I wander through the menswear section…
Of the biggest department store at the mall…
Without a clue what to get my father for his birthday.
The piles of button-down shirts blend together.
I’m still walking, even in my daze, when…
I collide with something in my path…
And find myself sprawled face-up on the floor.
Guy
I’m so sorry. I was tying my shoe!
I can barely make out the face that has appeared above me—
The glare of the fluorescent lights shines brightly behind him.
He stops speaking as his eyes lock on mine.
Guy
Oh my god, Melissa. Are you okay?
He reaches his arm down to help me up.
Sam was my boyfriend in high school.
Then we both went away to college.
But I’m pretty sure it was my fault.
I remember thinking that breaking up with your high school boyfriend…
Was something all girls had to do before college…
Or you would miss out on the “college experience.”
But I’ve always wondered about him.
Looking incredible in a gray sweater and dark jeans.
I feel a buzz between us.
We always had such great chemistry.
We speak at the same time.
Sam and Melissa
How are you?!
Melissa
I’m…well, I’m in trouble, actually.
Melissa
I need to get my dad a birthday present.
I make a sweeping motion with my arm…
Across the sea of nearly identical shirts in the store.
Sam
Ah, I see. Well maybe I can help.
Sam
Ned always struck me as a salmon kind of guy.
He holds up a shirt that’s perfect for my dad.
Not too formal, not too laid back — just right.
Melissa
That’s it! I’m impressed.
Sam shrugs his shoulders.
Sam
You just needed a guy’s touch.
Sam keeps me company as I pay for the shirt and have it gift-wrapped.
A brief moment passes where we stand smiling at each other.
Sam
Listen, do you want to grab a coffee? Catch up?
Melissa
I have a few hours before Dad’s birthday dinner…
Melissa
What was it you needed here?
Sam
Oh, I’ll grab it later.
Sam
Come on, there’s a place nearby that makes great coffee.
At the coffee shop counter, I have a flashback…
Of Sam getting me coffee on his way to school every morning.
Sam
Still two sugars and a little cream?
Melissa
You know me too well.
We sit in a cozy nook in the back and end up talking for hours.
About anything and everything.
It’s been four years since we broke up.
And as the conversation continues, I wonder more and more:
Why did I have to break up with him?
Sam
Be right back. Bathroom break.
He leaves, and I smile to myself.
And he hasn’t mentioned being in a relationship.
Is there any chance this is a…date?
I’ve dated several guys since Sam, but nothing has lasted.
No one has felt as right as he and I did.
I’m mulling this over when I see his screen light up with a text.
Before I realize I’ve done it, my eyes have read the text.
Antoinette
Don’t forget your tux, honey!
I’m in a state of shock when Sam returns from the bathroom.
His phone lights up again, and he reads the text on the screen.
Melissa
Please tell me that’s not Antoinette Scarsdale.
Melissa
The girl who ruined my life by telling everyone I still wet the bed in middle school?
I try to ask the question casually…
As if I’ve long gotten over it.
Sam
She told me she didn’t actually start that rumor.
Melissa
Of course she did!
Sam
We’re actually getting married.
Melissa
Married. On Saturday.
Melissa
Saturday as in 2 days from now?
Sam looks sheepish as I try to process this.
And realization dawns on me.
Melissa
That’s what you were picking up in the store.
Melissa
The tux for your wedding day.
Melissa
Then why bother getting coffee?
Now he knows I thought this was a date.
Sam pauses before he speaks.
Then he looks into my eyes.
Sam
I was so stunned to see you after all this time.
Sam
Two days before my wedding, no less.
I look at him expectantly.
Sam
I have to admit, I’ve really enjoyed talking to you.
Sam
But I’m with Antoinette now.
Sam
I’m sorry if I led you on in any way.
Melissa
Maybe she’s changed.
Melissa
One question before I go.
Melissa
You’re only 21. What’s the rush to get married?
Sam
It was Antoinette’s idea.
Sam
Why wait if you know what you want?
Sam
That’s what she says, anyway.
Melissa
It was good to see you, Sam.
