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Day 8 - Marrying the Unknown

100 Day Writing Challenge
Day # 8
Prompt: “We were going to have to find a locksmith…”




The rhythm of the seductive slow dance pulled the strings as we swayed there in lockstep in the middle of the room. The entire wedding party danced in a circle around us as I held my newly-wed wife close. Her head rested against my shoulder, her fragrant aroma wafted around my face.

We had just met three months ago, but I knew from the moment my eyes caught a glimpse of the life behind her own. There was a mystery about her, but I loved mystery. Her smile was like a bolt of electricity to my heart, knocking it off rhythm. Her strength of spirit commandeered my soul and took it captive in her near-whimsical nature. She took her passions by the horns and followed wherever they may take her, even if she might not know the destination.

The slow dance ended abruptly to the upbeat rhythms of dub-step. My wife’s train-less wedding dress was her advantage as she sprung away from me up in a stylish, almost choreographed dance with the rest of the wedding party. The guests offered a cheer of surprise and support.

The gleaming smile on her face stole my heart all over again. Some may say three months is too short to know someone enough to get married, but when I look into her eyes I can see the life that she has lived and is living. Three months is more than enough for me. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with her.

The wedding reception faded into a dwindling few who lingered outside the hall by their cars beneath the flickering moth-plagued street lights. We spoke with my best friend from college for hours until they finally said their final farewell, beginning their long trek to return to their home across the ocean.

I sighed deeply, clutching her hand in my own. I couldn’t believe we were married. I smiled at her, “Come on. Let’s go home.”

We walked to the car, and I patted my empty pockets. “Do you have the keys?”

“No. I had to run in to open the reception hall for the caterer. You were the last one in the car.” She looked at me with a cheerful annoyance.

I jiggled the locked door and peered in. My disco ball keychain dangled from the ignition, mocking me. I groaned and reached for my cell phone. We were going to have to call a locksmith, but who knows when they’d be able to come out at this time of night.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this.” She wriggled out a metal coat hanger from the bundle of a wedding dress in her arms. She shrugged off her dress into my arms and approached the driver’s side door. With a shimmy and a shake, a wriggle and a bump, the lock clicked, and she opened the door with a wink.

I stared at her. Where did she pick up that trick? And with such ease? Her eyes glinted a hue of mischief, but washed away in her usual delighted grin. “What’s wrong? Didn’t know I could do that, did you?”

No, actually, I didn’t. And for whatever reason, it worried me a bit. Not that she could shimmy a car lock, but the glimmer in her eyes of a life she once lived. She almost missed it. Almost regretted whatever life she abandoned to become the person she saw today. Who was she in her other life? Maybe three months isn’t enough to really know someone.

“Come on,” she said with a laugh. “Let’s go home.” She slipped into the driver’s seat, pressing the unlock button. She winked at me and turned the ignition.


- (c) Kevin Barrick

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