Cincinnati, OH
Ten years ago . . .                

                As he stepped off the train Darius North listened to a voicemail introduction of his fiancée’s cell phone before speaking. “Liz, it’s me. I’ve been trying to reach you for two days. I need to talk to you. Call me as soon as you get this message.” He started to hang up before adding. “I don’t know why you’re not returning my calls, but whatever it is I’m sure we can work through it, just call me. Okay?” He tucked the cell phone back into the case attached to his belt.
Slinging his tote bag over his shoulder he moved through the crowded train station and out to the main entrance where cabs waited for fares. His troubled mind was running in a thousand directions. Something was wrong. She was having second thoughts. Darius knew it as certain as he knew his own name. He could feel it.
He climbed into one of the available cabs.
“Where to?” The driver called over his shoulder.
Darius gave his home address and a few seconds later the car was in motion. He settled back in the seat knowing it would be at least twenty minutes before they reached his apartment complex.
He stared out the window at the passing cityscape as his problems raced through his mind. Whatever was going on with Liz started over a month ago. She’d changed almost overnight. Now if he said up—she said down. If he said left—she said right. He tried to talk to her before leaving on his trip and she’d just brushed him off.
At first, he’d assumed it was just the usual nervousness that came with getting married. After all, he was experiencing his own share of it. The idea of taking responsibility for the financial and emotional well being of another human being was daunting to say the least.
But he was prepared. Probably more prepared than most twenty-four year old men. After all he had a successful business to provide for them. And not only was it successful but thriving.
At the age of eighteen straight out of high school he’d signed up for the franchise training program at the Deli store he worked in. Within a year, he was opening his own store. Two years later another across town, and now he was returning from a planning meeting in a city fifty miles away where he was preparing to open his third store.
Liz, a third year college student could do much worse than himself, he thought. So, what was her problem? His phone rang and he quickly answered it.
“Hey man, where are you? I called the hotel you were staying at and they said you checked out.”
“Hey, Darren. Yeah, I decided to come back a day early. What’s up?”
There was a long pause before his brother finally said. “Nothing—nothing, just wanted to see if you needed any last minute help with anything.”
Darius frowned “No, you just make sure you bring the ring.”
“Of course.”
His frown deepened. He loved his big brother but Darren wasn’t exactly the reliable type. “Did your tux arrive?”
“Um, . . .  yeah, about that.”
Darius laughed, already knowing what his brother’s complaint would be. “What about it?”
“It’s green.”
“Sage.”
“What?”
“Sage. Liz picked the colors—not me.”
“At the shop we tried on black tuxes.”
“That was just for sizing. I thought I told you that?”
“You know damn well you didn’t say anything about green tuxedos”
Darius laughed again. “Sorry brother, but I’m just trying to make my new bride happy.”
“Are you sure you can?”
Darius felt a chill of premonition run down his spine. “What’s that suppose to mean?” He waited for several seconds but when no response came he prompted his brother again. “Darren, what the hell did you mean by that?”
Darren’s only response was a grunt.
Darius instantly realized his brother knew more that he was saying. “Look Darren, if you know something say it.”
“Nothing to say—I don’t know anything.”
“Then why did you say that?”
“Just messing with you. It was a joke. You’re too sensitive. Chill.”
Darius’s eyes narrowed. His brother was lying. “Darren as my brother I would expect you to tell me if you saw something or even heard something about Liz while I was away.”
“Man, you’re overreacting.”
“Am I?”
“Look, I just called to see if you needed some help with the wedding stuff. Never mind.”
Darius listened as the phone went dead on the other end before turning off his own. Darren knew something. Something he was obviously hesitant to share. That was understandable. After all, what man would want to have to tell his brother that he caught his woman messing fooling around on him? But that short conversation was just enough to confirm his suspicions.
Before he could change his mind he leaned forward and knocked on the glass. “Instead, can you take me to 5682 Willard Avenue?”
The driver gave him a quick annoyed glance. “That’s thirty minutes in the opposite direction.”
“I know. I’ll make it worth your while.”
That seemed to appease the driver because as soon as he could find an appropriate place to turn around, he did, and headed back across town in the direction of Willard Avenue.
Thirty-five minutes later Darius was stepping out the cab and paying the driver his fee and a fifty dollar tip. The man nodded his satisfaction before puling away.
Darius stood in the drive of the small family home belonging to the Donovan’s. Liz’s compact car was sitting in the drive right behind her father’s pick up truck.
He walked to the door and knocked. It was a comfortable June evening, so although he waited several minutes and knocked again a couple of times, it was not an uncomfortable wait.
Finally, the door cracked partially and half a face topped with a couple pink rollers appeared. “Darius? What are you doing here?”
