My cousin, Emma, spent six months planning her wedding down to the smallest detail. She was the type of person who had color-coded spreadsheets, backup spreadsheets, and emergency spreadsheets for the backup spreadsheets. Her best friend, Rachel, had been by her side through everything and was serving as maid of honor.
The morning of the wedding, Rachel called in tears.
โI donโt know how to tell you this,โ she sobbed. โI tested positive for COVID. I feel awful. I canโt stop crying. Iโm so sorry.โ
Emma was devastated but sympathetic. She told Rachel to stay home and rest. Everyone spent the day sending Rachel supportive messages while she claimed to be quarantined in her apartment.
At the reception, however, one of the bridesmaids was scrolling through social media when she suddenly froze.
โUhโฆ guys?โ
She turned her phone around.
There was Rachel.
Not in bed.
Not quarantined.
Not even in town.