Facing Redemption Read online

  John kissed Andie and then leaned down to kiss her belly. Andie stood to watch out her window as John ran to his car. She waved through the curtains and watched him drive off until she couldn’t see his car anymore.

  Chapter 50

  Curtis spun full circle and took in the room. It was as elegant as he’d imagined. Flowers were perfectly placed around the atrium from every angle. To him, it seemed like a perfect tropical paradise. The orchids and lilies overflowed generously over the end of each pew. A generous spray of lilies, orchids, and birds of paradise, sat at the top of the steps in front of the church. Curtis could almost picture where the lovely couple would step through the centerpieces upstage to stand under his piece de resistance.

  I’ve really outdone myself this time. He smiled and clapped his hands. Curtis walked up the church steps to center stage where he’d placed wire columns as the main focal point, and ran his hands over the his work of art. It took him until midnight, but the diligent work to hand wrap each wire with tulle and twinkle lights had been worth it. His staff came in early this morning to set his fresh cut flowers in perfect positions throughout the tulle and lighting. It gave the illusion of flowers cascading down the entire structure, and twinkle lights added an extra glow. It was pure magic.

  Quietly, Curtis’ assistant, tiptoed down the aisle and up the steps behind him. She didn’t want to break the spell that she knew Curtis was under. Every wedding was the same. He’d make a mad dash to finish all the checklists of what had to be done, he’d stop to marvel at his work, and finally prepare mentally for what was to come. She reached to tap him on the shoulder but hesitated. She wanted Curtis to enjoy the moment, before the rest of the day came crashing around their heads.

  Curtis hummed and leaned in to smell his work. “Looks good don’t it Opal?”

  Opal knew better than to ask how he knew she was standing there. She knew by now, that Curtis knew almost everything. “Yes, you – we do wonderful work.” She stammered.

  “Well then … enough standing around my little Opal. We’ve got a lot more work to do. I’ve already had too many fires to put out today and don’t need any more. Chop! Chop!” Curtis clapped his hands and whirled around to face his assistant.

  “Um, you’re not going to like this.” Opal’s face was strained.

  “Oh no! You’re not going to tell me any more bad news! This weather has really put a damper on this day!” Curtis stepped down and away from Opal, and started waving his hands in the air. “Ahhh! Okay.” He stopped and whirled back around. “Tell me! What happened now?”

  Opal’s face was still pinched. Curtis grabbed her by the hands and pulled her to the pew.

  “You look like your head is going to explode at any minute. It must be bad.” Curtis whined in anticipation.

  Opal nodded. “I think it just might. It just keeps coming!”

  Curtis let out a gust of air and sunk into the pew. “If I were a praying man …”

  “You’d better start now.” Opal nodded her head and stared ahead. She took a deep breath and started in. “Okay, the caterer’s dad died this morning.” She heard Curtis gasp, but continued on, “… So she’s not going to be here to serve food. She had someone send the food over but,” she saw Curtis’ look of panic, “she left her part-time high school aged help in charge of serving and cooking.”

  “Eeek!” Curtis lifted his hand to his mouth. “Part-time kids in charge of serving over 500 people?”

  Opal nodded and continued. “And … the reception hall called me.”

  Curtis gave her a blank stare. “And? There’s more? Why would they call? They already canceled!”

  “Yes, but the bakery didn’t know that.” Opal thought she might have to pick Curtis off the floor any minute. “And our bride wanted a certain kind of cake that the caterer couldn’t do, so remember … they hired an outside baker for the cake.”

  “So why would the reception hall call about a cake?”

  “Because the baker just showed up there five minutes ago, and he told them that there was no reception being held there. He sent them away.”

  “Where’d he send them to?” Curtis’ eyes were bulging, and his forehead began to sweat.

  “I don’t know. I tried calling the bakery but their phone lines are down and I couldn’t get through.”

  “Well, this just won’t do!!” Curtis screeched, stood up, and began pacing back and forth. Opal could see the wheels spinning.

