She smiled.
“I know.”
For a moment, we were simply two people exchanging jokes.
Then the official began the ceremony.
A nurse had fashioned two simple rings from clean strips of bandage. They were not elegant, but Alicia loved them.
She held hers up to the light.
“Do you think this will last?”
“Probably longer than my favorite shirt,” I replied.
“That’s not saying much.”
Everyone laughed, including Nora.
When the time came to exchange vows, Alicia’s voice trembled. She paused several times, gathering enough strength to finish.
I made my own promises carefully, avoiding declarations of romantic love that neither of us felt.
We promised to treat each other with kindness and respect.
We promised to honor the meaning of the moment.
When the ceremony ended, Alicia looked happier than I had seen her in weeks.
Nora adjusted her sister’s scarf and kissed her forehead.
Then she turned to me.
