LEVITATE Magazine Issue 5

parents slowed almost to a stop. It was too late for the bride and groom to furnish a guest list, likewise to choose colors. The guests would be mainly Mike’s relatives and his parents’ friends. (Sunny’s parents were invited, but promised not to come.) The colors would be lavender and yellow. (“Just coincidentally, your mother’s favorite colors,” Sunny pointed out.)

Mike and Sunny tossed around ideas for what they should do on the big day. They briefly thought of going on vacation to remove themselves from the field of battle, but they were already committed to a trip to Cancun with friends later in the summer. They couldn’t afford another trip too. *** The day itself dawned as a beautiful summer day.

“A perfect day for a wedding, goddammit,” Sunny grumped over her morning cup of coffee.

“Or for a trip to Niagara Falls!” said Mike.

“Pardon me?”

“I’ve actually never been to Niagara Falls. Why not today?”

“Why not indeed,” Sunny agreed.

They hopped in the car and drove two hours up the Thruway.

Thanks to a cancellation, they were able to get on a tour that got them access to everything—American side, Canadian side, Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, the works.

Later, as they sat on a bench eating hot dogs from a cart and gazing at the other tourists leaning over the railings and taking pictures, Mike said, “You know, this used to be a huge honeymoon destination.”

“Really? Did not know that,” Sunny answered. “So I guess your parents would say we’re putting the cart before the horse.”

“When in fact, we’re putting the cart without the horse. Or something.” He laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “Come on, let’s go look at tourist junk.”

They spent an hour browsing in one of the souvenir shops that sprouted along the roads near the falls, looking for a tchotchke to remember the day. The winner was a snow globe-like contraption that, at the pull of a handle, sent a tiny man in a barrel over a miniature falls.

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