You and Me Could Write a Bad Romance

“I don’t think I could ever live up here,” Cory whispered from next to me while we sat on the front porch swing together, “It isn’t my type of town, at all.”

“I don’t know, I think it’s alright.” I admitted, “I wouldn’t live here because of obvious reasons, but it’s a nice town.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Cory lifted his head from where it was resting gently on mine to take a drag from his cigarette, “Have you noticed that no one really talks to us?” I asked, “Except for my parents and little brothers, it’s almost like we don’t exist.” I frowned deeply after I said those words, “I don’t want to go to the Wedding, I don’t want to stay for Thanksgiving, I want to go home, go see my Mema and Pops.” I spoke of my Mother’s parents, “They don’t hate us.”

“I don’t think anyone here hates us,” Cory insisted while exhaling the cigarette smoke from his lungs, “I think they don’t want to get on your Grandma’s bad side so they just go along with it.” He kissed my forehead lightly, “And we don’t have to stay up here, babe.”

“We do,” I lifted my tired head off of his shoulder and looked at him, “Cory, I want them at our Wedding, whether or not they approve they’re family and our Wedding is a family function.” I raised my eyebrows ever so slightly, “If they don’t attend, they’ll regret it one day. She may seem heartless, but my Grandma is a really good person underneath it all.”

“I’m not so sure about that, Hallie.” Cory licked his lips as he looked down at his cigarette, “I mean, seventeen years and not once has she told you she loves you, given you a hug or shown any sort of affection.” He pointed out, “Yet, she smothers your little brothers in affection, all your cousins, Aunts and Uncles, even your Mother gets a hug hello and goodbye.” He paused for a moment, “She forgave your Father because he’s her son, she made nice with your Mom because, your Mother could easily kick your Grandmother out of your Dad’s life and your Dad wouldn’t question it because he loves your Mom. The way your Grandmother sees it, you were never family, she disowned you before you were even born, Babe.”

“You think so?” I frowned understanding where he’s coming from because I feel that way to some extent but there’s also a little part of me that thinks she’ll come around one day.

“I don’t think you should waste your breath,” He took the last hit off of his cigarette before putting it out and blowing the smoke away from me, “If she hasn’t warmed up by now, it’s pointless, Hallie. I love you, I love your family like they’re my own and they will be soon, but I can’t love your Grandmother because I see the way she looks and talks to you, it’s not the way a Grandmother looks and talks to her Granddaughter. I’m up here for you and only you, I’m not here to make nice with anyone, I’m here to make sure that you’re ok, that they don’t hurt you emotionally and fuck with your feelings; that’s it, that’s all I’m here for.”

I smiled softly as I reached up and placed my hand on his cheek, “How did I get so lucky to find a decent boy like you?”

He rolled his eyes cutely, “Luck has nothing to do with it, Hallie.” He teased, “It’s the fact that you have an amazing set of boobs, a great ass and you put out whenever I want you too.” He joked playfully because that’s clearly not that case at all.

“Yeah right,”

Cory kissed my nose, “But with all jokes aside, you have great boobs and a wonderful ass.” He laughed.

“Thank you,” I shook my head with a grin.

“But you could put out a little bit more.”

“Well, you could be a little nicer on a daily basis, but that’s not going to happen, is it?”

“I’m nice,” He frowned, “Until you annoy me.” He shrugged then exhaled stressfully, “I don’t want to go back in,” He looked up at the morning sky, “It’s peaceful out there, quiet … no one to bug us.”

“I don’t think they even know we’re out here.” I pointed out as I reached over and tugged on the drawstrings of his PJ pants, “What were you dreaming about last night?” I whispered, “You were kicking around and sweaty, you had a frown on your face too.”

Cory turned his eyes back to me and shook his head, “Just a nightmare,” he answered, “Kind of, it was like I was in some sort of Steven Segal movie. It was odd.”

“Oh,” I made a face then lay my head back down on his shoulder, “It’s not me, is it?” I mumbled, going back to the subject of my Grandmother not loving me.

“No, it’s her. She’s bitter.” Cory answered, not missing a single beat.

“I’d be lost without you.” I assured in a quiet whisper. Cory just kissed my forehead in response but no words were needed, I know how he feels.

“Can I see your dress?” Cory asked innocently, “I’m curious.”

“No,” I answered.

“Not even a peek?”

“It’s bad luck.”

“Only if I see my Bride wearing it before the Wedding, you won’t be wearing it, I just want to see it. The image you put in my head last night when describing it to me is something along the lines of a Disney princess dress mixed with a stripper’s outfit.”

