Lovers Gone

The wedding was in a week and Alaina was ecstatic.  She was marrying the man of her dreams, Garret Abury, and she couldn't be more excited.1

"Alaina!  You up there?  Come on we're getting our manicures today remember!"  2

"Coming!" she yelled down the stairs.  She quickly grabbed her jacket off the back of her desk chair and skipped down the stairs. "OK, lets go!"  Alaina and her four bridesmaids walked out to the four door Chevy truck and piled in.3

"So Mandy, I heard you might be making wedding plans pretty soon here yourself." Alaina said as she looked at her friend in the rear view mirror.4

"Maybe.  But we've only talked about it, he hasn't actually asked me yet.  But hey, this day is about you missy!" she said as she threw her gum wrapper at her.5

"Hey!" Hannah exclaimed from the drivers seat. "Trying to drive here!"6

"Sorry." Alaina and Mandy said in unison.  The girls looked at each other and pealed over in laughter.7

Three hours later Alaina unlocked the door and walked into her parents house.8

"Mom?" she called.9

"In the kitchen!"  She set down her purse on the bench in the front hall and walked towards the kitchen.10

"Something smells good."11

"Thank you honey!" her mother replied as they embraced. "How was your day at the mall?"  She asked as she went back to the stove and stirred the contents of the pot.12

"Good!  I got my nails done, fingers and toes!" Alaina replied as she held her hands out for her mother to see.13

"Oooh you got the little rhinestones!  Beautiful sweetheart."14

"Where's dad?" Alaina asked as she went around the counter and sat at a barstool.15

"Oh he's up in his office.  Working on insurance papers."16

"Oh..would I bother him if I went up?"17

"Of course not!  Go see him, and tell him dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes!"18

"Will do!" Alaina spun around on her foot and skipped up the stairs.  She walked to her fathers office and knocked on the wooden door.19

"Come in!" She eased open the door and walked into the room.20

"Hi daddy!" 21

"There's my girl!" Jim Martin exclaimed as he stood up to embrace his daughter.  "How was your day?"22

"Good, lots of shopping and fun, girl stuff" she winked at her father.23

"Ah, gotcha!  So what do I smell drifting up the stairs Miss Alaina?"24

"Oh!  Mom's making dinner.  She said to tell you it will be done in fifteen minutes."  she looked at her watch, "Make that eight minutes!" she laughed.25

"Well I'm done now, lets head on down." 26

"Yes sir!" Alaina saluted her father.27

"Get out of here you goof."28

~*~*~*~ONE WEEK LATER~*~*~*~29

Alaina couldn't believe it.  She was getting married in two hours!  There was only one problem, where was the groom?30

"I've called his cell seven times and hes not answering!"31

"Calm down sweetie, I'm sure he's on his way."32

"Then why isn't he answering!"33

"He might have it on vibrate." Mandy offered from the corner of the room.  Alaina's mom smiled gratefully at her.  Alaina sat on the sofa and played with her engagement ring.  There was a knock at the door and she looked up hopefully.  Hannah quickly walked over to the door and opened it.  As she stepped back Alaina saw Garrets mother, her face was red and blotchy and her eyes wet.34

"Alaina.."35

"What happened?" Alaina asked in a near whisper.36

"We just got a..a call.  From the hospital.  Garret..his car...there was.." she couldn't finish but fell into her husbands arms as he walked into the room. 37

"No.." Alaina whispered.  The look Mr. Abury gave her confirmed it.  "NO!" She yelled, falling to the floor sobbing.  Her mother was by her side, holding her, in an instant.  "NO!" she sobbed, "Not Garret, NOT GARRET!" 38

~*~*~TWO WEEKS LATER~*~*~39

Alaina stepped out of the car, opened her umbrella and waited for her mother to join her.40

"You'll be OK honey, we'll do this together." Alaina simply nodded and walked towards the hole in the wet dirt.  She stood silent and still as the pastor gave his message.  When it was her turn to sprinkle dirt onto the coffin, she walked silently, alone, to the grave.  41

"I love you Garret, save a place for me in Heaven." she whispered as she sprinkled the wet dirt onto her fiances coffin.  She slowly walked away, towards the car, avoiding the group of people watching and whispering.42

"I can't stay here any more." Alaina whispered to herself as she stood in front of the bathroom mirror three days later.  "I miss you so much baby." She slowly backed away from the mirror and slid down to the tile floor.  She studied the gun in her hand.  It was the only way out, she knew it, and she had made up her mind.  With shaking hands she placed the gun to her temple, "I'll see you soon." she whispered, then she pulled the trigger.43