A Wrench in the Wedding

“Oh, Sarah, you look like a movie star!”

I spin around at the mother of the bride’s comment to see the bride wearing my dress. It’s a gorgeous mermaid style gown with beading throughout the bodice. It’s just the right size for me; tailored for me, even. I was shocked when the bride wanted to try it on because it was not in her list of wants for a dress. She’s a ball gown bride, and this is certainly not that. I thought she was just weeding out what she knew she didn’t want, but now it seems she’s in love with my gown. She can’t have it. It was mine. It is mine.

“This may be the one,” Sarah exclaims. “I can’t believe it! I wasn’t even looking for this style, but it fits perfectly!”

I want to race over to the pedestal and rip my dress off her. I almost do, but just as I’m about to start walking, the bell over the doors rings and the electrician steps in.

“Hi, you have some light switches that need rewiring?” he asks as he shakes my hand.

“Yes, in the stockroom in the back, I’ll show you. Ladies,” I say, grabbing the attention of the bridal party, “I’ll be right back to help you with a veil. I just need to show this man to the stockroom.”

They barely register my comment and continue to fawn over the bride. I’ve been dying for this appointment to be over since the bride walked in and told me who her fiance is. Jordan Mitchells. I could hardly believe it. And her ring! It’s definitely the family heirloom. God, how I long to have that rock on my finger.

After showing the electrician to the stockroom, I return to find the whole party crying and swapping tissues as they take pictures. I grab a few veils from their hangers and walk them over.

“I see we may have a winner! I brought some veils over. Is there one you particularly like?” I ask, stretching out my arm to reveal my selections.

Sarah sniffs back more tears before responding, “Oh something classic, of course. These three are lovely, but that beaded one on the wall is to die for!”

I turn toward the wall to see she’s pointed out my veil. I should’ve hidden it in the back when I was showing the electrician where to go. It’s custom to match the dress, and it cost more than I’d like to admit. I try to hide my displeasure as I put back the veils I’d chosen and gently remove my veil from the display. It’s still in pristine condition. I lower it onto the bride’s head, and everyone bursts into tears as if on command.

Sarah wipes tears from her cheeks and says, “this is the one, for sure. Oh, Jordy will love it!”

After a few photos and some more tears, I lead Sarah back to her dressing room. I’d kill to wear this dress. In fact, I should be wearing it instead of Sarah. Just as I’m about to help her out of my dress, the electrician calls for me.

“I’m finishing up. All the switches back here should be good as new. If you have any more trouble, just call me.”

“Thank you so much.”

“No problem at all. Do you have a restroom by chance?”

“Yes, of course! It’s just down that hallway.”

As he walks away, I catch a glimpse of something shiny out of the corner of my eye. Inside the electrician’s bag is a large wrench. It looks brand new. Without hesitation, I pluck it from his bag and tuck it into my pocket.

I’m sure he won’t miss this.

I make my way back to Sarah’s dressing room, devising a plan along the way. I can’t let her leave with this gown. It’s not hers; it’s mine. And I deserve to wear it. She can have it over my dead body!

Sarah turns as I close the dressing room door and asks, “do you think he’ll love it?”

“He absolutely will,” I respond, “I just know that he will. Now let’s get you out of this.”

I turned around to lock the door and quickly shut off the lights, which resulted in a small scream from Sarah

“Oops! I guess the electrician may have mixed up some wires. Let me see if I can find a flashlight.”

Instead of unlocking the door, I reach into my pocket and pull out the wrench. Before I can think twice, I swing it full force into Sarah’s head. A heavy thump tells me she’s fallen to the floor. I flip the lights back on and stare down at the bride-to-be who now has blood dripping down her face.

“You see, Sarah, I know Jordan will love it because this was supposed to be my wedding dress. I saved every penny I could to afford it and the custom veil, and then Jordan got cold feet and walked out on me two days before the wedding. He called me crazy, saying I was too overbearing. Too clingy. You said this veil is to die for, right? I really hope you meant that.”

I raise the wrench above my head once more and swing down with all my might. The wrench connect with her skull before she can get a scream out, and then there’s nothing. More blood drips down and onto the dress, and I know where I’m going next. I ease Sarah out of the dress before undressing myself. Then I slip into my wedding gown and gingerly place the veil on my head. As a final touch, I take the engagement ring off Sarah’s finger and put it on my own.

“Now Jordan can see the bride he left behind.”

After tearing through Sarah’s purse, I find her keys and head to the parking lot out back. The sun has just set which gives me enough cover to sneak into Sarah’s car without being seen. I speed to Jordan’s house and park in the garage next to his car.

“Oh, honey, I’m home!” I sing as I walk into the kitchen, wrench still clutched in my left hand. I spot the knives on the counter and grab the largest one before making my way up the stairs to his room.

“Sarah, I wasn’t expecting you for another hour. How was…” he stops cold when he sees me.

“I don’t think you should expect Sarah anymore. She’s had a wrench thrown into her plans. Don’t you love my dress, Jordy?”

“Mels, what the fuck are you doing here? And where’s Sarah?”

“Like I said, she won’t be joining you. Now answer my question!”

Jordan stumbles backward as I advance.

“She walked into my shop today wearing this gorgeous ring, your grandmother’s right? The same one you gave me? And then she tried on my dress and veil. I couldn’t bear it any longer. It was killing me, so I killed her. If I can’t marry you then no one should.”

I throw the wrench at his head, and it connects with his right eye. Then I tackle him to the ground, holding the knife by my right ear.

“Why are you doing this to me? What did you do to Sarah?”

“Seeing her so happy to be marrying you was killing me, so I killed her. Then I took the dress off her and came to show you what you were missing.”

“Is that her blood?” he stammers.

“You don’t like the alteration I made? You always said you loved me in red.”

With that, I stabbed the knife into his chest and watched as his blood stained the rest of the gown.