MARRIED ON A DARE

Someone Had To Forfiet

Joy sat in the bathroom stall thinking of all her mother had always said about her. She was brave enough to admit to herself that she was stubborn but how her mouth had said ‘yes’ when she was gearing to say ‘no’, that she could not fathom. Maybe things were not so bad. After all, he must not have expected her to say yes and was probably waiting for her to come out and he'd forfeit. He might even be a good sport and praise her for being a worthy opponent. With this new perspective, she got off the seat, flushed and walked out of the stall.

She saw Angela was standing with crossed arms, waiting for her. “I have booked an appointment with Dr. Richardson. We will go see him tomorrow by 9” said Angela as Joy washed her hands, confused by the statement. Why would they need to see him? Dr. Richardson was a board certified psychiatrist. Now she realized what Angela was driving at. “I'm not a crazy person” she said as she dried her hands. “You've never been tested and it's time you were,” Angela retorted in anger. It was a friendly game. Why couldn't Joy lose the same way they all had? Much as she tried talking sense into her, as usual it was like speaking to a brick wall.

Joy knew Angela wasn't wrong. She also knew going out there to forfeit would be a much bigger embarrassment than if she had said ‘no’ when he had dared her. Maybe it was her stubbornness, maybe it was her ancestors refusing to let that smug individual gloat in victory. It didn't matter. She had said yes and she was not going to back down now and with any luck, she won't have to.

Anthony buttoned up his shirt much to the disappointment of the group of single ladies seated in a booth not too far off. King - as his eldest brother was fondly called, was once again chastising him. “It is a game not a do or die affair” he heard him say. Clearly, he hadn't seen the movie where this game was literally a do or die affair. “You worry too much” he reassured King. Joy was bound to chicken out. Earlier that evening, he had overheard Angela speak on how Joy was repulsed by marriage or committed dating and there were growing concerns she'd end up unmarried and alone. He had this in the bag. All he had to do was finish his beer and wait for her to come hand him his victory.

Angela made a mental note to never again suggest this game, as she walked out of the restroom with Joy. She was hoping her husband had managed to talk some sense into his notoriously unyielding brother. “You're ready to go?” said Anthony with a grin. Joy was realizing he wasn't about to forfeit. Well….. neither was she. With a smirk, she declared “Shall we?” “Oh! She's tough but I am tougher”. He said in his mind. “Ladies first” he spoke out as he stood aside for her to go ahead of him. Angela was beginning to panic, unsure how to bring this to an end. “Wait!” She yelled. “There's no one to wed you guys. This is not Vegas, incase you've forgotten”.

They looked amongst themselves and saw in their silence that she was right. They knew no one to go to and with that realization, Angela took a breath of relief. She had found a way to diffuse the situation without any of them admitting defeat. Now, she could go home to her kids in peace. “I know a guy” said a nosy voice from the end of the bar. It was a good thing the i***t wasn't close to her cause she would have strangled him. Anthony and Joy looked at each other. “Guess the dare is back on” he said. “I guess so” she retorted and with that, they walked out with the poke nosing i***t.