A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding

by Cindy K. Green

  “Kari, I really want to thank you for coming tonight.”

  “No,” she put the dishtowel down and walked toward him. “I want to thank you. I’m really pleased to be a part of this. I go about my daily routine and rarely put myself out there to help others. I’ve felt the Holy Spirit working on my heart to do more. Besides, this could be very therapeutic for me.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. There is no better cure for our own ailments than helping others.”

  She nodded her head to him. “You are very wise,” she twisted her mouth into a teasing smile.

  “I’ve been told so,” he stood up tall, playfully pulling on his shirt collar.

  “Has everyone gone home?”

  “Just about. Brittany and Ethan MacFayden are working on some details in the living room.”

  “Well, I should be going myself.” She started toward the dining room where her coat and purse sat on the table.

  “Are you taking the train tonight?” Randy asked, walking right behind her.

  “Yes, I have classes in the morning.”

  “Let me drive you to the station.”

  She turned around and faced him. “Do you have a car?”

  “As a matter a fact, I do.”

  Her first inclination was to refuse the offer, but then she remembered Randy was a friend, trying to do the right thing by her. Plus she really did like him. “Okay. I appreciate it. Thanks.”

  “Why don’t you collect your things, and I’ll meet you on the front porch. I’m just going to ask Ethan to lock everything up for me.”

  “Sure. Okay.”

  ****

  Randy talked to Ethan and then grabbed his wallet and keys before walking toward the front door. He was glad to spend a little more time with Kari. One-on-one time. Previous to today, it had been clear she hadn’t accepted him as anything more than a friend. The question was had she worked through the complications of her engagement break-up in order for her to see him as something more?

  As Kari stood on the front porch, the moonlight seemed to be playing tricks with his mind because Kari’s amazing green eyes looked ethereal. He wanted to take her into his arms and kiss her, but he thought she just might not be ready for that. He only hoped he could ask her out on a real date and for her to say yes. If only I had a sign she was ready, Lord.

  He led her over to where his ancient sedan was parked behind the house. Opening the door for her, she slid inside. He pushed the door closed and a loud grinding moan came from it as it shut.

  “Let me guess,” she said after he took his seat inside. “You’ve had this thing since college.”

  “You got it. I’ve thought about getting a new car, but it just hasn’t been a priority.”

  “Don’t worry. I think you have your priorities straight. Most of the guys I know care more about their cars and appearance than anything else. You are a refreshing being, Randy Steele.”

  She touched his arm affectionately, her fingers lingering on his hand for a moment. Randy didn’t know what to think. Is this the sign? Is she beginning to care for me as more than a friend?

  As if she could read his mind, she answered his question. “I’ve decided it’s nice to have a friend like you, Randy.”

  “A friend like me?”

  “Someone who I can trust with my inner thoughts and feelings. Someone who won’t judge me and who isn’t working on his own agenda.”

  Guilt clawed at his gut. He knew he had an agenda with Kari. He wanted her to like and trust him, but it wasn’t just for her sake. He wanted her to like him for his own sake—to be more than her confidant.

  “Uh, thanks, I guess that’s a compliment, right?”

  “The greatest compliment. By the way, I have to compliment you again.”

  “Oh, yeah.” He looked over at her as they drove.

  “Yeah, you really have decorated that little house of yours nicely. I especially liked your mantle clock.”

  “Ah, my namesake.”

  “What do you mean, your namesake?”

  “That clock belonged to my dear grandmother. It’s called Randolph.”

  “The clock has a name.” She started laughing and before long tears glistened in her glowing eyes. It was infectious. Randy started laughing too while trying to pay attention to the road.

  Finally catching his breath, Randy added, “It’s not that the clock was named by my grandmother. It’s a Seth Thomas clock and that model is called the ‘Randolph’.”

  “Oh, I see,” said Kari while tears of joy streamed down her face.

  “Grandmother loved that clock because Grandfather bought it for her on their first wedding anniversary.”

  “How sweet. But is that what you were named after?”

  “It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. Grandmother asked Mom so here I am. When my grandmother died, she left me the clock.”

  “Well, it’s a great story to tell your grandchildren.”

  Randy cleared his throat and glanced at Kari out of the corner of his eye. “Yeah, my grandchildren.”

  They pulled up to the train station and Kari grabbed onto the door handle ready to open it. “Hold on. Let me get that,” said Randy, exiting the car from his side and running over to the other side of the vehicle. He pulled it open, and Kari stepped out. Randy shut the door, and they both leaned back on his car.

  “Thanks for the ride. That was nice of you.”

  “No, problem. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.”

  “Right. I think this fundraiser is going to be great. So, you never told me what this ‘extra special something’ was that you want me to do for the benefit.”

  “Oh, right, that,” said Randy, feeling impulsive. He slid his hand over so that it touched hers on the hood of the car. “I was just thinking that the entertainment committee could use your help.”

  She cocked her head, a look of confusion crossing her features. “But I’m already working on another committee.”

  “I know, but this would be special.”

  “Randy, what are you working on now?” In the dim light, he saw her eyes crinkled up in agitation.

