The Walk

A bride-to-be walks down the aisle and remembers bits of her past.

 

The Walk

 

She could only hope he was proud of her. That was the only thought going through her head as she walked toward her father. She could hardly look him in the eye as he beamed at her. She smiled back and looked away briefly as he took her by the arm. Today was the big day. The white dress, church along with all the friends and family were proof of that.

            They walked together in silence, his hand clasping hers as they made their way to the fateful aisle. She drew a deep breath as the age old music began to play. The audience stood and turned to watch as they took their first slow steps. She couldn’t help but to recall all the stories of her learning to walk. She would only walk for her father at first. Others would get her to stand, but she would only take those wobbly steps for one person. She was Daddy’s little girl from the start.

            She looked side to side, seeing all the smiling faces. There were some childhood friends on the benches reminding her of playing in the park. Her father would push her on the swings and be extra watchful as she learned to climb higher and higher on the jungle gym. She smiled to herself as she remembered that first day of school. It was so exciting and scary at the same time that she was on the verge of tears. It was only when her father hugged her and told her he’d be there to pick her up that day that she was able to join the rest of the children in line.

            Halfway down the aisle she looked up at her bridesmaids, one of whom already was sniffling. She thought of all the sleepovers she had at her house and of the many times her father would come into the room to keep the noise down. This was something they would heed the best they could, but they were girls in the end and the next time she’d see her father he would be there to tell them lights out and goodnight.

Her focus went to her maid of honor, her very best friend. This made her think of prom night that was no so long ago but seemed just like yesterday. It was a double date and all of the parents were there. They went through the picture and talking ordeal with everyone. She could vividly picture her father. On his face there was a sense of pride and joy, but under it there seemed to be sadness. His little girl was growing up and time just went by so fast.

She then moved her gaze to the groom. They had hit it off from the start when they met in a college class. Her life was turned upside down after they had met. She didn’t become that lawyer she and her father always thought she would be. Life had thrown her a curve and she went with it. They had their ups and downs just like anyone else, but they were meant for each other. It was a long engagement, but today was the day they began their lives as husband and wife together.

They had finally reached the altar and the audience sat down as the priest began.

“Who here presents this woman?”

“I do,” replied her father with the slightest hint of a sniffle. He squeezed her hand before handing her off to her husband to be and sitting down with her mother. The choked up response told her all she needed to know. She may or may not have finished all she intended to. Things may not have turned out as originally planned, but it didn’t matter at all. No matter what had happened or what the future may hold, she would always be his little girl. And he was very proud of her.

Author's Note

This is my first short story. I'm certainly not looking to change the world with this short thing. It was just an idea that came to me and I jotted it down. I'm sure I'm going to come back and work with it a bit. Please, be nice. :)

Reviews

[GRIMM]

This is a feel-good piece. Nice imagery.

[Moonlight]

Nice work! I liked the way each time she looked at a person, she was plagued by memories of the times they had shared. The title suits the work very well. I don't think that you need to work with it much;it seems perfect as it is.
-Moonlight