“No, nothing special. She can walk. We’ll bring her wheelchair just in case she gets too tired to go long distances to the car or whatever.”
“This is so exciting. There are several classmates that live on the East Coast that are coming. It will be like old home week.”
“Where did you know Gini?
“We grew up together in Sacramento.”
“She’s certainly looking forward to going to the wedding.”
“Good. We’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”
The closer the wedding got, the more Gini talked about going. During one of the trips to New Haven, Debbie bought Gini a pretty dress to wear.
They decided to take a day trip and drive the three and a half hours, taking the big SUV. That way Gini could sleep both ways, and they could load all her paraphernalia in the back.
Robert called the hotel where the wedding was, to find out about parking and restroom areas. He was told the fourth floor of the attached parking garage had plenty of handicap parking, and there were large men’s, ladies’, and family restrooms right inside the hotel from the elevator hall.
After arriving, Gini rode in her wheelchair inside. Debbie freshened them both up in the restroom, and they took the elevator to the wedding venue. The ceremony and reception were held in the same room. Once they got to the area, Gini wanted to walk. Robert folded the chair and leaned it up against the back wall. The three of them were led to their seats, two tables from the back next to the aisle where the bride and groom would enter.
The wedding vows that the couple had written were beautiful. Gini leaned over to Robert. She could recall Robert saying, “Gini, you took my heart. You stole it from me, and I give it to you willingly.” A warm feeling filled her inside. Visions of the day of their wedding appeared in her head, Robert looking so handsome, Debbie crying with happiness, and all their friends wishing them well. She now realized she had seen all the beauty of their wedding day.
He put his arm around her, tilted her head back, and kissed her. “You remember our vows?” he asked.
“Oh… yes.” She opened her eyes and gave the smile he loved.
The bride and groom were making their way out of the room. Laura immediately saw Gini. She pulled her husband with her and went to the table for a quick word. “Gini, I’m so glad you’re here.”
Gini continued smiling. The newly wedded couple left the room.
Jackie turned to Janet, sitting at a table up near the dance floor. “Did you see who Laura Ann was talking to? Gini Anderson.”
“I saw. Laura Ann said she was coming. Gini was in a terrible accident, you know, and has brain damage.”
“No…”
“Yes, and she and Franco split. Gini’s now married to a doctor.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Nope, Franco left her after the accident. Couldn’t handle her injuries.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. I thought they’d be together forever.”
“Yeah, me too. She looks the same.”
Both girls moved so they could see Gini better.
The dinner was served, and the bride and groom made their rounds of the room.
“Gini, you look beautiful,” Laura Ann said.
“Thank… you. Be, my, hus…ban, Doc… tor, Rob… ber, ong.”
“Nice to meet you, Doctor. And you must be Ms. Pierce.”
“Debbie, please, yes, we talked on the phone.”
“Listen, Gini, there’s a whole table of classmates up front. I’ll come get you later, and we can be crazy together again.”
Gini giggled. “Cazey.”
“See you in a little while.”
As Laura Ann walked away, she laid her head on Ken’s shoulder. “Oh, Ken, so sad.”
“She looked good to me,” he said.
“You didn’t know how smart and clever she was before, now rather helpless.” Laura Ann had seen Robert feeding Gini, and her holding a handled cup awkwardly.
All the rituals of a wedding reception were performed, throwing the garter and bouquet, toasting with speeches from friends and family, the cutting of the cake, and the couple’s first dance. Then the dance floor was opened to everyone.
Laura Ann finally made her way to the classmate table. They talked about how great it was to see one another.
“So, where’s Franco?” one of the men asked.
“I don’t know, somewhere in South America.”
“Too bad, it would be good to see him.”
“Ric Santini RSVP’d he’d be coming. Looks like he’s not going to make it,” Laura Ann said.
“Dang, I’d love to see how he turned out,” Jackie added.
“That nerd?”
“Now, come on, Scott, not everyone is a jock like you.”
“Best quarterback ever—me.”
They all told Laura Ann what they were doing. Ronnie told them he was happily married with eighteen-month-old twins, a girl and a boy.
“Why didn’t your wife come?” Janet asked.
“Vonnie is with the kids. She’ll be at the brunch tomorrow morning.”
About thirty minutes into the dancing, Laura Ann proclaimed the classmates were going to do their high school fight song. She went to get Gini.
“Oh my gosh, Gini, you’re pregnant,” she said when Gini stood up.
“Bay… be, gill.”
Holding Gini’s hand, Laura Ann led her to the table of friends. Robert followed a few steps behind.
Everyone was chatting and asking questions and laughing when they got to the table. Gini just smiled and closed her mind—too much confusion.
Robert stood away from the group with his hands clasped in front of him. He wanted her to enjoy her friends.
The group went to the dance floor and started the chant. The former cheerleaders did the hand and arm movements, but Laura Ann never let go of Gini’s hand. Debbie could see Gini trying to mouth some of the words. At the end, the others yelled, “Rah, Rah, Rah,” and
