Adrianne L Washington

A Stick and a Promise Adrianne L Washington

As the judge prepared herself and began to speak to ensure that we both were there with clear understanding and not under duress to the union, she began to utter the wedding liturgy when my mind began to disconnect from the ceremony and I heard my inner spirit begin to speak louder and louder. It was as if someone was inside of my soul yelling the word "NO!" in a loud shrill. If my chest could have been cracked open at that very moment, my soon to be husband, the judge, the witness and those outside in the courthouse corridor would have heard the loud, resounding "No!" But no one could hear that scream but me. No one could respond to the scream but me. No one could adhere to the warning scream but me.