“Cory!?” I wailed with a laugh, “Seriously?”

He nodded, “I can’t picture it at all, I’m sure it doesn’t look like that, obviously, but I just want to take a peek, you’ve seen my tux.” He pointed out.

I eyed him intently before standing to my feet, “Fine, c’mon.” I took his hand in mine then led him back into the house silently. Being as quiet and invisible as we possibly could, we made our way down the hall and to the office door which was closed, just the way I had left it, “Promise me you won’t make fun of it.” I demanded.

Cory frowned, “Please, Hallie.” He rolled his eyes, “I’m not going to make fun of the dress, there probably isn’t anything to make fun of, it’s going to be beautiful, huh?”

I blushed and nodded, “It’s more than beautiful, it’s perfect.” I assured before turning the door knob and pushing the door open. Once the door had fully opened, my heart literally stopped beating while I forgot to breathe when I saw that my dress was now in pieces scattered about the office and my Aunt’s English bulldog was sleeping on the biggest piece that was left, like it was his bed.

Speechless, I just stood there staring at the mess while tears of disbelief, anger and sadness started to fall down my cheeks slowly. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I shook my head before sniffling, “Why?” I whispered weakly, knowing that someone put the dog in the office knowing my dress was in here, everyone knew my dress was in the office, everyone saw my dress last night. Someone put the dog in here after I was asleep because I put the dog outside, where he sleeps at night before I went to bed.

Turning on my heel, I walked down the hall and into the dining room where everyone was eating breakfast. When I entered the room, my family stopped what they were doing and looked up at me. Still in tears, I looked around at each and every face at the table before pointing towards the office, “Why?” I asked again in the same tone.

“Honey,” My Dad frowned, “What happened, what’s wrong?” He questioned me, “Where’s Cory? Is he ok?” He went on, clearly starting to worry then his eyes shifted to something behind me it was then I heard the gasps.

“Someone let the dog in the office,” I heard Cory said softly.

I looked over my shoulder to see Cory holding what was left of the dress and it clearly couldn’t be saved, that dog is infamous for tearing shit up, everyone knows you don’t leave him unattended to in the house.

“Oh my God,” My Mother said quickly before she stood to her feet and rushed over to me, taking me into her arms, “It’s ok,” She whispered to me, “We’ll get you another one.”

“It was perfect,” I mumbled before pushing her away from me and looking over at my Grandmother, knowing she was the one who did this, “You win,” I spoke softly, “You win,” I repeated, “I don’t want you at my Wedding, I don’t want you in my life anymore, you won’t ever have to see me again. We’re leaving.” I assured then I turned away to Cory.

Without a single word said between us, Cory nodded his head then placed the destroyed dress on one of the stools at the island in the kitchen before taking my hand in his. Walking away and into the formal living room we’ve been sleeping in, we gathered our things, quickly changed out of our PJ’s then made sure we had everything before leaving the house while my Mother exchanged harsh words with someone in the dining room.

Out in my car, I sat in the passenger seat while waiting for Cory to finish putting our bags in the trunk. By now, my tears were slowly coming to an end but I felt numb, like I was in shock and I didn’t know when I was going to come out of it. Turning my eyes up to the house, I saw that Cory wasn’t at the back of the car like I had thought he was, he was on the porch talking to my parents.

Frowning to myself, I didn’t know what they were talking about but I had a clue as to what the subject of the conversation was. Finally, Cory nodded his head and started to make his way to the car, shutting the trunk effortlessly as he passed it before getting into the driver’s seat. Starting the engine and shutting the door in one swift motion, Cory didn’t say a single word to me while he buckled himself up and put the car into gear. While driving off, I watched my fiancé intently waiting for him to say something to me but he didn’t, he didn’t even look over at me.

“Are you mad at me?” I whispered.

“Your Wedding dress just got ruined and you’re asking me if I’m mad at you?” He asked softly, “No, babe, I’m not mad at you, I’m pissed off at your family, not you.”

“What did my parents say?”

“They want us to check into a hotel, just for the night. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and they want to spend it with us.” He licked his lips, “I agreed, your Mom is going to see if she can go over to one of her friends house and cook a Thanksgiving meal then bring it by tomorrow.”

I nodded then turned my attention to the scenery passing us by, “I don’t get it, Cory.”

“There’s nothing to get, Babe.” He mumbled then I felt his hand on my thigh, “I’m sorry,” He whispered, “I really am.”

“It’s not your fault, but thank you.” I placed my hand over his then silence fell between us while Cory maneuvered the car through these foreign streets of Bend, Oregon. This entire trip was the biggest mistake of my life.