The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

I kept quiet about what Antonio was saying.

"I'm not here to hassle you," he said. "It's my folks who want to meet you."

To Antonio, the wedding was my personal show.

He only reached out when he wanted something from me.

I was too tired to argue, ready to crash.

At home, the table was a mess of leftover chicken and ham.

My dad was chatting with Antonio's dad.

Antonio's mom grabbed my hand, all warm and fuzzy. "So glad to see you. I miss you so much."

I managed a weak grin. She took a look at Stella and then leaned in. "What's the deal with Stella and Antonio? She's not exactly the best company. You should talk to Antonio about it."

I just grunted, not really saying much.

When I raised my head, Antonio was already next to Stella.

He'd brought some wedding and bridesmaid dresses for us to try.

"I know you've got enough on your plate, so I got Stella to pick out your wedding dress. She's

got a better sense of style than you," he said, handing me the dress.

I slipped the simple wedding dress on, only to find a big rip right down

the middle.

Stella, on the other hand, was in a white dress that trailed behind her. She looked more like the bride than I did.

Antonio jumped in. "It's probably a mix-up from the bridal shop. It's not on Stella."

to speak. "It's late. We can deal

eager to be rid

up, "How about we take a group

elbowed her way in, pushing

to stand right

was about to click, she gave me

got was a blurry figure, too hazy to even tell who

with a laugh, "Let's do it some other time. It's late,

the last

apologies, her eyes welling up with

run all over town tonight, trying to

look and went

11

tired and bored. I just left with the dress that

be settled by

I started packing my

stumbled upon Antonio's diary, completely by

diary laid out the tale

Stella crossed

days,

for travelers.

that mattered most were torn right

note. "This was the best time of my

filled with

his diary had a confession. "I can't make myself

Please forgive

God."

at myself in the mirror. With my white dress and long, straight hair Presembled

with Antonio, we'd have some kind

connection.