What the Sea Could Not Keep
Robert Blackwell promised to marry me, then postponed it thirty-eight times.
The fifth time, a car crash broke eight of his ribs, and I signed seven critical-condition notices.
The tenth time, on the way to get our marriage license, he and the car were thrown into the sea, and his suit was torn apart by sharks.
By the thirty-eighth time, his heart disease had worsened and his life was hanging by a thread.
Eight months pregnant, I changed flights three times and flew twenty-three hours across half the world to find him.
When the door opened, a little boy who looked exactly like him lifted his face and said, "I thought Mom was back."
Robert rushed out barefoot, panic written all over his face.
I turned around and saw my best friend of twelve years standing behind me with a key in her hand.
The little boy ran to her and threw himself into her arms, calling her Mom.
So the fiance I had waited seven years for was my best friend's secret husband all along.
"I will not wait through these thirty-eight near-death weddings anymore."
"Robert, I do not want you either."