Katherine

“And what is your celebrity crush?” The MC thrusts the microphone into another woman’s face.

‘Why am I here?’ I know why I’m here, here. My husband is a groomsman in his friend’s wedding. I’m not in the wedding party, but I was invited as his plus one. Which is fine, its all good. It gave me a chance to wear a beautiful dress. But sitting here in the dining hall, at a table alone, because my husband has to sit with the wedding party; I’m questioning why I’m here.

The MC has been trickling between tables trying to break the ice. And the question he has been asking all the women present is, “who is your celebrity crush?” But I mean everyone; not just women who might appear single. But women who are obviously sitting next to the husbands or boyfriends. And the crazy thing to me is, these women are actually answering. “Brad Pitt, Chris Evan’s, Zac Efron, etc…” and the men they are next to don’t look anything like their so called crush.

It’s appalling to me. How could these women say these things in public, but most importantly in front of the men they love.

That MC better not come near me. Because I’m not going to play along. I’m going to say what needs to be said, and I will probably be asked to leave or I might just leave voluntarily.

Instead I watched in horror, as the MC walked right over to the bride and groom’s table and asked that awful question, “so bride, who is your celebrity crush?”

And she blatantly says, “Chris Hemsworth, of course!”

I looked right at the groom and he grimaced. Everyone knows what Hemsworth looks like; but the groom was nothing like him.

‘Poor guy.’ That groom is no longer going to enjoy his wedding; instead he is going to be debating on whether his bride truly loves him or not, or if she is settling.

This is why I’m wondering why I’m still here. Because I know what’s going to happen. And just as I had that thought, the MC shoved the microphone into my face.

“So pretty lady! Who is your celebrity crush?”

“No one.”

All talking and laughter silenced. All eyes were on me; which I truly despise. Why does God keep putting me in these situations?

“Come on! Don’t be shy. Who is it?” The MC kept getting closer and closer. Invading my space.

‘Don’t do it Katherine…’ I grabbed the mic from the MC, stood, and moved away from my chair. “Do you really think this is something you should be saying? Ladies. You are sitting next to your husbands, boyfriends, or potential ones, and you are saying you have a crush on someone else!? I can understand this behavior in high school, maybe even college. But the moment you started dating someone, you should have thrown out all ideas or crushes. The only crush you should have is your spouse or boyfriend. They should have all your affection and love.” I wasn’t done, but the eye rolls were starting.

“Let me ask you this, what if your man tonight said he had a crush on a celebrity. A woman who was in great contrast to you. Would you be giggling and laughing along? Would you be fine with the idea of your man looking and thinking about another woman? I surely wouldn’t. I would be constantly worried, terrified, and angry at myself for not being enough for him. That he had to look elsewhere with some of his affection or desires. Why is it that when a woman does this it’s innocent, but if a man does it he is cheating. It should go both ways.” I had said my piece. The look of annoyance and anger was beginning to appear on almost every woman in the room. I handed the mic back to the stunned MC, grabbed my purse and jacket, and made my way to the doors closest to me.

“Really no crush?” The MC yelled out to me.

I was pissed. But sure I’ll answer, I turned around and with a huge smile on my face, “Nathaniel Carter. If he ever becomes famous in the future,” I didn’t wait for anything and I left that unfortunate celebration.

As grand as my exit was; I couldn’t very well leave. My husband was still here, and I didn’t want to leave him stranded at this dreadful wedding. So instead I sat at the free bar, and had a practically fruit juice drink. Waiting somewhat patiently for my husband to be done.

…

“Dude. That’s the woman. The one who stood up for all us guys in there.” A couple of men had come out of the hall and spied the woman that caused a huge stir and uproar.

“Yeah. She was amazing! As soon as my girlfriend said her crush, I knew that my relationship was over. There’s no way I’m staying with someone who is looking elsewhere. There’s no way I can possibly live up to her unrealistic standard. Let’s go tell her that we are grateful for what she said.” They moved towards the courageous woman.

“Miss?” One man tapped the woman on the shoulder. she turned to look at him, but her face read that she was expecting backlash.

“Thank you. What you said really got through to my wife tonight. She realized that she was wrong for joining into the game. That what you said really gave her insight to my perspective. So thank you so much.”

Shock was on my face. I was so surprised that I actually made a difference with my outburst, in someone’s life.

“Yes. Thank you for what you said. The moment my girlfriend said she practically fantasizes about another guy, and was incredibly angry that you called out all the woman essentially. I knew that the relationship was over because our values didn’t line up. So thank you for saying what you said.”

I am so glad that someone appreciates the sacrifice I made tonight. Because it was truly a sacrifice. These people would never want me around again. Another friend circle gone. But honestly, I didn’t think anyone here would have been my friend. Considering, we also went to the wedding of the brother of this groom. At that wedding, the bridesmaids and friends of the bride were truly unkind to me. They mocked me for being a “plain Jane” also that I was simple, quiet, and boring; all said through whispers. At least I knew going into the wedding, my husband would be my only companion for that evening.

