CHAPTER

Thirty-five

She knew she was going against everything he'd asked her not to do, but it was her wedding day and she wanted it to be special.

Mildred had wanted a big to-do. A church wedding and reception at the Grand Prospect Hall.

She'd gone for a showing and even a food tasting, claiming that Tony, her husband-to-be, was an investment banker who traveled a lot, which is why she was there alone.

But Tony said a large wedding would call attention to them and they were almost home free with an extra hundred grand to start a new life with.

So a civil service wedding, Tony said, would be the best thing.

Quick and quiet.

And then off on their two-week honeymoon to Bora Bora.

“You're getting what?” Geneva choked out after having taken a sip of her Diet Pepsi.

They were eating lunch at McDonald's.

“Married!” Mildred squealed, thrusting the ring in Geneva's face.

Geneva squinted at the tiny diamond.

“To that man? That Tony guy?”

Mildred rapidly bobbed her head up and down as she bit down into a Big Mac.

Geneva didn't know what to say. She was mute with shock. But after some time, she finally said, “Well, congratulations. When's the big day?”

“Tomorrow at noon.”

Geneva blinked. “Tomorrow? So soon. And where?”

“City Hall.”

Geneva had always been suspicious of this relationship, but now the hairs were standing up on the back of her neck.

She leaned forward, locked her eyes with Mildred's, and asked, “Is he a citizen?”

Mildred's head jerked with surprise. “Of course he is!”

“Then why all the rush? Why can't you two wait and have a proper ceremony?”

Mildred's response was sharp: “Because we don't want to wait.”

Geneva shrank back into her seat. What ever happened to the sweet, timid Mildred she once knew?

“Makes sense,” Geneva squeaked as she reached for a french fry.

“And I hope you'll be able to attend?”

“Wouldn't miss it for the world.”