Reading The Signs

It was my sister’s wedding, but romance had somehow come my way . . .

call movie-star handsome, but there’s a warmth and humour that makes me think he’s good at making people smile. His blue eyes hold a certain sparkle.

Those eyes meet mine just then, and for some reason, neither of us can look away.

Several seconds pass before I pull my gaze back to Mum, thoroughly flustered.

When the service is over, everyone walks outside into the sunshine.

Guests mingle while the wedding party gathers for photos. I tell myself to focus on the camera and forget about the man holding it.

Kathleen turns to me and signs that they’re going to start with group photos. I notice the photographer watching us with an expression of surprise.

Well, now he knows. And just as well, because it has averted an awkward moment of him speaking to me and realising that I can’t hear him.

The reception is being held at a restaurant, and we all disperse into various cars for the short drive.

I’m squished in the back seat, in between an aunt and a cousin. More mingling after we arrive, as the guests walk around with drinks before we sit down to dinner.

I’m seated next to Kathleen at the top table, and I’m fully aware that a certain photographer is sitting at the next one.

When the meal and speeches are over, Kathleen and Brandon get ready to hand out favours.

On impulse, I nudge her and ask the photographer’s name.

She looks at him and then at me. I see her eyes take on an extra sparkle as she signs that his name is Geoff and then has the impertinence to ask why I want to know.

I wrinkle my nose at her, and she laughs.

That’s when I realise that Geoff is watching us. A warm smile lights up his face, and his eyes sparkle again as they meet mine.

I notice he’s toying with something in his hands but I can’t make out what it is.

Thank goodness he has no idea what I was saying.

Kathleen and Brandon make their way from table to table, laughing and talking with their guests.

I’m quite content to sit at the top table and observe the room, processing the day’s events.

I don’t even notice that

someone has sat down beside me until a hand brushes my arm.

I start, and turn to see that it’s Geoff. He places something beside my plate.

I glance down to see a beautiful origami rose. I pick it up carefully, and realise that it’s formed out of a sticky note.

I look up. He’s smiling. Then I notice what he has in his other hand – a pen and a stack of sticky notes. He presses the first one in front of me.

I’m Geoff. Is your name Rebecca?

it reads. And below he has written and with a box beside each. I smile, take the pen and tick the box.

He smiles and scribbles something before peeling the note off and sticking it on top of the last one.

no Do you have a boyfriend? no

I tick the box.

He reads my response and grins. Then his pen goes to work again.

Will you go out for coffee with me?

And below are the check boxes again. Only this time, the has a smiley face beside it, and the has a sad face.

I can feel a giggle in my throat, and my face feels hot from blushing. I check the box and write,

no yes yes yes yes Thank you, I’d love to. In that case, may I have your phone number?

his next note reads.

I fill it out and hand it to him. He folds it carefully and tucks it into his pocket. Then he writes something on the note and sets the whole pad in front of me.

No more boxes to check. Tell me all about yourself.

We sit there until the last sticky note is used up, and it occurs to me that this is more romantic than any text message exchange.

As he turns over the last sticky note, I glance up to see Kathleen looking at us across the room.

We smile at each other. I love those moments when words are not needed.

I love weddings. I hadn’t expected romance to come my way today, but here it is in the form of an origami rose, sticky notes and a photographer who knows how to make me smile. ■