I was engaged twice when I was fifteen – three times before I was nineteen. The first two times were to the same man, four years older than me. I was a sophomore in high school; he had graduated the year before. He lived in his parents’ basement and told me which clothes to wear and which kids to know. He kept trying to plan our wedding.
“Let’s fly to Antigua,” he said.
“My parents can’t afford it,” I replied.
“That’s the idea,” he said.
He settled for local, but then I wouldn’t sit at the computer to type out the names of people to invite; I refused to pick colors, bridesmaids, menus, and the place and date remained undecided. Some people will say of me that I do not know how to say no. I do; for me it just takes many more words and much more time.
When I was nineteen and engaged to another man, time ran out before I got through saying no. Everyone kept asking if I was sure, and I wasn’t, but I kept saying yes. I really meant no. I know this was confusing for all involved, but it was finally straightened out eight months after I married him – when I kicked him out.
Author Bio:
Katie Elizabeth Holiday is interested in how nonlinear stories work. She writes craft essays, short stories, and memoir. Having growing up in a whirlwind, Katie is writing a nonlinear memoir about loyalty, instability, and isolating, alienating love. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Bennington College and a BA in English from Wellesley College.
“Let’s fly to Antigua,” he said.
“My parents can’t afford it,” I replied.
“That’s the idea,” he said.
He settled for local, but then I wouldn’t sit at the computer to type out the names of people to invite; I refused to pick colors, bridesmaids, menus, and the place and date remained undecided. Some people will say of me that I do not know how to say no. I do; for me it just takes many more words and much more time.
When I was nineteen and engaged to another man, time ran out before I got through saying no. Everyone kept asking if I was sure, and I wasn’t, but I kept saying yes. I really meant no. I know this was confusing for all involved, but it was finally straightened out eight months after I married him – when I kicked him out.
Author Bio:
Katie Elizabeth Holiday is interested in how nonlinear stories work. She writes craft essays, short stories, and memoir. Having growing up in a whirlwind, Katie is writing a nonlinear memoir about loyalty, instability, and isolating, alienating love. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Bennington College and a BA in English from Wellesley College.
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