57 pages 1 hour read

Danielle Evans

The Office of Historical Corrections

Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 2020

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“Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain”

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

“Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain” Summary

Content Warning: This story contains domestic and gun violence.

Dori has designed her wedding around the colors of the rainbow, and she contemplates how to incorporate Noah’s Ark. At the bachelorette party, the bridesmaids—who are each dressed in an assigned color of the rainbow—go to local bars.

Rena, a good friend of the groom, JT, goes to the bachelorette party, but she has an uncomfortable relationship with Dori. She met JT five years earlier in Ghana when they were quarantined together after threats of biological warfare on their plane. As two of the only Americans on the plane, Rena and JT bonded. Now, Rena can’t shake the feeling that Dori distrusts her. She believes that Dori assumes something romantic happened between Rena and JT in their past.

Rena sneaks away from the bachelorette party early. Back at her hotel, she runs into Michael, one of the groomsmen. The two talk and end up sleeping together in his hotel room. Rena wonders if this might make Dori feel better since it would show she’s not interested in JT.

As Rena sleeps in Michael’s bed, she has nightmares about her sister, Elizabeth. Rena was the maid of honor at Elizabeth’s wedding to their childhood friend, Connor.