“Evening, Mrs. Donovan. Sorry to disturb you so late. I was hoping to talk to Liz.”
Marian Donovan closed the door to remove the chain and opened it wide. “I’m sure she’s in bed already. Is something wrong?”
“Who is it, Marian?” A gruff male voice called from the top of the stairs.
“Sorry to wake you, Mr. Donovan, I was hoping to see Liz.” Darius called up the stairs.
The stairs creaked as the large man descended. “Darius? What’s wrong, son?”
                Darius, starting to feel a little ridiculous for getting this couple out of their bed for nothing tried to play down his concern. “No, nothings wrong. I just wanted to speak to Liz for a few moments, if it’s not too much trouble.”
They gave each other a strange look before Marian announced. “I’ll go wake her.”
“Thank you.” Darius called to her retreating back as she climbed the stairs.
“Come on in,” Will Donovan gestured to the living room. “Have a seat.”
The two men entered the small, cozily decorated room, and sat opposite ends of the couch.
“You sure everything is okay, Darius?” Will asked, leaning forward to meet the younger man’s eyes.
Darius tried to smile reassuringly. “Yes sir. It’s just I haven’t been able to reach her by phone for a couple of days.” His smile widened to a grin. “Just want to make sure she hasn’t changed her mind.”
Will chuckle loudly. “Better not, considering the money me and her mama have spent on this little event.” He reached over and patted Darius’ shoulder. “Don’t worry, son. She’s probably just a little nervous. Perfectly natural.”
“Yes, sir.” Darius nodded obediently, and tried to tap down his own concern as he watched Marian Donovan descend the stairs alone.
Her troubled eyes first went to her husband as both men stood to greet her. “She’s not in her room.”
Will frowned. “What do you mean she’s not in her room?” He crossed the floor and pulled back the curtains on the windows facing the front of the house. “There’s her car right there.”
“I know. She must’ve gone out with some girlfriends after we went to bed.” Darius did not miss the way his future mother–in-law avoided eye contact. “I guess she’s making the most of being a single woman.” Marian tried to laugh, but the sound sort of faded off in a squeak.
Will’s face was twisted in a harsh frown. “Without even leaving a note?” He crossed the room and grabbed the cordless phone from his base on a side table. He quickly dialed his daughter’s cell phone number.
Marian and Darius stood patiently, although Darius was feeling anything but patient. His earlier concern had deepened to an almost terrifying fear.
“Where the hell are you?” Will Donovan growled into the phone. “Call home as soon as you get this message young lady!” He slammed the phone down on the base and flopped down in the chair next to the table. “Sorry, Darius. I don’t know what’s gotten into that girl lately. This is the third time she’s done this in the past couple of weeks.”
“Will!” Marian hissed.
He rolled his eyes at his wife and continued unintimidated. “The man has a right to know, Marian.”
Marian crossed to stand between her husband and Darius. “It’s just regular wedding jitters, Darius. Everybody has them. I’m sure you’re nervous in your own way, as well.”
“Darius tried to force a smile. “Yes ma’am. I’m a little nervous. I’m going to head home” He turned toward the front door, then paused and looked over hi shoulder.  “Could you call me and let me know when she makes it in? Just so I know she’s okay.”
Will simply nodded and Marian called out. “Of course, we’ll call you. I’m sure she’s just out with some girlfriends.”
Or another man, Darius thought. By the worried expressions on both her parents face he knew he was not the only one thinking it.
Two days later, dressed in his sage and black tuxedo, Darius knocked on the door to the dressing room in the back of the church, and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. “Liz? You in there?”
In the distance he could hear a piano solo of Jeffrey Osborne’s On The Wings Of Love coming from the sanctuary. One the Liz’s friends and a bride’s maid, Kelly, he thought her name was, hurried toward him down the hall. Her sage green gown lifted to her knees revealing white stocking with a severe tear down the left leg.
As she reached him, Darius asked. “Have you seen Liz this morning?”
She seemed distressed as she bobbed her head eagerly, the flowers threaded through her blonde tresses weaved precariously. “Yes, about an hour ago.” She gestured to the closed door. “She should still be in there. I was just coming to see if she had any extra stocking.” She extended her leg. “Mine are ruined.”
He knocked on the door again. “Liz?” He cracked the door a bit and the first thing he saw was Marian Donovan reflected in the full length standing mirror on the other side of the room. She was reading something.
“Mrs. Donovan? Is Liz here?”
Marian Donovan swung around with a terrified expression on her face. “What?! Oh, no, no—she’s not.” She rushed across the room to them. “Kelly, would you be a dear and go find my husband.”
Kelly’s wide blue eyes looked nervously between the other two and then hurried away to find Will Donovan.
With a loud swallow, Marian finally looked directly at Darius. “Darius, come in here. We . . . we need to talk.”
Darius started into the room on shaky knees. He knew. With absolute certainty he knew what he was about to be told.
Marian closed the door and handed him the note. “I found this a few minutes ago.”
With clumsy fingers he unfolded the note and quickly scanned the scrawled writing.

