Thank you Candace for the editing.
*
Georgetown, Kentucky.
Mike Bradford was the happiest man walking this earth. In ten days he would marry Angela Wilson, his sweetheart, the love of his life, the woman with whom he would respect his vows and promises till death do them part.
Angela's bridesmaids would be her three best friends Betty, Christine and Dolly. The four were always referred as the ABCD's. Mike and Angela met during the wedding of his friend Paul to Betty. He was the best man and she was one of the bridesmaids. They exchanged their phone numbers and soon started dating. A year later, both decided to tie the knot. Christine was living with her boyfriend Ron for a couple of months and she was waiting eagerly the day Ron would propose. Dolly, on the other hand, was changing boyfriends every six months. For the time being she was with Al.
Mike's mom, Mary, never liked Angela. He knew about it and thought that with time everything would be ok. He considered it a certain type of jealousy that some mothers had against their daughters- in-law, thinking that they were stealing their sons away. And Mike was the only child. His father Josh was different. On the first day he brought Angela to his parents, Josh had told him. "Son, you made a choice, you took a decision, now you'll have to bear the responsibilities."
Angela's parents, Peter and Julie, blessed the relationship since the beginning. Peter liked Mike the first time they met. Julie was a bit protective over her daughter, always looking for the best things for her. She asked Mike to buy a house because her daughter could not live in a rented one. Mike said that they would stay in his apartment and would buy a house, once they could start a family.
Like for Betty's bachelorette party, only the four friends would celebrate Angela's party. It would be held one week before the lovers exchanged their vows. The location was kept a secret.
"Hi Mike," Betty greeted Mike at the door. "Come in, Paul is in the bathroom. Have a seat."
"Just want to go over a few things with him."
"Don't stress yourself Mike, everything will be fine. I know how you are feeling these days, but take it easy," Betty encouraged him.
"I know, but I don't want a last-minute issue on my wedding day." Mike replied.
"We will be there to solve it, if ever there is one. Don't worry. "
Betty's cell phone rang. "I need to take this call," she stood up and walked to the kitchen. "Paul will be out any minute." Mike could still hear the running water.
Alone after five minutes, Mike walked to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water. He could see Betty on the patio; she was still on the phone with her back facing him. He filled a glass and wanted to go outside for some fresh air. When he arrived at the back-sliding door which was half opened, he could hear Betty talking even if she was speaking softly, almost whispering.
"No, no, no." She was a bit irritated. "Why can't you understand that we can't afford three guys?"
Mike stood still and frowned.
"Their fees start when they leave Louisville. Don't forget that we'll also need to pay for their trip charge to Elmer Davis and back."
Mike leant against the wall, trying not to be seen.
"With the rent of the cottage, booze and food, we can't spend that much. Don't forget that only three of us are sharing all the cost. We can't let Angela contribute a single cent, it's her party. Two guys are enough. I'll do all the shopping on Saturday morning."
"Cottage, Elmer Davis Lake, guys from Louisville?" Mike almost fainted.
"We will all drive in my SUV, it's better. Ok I need to go now. Mike is here to meet Paul."
Mike immediately put his glass in the sink and rushed to the living room. Seconds later Paul walked down the stairs.
Back to his apartment, Mike thanked himself for having been able to keep his cool in front of Betty. He knew she was talking about the bachelorette party. It would be one girl's night. He was wondering who the two guys were and what would be their roles. The girls would rent a cottage by Elmer Davis Lake, north of Georgetown. And the two guys would come from Louisville. He closed his eyes for five minutes, working it out in his brain. When he opened them, he knew what he had to do. He took his laptop, logged in and searched for a tracking GPS device. He went through all types that were available and decided on the right one with all the features he was looking for. He purchased one on line with express delivery.
Mike's phone rang. "Hello," he said, recognizing Angela's number.
"Honey." Angela's voice was sweet. "Everything ok?"
"Yes, sure. Why are you asking?"
"The way you said 'hello'."
"I have been a little bit stressed these last few days."
"You shouldn't be. Betty called and told me how worried you looked today."
"I am, Angela. I am."
"You are not planning to run off at the last minute?" Angela joked.
"I love you too much to do such thing."
"I know, honey. And I love you as much as you love me."
"Angela, we've been exclusive since we started dating and I'll keep my vows and promises we'll make in ten days. You are and will be my only woman till I die."
"Darling, of course I expect you to be a one-woman man. We have been exclusive and I'll keep my vows and promises too."
"I trust you Angela."
"Honey, is there something wrong? I get the feeling that ..."
"Everything's ok," Mike cut her off. "It's that we are taking a huge step in our life, it's a great decision. Our future depends on it. Building a relationship and having a future together is like building a house. If the base is not solid, it will collapse. The base here is love, trust, fidelity, communication, truth, caring for each other and above all, respect."
"Why are you telling me all of this, Mike? Do you have any doubts? Don't you trust me?"
"I already told you that I trust you. I only wanted you to know what I expect in our relationship as a married couple."
"We will be the perfect couple, Mike. We are a match made in heaven."
"I have a few things to do, I'll call you later."
"Yes sweetheart, I love you."
"Bye." Mike hung up.
As soon as Angela hung up, she knew there was something wrong with Mike. He didn't reply with "I love you too" as he used to. His voice was different than normal. Her phone rang, it was Betty.
"Hi my angel," Betty greeted.
"Hey. Just talked to Mike, I get the impression that there is something upsetting him."
"Don't you worry. It's premarital anxiety. Everything will be ok once he's between your legs during your honeymoon."
"Hope you are right."