Why Knot

Abigail Thomas

Word Count 104

“Well, you certainly cannot wear white,” my mother had whispered. I remember wondering whether the saleslady had heard her. It was 1960, I was eighteen, it was a shotgun marriage. We picked out a gray dress. I think it had long sleeves, but I'm not sure. In 1970 I got married again, but I don’t remember what I wore. Nothing special. We did it at the county clerk’s office. Fast. He had never been married and I had three kids, I think I was afraid he’d chicken out. A thousand years went by. The third time I wore white. Because why the fuck not.

Abigail’s books include Safekeeping; A Three Dog Life; and What Comes Next and How to Like It. She lives in Woodstock, NY.