Short Story

Champagne On Ice

The Sicilian Storyteller

Jenne, our delightful host at The Unicorn Challenge,
has once again asked us to write something creative
in no more than 250 words based on how
the photo below inspires us.
This is my response.

© Ayr/Gray

The pathway to my future seemed incredibly long and I could easily imagine myself escaping down a side aisle. What kind of thought was that for a bride on her wedding day?

“Well, we got lucky, sweetheart; the rain held off. Emme, are you ready? The musicians are waiting for my signal.”

I turned to face my father. â€œDaddy” was all I managed to eke out before the tears started. I hadn’t called my father Daddy in years. 

Dad motioned for the music to keep playing and magically produced a handkerchief. â€œWhat’s going on, kiddo?”

“This doesn’t feel right, Dad. I’m about to marry Gregory because of a promise I made to Mom.”

“Emme, if you want to back out, I’ll stand by whatever decision you make. But it’s best for everyone if you do it now, not after you’re married.” 

 â€œBut you spent so much money to make this day perfect.”

Dad put his hands on my shoulders. â€œDamn the money and damn the promises. All I want is for you to be happy. If you think this is a mistake, say the word. My car is parked right outside.”

“What about Gregory?” I asked biting my bottom lip.

“I’ll talk to him privately, Emme. Don’t worry about that.”

I looked at my father and quickly nodded. He reached into his pocket and handed me the keys to his car.

“Go on now. I have some explaining to do.” He kissed my cheek and took off down the path.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-08/03/24

This is “Hotel California” by the Eagles

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

40 thoughts on “Champagne On Ice”

  4. I think most daddies want to make sure their little girl is making the right decision and will do what needs be done. And if she is worried at this point, best she not say yes!

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  6. hopes up (in terms of musical element)… then boom! ‘by our own device!’

    nice selection. ‘enhanced’ your story, just the right amount

    (along with most of this writing thing, the expansion of our palette to include music, graphic, photation, et al is endlessly fascinating.

    In my own experience the music element is the most powerful, the right song is total icing on the cake.

    (Don’t tell anybody, but I’ve seen a song change my story… an affect on me (as opposed to the future Reader)… sometimes it’s a case of bringing out something in the story I wrote but became distracted by other parts of the story… sometimes it’s wholesale…. “You call that a story idea??!! Listen to this!”)

    lol

    mums the word

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  7. I remember my Dad asking me if I still wanted to go when i stood at the top of the stairs in my wedding dress. I should have said No, but went ahead. The marriage lasted three years and our divorce was finalised the month before our fourth wedding anniversary.

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      1. I’d had doubts way back in March, but put it down to wedding nerves (we got married in July). It wasn’t all bad and we tried to make a go of it, but we were just two people who got married for the wrong reasons.

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          1. It could have been better I suppose, but he remarried the same year I did (had a shock when he realised we were living in the next road and put his house on the market!) and has a child, son I think, who would be in his thirties now. I wish him well.

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  10. Definitely Daddy’s girl, eh?
    But good to have got out in time.
    I can feel all the ‘I can do this’ that must have gone on in the weeks leading up to the wedding.
    It’s maybe also a warning against promises made to dying mothers/fathers?

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    1. I’m not sure I’d say “Daddy’s Girl”; to me that implies a bit of weakness and dependency, although I know it’s a term which is commonly used and accepted. My MC was terribly torn and confused, even guilty, but not a little mouse.

      It’s a lucky girl whose dad is her Knight, someone who will always have her back no matter what.

      It’s never easy but if doubts and questions still loom on the wedding day, it’s best to get out while there’s still time.

      Thanks, Jenne

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