Nobody told Jonathan to stop. Nobody helped Elena. “You might want to pick that up.”
Jonathan said, “It’s an invitation to my wedding.” Elena stared at the envelope on the ground.
She didn’t move. “I’m getting married, Elena.” Jonathan continued, his voice getting louder, more performative to a wonderful woman named Sarah.
She’s everything I ever wanted. Smart, beautiful, successful, classy. She have a future. She knows how to dress properly, how to talk to important people, how to fit into my world.
He leaned out his window slightly, making sure his next words carried to everyone listening.
She’s nothing like you, Elena. Nothing at all. She would never let herself end up like this.
Homeless, begging on the street, wearing rags. Sarah has dignity. She has pride. She has ambition.
Each word was like a knife designed to cut deep. Elena felt her throat tighten, but she refused to cry.
Not here. Not in front of him. Not in front of all these watching strangers.
The wedding is going to be incredible, Jonathan went on. We’re having it at the Grand View estate.
You know, that massive mansion on the hill, the one with the fountains and the gardens that go on forever.
We’ve invited 300 guests. The mayor is coming. Business leaders from all over the country, celebrities even.
He paused, letting the weight of all that success sink in. And I want you to come too, Elena.
I really do, cuz you know what? I’m not a cruel person. I’m actually very generous and I think you deserve to see what real success looks like.
I think you deserve to see what I’ve built since you’ve been well since you’ve been living like this.
Jonathan gestured at her blanket, her small bag, the cardboard box she sometimes sat on.
So pick up that invitation, he said. Read it and please please try to come.
It’s one week from today, Saturday evening at 7:00. Formal attire required, of course. He said formal attire like it was a joke.
Like he knew she couldn’t possibly have anything nice to wear. I’ll even tell you what, Jonathan added, his smile growing wider and cruer.
If you do come, I’ll make sure there’s a plate of food waiting for you.
You must be hungry all the time, right? Well, at my wedding, there will be the finest food you’ve ever tasted.
Fancy appetizers, expensive steaks, chocolate desserts that cost $50 each. You can eat until you’re full.
Consider it my gift to you. One last act of kindness for old times sake.
Several people in the crowd were shaking their heads now, their faces showing disgust, but still nobody spoke up.
Nobody defended Elena. “Think about it, Elena” Jonathan said, starting his engine. One week, Saturday at 7, the Grand View estate.
I really truly hope you’ll be there. It wouldn’t be the same without you. The way he said wouldn’t be the same made it clear what he really meant.
The wedding wouldn’t be complete without her there to humiliate. Without her there to remind everyone how high he had climbed and how low she had fallen.
Jonathan put his sunglasses back on, gave her one last smile, and drove away. The engine roared loudly as the expensive car disappeared down the street.
The crowd slowly broke up, people drifting away to continue their mornings. A few glanced back at Elena with pity in their eyes.
One woman looked like she wanted to say something, but then she just shook her head and walked away.
Within minutes, Elena was alone again. She sat very still, staring at the cream colored envelope on the ground.
For a long time, she didn’t pick it up. She just looked at it, thinking about everything Jonathan had said, everything he had implied, everything he wanted to happen.
