I forced a smile and nodded, but deep down, I still felt that something was awry.
The nearer Shanize got to the altar, the more uneasy I became. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
“She’s gliding!” someone whispered behind me, a man’s voice tinged with amusement. That comment sent a chill down my spine. I leaned in closer to Heather and whispered, “Did you hear that? Gliding? That’s exactly it. She’s not walking properly.”
“Janice, for heaven’s sake,” Heather snapped, her patience wearing thin. “You’re going to embarrass Dave. Cut it out!”
But I couldn’t stop. As Shanize drew nearer, I squinted at her feet, trying to make sense of the oddity. The way her dress was flowing seemed unnatural. I couldn’t take it anymore. Before I could even think, my body moved on its own accord.
“I have to check,” I muttered and stepped forward. I heard Heather inhale sharply as I passed her, my gaze fixed firmly on the bride.
“Janice!” Heather hissed behind me, her voice laced with panic. But it was too late. I was already there.
My heart was pounding in my chest, and my hands were shaking as I reached out. The world seemed to slow down as I bent down and gently lifted the hem of Shanize’s gown just a bit. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to see – perhaps a problem with her shoes or a wardrobe malfunction. But what I witnessed was beyond my wildest imagination.
The entire church fell into a stunned hush.
Beneath the beautiful white gown were something so unexpected that it left everyone speechless. Instead of a pair of elegant bridal shoes, Shanize had on a pair of roller skates.
I stood there, mouth agape, staring at the roller skates in disbelief. How could this be? Why on earth would a bride wear roller skates on her wedding day? I looked up at Shanize, whose face had turned as white as a sheet. Her eyes were wide with fear and embarrassment.
Dave, who had been standing at the altar waiting for his bride, took a few steps forward, his expression a mix of confusion and shock. “Shanize, what is this?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Shanize opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She seemed to be struggling to find an explanation. Finally, she managed to stammer out, “I… I was so nervous. I thought it would be easier to get down the aisle if I used these. I didn’t want to trip and fall in front of everyone.”
The guests started to murmur among themselves. Some were shocked, some were amused, and others were clearly disappointed. Heather, who had been so insistent that I was overreacting, now stood there with her hand over her mouth, looking just as stunned as the rest of us.
I felt a pang of guilt. I had never intended to cause such a scene or to embarrass Shanize. I had just been so concerned that something was wrong. But now, I realized that my actions had only made things worse.