I take my father’s gift and leave.
I arrive at the restaurant for Dad’s birthday dinner.
My parents aren’t there yet.
I collapse into the booth across from my sister, Kaia.
Kaia
What’s the matter with you?
Melissa
It’s been quite a day.
I tell her about running into Sam and his wedding.
Kaia
And you still have feelings for him, don’t you?
Melissa
He’s always felt like the one who got away.
And then I can see that something has clicked in her brain.
Kaia
Antoinette works at the Dawson & Treiger law firm, doesn’t she?
Kaia
I think she’s the paralegal there.
Kaia starts typing furiously into her phone.
I see her searching Antoinette’s name on LinkedIn.
Sure enough, it pops up that she’s a paralegal at Dawson & Treiger.
Kaia
There’s hope for you and Sam yet.
Kaia
I have a friend who works there.
Kaia
And she told me that Mr. Treiger is sleeping with his paralegal on the DL.
Melissa
And you think it’s…Antoinette?!
Kaia
Yes. I know her name is Antoinette.
Kaia
And they only have one paralegal.
Melissa
So Antoinette HASN’T changed!
Kaia
When did you say their wedding is?
I give Kaia a look of determination.
Melissa
And I’m going to stop it!
I arrive at the church in wedding attire to blend in.
But I’m still questioning whether this is the right thing to do.
I haven’t stopped thinking about Sam since seeing him.
But breaking up a wedding is a big deal.
I stop in the foyer of the reception area, debating whether I should leave.
I suddenly realize I need to use the restroom.
I hurry down a long hallway until I find a bathroom.
I come out to wash my hands.
Antoinette in her wedding dress, checking her teeth for lipstick stains.
She jerks back from the mirror after she spots me.
Antoinette
Melissa Pissa? Is that you?
I cringe at the nickname.
For a moment, I feel like I’m in middle school again.
But then I remember why I’m here:
Because Sam deserves better than this.
Melissa
Hello Antoinette.
Antoinette
What are you doing here?
Antoinette
At MY wedding?
Melissa
Oh you know, just sending regards from DANIEL.
Melissa
Sounds like he’s been REALLY busy at work.
Melissa
Now, where does Sam fit into all this?
I see invisible steam coming out of Antoinette’s ears.
And after a moment, she cracks.
Antoinette
You think you can come in and ruin my wedding?
Antoinette
Get out of here!
Melissa
Not until you tell me why.
Melissa
Why do you have to hurt Sam like this?
Melissa
Marrying him when you’re sleeping with someone else?
Antoinette
Aw, do you miss your sweet, reliable Sam?
Antoinette
Did you hear he got a great offer at a hedge fund?
Antoinette
He’ll be making so much money…
Antoinette
That I’ll have to come up with new ways to spend it.
Antoinette
And he’ll be working so much…
Antoinette
That I’ll have plenty of time for…extracurricular activities.
Antoinette
I played my cards right in life, and you can’t do anything about it.
Antoinette
And maybe you’ve forgotten that YOU’RE the one who dumped HIM.
Her voice turns to a sweet sing-song:
Antoinette
Finders keepers, losers weepers.
She chants this as if we’re still kids on a playground…
And she’s just claimed my shiny new ball.
What a fool I was to break up with Sam.
Melissa
Yes I can do something about it. I can—
Sam
I’ll take it from here, Melissa.
We both turn towards the door, where Sam has just entered.
Sam
I could hear you out in the hall.
Antoinette instantly composes herself.
Antoinette
Darling! Did you invite Melissa—
Sam
I heard everything you said.
Antoinette
Let me explain—
He turns on his heel and stomps away toward the restroom door.
I stand there awkwardly with Antoinette, who looks stunned.
She brought this on herself, so it’s hard to feel too badly for her.
I’m trying to figure out what to say when I hear Sam’s voice.
Is that a smile playing at his lips?
I head towards him, then turn back to Antoinette and whisper quietly.
With that, I link arms with Sam.
We walk out of the church and into the sunny daylight…
And into the truth we’ve been ignoring for years.
