The wedding ceremony went splendidly. I walked down the isle ahead of the wedding to find my seat in which my mom had already claimed for me. I watched the bride and groom listen to what was required of them, then reiterate the marriage vows, and finally, seal the marriage bond with a kiss.

Upon the bride and groom stepping out of the building, the gathered crowd was allowed to follow along and file out with them so that the room and chairs could be reconfigured for the reception. They had a good, filling meal of ham, mashed potatoes, buttered green beans, and, for desert, some of the wedding cake after the new couple cut it and fed a few pieces to each other.

My mother and I stayed late - about twelve - before finally driving home. I knew I’d be visiting the newlyweds before long. But, when I got home and shrugged off the dress clothes for pajamas, I began tothink about what Emidés told me earlier, and the pressure of her pinkie forced around mine. How I knew what she was thanking me for, yet, how I also didn’t understand. I couldn’t have said anything more impressing at sixteen than what I do now. Nor did I assume that what I said would’ve stuck and be brought into a thank-you two years later. All I really said to her was don’t end up like my parents if you choose to be with the guy. That’s all I said. Yet, at that point, she must’ve understood what was happening between my parents. Although, out in public, they never showed that there was a wedge somewhere in between them. Or, at least, Emidés may have picked up that there wasn’t something right with my parents because of my tone.

Either way, I never thought it that important that it be remembered.

Yet…

The way Emadés grasped my pinky, it was as if she were rectifying having sworn to me in the past, only to reconfirm that she was holding true to what was sworn. Did she really pinky swear to me two years ago when I said that? It makes sense, though, because there was a time where I was having difficulties with trusting people. I had them pinky swear to me, and I didn’t take broken pinky swear-ers on as trusted confidants.

So, it’s probably true. She wanted to show me she still kept what I said at the forefront, as well as making her swear to me through the entwining of our smallest finger.

If only someone could have done something similar with Dad before he married mom. Advised him to not take things lightly and keep his eyes focused and make him swear to it, my subconscious echoed. But, the marriage ceremony should’ve been enough. The vows, the “I do's”, and even the idea of the two having a child. Something precious. Something rewarding with the commitment of marriage and appropriate for having become “the same flesh.”

The more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t comprehend. And with what I couldn’t comprehend, there came that burning frustration.

But, maybe I was wise in saying something like that to Emadés when I was sixteen. It’s saved her from future heartache and committed her to a fruitful life with Ezekiel and any future little ones.

I took the time to sit on the edge of my bed before switching off the light for the night. I took the time to process what I’d just thought of and how I really felt about it.