Although weddings are meant to be joyful occasions, I felt queasy as I watched Shanize walk up to the altar. There was an unease that I was unable to ignore. I was stunned to discover the reality when I eventually moved forward to raise her garment. Dave and I go back more than thirty years. Together, we experienced awkward adolescence, laughed through secrets, and grew up. I was really happy for him when he told me he was getting married to Shanize—this graceful, beautiful woman he met a year ago.
To be honest, I never thought that anyone could bring him to heel, but here we were, the day of his nuptials. The wedding was flawless, almost too flawless. Shanize’s long white dress flowed down the aisle, giving the impression that she had just stepped out of a bridal magazine. Something was not right; I should have been lost in the beauty of it all. I initially assumed it was simply nerves. I mean, weddings are stressful, right? But I watched Shanize walking strangely as she took one stride, then another. It was hardly the elegant, self-assured bride’s stroll you might imagine. Her steps were short, unsure, almost as if she was stumbling. I bent to speak softly to Heather, Dave’s sister.
“Are you able to see that?” Trying to keep my voice quiet, I muttered. Heather cast a furrowed gaze towards the aisle. “What is that?” she inquired, unaware. “Shanize,” I said, making a subtle motion with my chin. “She walks strangely. Like… like there is a problem.” After squinting, Heather shrugged. You are pondering it too much. Janice, she is just nervous. Well, it is a huge day. She smiled reassuringly, but it did little to ease the uneasiness that was rising within of me. Maybe. But there was something that bothered me about the way Shanize’s garment flowed. Was the fit of her garment too tight? Had something occurred before to the wedding? I made an effort to disregard the ideas, but as she approached the altar, I was unable to do so. Not only were her steps slow, but they appeared to be strained.
Not being able to resist, I leaned over again. “I promise, Heather, something is wrong.” With a stern tone, Heather muttered, “Janice, stop it.” “It will be ruined by you. Do not cause a commotion. I turned to face the altar once more. Dave stood there, love glistening in his eyes. He gave me a thumbs up and muttered, “Can you believe it?” as our gaze locked. I nodded and faked a smile in return, but something was not quite right inside.
I got increasingly uneasy the closer Shanize got to the altar. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed. “She is gliding!” a man with a humorous voice murmured behind me. That comment struck me as really cold. Once more, I leaned in near Heather, speaking no louder than a whisper. “Have you heard that? Gliding? That is just it. She is not walking correctly.” With her patience wearing thin, Heather said, “Janice, for God’s sake.” “Dave will be embarrassed by you. Give up behaving this way!” I could not stop, though. I peered at Shanize’s feet as she got closer, trying to make sense of her.