December Rose

 

 

Sara had never smiled as much as she did the night of their first date.  It had been 4 years ago this coming December.  She knew immediately that Robert was “the one”.  She loved his nervousness, she loved his self-deprecating humor.  She loved him almost immediately. 

They took things slowly and after the 3^rd year, Robert proposed.  He was so nervous that his teeth were chattering and his hands were shaking.  Sara loved him even more for that.  Of course her answer was “Yes”.  She would have said yes that first night.

They were now planning a December wedding to commemorate their first date and the date of the proposal.  Everything good and true in their lives together seemed to happen in December, and it seemed perfect to plan the wedding at that time.  They decided to have the wedding and reception at one of the smaller ballrooms of the Ski Resort an hour north of them, thinking how beautiful it would be with the fireplaces warming their friends and family, and the flames reflecting off the snow.  The flames dancing in rhythm to the celebration going on all around.  It was going to be magical.  She just knew it.

Flowers, music, food and entertainment were arranged.   Sara and Robert got a kick out of the menu tasting and everything that was offered as an “extra”.  They were laughing so hard at one point that a noodle actually came out of Robert’s nose -which only made them laugh even harder.  The wedding coordinator eyeballed them suspiciously, thinking them too low-brow to have a wedding at his establishment, and too silly to even get married.  His disapproving looks were not lost on Robert, who decided to needle the coordinator with inane questions.  “So, Goodman,” said Robert, “can you ensure that a bottle of ketchup is on each table?  Our family just loves smothering their filet mignon with a bottle of Heinz 57, makes for good eats. Plus the bottle can serve as a centerpiece.”  Robert continued, “I see that there’s no trash cans throughout the dining area, where are the guest to dump their paper plates and plastic utensils?”  Ending with, “If we bring out own salt and pepper shakers from home, can we get a discount?”  Getting the hint, the coordinator took his leave and left them giggling to each other. 

Sara found her dress in a little store off the beaten path.  A beautiful off-white floor length gown, with delicate bead-work at the bodice, and scalloped edges at the hemline.  Simple yet elegant.  Robert chose a traditional tuxedo, with a red cummerbund.  Their wedding party was small, with a maid of honor and a bridesmaid, a best man and a groomsman. 

The BIG DAY was 24 hours away, and Sara kissed Robert on the nose.  “The next time you see me Mister, I shall be standing at the altar, all in white.  A glowing vision. Follow the light, my love.”  She kissed him again and set out with her bridal party to the Ski Resort.  Robert watched her go and knew he was the luckiest man on Earth.

The morning of the wedding, the snow started to fall. It was perfect, just as she had wished.  The roads weren’t bad, and she could see people starting to arrive to check in to their rooms.  Her hair was set in curlers, and her makeup was being applied.  She had no nervousness, no butterflies.  Just pure excitement for what she knew the future would hold.  A house, kids, a dog – the whole white picket fence ideal was their dream.  And it started with today. In 3 hours.

****

There was a soft knock at her door, as she was putting her veil on.  She knew it was time to head downstairs, so she answered with “Be down in one minute.”  I’m the bride, she thought to herself, what are they going to do?  Start without me?  She smiled to herself at her the thought.  “I’m the bride.”  She giggled and took one last glance in the mirror.  The knock returned.

She opened the door to find Robert’s brother and best man standing before her.  “What are you doing here, Steven?  I don’t know, but it feels like bad luck for the best man to see the bride before the wedding, too,” she said with a smile.

“Sara, I’m afraid I have some bad news,” Steven started.  He sat down and put his head in his hands and started to sob.  “What is it Steven?  You’re scaring me.”  Sara had never seen him like this before, and for the first time in years, felt a shiver race up and down her spine.

“Sara, I’m so sorry.”  Steven kept repeating those words over and over again, in between his tears.  “Sorry for what, Steven?  What’s going on?”  Sara was shaking at this point and thousands of thoughts leapt through her mind at once.

“Robert is…gone, Sara.  He was struck by a car and killed just over an hour ago.  Sara, I’m so sorry.  I’m so sorry.  He loved you so much.”

She stood there, in her simple yet elegant dress and stared at him.  Disbelieving.  “What do you mean he’s died?  What does that mean, Steven?!”

“Robert wanted to surprise you.  He knew how you loved red roses, so he made the plan to line your pathway to the ceremony with long stemmed roses.  He knew the roses in the snow would make you so happy.  He wanted you to be surprised.  He just loved you so much.”  He went on, “He forgot to bring the roses this morning, so he called the wedding planner and he gave the name of the local florist who could help him out.”  Steven caught his breath.  “As he was coming back up the mountain, a truck coming down lost control.    The truck hit the driver side door.  They said he died instantly.  I’m so sorry, Sara.”

The world went white, and Sara dropped.