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Four Somethings & a Sixpence
One wedding. Six participants. Be they sitting in the pews or standing at the altar, bearing witness in person or only in spirit, each of them knows something about the unsmiling bride.
Go ahead—offer them a sixpence for their thoughts, and they'll make you these vows:
- One would love to declare this woman his “awfully wedded wife.” Verbatim.
- One fears what she already has and will have to hold—if not from this day forward, then soon.
- One takes her to be richer, not poorer—and for that reason wants to scrub the toilet with her toothbrush.
- One is better for what she told him this morning, worse for betraying a friend to get to this point.
- One worries whether today finds her in sickness or in health.
- And only one already knows—with certainty—that not even in death will they part.
Whether they speak now or forever hold their peace, they all give the bride a little something she didn’t register for.
With romance, resentment, faith, fear, mystery, and the mystical, Four Somethings & A Sixpence is a loaded yet light read that will have you debating whether to sit on the bride's side of the aisle or not.
Go ahead—offer them a sixpence for their thoughts, and they'll make you these vows:
- One would love to declare this woman his “awfully wedded wife.” Verbatim.
- One fears what she already has and will have to hold—if not from this day forward, then soon.
- One takes her to be richer, not poorer—and for that reason wants to scrub the toilet with her toothbrush.
- One is better for what she told him this morning, worse for betraying a friend to get to this point.
- One worries whether today finds her in sickness or in health.
- And only one already knows—with certainty—that not even in death will they part.
Whether they speak now or forever hold their peace, they all give the bride a little something she didn’t register for.
With romance, resentment, faith, fear, mystery, and the mystical, Four Somethings & A Sixpence is a loaded yet light read that will have you debating whether to sit on the bride's side of the aisle or not.
- GenresShort Stories
36 pages, ebook
First published February 1, 2015
About the author
Rumer Haven
8 books87 followersRumer Haven is probably the most social recluse you could ever meet. When she’s not babbling her fool head off among friends and family, she’s pacified with a good story that she’s reading, writing, or revising—or binge-watching Buffy. A writer/editor hailing from Chicago, she presently lives in London with her husband and probably a ghost or two. Rumer has always had a penchant for the past and paranormal, which inspires her writing to explore dimensions of time, love, and the soul. Her award-winning work includes Coattails and Cocktails (First Prize Winner, 2018 Red City Review Book Awards) and What the Clocks Know (First Place Winner in General Fiction, 2017 Red City Review Book Awards).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 4, 2015
It's a quick read about a wedding celebration from a number of points of view. It kept me guess right up until the end and I wasn't sure who I should be rooting for. So, I ended up rooting for everyone a little. It's not a story about perfection but about the human condition and all of us muddling through, trying to do our best, taking chances, making compromises, and enjoying happiness when we can. The prose was beautiful and uncomplicated. I especially enjoyed the grandmother's POV and her rather no nonsense views. Loved it.
February 2, 2015
The length of this novella makes it perfect for satisfying a quick romantic fix. It all takes place on a wedding day through the internal musings of 6 different parties. Sounds straighforward, right? Not so fast - there are lots of mini mysteries and mind screws along the way, including one of the best romatic twists ever.
The writing itself is so pretty and vivid. This one was a real treat to read. And that cover! Gorgeous.
The writing itself is so pretty and vivid. This one was a real treat to read. And that cover! Gorgeous.
February 21, 2015
You can read my full review here.
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February 7, 2023Not a story...
I confess to being puzzled by this. It's more the stream of consciousness ruminations of those involved than a story, but the sections do tell a tale. We're privy to thoughts of bridegroom, sister, best man, bride and a deceased grandmother concerning the wedding. In one part the speakers aren't as easily determined. All thoughts are together with no break between.
Rating this is quite difficult for me. It was written all right, but used the Lord's name as profanity. Subtle characterization through the characters thoughts.
I confess to being puzzled by this. It's more the stream of consciousness ruminations of those involved than a story, but the sections do tell a tale. We're privy to thoughts of bridegroom, sister, best man, bride and a deceased grandmother concerning the wedding. In one part the speakers aren't as easily determined. All thoughts are together with no break between.
Rating this is quite difficult for me. It was written all right, but used the Lord's name as profanity. Subtle characterization through the characters thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews