Epilogue
Pru
Clink, clink, clink . I hit the side of my champagne glass with gusto. The sweet ring draws everyone’s attention, and I beam at them, looping my arm through Ravi’s. I tug him down until he sits on the table behind us.
“That’s better,” I say into the microphone, camping it up for our audience. “What’s with all the giants around here? Am I right?” I gesture around the room, and everyone laughs. Ashish’s mom might be tiny, but her brothers are all giants.
“Bernie and Ashish asked us to say a few ‘short’ words.” I use quotations and wink for another laugh. “So, we’ll do our best.”
I glance at Ravi’s big puppy dog smile and return it. Who wouldn’t be happy to see your best friend tie the knot?
I look at Bernie and Ashish, holding the microphone in one hand and my champagne flute in the other. Bernie’s beautiful in a maroon flared skirt and crop top. She glitters with all the gold beading and embroidery. She chose to wear her hair loose, and she looks effortless, sexy, and incredibly happy.
Ashish looks like a freaking prince in a long white coat with gold beading and embroidery. He wears a maroon turban that matches Bernie’s two-piece dress.
“Bernadette Murphy—I’m sorry, Mishra, is kind of a badass. In case you didn’t know,” I tell their family and friends in a conspiratorial tone. “If you didn’t know, Bernie and I were in the same cohort in graduate school. I stuck to her like glue because she actually did the reading. When we were getting closer to our comprehensive exams, I convinced her we needed to get away and destress. This monster convinced me we should go backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail.”
People laugh, and I pause for dramatic effect.
“Well, let’s just say we still had to take our comprehensive exams, and I, unfortunately, had to do it with a broken ankle.”
Ravi nudges me, and I shrug.
“We were rescued by an impossibly strong and skinny lady ranger, who dragged me to safety. Bernie hiked alongside her, pulling my broken butt and quizzing me on stats and old white dude ideas.”
I smile widely at them and raise my glass.
“Ashish, you couldn’t have found a more wonderful, dedicated partner. I know you’re gonna change the world together. I hope you both always have enough. Congrats.”
Everyone hoots and cheers, and Ashish pulls Bernie further into his arms for the kind of kiss that makes you clutch your chest.
Ravi takes over the mic, teasing the crap out of his brother, and I scan the room with a smile on my face. I love parties. I love when people get together, the energy of connection and conflict. Everyone cheers, and I take another sip of champagne as we shuffle to the side to let the parents take over. I sit back in my seat with another glass of champagne.
This party is a blast, but it’s freaking late. The Indian side of Ash’s family doesn’t mess around with weddings. The actual ceremony took place just after sunrise, but we’d been up all night the day before, despite the fact that most of these people had been partying for multiple days—the party was still going strong. When another toast is called, I discreetly pull out my phone to check my email.
While I’m not a workaholic, things have been a little tense at work. Our department chair recently accepted a new role at another university and we were suffering from a leadership vacuum. I’d rather not be surprised when I make my way back to Indiana. I’m sure Ash and Bernie will forgive me if I don’t pay attention to a toast about all the hijinks the Mishras got up to on their many cousin trips to the UK.
I scan through my inbox, pausing at the message from the Office of Research and Integrity. STUDY0001621208 - IRB Coordinator assigned .
Before the trip to Boston, I’d submitted an IRB application. For the love of my blood pressure, I know I shouldn’t open this. I should be soaking up the party vibes and celebrating Bernie and Ash.
Instead, I click on the link and log in. I have to know which compliance specialist was assigned to me.
IRB Coordinator Assigned - James Richardson
Well…shit.