Chapter 2

I can't quell a sense of foreboding deep within my stomach. If I had known then what I know now, I would've listened to it. I would've ran away from my mother's house as fast as my legs could carry me and never looked back. I would've saved myself from the inevitable, but the outcome would still be the same. I would still be identifying the bodies of my loved ones, and I would still be hiding the evidence that I had caused them. No matter how many times I tell myself I can change the past, their fates still stand.

I watch the weather reports, unable to tear myself away. I'm not sure why, but I feel attached to the television. Nothing else matters.

"There will be a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until around midnight tomorrow." I think he says, but I can barely make it out. The storm is affecting the satellite reception. I can hear my mother yelling through the phone at my father in between the breaks in speech. "We can only-

"God, you fucking-"

"…but-"

"Goddamn it Gordon! I'll talk to you-"

"… We'll be back-" and I lose feed as my mother hangs up. I think of it as a blessing. At least now I can focus on what's ahead: my marriage to the man I love.

My mother seems to materialize next to me. "Your asshole of a father called." Wow. You can't even act civil? "Says he's bringing Devin with them. Wouldn't let them leave without him."

"But, he can't see me before the wedding!" I panic. The last thing I need is bad luck.

"Don't worry, Dear." She says, putting her hand on my face, pulling it toward her shoulder. She wants to console me, so I submit. "They've put a blindfold on him."

She giggles, and I giggle too. The image of my hot-headed father trying to lead Devin around makes me feel better. He can barely see without a blindfold.

There's a knock on the door, and it snaps me out of whatever relief I had. The fear returns, raging like the storm outside. It's weird, because I'm not afraid for me… I'm afraid for Devin. For my father, my mother and her husband, my sister and her daughter, my best friend, Devin's best man. Deep inside I can't help but feel like something bad will happen.

Regardless of my fear, I answer the door. It's Devin, suited up and blindfolded, like my mother said. "Anne? Baby? That's you right? If not, I'm talking to your mother and that's really awkward since I just called her baby." He laughs nervously, arms outstretched in an attempt to lead himself.

I laugh too. "Yes, it's me."

"Oh, thank God." He finds my face and kisses me. I feel a swell of love for him I've never felt for anyone else. He's the greatest man I know. "I had to see you, so they made me put a blindfold on. Of course, I can't physically see you, but-"

"I already told her mother everything." My father's booming voice cuts between us. "Whether or not her mother actually told her is another story."

"Hi Eileen!" Devin yells, obviously trying to avoid an argument. Did I mention he's amazing?

I grab my father's face with both hands and pull him close so only he can hear, "Dad, please. Not today."

He can clearly see the panic on my face, and his softens. "No problem Doll. What do you say we get this show on the road, huh?"

I smile and nod. I want more than anything for this day to be over. I lead Devin to the car, laughing as he stumbles… until I stop dead in my tracks. There's something about the license plate of the car that grabs my attention.

It reads "FLHT-180".