So I was quite surprised and truly happy that my outburst helped someone tonight. I gestured to the seats next to me; and the men took up residence next to me.

…

Nathaniel

“What happened? I left to use the restroom, and when I came back everyone was growling and some people were glaring at me. What did I miss?” Nathaniel sat back in his seat. He glanced to the table where Katherine was sitting, and was confused at why she wasn’t there staring back at him.

“Bro. Your wife is a truly amazing woman. She just says what needs to be said, and doesn’t care about the repercussions. She caused a major shift in the wedding.” He explained what had happened.

I chuckled once he finished. ‘That’s my Kathy. Always standing up for the little guy.’ She has always spoken when someone needed to be jolted back to reality. She believes that this is what God uses her for. I looked out into the room. Several seats were empty. Actually most of the men were gone from the room. So hopefully what she said helped people tonight.

However, I knew all too well that she was probably hiding somewhere just waiting to leave. Because every time she questions people, she always loses them.

“Jasper, I’m going to go search for my wife, want to tag along?” Nathaniel grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his chair as he stood.

“Sure. The atmosphere in here has fizzled. I don’t really want to be present for some of the backlash or drama,” Jasper too stood grabbing his belongs.

We exited to the doors and I was astonished at the sight we saw as we came to where the free drinks were. There stood a massive crowd of men; and they all stood around a figure I knew completely, my wife. She was mesmerizing. She was laughing and smiling along with all the men around her. This was the first time my wife wasn’t hiding; instead she was glowing.

“Bro,” Jasper brought me out of my admiration for my wife, “your wife is incredible. She not only spoke up for the men; but she has actually captured the attention of all the men she defended. And is it just me or is she beaming?”

“She is.” I was so proud of my wife. So many times she has had these outbursts that need to be said; but they always have huge repercussions. She’s always alienated. It wears on her; it has been tearing her down. But she continues to speak up. So in this moment I have so much pride for my wife. That she is getting all this positive attention.

“Bro, I know you are dazzled by your wife, but are you not at all worried, with her being surrounded by all those men?” Jasper brought me out of my daze.

“She practically told everyone in that room that she was taken. And then that she loves only me; if what you told me was accurate.” I looked at Jasper and he nodded, “so no. I have nothing to worry about.”

Two men came out the doors behind us. “Jake don’t. She practically declared herself happily married. She’s not going to look twice at you,” a young man had grabbed the arm of another man now walking past us.

“So what. She was so attractive when she spoke earlier. And look,” he pointed over at the crowd, “she won’t even know what I’m thinking. With all those other men around her; they will be a great cover for me. I’ll slip in next to her, and start working my magic.” He wiped his friends off of him and started towards the bar.

“So…Nathaniel, are you still calm about all the attention your wife is getting,” Jasper turned away from the two men, but as he looked back, all he saw was Nathaniel’s back disappearing into the sea of men surrounding his wife.

…

Katherine

I didn’t expect this to happen. The first two men became four, then eight, then twelve, then twenty. To now, I have no idea how vast this crowd of men is. I didn’t expect my words to truly help so many relationships. About eighty percent of the men had come up to thank me. That their wives realized their mistakes and apologized. Sadly the other twenty were men that were planning on ending their relationships with their dates. Because their dates became angry at the men because they couldn’t take a “joke”. But I felt truly honored that I had helped.

But suddenly the good feeling left. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I knew it wasn’t my husband, I swirled in my chair to be met with a younger man staring at me intently. I didn’t trust those eyes.

Thankfully a hand came and swatted the unwelcome hand off my shoulder and grabbed my waist. I knew that touch. I turn and see my husband standing there. “Hubby!” I stood, but only to fall into my husband’s arms. My legs had gone numb.

Nathaniel

I caught my wife swiftly, but the sea of bodies surrounding her reacted to catch her too. I was grateful towards them, but I also didn’t want any other man touching her. Married or not; especially the not. “Thank you everyone for being so kind towards my wife tonight.” I cradle the almost sleeping Katherine in my arms. “But I think we should take our leave. My wife is slowly drifting off. Anyone know how much she had to drink?”

“We don’t know how much, but she was only drinking that,” they pointed to the bottle of the juice wine (what Kathy called it) that she always drank way too much and would get tipsy.

I shook my head and wrapped Kathy in her jacket, draped her purse around my neck, and scooped up my now snuggling wife. Kathy nestled her head into my neck.

I nod to the surrounding men, and leave the hall with my greatest treasure.

“I love you, Nathaniel,” Kathy whispers into my neck in her adorable drunk voice.

“I love you too,” I kiss her as we continue our trek to the car.