“As if I could ever forget you. I don’t need a framed photo of you to remember you, Poppy, but I love it. Thank you.”
“Okay, there’s more.” I point to the bag. The frame was a gag gift. I reach in and pull out the first real present. “This one first.”
The small box is wrapped in pink paper. Alice opens it, revealing a jewelry box. When she pops the lid, I see tears in her eyes.
“That’s your something old,” I tell her.
“How did you find this?” she asks, looking at the small, gold, half-heart-shaped locket. I gave this to her for her eighth birthday. I have the other half, and when they’re joined, it saysbest friends.
“I spent a day or two digging through your bedroom at your mom’s house,” I explain. “You’re a bit of a hoarder, Alice.”
“Yeah, but some things are too sentimental to throw away.” She fingers the locket. “I love it. Thank you.”
“Okay, next gift.” I reach in and pull out the small box that’s wrapped in white paper.
Again, Alice takes her sweet-ass time opening it. When she finally does, her eyes widen. “What?”
“That’s your something new. I saw it and knew you had to have it.”
“It’s so beautiful. You shouldn’t have spent this much money on me.” She stares at the diamond pin that’s in the shape of an eternity symbol.
“You can pin this to the inside of your dress.”
“I’m going to pin it to the outside. Thank you so much.” She reaches over the table, careful not to spill our cocktails, and hugs me.
“You’re welcome. Come on, don’t get sappy yet. There’s more.” I slip a hand into the bag and pull out a purple-wrapped box. “This is your something borrowed.”
Alice grins. “Sure. I’ll totally give it back.”
“No, you won’t, but we can pretend.” I laugh. Alice is a bad borrower. She never remembers to return things. Which is why she’s no longer allowed to borrow books from our local library.
When she opens the gift, her eyes meet mine. “Are you sure? What if I lose it? Or worse, forget to give it back.”
“It’s okay. I want you to have this with you on the big day.” I also have no plans of forgetting she has it.
“This was your mom’s, Poppy. I can’t borrow this,” Alice argues, putting the lid back on the box.
“You can and you will,” I insist. “It’s just a hairpin, and we both have loved that pin for as long as I can remember.”
My mom showed me the pin when Alice was over once, telling us both the story of how her mother gave it to her on her wedding day, and how one day I’d wear it on mine. Since I don’t have plans of that ever happening, I figure Alice wearing it is the next best thing to carry on the tradition.
“Okay, last one. Your something blue.” I hand Alice the small blue box.
“You didn’t need to do all this,” she says.
“I’m your best friend. This is what best friends do. Now open it already.” I nod towards the box.
Alice opens it and smiles. “It’s so pretty.” Her fingers trace over the lace garter.
“I fully expect to see Brandon rip that thing off with his teeth at the reception.” I laugh.
“We’ll see.” Alice grins. “I love it all. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.” I hold up my glass and finish what’s left of the sugary cocktail. “We need another.” But then the music changes and a song that Alice and I both know all too well comes on.
“Don’t even think about it.” Alice glares at me, worry written all over her face.
“Oh, I’m not thinking about it. I’m already doing it,” I tell her, jumping off my seat. I then climb up onto the bar and belt out the lyrics to “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” by LeAnn Rimes while doing the best dancing I can muster.
