—by Janet King

I met a couple at a wedding showcase, we talked, they came to my house, and they booked me. All standard stuff. The wedding day arrives, I’m playing in the church, the bride walks down the aisle. 

The ceremony comes to the exchanging of rings. The bride sits down in a chair, and the groom puts a ring on her toe! I look around to see what kind of church I’m in—what a strange tradition!

After the ceremony, I chat with the photographer, wondering about the ring on the toe. He says, “The bride has no arms.” What?! I met the couple before, I played the whole ceremony, and I never noticed that the bride has no arms?!

I walk over to the receiving line, and there she is, in a long-sleeved wedding gown, the sleeves hanging empty.

The bride with no arms. •