Because of You – Part 1
It’s 3 days before the wedding and Nora can’t believe how excited she is. All of the plans have fallen into place. Everything was running like clockwork. She had her dress, Matt had his tux and was ready to be the best ring bearer ever, and the party was all planned. Nora hadn’t been this happy in a long time. And it wasn’t even her wedding!! That’s the funny thing she thinks. She was just happy that Bo was happy. She picks up the phone and dials.
MELANIE: Hello?
NORA: So you ready for your maid of honor to throw you that shower tonight?
MELANIE: Nora…hi. I can’t wait. It should be a good time. Do you need me to bring anything?
NORA: No…you’re the guest of honor remember??? You just need to show up. I have everything under control. The caterers will be here at 6:00 to set up. Matthew is sleeping at a friend’s house tonight so we should be all set.
MELANIE: How’s Matt adjusting to Sam being gone?
NORA: It’s been a little hard for him to adjust to the fact that his father is now living in Japan with Will but he understands. And Bo and Hank have been good substitute role models. Even Asa has pitched in.
MELANIE: Well that ‘s good. I was afraid he would have problems. So who’s all coming tonight?
NORA: Vicki, Renee, Jessica, Rae, Jen some of your friends from the hospital.
MELANIE: Lindsay?
NORA: Melanie…do I look stupid? Lindsay is the last person you want showing up at your party. And probably the last person in the world that I want at my house.
MELANIE (laughing): I was pretty sure about the answer but I just wanted to be positive.
NORA: You have no worries on that front. So what is Bo up to tonight? Hank throwing him a bachelor party?
MELANIE: Actually he said that he and Hank were going to go fishing. Just the two of them.
NORA (laughing): Oh boy…Hank and Bo bonding over fish. Expect him to come home smelling like trout.
MELANIE: I can’t see what he sees in fishing.
NORA: Neither could I but he loves it.
MELANIE: Well I guess I have to put up with it since I love him.
NORA (laughing): Yea…with Bo it’s take my fish or leave me. I better get going. See you at 7:00?
MELANIE: I’ll be there.
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At the lake
HANK: So you’re really going through with this huh?
BO (smiling): Yep. I’m getting’ married again.
HANK: I still can’t believe it. But I love that you guys are so happy.
BO: She really is right for me Hank. I never thought I would feel this way again.
HANK: Can you please wipe that silly grin off your face?
BO: I can’t help it Hank. She makes me feel this great. We had a rough start but once we got to know each other I really fell hard. She’s smart, she’s funny, she makes me smile. I can’t help it.
HANK: So what is she up to tonight?
BO: Nora’s throwing her a shower. Can you believe it?
HANK: Look at the four of us…all this mixing and matching of mates. Who would have thought they we would all be such good friends.
BO: That’s the thing I’m the most grateful about. That Nora and I are as good of friends as we are. You know…if Melanie hadn’t asked Nora to be her maid of honor I was going to ask her to be my best “man.”
HANK: What…so I’m chopped liver now?? Second-best best man??
BO (laughing): Maybe. No..really. Nora is the person in this world that knows me best. Even Melanie doesn’t know me as well as Nora.
HANK: That’ll come in time.
BO: I’m not so sure Hank. I love Melanie with everything I am but Nora will always hold a special place in my heart that no one will ever touch.
HANK: All I know is that I’m happy for you buddy. You deserve this happiness.
BO (smiling): I do don’t I.
Back at the shower. The guests have arrived and everyone is mingling.
MELANIE (hugging Nora): Nora…everything is perfect. The food, the decorations, everything. I’ll never be able to thank you.
NORA: Thanks aren’t necessary. This is what maids of honor are supposed to do.
RAE: Nora stop hogging the guest of honor. So Melanie, where are you and Bo going on your honeymoon?
MELANIE: We’re going to go to Vancouver to go whale watching [Author’s note - Hey..cut me some slack. I didn’t want to end them someplace romantic and this was the best I could think of]
VICKI: That sounds like fun. Maybe I can get Ben to take me some time. [Again…cut me some slack LOL]
NORA: Come on…it’s time to open the gifts.
Melanie starts opening all of the gifts…Crystal goblets from Vicki, china from Renee, a food processor from the people at the hospital; fancy towels from Jessica, linens for Jen, a can opener from Rae [She always was the cheap one!! LOL]. Nora hands Melanie another gift to open. As soon as she opens it she drops it and screams. Nora picks up the box.
VICKI: What is it?
