Stacey's wedding day was spectacular. There was a lot of last-minute running around to sort out the final details but in the end, it was one of the most amazing events I'd ever been to in my whole life. She and Alan had managed to book a beautiful wine farm just outside the city as their venue.
They'd had to pay a ridiculous amount for it but when I got there, I saw why it was worth every penny. The estate was stunningly green and it was a perfect, cloudless, sunny day. Much to Stacey's dismay, I hadn't managed to find a date to the wedding but I couldn't care less. All I could think of was that sexy, green-eyed hunk I'd seen at the prison and the way he'd looked at me. It had been such a long time since I'd felt a connection with anybody so he was difficult to forget. I wasn't one to be so interested in somebody just from looking at them but there was just something about him that got me going. It was a bit disconcerting because I knew I had more self-control than that. Something told me that she wouldn't approve of me finding a convicted felon attractive so I kept it to myself. For the time being anyway.
I was finishing up my make-up when Stacey walked in still wrapped in her robe. She had very light make-up on and her hair was done up in a classy up do, drawing attention to her beautiful eyes. Her skin was a wonderful bronze from the summer sun and even though she was obviously very nervous, she was still an absolute vision. All this and she wasn't even her wedding dress yet. I'd never been happier for my best friend. I hadn't actually seen her in her dress yet because she decided to get a new one about two weeks before the wedding. Apparently she didn't feel a 'connection' anymore with the other one.
"So, how do you feel?" I asked, leaning in for a careful hug so I wouldn't disturb her hair and make-up.
"Pretty fucking awesome," she said with a huge grin. "I'm super nervous too. I can't believe that this is finally happening, I really can't."
"Well, believe it missy because in a few minutes you're going to be Mrs Evans!"
There was a pause before we both squealed in excitement and then burst out laughing.
"Hey don't think that just because I'm so excited I've let you off the hook. I'm still mad you didn't bring anybody."
I rolled my eyes and turned away to take my dress out of its cover.
"Oh my word! Are you still on about that? Why is it such a big deal?"
"Because I know you! Protest about it and make excuses all you want, you want somebody in your life. Come on, how long have we known each other? I know you too well."
"Stacey, could you maybe not worry about my shitty love life on your wedding day? We can debate about this some more another time. Today is all about you, okay? You! So just be quiet and look pretty," I said nudging her in the shoulder.
"Yeah whatever Angie, this isn't over! Hurry up and get dressed so you can help me into my dress you sexy beast."
I was the only bridesmaid at her wedding because according to Stacey, she wasn't going to ask people she didn't really know or get along with to be her bridesmaids just for the sake of having more visually appealing pictures. I was really honoured that she chose me but I was also a bit nervous about walking down the aisle before her by myself. I wasn't looking forward to having so many eyes on me at once.
My dress was amazing though. I usually hated shopping for clothing because it made me frustrated and self-conscious. I was a big girl so finding things that fit me well and flattered my figure was close to impossible. Luckily, I was able to have my dress custom made so that it fit me like a dream. It was a striking, floor-length, royal blue gown with a bit of a train. The sleeves were long and the neck dipped a bit to show the slightest hint of cleavage. The fabric was soft and light; perfect for the summer day outside. It hugged me in all the right places and made me feel like a knock-out. Stacey's dress was a magnificent mermaid style gown that sat on her body like a second skin. She'd never been more radiant.
The ceremony was breath-taking and I had the time of my life at the reception. It didn't bother me in the slightest that I was there alone. I stayed away from the bar because I was planning on driving myself home afterwards. When the last trickle of people remained, I decided to call it a night.
I said goodbye to Stacey and Alan and left to try and find my car again. On my drive home, I had a sudden craving for McDonald's and I figured I'd just go as I was because I was too lazy to go home first and get changed. I felt a bit like a twat walking into McD's so dressed up but I wanted a greasy burger and I wasn't even ashamed about it. Maybe I'd get myself an ice-cream too because why the fuck not?
*****
Coffee had never tasted so good. I knew that I didn't exactly have the budget to be eating out yet but I just needed to get myself a burger and coffee. Those were the two things I'd missed most when I was locked up. I went to the McDonald's at night because I wanted to avoid a huge crowd of people. I'd spent the past eight years of my life in an overcrowded cage so I think I'd earned myself some fresh air.
It was so fucking weird to be out in society again. I knew it was in my head but it felt like everybody knew I was a felon. I could feel everybody's eyes on the back of my head when I was on the bus on the way from the prison. I knew it was my own fault that I landed up there but it still sucked.
My parents wouldn't want to see me. I was a disgrace to the whole Rizzoli family. My father runs a communications company, the biggest in the country, and I'd completely fucked up his reputation when I got into trouble. They'd basically disowned me when I was arrested. My older brother and I were barely speaking even before all this shit went down so I didn't know where he was. Last I heard, he was busy running one of the tech divisions in my dad's company. He was probably abroad somewhere.
I was definitely the black sheep of the family. I don't even know what the fuck I'd been thinking, getting mixed up with people like that. I had a good life ahead of me but I had to be a stupid punk and try to prove myself to my friends. At least I still had my uncle to look out for me. He and my father never really got along because he felt like my father had been too hard on me as a child. In the weeks leading up to my release, he'd managed to get me a decent paying job at a construction site and a small apartment close to where I worked.
It wasn't much but it had everything I needed and it was a hell of a lot better than the life I'd been living in prison. He'd even managed to get me some good clothes and a bit of money to get me started. I owed him. He was the only person who'd treated me like a human being for the past few years. I needed a way to make money so that I could get back on my feet as soon as possible. After I was arrested, I hated relying on anybody for anything.
In fact, I hated people knowing I was a Rizzoli to begin with. They'd always assume I was this spoilt brat who lived off a trust fund and never did shit. I guess maybe they were a little right about that. I always thought that my dad would bail me out the way he always did when I got into trouble. Instead, he just cut off contact with me completely and didn't even make as much as a phone call for eight years. My mother called every now and again but she was always afraid my father would find out and lose his temper so her calls were always short and tense.
It tore me up inside to know that I was putting my mother through so much hell. All she ever did was love me and I threw it right back in her face. I was determined to show them and everybody else that I could be something, no matter how long it took me. I was done being some punk-ass kid with a chip on his shoulder and a grudge against the world. I'd lost my whole young adult life to prison and I wanted to get my life back on track.
I was sitting by myself at a counter facing the window outside while I drank my coffee. I saw a few cute girls walk by and check me out. That used to happen all the time. Women used to throw themselves at me all the time. I think it was mostly the money but I knew I was good-looking and I hadn't been afraid to abuse it. By the time I was sixteen I'd lost count of the number of women I'd been with. It just didn't matter much to me. All they wanted to do was fuck me and use me for my money so I returned the favour. I remember travelling with my dad sometimes and there would always be these gorgeous women wherever we went. They knew who we were and that my dad was loaded.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I felt like my father had cheated on my mother before with one of those women but I could never prove it. All I knew was that he hated me. Sometimes I wondered how we were even related because we were so different. Before I got arrested, I never met a girl I'd felt anything for. I had a few regular fuck buddies but other than that, I didn't really care much for women.
