How illtimed this anniversary is, she muttered. Theyve found a moment to celebrate, and in a village no less. Fragments of a disgruntled mans remarks drifted to Blythe. She realised that her brotherinlaw had invited them to a twentyfifth wedding anniversary a silver wedding.
Johns phone rang loudly and insistently until he finally answered.
It was his cousin from the country.
Morning, Zach, hey there! John said. Alls well here, how are you lot? Good enough. What about Saturday?
Fine, Ill tell Blythe! Of course well comewhere else would we go?
Johns wife, Blythe, entered the sitting room.
How inappropriate this anniversary is, she said again. Theyve found time to mark it, and in a village.
She caught snippets of an irritated voice. It dawned on her that her husbands brother had asked them to the silver wedding of his own marriage.
John and Blythe had, until recently, decided to part ways.
Lately theyd been arguing more, a growing distance separating them. Two days earlier they had resolved to separate. Blythe didnt feel like attending the silver weddingher mood was far from celebratory.
Perhaps youll go alone, John, since youre his brotherinlaw, she said, thinking of Zachs wife, Id love to see Tatiana again. Weve always been friendly and visited each other.
But how could they arrive at the celebration and announce their split?
The bus from the city to the village took four hours, and their old car had been idle in the garage for three months.
They used that car often to drive to Zachs hometown, where John had been born and raised.
Now the vehicle was broken, and Blythe didnt know whether to repair it, spend money, or buy a new one. The looming divorce had upended all their plans.
John thought to himself:
Blythe probably wont go; shell refuse. If I go alone then Ill have to tell Zach and Tatiana about the divorce. Theyll be shocked, ask questions. Do they even need that news on their special day? Its a silver wedding, and here I am with my own breakup. That feels wrong.
Seeing Blythe step into the room, John said:
Zach called. Shall we drive over? We wont bring up our situation. Lets go, and deal with the separation later.
Blythe nodded.
Alright, since its their celebration, lets go anyway.
The coach pulled up and the driver announced:
Everyone off, the bus wont continue!
How can that be? Theres still five miles to the village! John protested.
The road ahead is in terrible shape and the rain has just stopped. I cant drive any further. Who will pull the bus out if it gets stuck? Find a lift or walk, the driver replied firmly.
John and Blythe stepped down; John clutched his bag. Walking five miles was not part of their plan.
What nowwait for a lift or trek on foot? he asked his wife.
We could wait until morning for a ride, but well have to walk, Blythe replied.
Cursing the driver, John led the way, Blythe following along the roadside. The lane was indeed rough, with deep puddles, but the verge was passable.
Its odd how Blythe stays silent, not even complaining, John thought. At home shed be a wreck by now, but here she just holds everything inside, waiting for it to burst later, perhaps midway through the walk.
Halfway through, a stand of oak trees loomed ahead, then the village was almost within sight.
John expected Blythe to start arguing, but she kept pace, quiet as ever.
He set his bag down and asked, Tired?
Just a bit, she said, pointing to a fallen log. Maybe we can rest on that.
They sat, looking around. The sky was still bright, evening approaching, birds still chirping, butterflies fluttering, trees rustling, crickets chirping.
Blythe recalled a trip nearly twenty years earlier, when they first came to the village for Johns own wedding.
How much has changed in twenty years, she said. The wood has grown, the oaks are tall and majestic.
Time flies, John replied. Remember that day when the cars wheel almost fell off? You were in your wedding dress on heels, I in my suit and polished shoes, we walked the roadside while Zach changed the tyre. We decided to keep going on foot. We didnt walk far, but you stubbed your toe.
Blythe laughed. I remember my sore toe. Good thing Zach fixed the car quicklyyouth! If it were now wed have waited for the mechanic.
After a short rest they set off again, each lost in thought. John remembered school hikes with his mates; Blythe, a city girl, had never spent a night in the woods.
Blythe, weary, thought aloud: When our son returns from service well finally separate. He wont like it, but what can we do? Its already decided.
The path left the woods and the village appeared in a valley.
What a sight! Summer here is beautifulbright colours, warm sun, Blythe exclaimed.
Yes, its lovely all year round. Weve visited at every season. Shame about the car; otherwise wed be there by now, John replied.
They pushed open the gate, entered the courtyard, and saw Zach already arranging tables. He rushed over, hugging them.
You came on foot? he gasped. Wheres the car? Why didnt you call? I could have met you. The road is terrible, but Id have taken the back route.
We didnt know the bus would stop, so we had to walk. At least we got fresh air and a view, John said.
Blythe! Tatiana exclaimed, embracing her friend with genuine joy. Its wonderful youre here; its been ages. Tomorrow we celebrate the silver wedding. Time has flown.
Zach and John chatted for a while, then everyone changed into dinner clothes and sat down to eat. They lingered in the courtyard, laughing and talking, then retired to their rooms. John and Blythe were shown a modest bedroom with a brandnew sofa.
Look, we just bought it, Tatiana said, gesturing at the freshly upholstered set. Good night.
Blythe stripped down and settled against the wall, leaving most of the sofa for John. Though they no longer shared a bed, John glanced at the sofa and lay at its edge.
Blythe, why are you hugging the wall? Theres room for both of us. Your legs must be sore after the walk, he said.
Its not the legs, she replied.
John tugged the blanket from her feet and began massaging her feet.
Alright, enough, she said. Itll pass by morning.
Just hold still; Ill work the knots out, John murmured.
The next day John and Blythe helped set the tables in the garden, greeting guests. Conversation started quietly, then grew louder as the music started, songs were sung, and dancing began. The village felt alive; everyone knew each other and celebrated together.
Can you imagine, John? Twentyfive years with Tatianaeverythings been good, though weve had our spats. We always make up; shes kind to me, Zach bragged to his brother. A quarter of a century, can you believe it? I love my Tatiana, and no one else could replace her.
Enough, Zach, his wife whispered. Honestly
And what? Zach shouted, Everyone should know I have the best wife in the world! The guests cheered and clapped.
John watched Blythe, both of them observing the happy couple. How could they bring up their own split at such a moment? The air was thick with joy, wrapping everyone in warmth.
John looked at Blythe with fresh eyes, and a thought slipped through: My Blythe is no less wonderful than Tatiana. Misunderstandings happenthats life. Why would we let a decision made in haste ruin this celebration? I dont want to lose her.
He pulled Blythe into a gentle embrace; she met his gaze, surprised, then saw the love and tenderness in his eyes. She felt the same.
In that village celebration, both realised that happiness could be found even amid uncertainty.
Perhaps joy has found us too, Blythe thought, smiling at John, who kissed her cheek.
The following day the barbecue continued, long conversations flowed, and John never let Blythe out of his sight. When she drifted away, he searched for her with his eyes.
Later Zach gave them a ride back on a bus.
Back home, John asked, What shall we do about the car? Repair it, or buy a new one? It costs a lot, but the bus isnt an option for Zachs visits.
You decide, love. If we need a new one, lets get it. You know more about these things, Blythe answered.
Then tomorrow morning well head to the motormarket, look around, and pick something together, John said.
The talk of divorce faded, as if it had dissolved on its own. Their son returned, got married, and John and Blythe remained as happy as ever.
In the end, they learned that plans may change, roads may break, and even the toughest decisions can be softened by shared moments and kindness. The true measure of a life is not how smoothly the journey runs, but how we hold each other when the path gets rough.