NORA: A bunch of black, dead flowers. There’s a note…”Because of you…”
RAE: Nothing else?
NORA (examining the box): No…that’s it.
RENEE: Where did the box come from?
NORA: You know..I’m not sure. It was here when the caterers left. I didn’t think anything of it since there were a few other gifts here already.
VICKI: Who would do such a thing?
MELANIE: I can make a good guess. Lindsay.
RAE: Even Lindsay isn’t that cruel.
NORA: Rae…this is Lindsay we’re talking about. She would be that cruel. I wouldn’t put it past her. I bet she just waited until the caterers came and then just asked one of them to put the box in the house. Melanie…I am so sorry.
MELANIE: It wasn’t your fault. It was all Lindsay. She can’t get over the idea that I’m going to be happy with Bo.
VICKI: Come on. Let’s throw those away and continue with this wonderful party. I don’t know about you but I need more champagne.
The party goes on but the surprise gift has put a damper on things. Pretty soon all of the guests leave and Nora and Melanie are alone.
MELANIE: Nora this party was wonderful.
NORA: With one small exception.
MELANIE: It’s out of my mind. I am NOT going to think about it any more. I don’t want you to either.
NORA: Okay…deal. So you all ready for the big day?
MELANIE: I think so. I can’t think of anything that I’ve forgotten.
NORA: Are you sure that you want to stay at the Palace the night before? We have plenty of room here.
MELANIE: I’m sure. You’ll have your hands full with Matt and then I won’t be underfoot. We’ll just meet at the church like we planned and you can help me get ready. I better get going. Thank you again for a wonderful time.
NORA: You are very welcome.
The day of the wedding – at the church. Bo and Hank are there ready to go. Nora and Matt walk in. Matt runs to Bo, jumps in his arms and gives him a hug.
MATT: Hi Uncle Bo.
BO: Hey buddy. You look mighty fine in that tux.
MATT: Ya think?? It feels kind of weird. I don’t like this tie thing. I can hardly breathe.
HANK: You’ll never get used to that Matt. Come on…why don’t you come with me and we’ll go outside and get some fresh air.
Bo hands Matt to Hank and they take off. Nora gives Bo a quick hug.
NORA: You look marvelous.
BO: You don’t look too shabby yourself. You clean up well.
Nora slaps him on the shoulder.
BO (laughing): I mean it. You look great.
NORA: Thanks. So you ready?
BO: As ready as I’ll ever be.
NORA: I love seeing you this happy.
BO: I’m really glad you’re here today. It wouldn’t feel right without having my best friend stand up here with us.
NORA (smiling): I’m glad I’m here too. Have you seen Melanie yet?
BO: No…don’t you remember it’s bad luck. (pausing) Isn’t she here yet?
NORA: Well I was back in the bride’s room and she wasn’t there. We were supposed to meet here a half hour ago. She’s probably just running late. I’m going to go call her on her cell phone. You just relax. She’ll be here.
Nora leaves to go call Melanie. There is no answer on her phone. Nora hunts down Hank.
NORA: Can you keep an eye on Matt? I’m going to run over to the Palace to check on Melanie.
HANK: Is there a problem?
NORA: I don’t think so but she was supposed to be here a half hour ago and she isn’t answering her cell phone. I’m sure I’m just being a nervous maid of honor but I think I better check.
Nora leaves and heads over to the Palace. She gets Melanie’s room number at the front desk and goes to the 14th floor. As Nora approaches the room she notices that the door is ajar. Her heart drops and her breathing increases. She calls out to Melanie as she slowly walks into the room. What she sees stops Nora dead in her tracks. Melanie is lying on the bed, covered in blood. Nora knows that she is dead just from looking at her and there is nothing she can do to help. She also knows that she needs to leave the room without touching anything and get the police there as soon as she can. She has to keep it together…she has to. She calls the police from her cell phone and waits. It seems like hours but Antonio finally shows up with a forensics team. She gives him what details she knows and tells him that she has to get to the church…to Bo.
Nora takes a deep breath as she gets out of her car and walks into the church. How is she going to tell Bo. She has to be strong for Bo. Some of the guests are already mingling around outside the chapel. Vicki and Ben say hello but she hardly notices them. She slowly opens the door. She walks into the chapel and sees Bo talking to Hank. He notices her and gives her a quick smile. He sees the look on her face and the smile quickly disappears. They start walking towards each other, their eyes locked. Both of them start crying before they reach each other. Nora pulls him into a tight hug and whispers in his ear…I’m so sorry Bo.
To be continued…..
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