  “Okay, okay. Here’s what we’ll do. Take the van and drive to the bakery. They have to be going back there. Intercede and tell them we need it delivered to the church’s kitchen stat! And call me on my cell as soon as you track them down.” Curtis urged. Opal’s face loosened up for the first time in an hour. Curtis was working his mojo and Opal knew it would all fall into place. It always did.

  “But what about the caterer?” Opal asked.

  “There’s nothing we can do about that. We can’t bring her dad back… so I’ll go prep the kids and make sure they know what to expect.” Curtis started to run down the aisle, and yelled the rest over his shoulder. “I still have to get the wedding off without a hitch and now the reception that almost wasn’t is almost not again.”

  Opal grabbed the van keys from her purse and took off, like lightning, for the parking lot. As she was getting in her van, she noticed how full the parking lot was getting. Guests were arriving. She had to find that cake!

  While panic ensued for Curtis and his team, the bride was completely unaware as it should be. Chastity leaned forward to inspect the vision she had become in the vanity mirror. She heard the camera click behind her. She smiled at the reflection of the camera, to give the photographer what she wanted, and heard the camera click again.

  “I think I got it Ms. Chastity.” Kimmy, the photographer, grinned as she reviewed the back of her camera. She showed Chastity a few shots from the morning. Chastity wistfully smiled when she saw one of Cheryl and Anne helping her with her veil.

  “Look guys.” Chastity called to her friends. They quickly crossed the room, still getting ready but wanting to see the pictures. “These are so good. I can’t wait to see the final product. Do you have any of Timothy on there?” Chastity shot Kimmy a mischievous grin, and raised her eyebrows.

  Kimmy laughed. “Of course, but I’m not showing you.” Kimmy quickly turned her camera off and put in her bag. “That would ruin the surprise.”

  “Aww. You can’t blame a girl for trying.” Chastity laughed.

  “I saw him earlier.” Anne sang while finishing up her makeup. Chastity just rolled her eyes. “He looked gorgeous!”

  It was then that all the girls heard the screeching from the parking lot.

  “What the?” Kimmy said. She peeked out the window, which had a perfect view to the front of the church. “Oh - nice driving.” She stated.

  “What’s going on?” Anne peeked around Kimmy’s head. Anne saw Opal taking off, like she was running from the law. “Oh it’s nothing.” Anne lied and smiled at Chastity. “Probably just one of Timothy’s cousins.”

  Anne gave Kimmy a warning stare, and smiled at Chastity. “Kimmy,” Anne whispered. “Get a few more pictures of Chaz. Whatever you do…keep her busy for a few more minutes.”

  Kimmy nodded and pulled out her camera, while Anne walked as casually as she could to Cheryl.

  “You better go check in with Curtis. That was his van speeding out of the church parking lot. That can’t be good.” Anne whispered in Cheryl’s ear.

  “Hey, what are you guys whispering about over there?” Chastity teased, before posing for another picture with her bouquet.

  Cheryl smiled in return. “You don’t need to know everything. You just stand there and look pretty. Let us do all the rest.” Cheryl’s eyes darted back to Anne. “Okay.” She whispered. “I was supposed to give Chaz her something borrowed and something blue. Will you do it for me while I go take care of this?”

  Anne nodded and held out her hands. “Yes ma’am.”

>   Cheryl gently pulled out a soft silver and purple scarf. “This matches her wedding colors and I thought she could borrow it to wrap around the stems of her floral bouquet. And this …” Cheryl paused and sighed, “… is her mom’s.”

  Cheryl pulled a pendant necklace from a pocket in her purse. “It will look beautiful with the neckline she has. I know she bought jewelry to go with her dress but I thought she’d need something old of her mom’s today.”

  Anne’s eyes watered up, and she shook her head. “No.” She pushed the items back at Cheryl. “You should do the honors for this one. This is too personal and it would mean more coming from you.”

  Whitney popped in with a short knock at the door. “Knock knock – it’s just me. I’m here to let you know that guests are filling the atrium and I’m almost out of room in the guest book. This is so exciting!” Whitney left as fast as she came.

  Everyone laughed. The nervous energy in the room just doubled. Cheryl looked to Anne and nodded.

