AUTUMN LEAVES

“And you Autumn Scott, will you take Mario Lemieux as your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, …”. He did not care how that sentence ended, what mattered was the two-word answer that was about to come out from her mouth. His breath was caught in his throat, palms sweating and eyes fixated on the woman few feet away from where he stood as the best man, the woman who was marrying his mentor. Closing his eyes, he braced himself for the moment that should undoubtedly wipe off any dream or fantasy he’s had in the past 12 months.

Mario and Autumn looked happy, like any couple on their long-anticipated wedding day. Sidney always thought that her bright smile could light up all the darkness in the world, but at that moment, when the “I do” left her perfectly shaped lips, it felt like punch in the stomach. Sidney Crosby had everything a 30-year-old could have dreamed of. Though he had always looked up to hockey’s greats like Mario, never in his life did he envy anyone for anything. He was pretty content with his life before meeting Autumn. Before her, he was breathing hockey and nothing else. The “relationships” he maintained and cared about were only with his family and close friends. Sure, there was always the random meaningless hook-ups but they never went beyond a one-night stand. He would not even remember the names or faces of the countless number of women he’s been with, let alone desiring a serious relationship.

The cheers and applause that erupted woke Sidney from his reverie. Opening his eyes to find the newly married couple kissing, he couldn’t help but wonder what it could have been if he wasn’t so self-centered, thinking that every woman he met would fall at his feet without him even trying. For Sidney, it was too damn obvious that he liked her and so he waited for her to take the first step. What would have happened if he took the first step for once? Would Mario be the guest at his wedding?

All he could do was flash his fake million-dollar smile and pretend that he did not just witness the perfect woman marry a 45-year old man that he considered a second father. Sidney would not look her in the eye. Not after the things he’d said and done.

Notes

Please note that some details about Mario Lemieux are not accurate and were made up for the sake of the story (e.g. age, family, etc...).