Jeffery sits on a chair in the balcony, overlooking the sea of flashing lights and chatter behind a blazing sun. He sighs, looking at the crowd of people twirling around haphazardly, barely following the beat of Cotton Eye Joe, spilling wine all over the dance floor, even a bit on themselves.
In the middle of the crowd is his wife, Kim, who had only been his fiancée earlier that day, and merely a stranger only a month before. Despite that, Jeffery can’t help but smile while watching her beaming all across the dance floor.
That smile then fades as Kim’s father, Gent, walks towards Jeffery, taking the seat across from him. Gent eyes down Jeffery, then gives him a half-assed smirk.
“Nice shirt,” says Gent.
“Thanks,” says Jeffery, looking down. “It’s the only black top I had.”
“Especially on such short notice, right?” says Gent, gently tugging at his blazer and tie. “It’s strange too. I see lots of your friends over there wearing blue blazers and whatnot, but…” He looks at Jeffery again. Jeffery tilts his head. Gent sighs.
“We started in the morning. You’re supposed to wear lighter colors for morning weddings. Especially as the groom,” says Gent.
“Oh, thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“What? For next time?” Gent lets out a short chuckle.
“Well, hopefully not.”
“You’d better fucking hope not,” says Gent, sipping from his glass.
Gent shakes his head, downing the rest of his wine. He stares at Jeffery. Jeffery blinks, then smiles. Gent does not smile back.
“Why are you even sitting all the way back here? This spot’s for the old, washed up folks that don’t want to be bothered.”
Jeffery chuckles. “Well, to be completely honest, I dance too much with my wife– your daughter already.”
Gent raises an eyebrow. “Too much? You married a dancer.”
“Well, don’t get me wrong. I love having fun with Kim. I love how I feel with her. I wouldn’t have done all this for no reason.”
“Even though I’m paying for it?”
He sighs. “And I am deeply grateful for your help. None of this would’ve happened without you, but without Kim and I, we wouldn’t be sitting here right now.” Jeffery sighs. “I love seeing her have fun, I love seeing her happy, but would I be able to keep her happy, even when she’s not next to me?
“You’re scared she’ll leave?” Gent chuckles. “She’s been moving around ever since she was young. She even left home right after high school. We couldn’t get Kim to stick around, yet for whatever reason, you’re the first one she actually stopped for.”
Gent moves his empty glass around. “That’s her thing, moving around. Can’t expect her to wait. All you can do is to let her be. The more you pull, the more she slips away. Free spirits like her aren’t meant to be tied down.”
Gent glances to the dance floor, then back at his drink. “I need a stronger drink,” he says, standing up.
“By the way…” Gent stops right below the arch. “…I got you a couple bottles of wine. As a gift.” Gent pauses. “Use those bottles tonight, get to know my daughter a bit more.”
“I mean, we’ve talked non-stop for all these days. I think I got to know her pretty well,” says Jeffery.
“You got to know how she talks. Everyone knows how she talks. One month is just not-” Gent bites his lip. “I’m going to get some whisky. Come find me if you want to share a bottle.”
Gent walks away, head hanging low.
Jeffery breathes out, letting his neck dangle over the chair. He looks to the crowd again, watching his now wife dancing in the middle of a crowd, while holding her heels in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. He smiles, rubbing his face with a nearby napkin.
Jeffery stands up, walking towards the crowd, dancing to the tune of The Cupid Shuffle.
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