Every Rose Has Its Thorns

Chapter 2

        Music blared out of the open balcony doors where Jo stood alone, getting some air from the party raging inside. She was mildly drunk, on her third glass of champagne toasting to the happy couple. 

        The ceremony had been perfect. Jo arrived with the flowers just in time and she cried as her brother married his best friend. She didn't have much in this world, but her brother had always been her rock and now she had a sister to lean on too. Steve and Lauren were a match made in heaven and Jo got teary just thinking of their happy life together. 

        The wedding was in an old industrial building by the wharf, refurbished for events like these. What was once a dilapidated part of town was shaping up to be the trendiest area in San Francisco. Bars, clubs, and restaurants were popping up all over the place. From Jo's perch on the second floor balcony she could watch the wedding-goers dancing on her left and the night life humming in the street on her right.

        Jo thought back to earlier in the night when Steve and Lauren shared their first dance. Their song was an orchestral piece that she had composed for the occasion - her gift to the bride and groom. She joined the quartet on the piano as they danced. The piece was romantic and sweeping. She had put all her hopes for love into the piece because she knew that's what her brother had found in Lauren. When the song ended and applause rang through the building it was soon replaced with the hard bass and chorus of the DJ's pop playlist, leaving Jo to retreat to the balcony.

        Jo turned to lean against the railing, letting the music wash over her as she looked to the street below her. It was late, but as it was a weekend night the city was just starting to come alive. She didn't know if it was because she was at a wedding or if the city was just taunting her but she watched as couples stumbled down the streets together, happy and smiling in the arms of their lovers. A cool breeze filled the air and Jo welcome it, the crisp air clearing her head. She couldn't help the profound sense of loneliness she felt, up here alone. Jo had never found someone she felt passionate about and her career in music only enhanced her romantic tendencies. She wanted something undeniable and all she ever found was questions - about herself, about the men she met and the life they could offer her. 

        As she was about to turn back inside Jo stopped, suddenly feeling eyes on her back. She turned, scanning the street outside, looking for the source of her discomfort but she couldn't see anything amiss. Drunk couples stumbled around dim corners where the meager light from the street lamps gave out. Shaking off the feeling, Jo downed the rest of her champagne and walked back inside to find her brother. 

        Steve was, as usual, in the middle of the dance floor, busy being the life of the party. Jo loved her brother but her capacity for people and parties had officially reached its limit. She fought her way through the crowd of dancers and reached for her brother's arm.

        "Steve, I'm going to head out." Jo had to shout into his ear to be heard over the music. 

        "No, come on Jo, stay! It's my wedding!" Jo smiled but she knew Steve was well past drunk and whether she decided to stay or go would have no effect on how the rest of his night went. 

        "I love you! Make sure to call me when you get to the airport tomorrow," Jo said. Steve and Lauren were leaving the next day for their honeymoon, a two-week trip cycling across the Patagonia with spotty cell reception and unreliable plumbing. Jo gave him a peck on the cheek and turned to leave when Steve grabbed her wrist, pulling her off the dance floor and away from the noise.

        When they were alone, Steve pulled her into a bear hug.

        "I love you, Jo. Thank you for everything you've done to make today so special. It means a lot to me," Steve pulled away and looked Jo in the eye. "It means a lot to Lauren."

        Jo looked down, smiling and punched Steve in the arm. "Are you kidding? She's my sister now. I'd do anything for you two." 

        "We'd do the same for you."

        "I know that. Will you promise to be careful on your trip?"

        Steve rolled his eyes, draping an arm across Jo's shoulders and leading her across the room where Lauren sat alone at a table. "Yeah, yeah it's you who I'm worried about, all alone in the big city for two whole weeks. Whatever will you do without us?"

        Jo laughed. "I'll manage just fine, I'm perfectly capable of handling myself you know."

        They arrived at Lauren's table. Her dress was spread out around her, the white tulle framing her like a halo in the dim light of the dance hall. She had thrown her heels across the table and she sat with one foot crossed over her knee, massaging the ball of her foot. She smirked at the siblings playfully jostling each other in front of her. "Don't worry Jo, Steve knows you can handle yourself. He just hates feeling like his little sister doesn't need him anymore," Lauren said, smiling affectionately at her new husband. 

        Steve moved to sit in the chair next to Lauren. He pulled her feet into his lap and began massaging them as Lauren leaned back with a sigh. She turned to Jo, "I don't know how he expects me to start cycling a 1,500 mile trail tomorrow," Lauren turns back to Steve, "Did you not consider the fact that your wife would be coming off a full day in heels before you planned this trip?"

        Steve leaned over and pecked Lauren on the cheek. "Come on, where's your sense of adventure?" 

        Lauren rolled her eyes, looking to Jo before they both started laughing. 

        "Are you headed out?" Lauren asked.

        Jo nodded. "I have an early day tomorrow. Have a safe trip, Lo, and remind my brother here to contact me whenever you get the chance."

        Lauren stood up and pulled Jo into a hug. While they embraced she whispered, "Don't worry, we'll keep each other safe." Jo pulled back and smiled at the newly weds, her heart swelling at the love they showed for one another. Giving each of them one last kiss, Jo picked her way through the crowd and headed to the coat room.