I noticed something off about the bride at my best friend’s wedding. When I lifted her dress, everyone was left astounded.
Weddings are meant to be brimming with joy. But as I watched Shanize make her way down the aisle towards the altar, a sense of unease settled in my gut. Something just didn’t feel right, and I couldn’t simply brush it aside. When I finally mustered the courage to step forward and lift her gown, the revelation left me rooted to the spot in shock.
I’ve known Dave for over 30 years. We grew up side by side, sharing our innermost secrets and navigating the awkward years of adolescence together. So, when he told me he was tying the knot with Shanize, this elegant and beautiful woman he’d met a year prior, I was genuinely thrilled for him.
To be honest, I never thought anyone could ever get him to settle down. Yet, here we were on his big wedding day.
The ceremony seemed flawless – almost too good to be true. Shanize looked like she’d stepped straight out of a bridal magazine. Her long, flowing white dress gracefully glided down the aisle. Ordinarily, I would have been lost in the beauty of the moment. But this time, something was amiss.
At first, I assumed it was just pre – wedding jitters. Weddings can be nerve – wracking for anyone, right? But as Shanize took one hesitant step after another, I realized her gait was unnatural. It lacked the confident and poised stride of a bride. Her steps were small and unsteady, as if she was on the verge of tripping.
I leaned over and whispered to Dave’s sister, Heather.
“Do you see that?” I murmured, trying to keep my voice as quiet as possible.
Heather furrowed her brow and cast a quick glance at the aisle. “See what?” she asked, clearly not catching what I was referring to.
“Shanize,” I said, subtly gesturing with my chin. “She’s walking strangely. It’s like… something’s not right.”
Heather squinted and then shrugged it off. “You’re overthinking it. She’s just nervous, Janice. After all, it’s a huge day.” She offered me a reassuring smile, but it did little to quell the unease churning inside me.
Maybe she was right. But there was something about the way Shanize’s dress was moving that continued to bother me. Was her dress too tight? Had something gone wrong before the ceremony? I attempted to push these thoughts to the back of my mind, but as she got closer to the altar, I couldn’t ignore it any longer. Her steps weren’t just slow; they seemed labored.
I leaned over once more, unable to contain myself. “Heather, I’m certain something’s wrong.”
“Janice, stop it,” Heather hissed, her tone sharp. “You’ll spoil the moment. Don’t cause a scene.”
I looked back towards the altar. Dave was standing there, his eyes aglow with love. When our eyes met, he gave me a thumbs – up and mouthed, “Can you believe it?”
