Fiction

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The large room was packed. Elaine told her that it would be. It was stuffy and everyone sat shoulder to shoulder, but no one seemed to mind. All attention was focused on the young man at the front. He spoke with such passion and energy and love… He did speak with love, she thought to herself.
As he finished what he was saying, someone began playing the piano softly. Her heart was beating so fast, so fast… Tears were on the verge of spilling over her eyelashes. She noticed a few people solemnly walking to the front, heads down, and weeping softly. Don’t be afraid. The words were imprinted on her heart. The voice was so familiar… She began her journey to the front.
Something was happening in her heart with each step she took, and nothing would ever be the same.

Chapter 1
She stood quietly in her bedroom. It was autumn—her favorite season. The windows were opened and a balmy breeze wafted in and calmed her frayed nerves. Nerves that were frayed from planning and pretending. In an hour, she was expected to attend her best friend’s engagement party. It would be a festive celebration with all of their friends and acquaintances. There was no doubt that Natalie would be a beautiful bride, and Serena was happy for her friend. However, she wasn’t happy for herself. So much had changed in just a few short weeks…
Serena Beck took a deep breath and walked over to her bedroom window. She let the air refresh her senses. Looking down at the 3-carat diamond engagement ring, she felt trapped. The ring’s exquisite cut caught the afternoon sunlight streaming in the window. No longer did the sparkle bring her joy. I don’t want to marry Kirk, she thought. I don’t love him. I don’t even like him anymore, and in two weeks, I’ll be his wife. A month ago, that had been her wish, but in a month, everything that had mattered before no longer did.
Serena walked over to the dressing table and brushed her wavy auburn hair. She applied her makeup with extra care hoping to disguise the sadness lurking in her green eyes. With a whisk of lip gloss on her full mouth, she was finished. She surveyed herself in the mirror. The woman peering back at her reminded Serena those things had changed. She would get through tonight and somehow she knew her answer would come. Hearing Kirk’s BMW turn in the drive, she walked downstairs to meet him. She ran her hand along the banister as she made her way downstairs silently longing for the strength to continue the façade until Natalie’s party was over.
“Hello, darling,” Kirk said as he ushered himself through the front door. “You look delicious.” Tall, dark and handsome summed up Kirk’s good looks. He had beautiful blue eyes, a trim, well built physique, and a perpetual tan. He was wearing the latest Ralph Lauren suit. Everything about him spelled success.
“Hi, Kirk.”
“Don’t I get a kiss?” he said as he playfully grabbed her slim waist.
“Oh, please don’t—makeup,” Serena said as she pointed to her face. Kirk grinned and kissed her forehead instead.
“Okay, you’re off the hook for now,” he said as he winked suggestively. Serena felt the sinking feeling as it spread through her tummy. She gently pulled away from his arms, grabbed her handbag, and smoothed her hands down her lilac colored sundress.
“We probably should be leaving.”
He opened the front door and ushered her to his shiny black BMW. Kirk loved that car and enjoyed the status that it gave him. Women always looked twice, and Serena knew this was one of the reasons he had bought the car. Kirk Dobbs loved status and money. She instinctively knew that he was marrying her for those reasons.
In twenty minutes, they arrived at Greenbrier Country Club. All of Natalie and Brian’s friends and family would be there, except for Serena’s parents who were away on holiday. The familiar tinkling of glasses, gay laughter, and elegant music greeted them as they walked into the elegant ballroom. It was a late afternoon party that would run into the night. Champagne flowed from the fountain in the middle of the room and hor d’ veres circulated around them. Natalie’s parents had spared no expense.
“Let’s go and greet the happy couple,” Kirk said as he steered her toward Natalie and Brian’s receiving line. “Two more weeks and we’ll be standing in this room receiving guests from our wedding,” Kirk mused as they waited their turn to greet the couple. Serena cringed inside, but wore a deceptive smile.
Natalie looked lovely in her blue silk dress. Her blonde hair was swept up in a French twist. She looked elegant and sophisticated for her 23 years of age. “Natalie, you look great. I don’t think that you have ever looked prettier.” Serena hugged her friend and wished them both well.
As the evening wore on, Serena felt more and more withdrawn. She made polite conversation with old family friends and even danced with Kirk once or twice. She felt like a wooden dummy in his arms. It was hard to keep the pretense going. Everything looked so different now. At one time she loved the young social scene at the country club. The status and money had intoxicated her, but no more. Serena looked with eyes that saw through the frivolous lifestyles and saw the loneliness, sadness, and longing—a longing that money couldn’t fill.
