on the other hand, wanted to talk about receiving lines, incorporating grandparents into the ceremony, and had invited four-hundred guests.
My love for him was unconditional, and there was nothing more I wanted from life than to be his wife. On the other hand, I really, really wanted to be on the other side of this event, happily married and on our way to our honeymoon. My mom said she was coming, and my dad was traveling five-hundred miles to attend with his family. This would be the first time they’ve been in the same room while no lawyers were present, and I anticipated a fight. In addition to that, the mere thought of three-hundred people’s eyes on me was making me shake.
“I hope it rains and no one shows up. Or! We could accidentally say our vows at the rehearsal dinner, and then on Friday we’ll usher people straight to the reception. Oh, come on Michael!” He was already shaking his head at me. I was immensely frustrated, he couldn’t comprehend that this was my wedding day, too. I suppose he could tell that I was willing to make that sacrifice for him, because he didn’t give in.
“I don’t wanna elope, Dakota. This is important to me and I want everyone to see the moment when you become forever mine.” His eyes filled up with warm love, and he used his thumb to caress my jaw line.
“And I want to be comfortable during the most important day of my life! I’m going to puke on you on our wedding day, in front of three-hundred people.” It was still seven days away, but my palms were sweating and my heart was pounding. “Never mind, I have a big day at work tomorrow. I’m going to bed, good night.” I leaned toward him to give him a kiss.
“I love you, Dakota.” He said before his lips pressed against mine. The kiss was short but filled with warmth.
“I love you too, honey. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I picked my purse up from the floor board and closed the door behind me. I was walking across the parking lot to my building as he pulled away. I started up the two flights of steps to my third floor apartment, and thought to myself that this was my last week of nights in solitude. Next week I’ll have a family of my own.
I reached my door and shoved my key in the lock, but it met no resistance. I knew that I hadn’t left the door unlocked. I had developed a habit of turning the knob and giving the door a push just to double check every time I left. I reached in my purse and placed my hand on my stun gun before busting through the door and flipping on the light in one swift move. I was mentally congratulating myself for managing to do anything swiftly without falling over, while my heart raced and my eyes dart toward the couch. The door hit the wall with a loud thud and the figure on the couch shot up to his feet.
“What the hell, Dominic, why wouldn’t you call me and let me know you would be here? You’re so lucky I didn’t taze your ass.” I remembered that I’d given my brother a spare key in case of emergencies. After I was done lecturing I realized how upset he was. “What are you doing here, bud? Is everything okay?”
“I did call! And I left two messages, but you never answered. I thought you wouldn’t be mad, and I don’t have anywhere else to go. I wanted to stay in my car, but I was hungry. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He closed his eyes and let his hands catch his head as he slumped on the couch. I was certain that he had shed a handful of tears right there, on my couch.
“That’s right; my phone was off during counseling.” I recollected. “What’s goin’ on, dude?” I asked sympathetically.
“Mom’s car got busted into, and I told her she shouldn’t be surprised, living in that bad neighborhood and all. Well, she told me I’m an inconsiderate, little, unsympathetic, lazy, SOB and started throwing all my stuff outside. She said, ‘If this neighborhood isn’t good enough for you, you can get the hell out!’” He gulped, and inhaled deeply “I don’t know what to do, I’m in school full time, and my job is a co-op, it doesn’t pay enough for me to support myself. If I drop outta school to work full time I’ll lose my co-op, so I’ll need a new job. And I’ll have to start paying back all my school loans, and I just bought that car.” He looked up at me desperately, “I thought I was getting ahead in life, because I could pay it off before I graduated and then I wouldn’t have a car payment when I moved out, but now I’m SCREWED!”
I was not at all surprised to hear about my mother’s irrational behavior, but I was upset. I wouldn’t show it. All I would show was a calm, cool, and collected front, so my younger brother would have a tower to lean on. “Are all your things laying out on the street?” I inquired.
“No, me and Lynn picked it all up and put it in her dad’s basement. But, they said I can’t stay there.”
“Do you have work and class tomorrow?”
“Dakota, tomorrow is Saturday.” He was grinning
“Well, whatever. I have to work in the morning, so I’m going to bed. Help yourself to the couch, there’s blankets and pillows in the closet. We’ll figure out the rest tomorrow.” He stood up and gave me a hug. He was my younger brother, but he stood a good head and a half taller than me.
“Good night, thank you so much.” He said as he squeezed my shoulders. “You’re my only family that’s always there, everyone else comes and goes as they please. I love you.” His words reminded me of the diary entries from that afternoon; it was too true for the both of us.
“I know, Bub, I love you, too.” I squeezed him back, and walked back to my bedroom. I felt incredibly lucky to have two people in the world that truly loved me.
I closed my bedroom door and began to change into some pajamas. Once I was comfortable I went to the closet and picked up the old journal. I didn’t know if I was hurting myself by continuing to read it, or healing myself, but I was in no hurry to stop. After I’d settled under the covers I parted the pages to where I’d left off...
The second half of the chapter is a journal entry. Soon coming
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Canary word: Present
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125,007 Literary Works • 672,816 Reviews
ZOMG, I'm excited for more! I want to see whether Dominic's appearance in Dakota's apartment will affect her wedding at all, and I want to learn more about Dakota's childhood from her diary! How did she ever build up to be such a strong persona after all she's been through? Thank you for this remarkable and yet relatable story! And yes, that's true, the best of creativity always comes from reality. I think it's one of the most imaginative inspirations in life.
Elope is running away to get married rather than having a wedding.
Thanks Mo!
Hey Smiles! This is really nice! ooh, it's so sweet, and happy and sad. awww.
I love the relationship between the younger brother and her, he seems so cool!
Only thing, what does 'elope' mean? 'cause it's probably just me and my not very large vocabulary, but I'm confused now. :S
Thanks for posting, and keep me posted on this!
~Mo.
Hey..it's me again!
I am like dying right now for the journal entry. Your transitions aren't choppy or blunt at all, unlike mine in my stupid English teachers mind (grrr)...sorry anyway, this was very interesting and I love how you just randomly have Dominique in there. The signifigance of her with a stun gun or tranquilizer gun or whatever was important because it showed that she was still very paranoid. What I don't understand is that you said that Dominique was living with his and Dakota's mom. Didn't she leave? If she came bak you should explain that a bit further in the soon coming chapters.
Now only one question...when's the journal entry coming!?!?
~Jasmine Bells~
Peace, Love, Writing
Hey Leeanna!
Thanks SO much for the review, I'm glad you liked it. I'm very glad you took time to read it, I know it's long.
Please, if you have time, read chapter one. It didn't get very many reviews either.
Have a splendid day!
RedSmiles
Hey, Smiles!
I haven't read chapter one, but I will soon! There was only one grammatical error I spotted:
I accept your challenge! I'm not going to tear it apart, though.... It was really good!
Shouldn't there be a comma after counseling instead of a period?
I thought I saw another error, but now I can't find it! Maybe I just thought I saw it.... Oh-well. Great job!!
You guys are breaking my heart! Why the lack in reviews?
please?
I won't let you read the journal entry until someone picks this half apart!
I challenge YOU!