  Randy, still leaning back on the car, crossed his arms and glanced over at her with a villainous grin. “I thought maybe you could sing.”

  Kari stood up straight, never looking more alarmed. “Sing? Me? I…I couldn’t.”

  “Ah, why not? You can’t argue with the great success we had at the festival.” She didn’t look any more convinced. “Well, what if it was a duet?”

  “A duet?”

  “Yeah, a duet with…” he cleared his throat “…with me.”

  “With you? Oh, Randy…”

  “Just think about it.”

  “Think about it. Well, all right.” She bit down on her lip as if weighing his suggestion. “No.” The word just seemed to explode out of her mouth as she shook her head.

  “No,” repeated Randy. His heart fell, a heaviness centered in his chest.

  “The old me would wiggle her way out of this. So, yes, I’ll do it. I’ll sing.”

  Randy couldn’t believe it. He was sure a huge, goofy grin covered his entire face. “Really?”

  “Sure. It’s for a good cause.”

  “It sure is. Well, great. We can set up some practice time.”

  “Practice time?”

  “Sure, you know, to practice.”

  “Right, practice. Okay.” Her look of resolve had now been replaced with uneasiness.

  “Is there a problem?”

  “No, I just have some rewrites due for my book this month, but …well, never mind. It will work out.” She glanced at her watch. “I really should get going. Thanks again for the ride.”

  “Of course.”

  She gave him one more look, her eyes bright and sparkly, before taking a step away from the car.

  “Kari?” Randy called to her, touching her arm.

  She turned back to him. “Yes?”

  Randy’s hand slid down her arm until he held her
hand in his own. “I…uh…I just wanted to say thanks again for helping out.”

  She smiled at him and his heart flipped in his chest. “No problem. See you soon.”

  “Right. Soon. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Randy.”

  She headed into the station as he stood there and watched her. He let her leave without asking her out, but he knew if he moved too quickly it would turn her off from him forever. For now, they were friends. For the time being, he could live with that especially with her working so closely on the benefit with him.

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  Chapter Ten

  “Kari, the menu looks wonderful,” said Mrs. Wilson, the manager of the Angel Wing Shelter. The gray eyes behind her steel framed glasses continued to move over the paperwork in front of them as she spoke. “I never imagined this dinner was going to be so elegant.”

  “Well, it just goes to show what we can do with two weeks of hard work.”

  “I’m just happy you found this caterer.”

  “Mr. Parker was happy to do his part by offering us the food and his services for below cost. He’s been going to my church as long as I can remember. I only hope the decorating committee has as much good fortune finding a site for the benefit as we have had with the food.”

  Kari stared down at the menu she had drafted after her conversation with Mr. Parker. Appetizers of Italian antipasto, shrimp cocktail, and bruschetta. Followed by entrées including roasted salmon, poached jumbo shrimps and scallops, and sirloin steak. To complete the meal, there would also be green tossed salads, dinner rolls, finger desserts, coffee and tea.

  “Kari, Kari,” shouted Emily as she pranced into the room, smiling from ear to ear.

  “What are you so excited about?”

  “We have a venue for the benefit and you’ll never guess where.” Emily had never looked so excited, well, except for when she announced John had finally popped the question.

  “So, just tell me.” Kari stood and stepped toward her cousin.

  “We’re going to hold it at The Madison Hotel.”

  “How can we afford that?” asked Mrs. Wilson with concern etched into her face.

  “That’s the best part. The manger heard about our benefit and wanted to offer us a small room for half the rate, but then someone cancelled the Manhattan room. We are getting their largest, most elegant room for the half rate price on the small conference room. Can you believe it?”

  “That’s fantastic.” Kari was in awe. She couldn’t believe how God had smiled on their venture.

  “God provides, doesn’t he?” Mrs. Wilson spoke so low it was almost a whisper as she held up her clasped hands in front of her.

  “He sure does,” Kari replied.

  “Well, I have to go. John is driving me over to the hotel so I can meet with the event manager.”

  “I’ll talk to you later. I have singing practice with Randy and then I’m catching the 4:30 train.”

  “Right. Have a good trip.” Emily hugged her cousin goodbye before heading out to her husband waiting in the car.

  “Kari, I can finish this up,” said Mrs. Wilson. “Why don’t you go see Randy?”

  “Thanks. I think I will.”

  “He’s on the phone in my office.”

  Heading down the hallway, Kari felt lightness in her step and excitement flowing through her. She couldn’t wait to tell Randy the good news. She knew how hard he’d been working on this benefit. She’d been working alongside him, setting up the details and using real elbow grease to make this event perfect. The one snag had been the venue and now that was settled.

  The past couple weeks had been great. She enjoyed her time with Randy even if it had been spent working hard. There had also been times in between when they had teased each other and played around and then times when they shared more about their desires and their weakness. This was especially true during their singing practice. He’d become a great confidant. She almost felt as close to him as she did to Emily. She thanked God that He had used her clumsy accident to form such an important friendship at a time when she really needed it.

