We chatted for a bit about the upcoming trip, but decided we can make more plans after I make the reservations tomorrow. For now...I just want to nap.
Knocking at my bedroom door woke me from a beautiful sleep. I wiped the drool off my cheek and checked my phone. A few missed calls and some unanswered texts. I sighed. They can only be about one thing...no matter who it was from. The time was three in the afternoon. If I wanted to sleep tonight, it was probably for the best I woke up.
The knocking was persistent and had a constant rhythm, meaning only one thing: it was my sister. I forced myself up and scooted to the edge of my bed, now abled to reach my door. I unlocked it and revealed my sister, a taller yet more pale version of me.
Veronica grinned. "Dad told me. Raquels getting married?!" She knew my local friends since they occasionally came over. She was genuinely excited for Raquel, not meaning to rub it in like she normally would. "Who's the man?? Tell me everything! Dad was so vague; just telling me that you're depressed over being another bridesmaid." She paused, eyes getting wide. "Are you going to be the maid of honor for her??"
Knowing that this was going to take a minute, I crawled back to the head of my bed and pulled a blanket over me. "There's no way I could give her the attention a maid of honor should be giving. I'm seriously exhausted just thinking about these upcoming weddings."
Veronica gave me a sympathetic look. "Okay, makes sense. Now, tell me about the boy!!" She sat at the edge of my bed, ready for the gossip. As someone with three little boys, she didn't really get together with her old friends anymore. She was just too busy with school drop-offs and pick-ups, play dates, kids sports, and constantly cooking and cleaning. Her life now revolves around her family and some of her friends just didn't want to put the effort in anymore.
I told her everything, including how I embarrassed myself by spitting out my drink. I explained their situation and even spoke about my first impression of him. "He seems nice enough, but this is crazy fast. Maybe she and him were the best of friends in college, but he's older so I don't know how close they could be."
"Maybe they kept in touch?" My sister suggested. "And they've been crushing on one another from afar this whole time!" She clapped. "Awe! This is just like a movie! Getting hitched in Vegas! You better make sure I get invited. Free booze, free food, free-"
"It's not really free though." I cut her off. "Just as a guest, you have to get a gift. That's money. You have to pay for the hotel room. That's money. And if you don't have an appropriate dress? Also money." I stared up at the ceiling of my room. "Nothing is ever free."
She smacked me on the leg. "Liar! You get to live rent free! Dad told me!"
"Ow." I rubbed my leg and looked at her. "That's because I'm on the verge of a mental and financial breakdown. Dad's just feeling sorry for me."
She sighed and flopped down on my bed, making herself comfortable. "I wish he would feel sorry for me."
"..." I chose to keep silent. This girl is taking up two rooms in this house and is paying the same amount as me. She's older, she has kids, she has a husband... I tried to channel my inner voice to keep calm. Everyone has their own difficulties. "Is that all you came in here for..?"
She got back up. "Nah. I also wanted to know if you want a burger or hotdog? Ronnie and his friends are grilling this evening." She moved her eyebrows up and down in a suggestive manner. "I can hook you up if you want me to?"
"Yea. Hook me up with a cheeseburger." I told her, rolling my eyes. I didn't want to date any of my brother-in-law's friends. That would just be weird in the long run.
"You're such a scaredy-cat." She said.
My phone's constant buzzing interrupted her. I glanced at it. Karina. "I better answer this. Close the door on your way out."
She stuck her tongue out at me on her way out, thankfully closing the door like I asked.
I answered my phone. "Hey girl, what's up?"
"What's up?! What's up?!?" She repeated back to me, nearly yelling at max volume.
I pulled the phone away and put her on speaker. "Are you okay..?" I went to my messages to see if any of them were from her.
"I've been trying to get ahold of you all day!" Karina exclaimed. "I got a notification that you got my package yesterday and you never called. You didn't even send a text!"
Oops. Sure enough, I had some texts from her asking if I got the package. "Yea, sorry, yesterday got hectic and this morning I was out and about. I just woke up from a nap."
"So. Did. You. Get. It??" She seethed.
"Yes! Yes, it was so cute! Veronica and the boys got to see it too." I told her, knowing that that's what she wanted to hear. "They loved the confetti! Nice touch."
She sighed, finally sounding less upset. "Really? I was worried it'd be kind of messy..."
Definitely messy. "It was cool. I wish I would have known sooner so I could record it!" I told her instead. In reality, I would have liked to know to make sure it didn't get on the couch. But, one thing I've learned in my past experiences: never upset the bride. Especially over little inconveniences. It's not like I cleaned it up anyways. I had left for my sister to take care of. Punishment for the '27 Dresses' joke.
"Oh, dang, I should have." She mumbled. "It would have been cool to see your reaction."
I hummed, thankful she couldn't see my face. It was hard to muster up the happiness for her at the moment. I was tired and slightly hungover.