Mac

I arrived at the church at 1:00. By the end of today, I knew I would still be single and would have $50 more than when I arrived.

This is complex so let me explain. You see I made this bet the day I saw Ruthie 2 years ago with my friend, Mark. We bet I could get Ruthie Camden, the "hot" girl on campus, to say she would marry me in two years. We bet $20 then. Then, when Mark decided that the bet would be more interesting if we made it to the planned wedding day and to leave her at the alter. (Did I mention Mark went out with Ruthie but she broke up with him because he waned her to put out?)

Both of us figured I would have to steal her from Martin, but I guess not. She didn't see him until her high school graduation. They started talking again slowly and now, they are better friends than ever. I can still see the look of love in his eyes every time he lays his eyes on her and the longing every time he touches her. And as for Ruthie, I know she loves him although she never would admit it and covers it well.

But anyways, it would have been $50 more if I got her virginity, but she is so stubborn and I really didn't wasn't to go to jail for rape or get beaten to a pulp by her brothers and Martin. So $50 will have to do.

Eric came into the room to tell me that people were starting to arrive. Then he left to go find his Bible. Mark slipped past him and Martin entered behind him.

"Did you bring the money?' I asked Mark.

"Yeah, how much do I owe you? $100?"

"No, darn it! Just $50. She is stubborn, man!"

"Told you she wouldn't put out!"

We both started to laugh.

"Mac, what is going on? You bet on Ruthie! How could you, moron!!" Martin screamed. Mark rushed over to the door and shut it.

"Listen, I am going to leave Ruthie at the alter for $50, but you can't tell ANYONE!" I whispered. And I slipped out to join the Reverend at the alter.

Martin

I am having a serious moral dilemma. What am I supposed to do? I mean, Mac has been my best friend for years, but so has Ruthie. And I love her. So of course I don't want he to marry him; I'm no moron. But I don't want Ruthie to be angry at me as well/ I don't want to be responsible for breaking up anyone for my own selfish reasons. I really do love her, which is the worst part about is. If I knew how she felt about me, things would be so much easier.

"You coming?" Kevin said, entering the office with Charlie by his side.

"Yeah, I'm coming."

ß

Ruthie

"Lucy, help me arrange the veil; it isn't right!!" I yelled across the room to my frantic sister, who was putting flowers in Savannah, the flower girl's, hair.

"Sandy, can you get it? Savannah, stop wiggling, sweetheart." She said in reply.

"I'm on it!" Sandy said, hand on her bulging, 7-month pregnant stomach. (She was married to Simon 4 years ago.) I looked around the room. Lucy, my matron of honor, was wearing a silk tangerine dress that was tea length with capped sleeves. The other bridesmaids, Sandy, Mary, and Sarah, were wearing a dress in the same colored silk, but with spaghetti strap sleeves. Savannah, was wearing a violet dress with a little circle of tangerine roses and violets in her hair. The groomsmen were all in Dad's office; we were in Lucy's. They were wearing black tuxes with, tangerine (the best man only; Martin,) and everyone (Matt, Simon, Carlos, and Kevin) else had violet colored ties.

But the most spectacular piece of all is my dress! It is pure white with a full skirt that is very wide. It has a tank-style sleeve that gathers together. The back is very low; it goes to about the middle of my back. It has the most beautiful details on the bodice! On my feet are 5-inch heels. They are very comfortable, despite the height of the shoe. I have been practicing walking in them for the past week, so I won't fall while walking down the isle to Mac.

I simply can't believe that in a matter of one-half hour, I am going to be married! I am so excited! My stomach is turning though. What if I mess up the vows? What is Dad forgets the vows? What is Matt trips me on the walk down the isle? What if I rip MATT on the trip down the isle? What if Savannah picks her nose? What if Mac leaves me and decides Maggie is prettier and she runs off with him to Guam? Ok, now I am getting impractical. All those things could go wrong, but I know for certain that Mac would never leave me hanging.

"Ready, Sis?" Matt asked me.

"You have no idea!" I said. And the Canon in D started and I knew it was time for Lucy and Martin to walk down the isle. Then Mary and Carlos. After them walked Simon and Sandy. Then Kevin and Sarah. Then, Savannah and Charlie walked down the isle. She threw her flowers perfectly and Charlie didn't drop my ring, so I think it went well! Then the music changed. Matt looked over at me and kissed my cheek. We started or long walk down the isle. Left, together. Left, together. Right, together. Right, together.

But when I saw Mac, I knew everything was ok. He looked at me so excitedly. I looked over everyone else. My bridesmaids were simply glowing, Sandy in particular. All the groomsmen were smiling and happy. Well, except for Martin. He looked sick. Actually, he looked positively green! It was probably from the dinner Mary cooked yesterday. He is so cute when he is sick! He is always cute. With those big green eyes and dark hair. Wait! What am I thinking! I am marrying the man I love today! With his lovely blue eyes and blond hair. And besides, I could never have anything with Martin now; we are just best friends and he doesn't like me anyways.

"Who gives the woman to this man"" Daddy asked/

"Her family and I," was Matt's reply and he kissed my cheek. Then he put my hand in Dad's and he kissed me as well. Then he put my hand in Mac's. His hand was sweaty and rough compared to my cold, soft one. His grasp did not give me the comfort I expected.

Then Dad began the service with a few Bible verses, the ones about love in I Corinthians. Then we light our unity candle and took communion together for the first time. Then, we came back and Dad said the famous line: "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

I glanced around the room. There were two voices at once. One from my groom, the other from Martin. Both said the same thing.

"I can't do this."