I opened the closet and took out the other wedding gown, the one I'd prepared long ago.
I smoothed it out and tucked it into my suitcase.
A whole day passed, and Oswald still didn't show up.
The next morning, the doorbell rang.
I hurried over and opened the door.
Dawn stood outside, waving and smiling at me.
"Millie, sorry to barge in."
And with that, she stepped right past me and walked in like she owned the place.
"That man, Oswald. Yesterday after the gown fitting he dropped me off at the hotel, then walked through my room checking everything, insisting an outside hotel wasn't safe, going on about hidden cameras. He holed up and slept there the whole night. No matter what I said, he wouldn't listen."
"I thought one night would put his mind at ease. But this morning he took it even further. He canceled my room behind my back and said I had to stay at his place."
"Every other room at the hotel was booked, so I had no choice but to swallow my pride and come bother you."
When she finished, she turned around, hands clasped behind her back, and smiled at me.
"Miss Fox doesn't mind, does she?"
I lowered my eyes.
"I don't mind."
"I knew Oswald's taste was never off. He said you were reasonable, and it turns out it's true."
With that, she walked into the kitchen and started looking around like she'd done it a hundred times.
Every so often a little remark drifted out.
"This guy, three years and he still keeps this pot? I nearly let it boil dry back then. Can this thing even still be used?"
"Wow, he kept the dinnerware I picked out too. This was my favorite set..."
I stood where I was, my mind full of that night a year ago when I'd called Oswald in the dead of night.
There had been violent pounding on the door outside my hotel room, and I'd been too frightened to sleep. I begged him to drive over and pick me up.
But the call had woken him, and his voice carried nothing but irritation.
"A hotel that big has no security? You can't just call the front desk if something's wrong? By the time I drive all the way over there it'll be morning, and then I'd have to drive back for work. You really can't handle a little thing like this yourself?"
I drew a deep breath, turned, and went back into the room.
I locked the door and didn't come out again.
That evening, Oswald came home.
I'd just finished cooking and set everything on the table.
And there was Dawn, wearing my slippers, clinging to Oswald's arm, her eyes rimmed red.
"Millie, I'm so sorry. I just wanted some water, and I accidentally knocked the cup off your table and broke it..."
She pointed at the shards on the floor.
It was Oswald's and my couple's mug. The limited edition.
I'd hunted for half a year before I finally got it.
Oswald's brows knit at once as he turned to me, his tone accusing.
"Millie, why would you leave a cup at the edge of the table? Dawn just got here. She isn't familiar with the place yet."
I looked at him.
"She broke my cup, and you're blaming me?"
"Who else?"
He pulled Dawn over impatiently and shielded her behind him.
"Would she be crying like this if you hadn't gone at her? Can't you be a little bigger about it? It's just a cup. Apologize to her and we'll let it go."
I laughed out loud.
"I apologize?"
"Oswald, get this straight. This is my home."
His face darkened.
"What's all this 'my home, your home'? Dawn's a guest. Can't you give a little ground? It's only seven days. Once she's gone, I'll buy you ten of the exact same thing. Stop being unreasonable."
Behind him, Dawn lifted her eyes on the sly and flashed me a smug little smile.
I looked at the shards scattered across the floor, and all at once it all felt utterly pointless.
I untied my apron and tossed it on the table.
"I made the food. You two eat. I'm going out."
I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.
Behind me, Oswald shouted, "Millie, what are you throwing a fit about now?"
I didn't look back.
By the time I reached the street below, I got a call from the wedding planner.
