Knight in Shining Suit (formerly) Knight in Shining Armani (PUBLISHED)

4. RSVP

4.

RSVP: Répondez s'il vous Plaît, meaning “Please Respond.”  The person sending you the invitation would like to know whether you have accepted or declined his or her invitation.

I’m not going.  I’m not going.  I’m not going.

At least that’s what I kept saying to myself in the last two weeks.  Now, it’s one week to the wedding and no phone calls from my mother begging me to go.  Not even an encouraging look from Adam. 

So, finding Mystery Alpha Male is out of the question…

Until three o’clock that afternoon.  Exactly a week from the wedding, I received the call that I thought I would never receive.

“Sweetheart, it’s Uncle Jack.”

I took a deep breath before saying, “Hey, Uncle Jack!  How’s it going?”

“Not bad.”  He replied.  “How are you doing?”

“I’m… doing fine, Uncle Jack.”

He sighed.  Then he said, “Sweetheart, I know that what Geena did to you is just… unforgiveable.  I… couldn’t believe it when I found out.  I know how hurt you must have been.”

“It’s fine, Uncle Jack.  It’s been months.  I’m… over it.”  I lied.

“If you won’t make it to the wedding, I would definitely understand.”  He said.

I didn’t answer.  Somehow, there’s a subliminal message there.  Does he or doesn’t he want me to attend the wedding?

“Astrid… I am sorry.  For Geena’s behavior.”  He said.

“It’s fine, Uncle Jack.  You don’t have to apologize.”

“You’ve been a daughter to me too.  I’ve seen you grow in front of my eyes.  And I know your pain, sweetheart.  Like I said, I am deeply sorry for what Geena has done.  And if you can’t find it in your heart to forgive them… I would not hold it against you.”

I took a deep breath and went silent for a while.  And then finally, I asked him, “You must be excited for the wedding, Uncle Jack.  You’d be walking Ge… her down the aisle.”

His tone finally lightened.  “Yes.  It’s a proud feeling to be walking your little girl down the aisle.  It’s… probably going to be the happiest day of my life…”  He trailed off, realizing that he probably must have said too much.

“It’s okay, Uncle Jack.  I know you feel very proud.  And I will attend the wedding.  For you.  So your joy will be complete.”  I didn’t know why I said what I said.  But I guess, I really love Uncle Jack that much.  To sacrifice my pride… every single bit of it just to make him complete on that day.