  “Okay. Hand them back over and get out there. You need to go get the rings anyway.”

  “Ugh. I’ve been trying to avoid Guy like the plague.” Anne groaned. “I’ll be back and fill you in.”

  “Good luck. He’s awfully full of himself.” Cheryl laughed.

  Anne turned before leaving to take it all in. Her best friend was getting married, and she couldn’t be happier. She watched the intimate moment between two friends as they exchanged emotions and gifts. She watched Chastity as she reached for a tissue, when Cheryl slid the pendant necklace around her long neck. It was the most bittersweet moment she’d witnessed in her life. The necklace was a clear reminder of the mom Chastity lost, but of a love she never would. She was glad Kimmy was there to document it all, because these were moments to be treasured.

  Chapter 51

  In the interest of time, Guy was trying to pin on his boutonniere himself. The purple rose didn’t look so scary. After all he was a doctor, and had been told he was very good with his hands. Guy chuckled to himself, until he felt a searing pain in the center of his thumb.

  “Yeeeouch!” He yelled and stuck it in his mouth for safety.

  “Guy! Are you kidding me?” Timothy laughed. “You’re sucking your thumb?”

  Landon snickered in response and Timothy shot him a warning glare. Both boys sat up a little straighter in their chairs, and diverted their eyes.

  “Sorry Tim.” Chase mumbled.

  “Were you guys serious about helping out today?” Timothy stared them down and both stood up.

  “Yes sir.” They said in unison. Guy looked up to Timothy under his eyebrows with a look that only Timothy would understand. Guy was impressed.

  “Okay. Go tell Curtis to get in here and then I want to see you two as professional as you can be. When you leave here, don’t come back. Go stand at your stations and seat the guests. They’ll be arriving soon.”

  Both boys walked with purpose. Landon hesitated before opening the door. He turned around and walked back to pull Timothy in a quick embrace.

  “Good luck today.” Landon said quickly and then ran out to join his brother.

  Guy busted out laughing after the door shut. “Man, what did your police buddy do to them last night?”

  “Apparently they got shoved in a holding cell with some interesting characters.”

  Scott and Guy laughed in response.

  Curtis stuck his head in. “The boys said you needed to see me. Everything okay? We’ve got 40 minutes to countdown. Oh my goodness! What have you done?” Curtis flew across the room and began brushing Guy’s chest off, which sent Timothy into more giggles. Guy was not amused.

  “What? What’s wrong with my…” Guy stopped when he saw the blood on the front of his white shirt. “Oh man. Timothy, I’m so sorry. The straight pin went dead center into my thumb.”

  “If this isn’t the day of all days!” Curtis exclaimed. “I am officially naming this my ‘Murphy’s Law’ wedding! If it can happen, it will!” Curtis tapped his earpiece. “Yes, it’s me.” He spewed into his headset. “Get in here with club soda and a hair dryer…stat!”

  Guy leaned back and looked down at Curtis with a bit more respect. “You really are a miracle worker. I would have just tried water.”

  Curtis gasped. “Oh thank goodness I came in when I did. This is fire number five today. Sheesh!”

  Timothy sat down to put on his shoes and tied them up tight. “Hey Curtis. Is there anything I can do? What’s going on?”

  “Oh well where do I start? The limo company went out of business, the caterer’s dad died today and she won’t be here but her part-time high school help will be.” Curtis’ voice was getting louder by the sentence. “The bakery is missing in action with the cake, and guests are arriving. I have a pregnant, sick bridesmaid lying down in the pastor’s office. And as it stands I have no transportation for you and your bride to leave the church!” Curtis finally took a breath.

  Guy and Scott looked at him in shock and then started to laugh.

  “This is not a laughing matter.” Curtis yelled, and then brought his voice down a couple of octaves. “I am a professional and I will get us out of this! Chastity will have her dream day and she will be as ignorant as I can make her of any of this.”

  “We’re not laughing at you, man.” Scott promised through the last of his laughter. “We just can’t believe the hits. They just keep coming. It’s like the wedding from he…”

  “Bite your tongue!” Curtis barked at Scott.

