I pounded my glass on the bar. “Give me another!”

“I think you may have had had one too many,” the cute, blond bartender said.

“Nah…I haven’t.”

I tried to rest my chin on my free hand. I missed and almost smacked my head against the bar but caught myself in time. I giggled and straightened the best I could.

“You have,” the bartender argued.

I studied him through my blurred vision. It dawned on me what he wanted. I ripped down the clinging black bridesmaid’s dress I wore to expose my large, perky breasts (the one physical feature I took pride in). The bartender’s brown eyes widened to the size of round patio tables. I laughed even louder.

“Like what you see?”

“Ramona Ann Beish!” someone roared.

“Oops.” I laughed harder but pulled up my dress just as Maddy reached me. She took away my glass and pinched my arm. “Ow!”

“Are you fucking stupid?” Maddy barked at the bartender, who looked like he may have pissed himself. “She’s underage. I should get your ass arrested.”

“I-I-I’m s-sorry.”

“If another drop of alcohol touches my sister’s tongue, I’m going to tear off your balls. Do you understand?”

“Oh, get the stick out of our ass,” I protested.

Maddy pinched me again. “Shut up.” She glared again at the bartender. “Understand?”

He gulped and nodded.

“Come on,” Maddy said and forced me off the barstool.

She dragged me through the crowd of family and friends stuffing their faces and getting drunk in celebration of my dad’s and Patty’s wedding. They all sucked donkey dick. Not even one had objected. They’d all pretended this was a good idea, and now they feasted in memory of my father’s shitty decision.

I hoped the food was tasteless and the alcohol was spoiled.

Maddy took me into the women’s room and locked the door behind us. She went to the sink, turned on the faucet, cupped her hands under the running water, and, before I realized what was happening, threw it in my face. It was as shocking as a slap from a snowman.

“What was that for?”

I scrambled for a paper towel. I pushed Maddy away from the sink, so I could look in the mirror over it. I dabbed at the water on my face; prayed I could save some of my make-up.

Maddy crossed her arms as she leaned against the bathroom wall. “You need to sober up.”

“I was just having some fun.”

“You shouldn’t be getting trashed.”

“I’ve been that way plenty of times, many of those times around you.”

“That’s different,” Maddy insisted.

“How?”

“Well, children were never present. Plus, you never flashed someone; acted like a whore.”

“So, you think.”

“Whatever, Ramona. You can’t be drinking at the reception. You could get Dad in serious trouble.”

“Maybe he should.” I only meant it a little.

“Why? Because he married Patty?”

I didn’t answer her as I turned off the faucet, patted at my curls, and checked my teeth. I wiped at any stray water droplets on my dress and smirked at my reflection. I had to admit, for being drunk, I looked good. Only an expert on shitfaced girls would be able to tell I was one shot away from passing out.

“Ra-Ra, drinking won’t solve anything.” Maddy’s voice had softened.

“No, but it makes that abomination that happened easier to stomach.”

“They seem happy, and everyone is having a good time.”

I turned around (a little too fast) and met her gaze while steadying myself. “Do you think this is right? It’s only been a year and a half, and Dad already has a new wife.”

Maddy dropped her attention to her shoes. “Well…they’re both adults. No one could have stopped them but themselves.”

“What would Mom say about this? How would she feel?”

“If Dad is happy, then I know Mom would be okay with him getting remarried.”

“You’re wrong!”

“Mom would have—"

“You know nothing about Mom! I was the one who spent time with her, all the time. I was her favorite, so I know she wouldn’t approve. This would break her heart!”

“Maybe,” Maddy whispered. Her hazel eyes shined with tears. “They were soul mates, weren’t they? It does seem impossible that Dad could find someone to replace her.”

“Patty tricked him or something.”

What other explanation was there?

Maddy didn’t agree, but her expression told me she thought it was possible.

“Do you think we could break them up?”

“It wouldn’t be right to interfere like that.” She barreled on before I could respond. “We should just deal with it. We’re adults. Would you like it if Dad tried to get you to stop dating because he didn’t like the person?”

“Those are not the same scenarios.”

Maddy rubbed her temples. “They pretty much are.”

I groaned. “You aren’t on my side.”

“There are no sides.” Maddy sighed. “We just have to accept this. Patty is a nice woman, and she’s good to Dad. Maybe she will—"

“Stop.” I glared at my sister. “You’re biased. I can’t trust you. You’ll never understand!”

I don’t know why but I started to cry.

Maddy stepped towards me. “Oh, Ra-Ra.”

I flinched away from her as I pointed at the door. “Go!”

Maddy stopped. “Ra-Ra?”

“Go,” I repeated as I huddled against the opposite wall.

Maddy watched me for a long minute. Then she shook her head and exited the bathroom.

I wrapped my arms around myself, sunk to the dirty tiled floor, and bawled.