  Standing at the entrance to Mrs. Wilson’s office, she observed Randy on the telephone, trying to work out some other angle of the benefit. He hung up the phone with a frown and rubbed his temple before he noticed her standing there.

  “Hey, Kari, what’s up?”

  “I have good news for you.”

  “Great. I could use some.” He sat forward in his chair.

  “We have a place to hold the benefit.”

  “Really.” The frown on his face transformed into a beaming smile. “I’ve just been trying to work that out.”

  “Well, it seems the Madison Hotel heard about the benefit and offered us a small room at half the rate.”

  “That’s unbelievable.” He smiled with the spectacular grin that made her heart flutter.

  “If you think that’s unbelievable, you won’t believe this. They offered us their Manhattan room because the group who booked it for that night cancelled.”

  “I…uh…how can they do that? I just can’t…”

  “Stumbling over your words there, Pastor.”

  “I’m just in awe. Kari, God works, doesn’t He?”

  “He sure does.”

  “I just heard from John that invitations to the event have been accepted by many of the well-known patrons in the city.”

  “Looks like this benefit is going to be better than you ever envisioned.”

  “If you pray and leave all the details to God, He always provides.”

  “Yes, I’m seeing that. Well, should we go practice?” asked Kari.

  “Come on, you’ve worked hard this afternoon. Let me take you to get something to eat instead of practice today. I’ll drive you to the station afterward.”

  “But we still need the practice.” She stood beside the desk with her hands on her hips.

  “You are a slave driver. I’ll come up Monday night for a session. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds terrific.”

  ****

  Sunday after church, Kari felt content about how things were going in her life. She taught a Sunday school class and sang another solo in the church service that morning. The last few weeks had been very busy for her with her work on the benefit, her teaching schedule, and her church duties. Her book had lain untouched for weeks, but she wasn’t complaining. She hadn’t been this happy with her life in a long time. She could feel the love of God around her in all she did, and she knew she was beginning to heal from her experience with Geoffrey.

  She made herself some lunch and decided to sit in the downstairs breakfast room of the dorm and look out at the fall color all around. The trees had their October leaves of brown, red, and yellow. The ground was covered with them as well and she enjoyed the view. The air outside was turning brisk; it was fun to have to put on socks, shoes, and a sweater just to walk over to the mailboxes each day. Kari liked cool weather. Fall and winter were her favorite. She enjoyed buying gloves and scarves then bundling up in her long, wool coat.

  As fall was now in full swing, it also meant it was about time for her birthday. She wasn’t sure about turning twenty-nine. Emily said it was great and she looked forward to her thirties. Kari hoped she was right. In the past, thirty seemed so old and that time just seemed to be stalking her.

  As she sat eating her lunch, her cell phone began ringing in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw Emily was calling. “Hi, how are you?” answered Kari cheerily.

  “I’m fine. How are you, Kari?” Emily didn’t sound like her usual positive self which worried Kari.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You always seem to know. Nothing is really wrong? I’m fine. It’s just…have you seen the Times today?”

  “No. Why do you ask?”

  “I think you should get a copy and look at the announcement section. Then call me.�
�

  “Okay,” said Kari, not liking Emily’s cryptic behavior. “I’ll call you later.”

  After hastily finishing her lunch, she walked into the empty parlor, knowing the girls sometimes left the newspaper in there when they were finished with it. She saw a copy lying on the coffee table. She sat on the couch and opened it up. After shuffling through to the announcements, she stared at the picture looking back at her before crumpling it up and running back to her room with the paper still in her hand.

  ****

  Kari was incensed as she stared down at her engagement ring resting on her opened palm. Well, not her engagement ring any longer, her ex-engagement ring. She just wanted to throw it into the deepest depths of the ocean and never look at it again. She closed her hand over it and sat down at her desk, forcing herself to peer at the newspaper photo of Geoffrey and Blair’s wedding. It was one thing to know an event is to take place; it is quite another thing to see that the deed is done.

  As the ring rubbed against her palm, all she felt was anger. Not at him, but at herself. Geoffrey hadn’t wanted the ring back after their break-up, and so she’d kept this reminder of her failure and of a life she was never going to have. It hurt. She didn’t feel the loss of Geoffrey; she felt the loss of what she never had to begin with. She was mad at herself because she thought she was over all of this. The last couple weeks had been so great. She hadn’t felt this kind of regret and insecurity in awhile, and now here she was feeling it wash over her all over again.

  With the ring still tightly clutched in her fist, she got up from her desk and lay down on her bed. She closed her eyes, placed the closed hand over her heart and then covered it with her other hand. She lay there for a few moments, waiting for her heart to stop pounding and for her anger to dissipate. Opening her stinging eyes, she turned her head and saw the note Randy had sent to her just a couple days ago. Putting the ring down on her side table, she picked up the note.

  She re-read the passage that had brought her solace the day before. Whatever may have happened in your past doesn’t have to dictate your future. You can make the choice to come out the victor. The decision is yours. Just remember this: ‘I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.’ Philippians 4:13. God is with you, supporting you. I’m here for you, too, Kari.