Less People Know About Us : A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity (9781538700938) by Betz-hamilton Axton

Less People Know About Us : A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity (9781538700938) by Betz-hamilton Axton

Author:Betz-hamilton, Axton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
Published: 2019-10-14T16:00:00+00:00


It was still bitter cold the next time Rob visited me in Havana. The Illinois River floated by downtown in sharp chunks of ice. The baseboard heaters in my apartment left the air painfully dry. When Rob stepped inside, I threw my arms around him, feeling something solid and boxy in his coat pocket, pressing against my ribs. I pulled away with a smile. “What is that?” I said.

Rob had been staying with his family in Missouri for a few months while he figured out his next move. Part of that decision hinged on me, and since I didn’t know where I was going, he didn’t know, either. But we had talked about getting married. On the phone one night, Rob had asked what kind of engagement ring I might want. I answered something inexpensive, something simple; music to the ears of my underemployed boyfriend.

Rob left on his overcoat, suggesting we take a walk down by the river. I felt the tingle of anticipation as I put on my shoes. We walked hand in hand to the pedestrian bridge that spans Main Street, overlooking the river. It was freezing; downtown was empty.

Rob and I remember his proposal differently. I heard: “You haven’t always been easy to be with,” but he swears his preamble went more like “We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs.” Either way, his knee landed on a wooden plank of the bridge as he pulled that solid, boxy thing from his front pocket.

“Axton, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” I shouted as I pulled him up for an embrace. The slow rush of the frozen river seemed amplified, the whole world abuzz for just us.

We celebrated at the Chuckwagon, Rob’s favorite hole-in-the-wall diner in Havana. In the glow of our engagement, the waitresses were beautiful, the faded wallpaper downright regal.

After dinner I called home. Mom’s excitement came through with an unprecedented volume. “Oh, that’s fantastic! That is such great news!” she said. I smiled as I admired the petite diamond adorning my finger. This was the happiest I could remember ever making her. So what came next was unexpected.

“I don’t think you guys should have a wedding,” she said. “Don’t waste the money. You should elope!” Her tone had not changed but suddenly my high spirits plummeted.

“Wait, what? Why not?” I pushed the diamond around my ring finger with my thumb, until the gem was upside down, cushioned in my fist.

“It’s just a big waste of money. Plus, you don’t really have anyone to invite, anyway.”

“What do you mean I don’t have anyone to invite? We could do a small destination thing.” I wasn’t sure why I was now asking Mom for a wedding I was in charge of planning.

“And Rob’s side of the church would be full of his friends and family, and your side will be Dad and me…and maybe Maxine and Garrett.” She said it like it was a fact, something I already should have known.

“Rob wants a wedding, and his family will want a church wedding.



Download



Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.