Prologue

My eyes seemed stuck to the spot on the floor at his feet. A strange ringing noise was all my ears would seem to focus on. Only one thought ran through my mind, crying, echoing over and over as if fearing I’d somehow forget:

“I LOVE BRENDAN! I LOVE BRENDAN! I LOVE BRENDAN!”

“Ms. Parker?”

Snapping out of my trance I looked stupidly up across the foot of the high altar and at the priest staring at me through his thin wire spectacles.

“Pardon me?”

“Do you take him as your husband?”

“I LOVE BRENDAN! I LOVE BRENDAN! I LOVE BRENDAN!”

“I do.”

“Well, in that case, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

As if in slow motion I watched as my new husband leaned closer, an honest smile on his face. I couldn’t bring myself to smile back, he just wasn’t Brendan.