Darius,
                As much as it pains me to tell you in this manner, I cannot in good conscience go through with our wedding. I’m in love with someone else. I’m so sorry to hurt you this way, but to marry you would mean to be untrue to my own heart. . .

He heard the door behind him bust open and Will Donovan’s bluster voice. He was in some kind of deep discussion or argument with his wife, Darius couldn’t focus his mind enough to tell. Nor, did he care.
He could hear others pouring into the room, his own parents voices were mingled in the confusion. But he was trying to see through the newly formed tears in his eyes to read the rest of the letter.

I hope you believe me when I tell you that I wish you only the best life has to offer and I hope, I truly hope that one day you can forgive us. I do love you, Darius, in my own way. But I have discovered too late that the love I feel for you is more than of a brother for a sister and not the deep emotional attachment I feel now.

Someone was sobbing, no . . . a couple of someone’s. And he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Please don’t look for me, go on with your life and find the happiness you deserve. And tell my parents I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt them either.
                                                                                                                                Liz

Darius slowly folded the note closed exactly as he’d received it and turned to face the family and friends crowded in the small room.
His mother pushed her way forward and took his face between her hands. “Darius? Are you okay, baby?”
He nodded and closed his eyes tight to hold back the tears. Not here. Not now.
Coral North hugged her youngest son tight to her, and then said. “I’ll get your brother to drive you home.” She looked around, but it was impossible to see anything in the mass of chattering people. “Darren! Darren where are you?!”
No answer came for several seconds, she turned to her husband, Jimmy who’d worked his way to his son’s side. “You know where Darren is?”
He shook his head. “Has anyone seen Darren?” He called over the crowd, but the incessant chatter continued and no one offered an answer.
Feeling a sinking feeling in his chest, Darius unfolded the note and reread ten words that were now taking on a new meaning. I truly hope that one day you can forgive us.
Us.
Us?
Darius reached behind himself and amazingly through the crowd he found a chair to sit in before his legs finally gave way.
Carol worked her way over to the back of the chair and gently put her hands on his shoulders, as if by touch alone she could remove his pain. He could feel her turning her body in each direction still searching for her other son, the one she expected to help his brother now.
Darius could’ve told her Darren wasn’t there. Us. By now, both his brother and his fiancé were long gone. On the way to their new life . . . together.