  Just then the men heard someone knocking. Anne slowly opened the door and stepped in backwards.

  “Everyone better be decent, because I can hear Curtis in there and I need him now.” Anne slowly turned around and smiled. In her hands were a bottle of spritzer and a hair dryer. “One of your staff gave this to me as I was coming down the hall to see you.” Anne offered them to Curtis. “I assume they’re for you?”

  “And I was hoping you were coming for me.” Guy pretended to look disappointed.

  Anne rolled her eyes in disgust. “Not likely. So who punched you in the nose?”

  “Huh?” Guy asked

  “Someone finally got smart and punched you in the nose? There’s blood on your shirt. Never mind.” She abruptly turned her attention to Curtis and turned her back on Guy. “Hey I saw Opal tearing out of the parking lot. Everything okay?”

  “No! That’s what I was just going over with the groom, but we’ve got it handled. I promise. Thanks for these.” He took the dryer and can of soda from Anne.

  “Can I do anything to help?” Anne asked unsure. She heard Guy clear his throat behind her and ignored him.

  Curtis leaned forward and whispered. “You better get out of here before he eats you alive. He looks like he doesn’t get no for an answer very often.”

  “I need Timothy’s ring and I’ve got Chastity’s to give you for…” Anne paused, not wanting to say his name. “Guy.”

  Guy walked around to face Anne. “Here. Take it. I won’t bite.” Anne exchanged rings with him and left without words.

  “Timothy, she’s a piece of work. How do I crack that tough shell?” Guy asked, before sitting down next to him. Scott gave Timothy a look that left little to interpretation.

  “I’m going to get some air.” Scott turned to leave, but turned to Guy before leaving. “You know – is it that hard to accept she’s not into you? I mean come on. You’re laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?”

  “Well at least I’m not afraid to go after someone I want.” Guy sneered. Scott rushed across the room, with the clear intent to do more damage to Guy than the straight pin did earlier.

  Curtis jumped to get out of the way. “Don’t get any more blood on his shirt.”

  Timothy jumped up for interference. “Guys! Come on! This is my wedding day! Pull it together!” He held them both at arm’s length. “Scott.” He looked from one friend to the other. “Guy!” Both men took a step back.

  Timothy sighed. “I don’t expect you all to l
ike each other. You’re both very different. It’s obvious you rub each other the wrong way. However I do expect you to chill and out of respect for me, get over yourselves!” Timothy looked to Guy. “And you … leave it alone. She’s been hurt badly and she doesn’t need you messing with her.” Timothy sternly said.

  Guy put up his hands in defense. “If you say so.”

  “I say so.” Timothy looked up to Curtis, who was reading a text on his phone.

  “Curtis – everything okay?”

  “We found the cake and it’s being re-routed to the church’s kitchen as we speak.”

  “I’m sorry T.” Scott offered. Timothy clasped him on the shoulder.

  “Scott, I understand. Believe me.” Timothy reassured his friend. “Hey Curtis? You said there’s no limo to take us to the airport, so why don’t we use my car? Chastity and I don’t have to ride in a limo. Just get our luggage in the trunk and I’ll park it at the airport while we’re on vacation.” Timothy got his car keys and handed them to Curtis.

  “Thanks Tim. I have some calls into a couple other companies for a limo or a town car.” Curtis offered. “So we may not have to use yours.”

  “This is a sure back-up plan in case you can’t find one. Don’t worry. We’ll be okay.” Timothy smiled and patted Curtis on the back. “I’m not so sure about Guy’s thumb or ego, but the rest of us will be just fine.”

  “I’m sorry Timothy.” Guy mumbled. “You were right. I was being an ass. Scott?” Guy looked across the room.

  “Don’t mention it.” Scott gave him a look of acceptance.

  Curtis smiled. “See, this is progress…everything will be fine. No more bloodshed. The cake is on the way. The food will be served professionally by high schoolers, and nothing else can stop this day! Now, let me take care of that blood Guy. Take your shirt off please.”

  Guy’s eyes went wide. Timothy and Scott broke out in laughter.

  “You!” Curtis paused and pointed to Scott, who shrunk a little behind Timothy.