Alina

You stand waiting for Alina to emerge from the changing room at a bridal boutique in downtown Manhattan. Alina appears through the doorway, smiling upon seeing you. You've been her friend and ally since she landed in New York from her home in the Ukraine. Alina, a soon to be in-law, needed help with arrangements for the wedding, and you were more than happy to assist her. Alina toys with the beads on the wedding gown she is wearing. She hangs her head as she looks down at the exquisite dress. You can't see her eyes, but you can hear the quiver in her voice. "This is all too much too soon." She smooths out the gown over her hips, feeling the embroidery under her fingers. "I barely know Reed, and the more that I know, the more I understand why he's still single."