As soon as it came out of my mouth I knew it was a mistake. It was 10:15AM on a Wednesday morning. The morning commuters had already arrived at their destinations and were most likely enjoying their second cup of coffee. No, there wasn't traffic at all.
"Ok, I'll go back upstairs and make sure everything is ready to go."
As I headed up the shiny white marble stairs I knew I was wasting time. The cake had been delivered and the appetizers were getting cold.
"Where are her parents??" I screamed in my head.
"Ma'am, excuse me. Ma'am??" She practically yelled.
I couldn't hear her over the questions swarming in my head. As I finally made my way to the 50th stair, I wiped the sweat from my eyebrow and adjusted my dress.
"Excuse me?!" She yelled again.
I turned around expecting to see another lost family looking for the admissions office. I put on my best fake smile, turned around and said,
"Welcome to Morgan State University, home of the Mighty Tigers!"
"Are you Erin?" She said, looking more annoyed than I sounded.
"I am," I confirmed, "but it's actually not a good..." my words trailed off as I realized this women and her husband were not a lost family, but instead holding a wedding gift.
"You made it!" I exclaimed. "It's so good to finally meet you! Tiffany is right on the other side of these stairs and she's going to be so excited to see you. How was your flight in? Did you guys have any trouble finding the school?"
I never gave them a chance to respond and before I knew it I was back at the bottom of the stairs.
"Tiffany, look who I found!" I said with pride.
"Hi Aunt Sarah, hi Uncle Rick. Thanks for coming. Mom and Dad aren't here yet." Tiffany said, matter-a-factly.
Uh no, I thought. They really aren't coming.
We all walked back up the stairs together. Aunt Sarah commented on the grounds of the school as though her niece wasn't next to her in a wedding dress.
I placed the gift down on the reception desk and poured drinks for everyone. Tiffany's parents might have been running late, but the heat was earlier than usual. Of course this big satin gown didn't help.
Tiffany had warned me they wouldn't come, but I never believed her. It was her wedding day! Who would miss that? She was one of the first people who greeted me when I came to MSU, always friendly and inviting. Her and Jeff weren't the most compatible-looking couple, but they seemed happy. She adjusted his bow tie and showed him her shoes. He smiled and brushed a loose curl from her face.
I got lost in the moment when Darren, our work study coordinator, and stand in officiant, grabbed my shoulder.
"Are we ready to go?" He whispered in my ear.
"Not yet," I said, "just a few more minutes."
"Ok, but I need to leave soon and the ceremony is going to take some time." He reminded me again.
I couldn't be upset with him, especially not with that warm brown skin and soft hazel eyes. To say he is attractive is an understatement. To not say he was taken would be a big mistake. Darren's girlfriend was never far behind and always cutting her eyes at any girl who got too close.
"Don't they care about their daughter's wedding day?" He asked me, forgetting about the whisper this time.
I see Tiff and her aunt quickly look in our direction as if to acknowledge and disapprove of the statement at the same time. I pull Darren in his office and finish the conversation. Out of sight of his girl, I take time to appreciate his appearance. He actually dressed up his 6'2" slender frame for the occasion. Instead of his hoop shorts and camp t-shirt, he was wearing khakis and a perfectly blue, buttoned down shirt. I had my hand on his muscular arm and looked up at him.
"Please wait a little longer," I said softly.
He did.
We all did.
We all did.
And finally at 11:45AM Darren had to leave.
Tiff told her aunt and uncle they could too.
As we were taking off her dress, she told me it just didn't feel right without her Dad there. I said I understood and handed her some shorts to change into.
We ate cake and she confided in me that she was nervous all morning. She knew she had only known Jeff one semester, but he was the first guy to "get her." Like most people I didn't understand them as a couple. They were complete opposites in every way. When Tiff wanted to host a Super Bowl party, Jeff had scheduled a Math Academy meeting. Even the wedding day was a compromise. He wanted to wait until finals were over and she wanted to do it during spring break.
Here we were, the Wednesday of spring break in wedding make up and up-do's. Everyone else had been long gone, and were probably soaking up the sun.
"I think I left my shirt in Darren's office," Tiff said, "I'll be right back."
"You're wearing a bra!" I reminded her, "You can't go out there like that."
"It's Spring Break!" She yelled over her shoulder, "no body is here."
I laughed and laid down on the cool floor. She was right. Everyone was gone. Even Jeff had left. Since they postponed the wedding, Tiff gave him clearance to spend his day studying. It was just me and her in the administration building. She seemed in good spirits, but I knew she had to be upset.
"Wanna go for margaritas at Dos Comingos?" I yelled out to her. "My treat!"
She didn't respond. I listened quietly, but heard nothing. I felt bad for her. Even though I was a little relieved she didn't go through with it, it's got to be a horrible way to start your Spring Break. I was just about to yell out again when I heard a thud.
"Tiff??" I said in a loud whisper, "was that you?"
I stood up and made my way toward the noise. I walked slowly and softly toward Darren's opened door. I hear a muffled voice and furniture being scuffed against the floor.
I finally reach the doorway and see a man has Tiff pinned down to the desk. I look around to find a sharpest object. Nothing! Not so much as a pencil is anywhere to be found.
Before I turn back around, I hear her moan. But not the moan I was expecting. This was pure pleasure. I smirk to myself. This girl is in there with Jeff! Well, I'm not buying drinks for him too, I think.
"Alright, break it up people!" I say turning on the lights. "There's no honeymoon without a wed.." Before I can finish he turns around. Lipstick allover his face and neck.
"Darren?"
