Loving Sofia by Alina Man Page A

settled, we finish our champagne and go to greet the newlyweds.  They enter the room just as Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” starts playing. The perfect song for the perfect couple.
    We all applaud and cheer them as they dance gracefully around the infinite room. I’ve never seen Mona look so happy and it is intoxicating. She dances with her dad next , and for me that is really hard to watch. That moment reminds me that no matter if or when I marry, I will not have the opportunity to share my dance with the one man I truly loved the most: my dad.  I miss him so much and tears start rolling down my cheeks.  As always, Mark appears at my side, tissue in hand, wiping away my moist face.  He puts his arm around me and I lean into his shoulder, instantly I feel safe and warm all over.
    A few minutes later, Mona makes her way to our table . She’s holding a bottle of champagne and before I can say anything, she pulls me from my chair. After a wave in Jon’s direction, he starts over and we all walk out to the balcony.  Mona raises her glass and says with tears in her eyes, “Here’s to everlasting friendship.  May we always love each other and be there for one another, no matter where life takes us.”
    “Here’s to you guys.  I hope you stay happy forever and ever.” The crisp and bubbly alcohol feels like little needles on my tongue.  “So do you feel any different now that you made it legal and all?”
    “Birdie you know nothing will change just cause I agreed to marry him,” she laughs. “I’m still going to be pampered, even more now actually, since I’m the wife.”
    “You know it baby,” Jon grabs her by her waist and kisses her loudly.
    We finish our drinks, and eventually the bride and groom are called back in, so Mark and I hit the dance floor.  We have always danced well together, but after a few glasses of champagne, I guess I feel a little friendlier than my usual self.  Not that he’s complaining.  I can feel his arms around my waist, moving lower and pulling me closer to his body.  I’m not sure how long we grind, I mean dance, but my whole body is flushed and I really need to go to the restroom. 
    “Want me to go with you?”
    “Seriously?  To the restroom?  I drank, and you got drunk I think.” I laugh enthusiastically.  He’s too funny. Or maybe I’m just too drunk.   I tell him to stay where he is and walk slowly toward the hallway, praying I won’t get lost.  It takes me a while, but eventually I find a nice lady who points me in the right direction. 
    Once inside , I find an empty stall and lock the door behind me.  I can hear several women walking in. They are talking loudly and I decide to be nosy and listen on their conversation.
    “I can’t believe Mona would be friends with someone like her.  Did you see the way she was moving on the dance floor?  I bet you all she’s drunk, too.”
    “Not only that , but I heard someone say she has no job and that Mark guy felt so sorry for her that he let her move in with him.  What a burden.  He comes from a good family you know, and she’s taking advantage of him just like she did with Mona.  Poor thing. I mean how is that guy going to find someone while she lives in his house?”
    “She’s going to ruin him, just watch.”
    OH MY GOD.  They were talking about me.  Those bitches. I couldn’t listen anymore.  How can these women say such vile things about me?  They don’t know me from Adam, and yet here they are talking shit. I decide to wait for them to leave before I come out, since the last thing I want is to have a confrontation at Mona’s wedding. When I finally do come out, I wash my now shaking hands and splash water all over my face.  What if they are right? I wonder.  I mean, ever since I moved in, Mark has spent every moment with me. Obviously he isn’t dating anyone.  Was it because of me? Would I date a guy who lived with another woman?  The questions are swirling in my head