When she couldn’t keep the fake smile on her face any longer, she stepped out on the patio to get some air and clear her thoughts. It was a beautiful fall evening. The full moon shone above and reflected on the lake, and the weeping willows stirred in the soft breeze. Breathing the cool night air into her lungs, Serena silently prayed for an answer to her dilemma. How could she get out of this marriage? How? Her parents had reserved the church, the invitations had been mailed, and her dress and bridesmaid dresses were ready. All of the details had been taken care of by her mom and Eleanor, the wedding coordinator. So many people would be disappointed and angered if she didn’t marry Kirk.
Taking a deep breath, Serena gazed up at the moon and stars wishing for an easy way out. She thought about Elaine. Elaine was always the optimist—positive to a fault. She missed talking with her. The older woman had smiled, laughed, and cried with Serena for several months. She had gotten to know Elaine during her nursing internship at the cancer center, and she always had a word of wisdom for Serena. Their friendship had been too short. I wonder what she would think about my problem with Kirk, she thought.
Serena.
She whirled around to see who had whispered her name. No one was there.
Serena, go.
“Go where?” She breathed out loud.
Pack and go.
“But what if he comes after me. My parents—what will they think?”
Go.
Her answer had come. She had to leave. Serena’s mind began whirling with the possibilities. The excitement began to rise in her and she no longer felt so desperate. Tonight, she thought, I’ll pack everything tonight. Tomorrow morning I’ll be gone.
“Serena, honey,” Natalie called as she stepped out onto the patio. “Your fiancé is looking for you.”
“Oh okay. I came out to get a little air. Your party seems to have been a success. ” She linked arms with Natalie and walked in. Tonight was definitely looking better.
About an hour or so later, Serena and Kirk were on their way back to her parents’ house. She silently looked out the window and tried to think of an excuse to get Kirk to leave early. She knew what he expected of her, and for the last couple of weeks, she had done all she could to avoid the physical side of their relationship.
“You’re quiet tonight,” Kirk mused.
“Oh, I guess I’m a bit tired,” she lied. In fact, she was anxious to get her packing done.
“So I guess you want me to call it an early night.” Kirk tensed his fingers on the steering wheel. It had been a few weeks, and the tension in him had been building. He had done his best to be patient with her. She was still young and apt to play games, he reminded himself although the sudden lack of interest in the physical side of their relationship had taken him by surprise. Serena had been a social butterfly when he met her, flirty and full of life. As of late, she seemed more withdrawn and quiet, and he chalked it up to wedding jitters.
“If you don’t mind,” she blushed and looked down at her hands. She felt so awkward and uncomfortable around him. Her feelings toward Kirk all seemed so empty now.
“Serena,” he said as he reached across and massaged her neck. “You’re going to be my wife very soon. I need to know if this going to become a habit. Because a man has needs and I will have my needs met one way or another.” He stated darkly as he stared straight ahead.
The fury that enveloped her was like nothing she had ever experienced. It even took her by surprise. She jerked her head around to look at him and brushed his hand away from her neck. Luckily, they had just pulled into her driveway. She slipped the ring off of her finger and tossed it into his lap.
“Have at it, Kirk. You go and get your needs met. Our wedding is off.”
“Serena! Wait!” he shouted as she jumped out of the car in a flash and ran up to the front door. He bounded up the steps after her and grabbed her shoulders as she attempted to unlock the door.
“Serena, I really didn’t mean it. I’m frustrated. We are meant to be together. Think of everything we can accomplish together.”
There was no mention of love because there was no love. He grabbed her left hand to put the ring back on her third finger. But Serena pulled away. “No Kirk. I need to think.” Kirk put the ring in her hand anyway and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll call you tomorrow. Sleep well.” He walked away the picture of composure and got in the car and left. No doubt convinced that Serena would see the error of her ways.
Upon entering the house, Serena ran upstairs to her closet and grabbed her suitcase. Tossing her long auburn curls over her shoulder, she looked at her watch. It was 8 o’clock. Her suitcase and overnight bag were full in thirty minutes, and Serena hurried downstairs to load her silver Mercedes. She wouldn’t wait until morning. She had to leave tonight. Serena knew that Kirk would try and convince her to stay with him and her parents would do the same. After loading the car, Serena walked through the house to secure everything and left the note and ring for Kirk to find. She figured he would show up around 9:00 tomorrow morning. Wouldn’t this be a surprise?

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