joy to people. It makes them happy to go home with a special treat.”
“Sure, sure,” Eve says.
An awkward silence falls while they look around at our surroundings. We’re in a clearing with trees edging the property in the distance. There’s a few hay bales with scarecrows and pumpkins set up.
“You think the bride will dress in costume?” I ask.
Jenna and Eve laugh.
“I assume so,” Eve says.
“I’d be disappointed if she didn’t,” Jenna says.
“Have you talked to Mom recently?” Eve asks.
“No,” Jenna says. “Have you talked to Dad?”
“Only to tell him I’d be here.”
“Honestly, I’m still not cool with the remarriage after everything they put us through. I’m only here for you.”
“Can I hug you?” Eve asks uncertainly.
“Of course!” Jenna exclaims, throwing her arms around her younger sister.
I rub my eye. Some dust caught in there.
Jenna sniffles and rubs her eye too. “I’ve missed you, Eve. I feel like we lost so much time because of our parents’ garbage.”
“I missed you too.” She lowers her voice. “I was in a bad place for a long time, struggling with addiction. I’m clean now, and I’m trying to make amends with the people in my life who mean something special. Like you.”
They both turn at a man wearing a dark gray suit. His blond and white hair is slicked back.
“Hi, Dad,” Eve says.
Jenna lifts a hand in a small wave.
Mr. Larsen is jovial. “Hi, everyone, thanks for coming to our special day.” He hugs Eve and looks toward Jenna.
Jenna gives him a quick hug but seems stiff. “You remember Eli.”
He gives me a hearty handshake. “Sure, good to see you again.”
“You too. Congratulations.”
He beams. “Thanks.”
“No costume?” Eve asks him.
He rubs his hands down the front of his blazer. “I was overruled. Halloween theme is strictly for decorations. Though we do plan on visiting Salem, Massachusetts, for our second honeymoon, where they had the Salem witch trials.” He takes a deep breath and looks around. “I never thought this day would come.”
“If only you’d never split up in the first place,” Jenna mutters.
Her dad gets serious. “We were young and struggling the first time around, taking things out on each other. We’re in a better place now. I’ll see you at the reception. I’m going to say hello to a few people.”
As soon as he’s out of hearing range, Jenna says, “So casual about ripping our family apart.”
“They’re basically what not to do,” Eve says. “I still can’t believe they got back together and want to make it official. I’m never getting married. And I say that even after years of therapy dealing with the fallout from their divorce.”
She’s surprisingly open about everything. She hasn’t seen me or Jenna in years. We’re practically strangers to her.
“Me either,” Jenna says. “Half the time it ends badly. Not worth it.”
I hate that Jenna sees her parents’ troubles as the only way marriages go, so I offer my own parents’ example. “Or it goes great, and then one of them dies.”
They turn to me with twin looks of horror.
“That’s morbid,” Eve says.
“That was my parents. I thought we were talking about our parents’ deals.”
Jenna gives me a sideways hug. “Sorry about your parents.”
I put an arm around her shoulders. “My dad never regretted marrying young because it gave him more time with her. He always said true love is worth any struggle.”
Eve stares at me, looking thoughtful before turning to Jenna. “Do you think our parents have true love?”
“No,” Jenna says. “I think they’re two middle-aged people who’re tired of being alone.”
My dream girl is disturbingly pessimistic about love. “Such a romantic,” I tease, even though I’m uneasy.
“You know me by now,” Jenna says.
I tell myself she’s just like that about her parents. With us, things are different. Right?
But she still won’t tell Sydney about us. That does not bode well for our future. If we even have a future. I might’ve built this up in my mind into more than it actually is, colored by the embarrassing fact that I’ve wanted her for way too long.
Music blares from loudspeakers. It’s “The Monster Mash,” and a woman gestures for everyone to take their seats.
“Perfect,” Jenna whispers. “A monster wedding.”
15
Jenna
I’m sitting between Eve and Eli in the front row, our assigned seats, attempting to look pleasant instead of seething like I really am. Dad looks eager, standing up there with his best man, a middle-aged bald guy I don’t know. There’s no line of bridesmaids or groomsmen, just creepy Halloween music while we all sit here, waiting for