Tides Remain After Letting Go

The wedding was about to start, but my fiancé Neil's female best friend, Barbara, had slipped into my wedding dress.

"Neil, remember when we played house as kids? I was always the mom, and you were the dad." She smoothed down the lace over her hips, looking at him through the mirror. "Now you're actually getting married. Play with me one last time, okay?"

I watched, paralyzed, as Neil picked up the wedding band. He dropped to one knee and slid my ring onto Barbara's ring finger.

His thoughts drifted into my mind, loud and demanding.