Kari passed out the papers. The girls started idly talking together as they waited for their parents when Desiree called out to her.
“Who do you date, Kari?”
Kari felt at a loss to answer this question. She knew the topic would come up when she decided to talk about dating with the girls. She tried to erase the look of embarrassment from her face as she remembered the answer she had prepared.
“I don’t have time to date right now. I was engaged before, but that is a story for another time.”
“Aah, Kari, come on. We want to know,” said Sarah.
“I know. I promise. I’ll tell you soon.”
Several parents, who had been dismissed from their own Bible study groups, came into the room to pick up their daughters. After ten minutes, Kari saw the only girl left was Desiree.
“You ready to go home?”
“Sure,” Desiree answered.
They hurried down the stairs and out the church doors to the cool darkness outside. Wrapping their coats around them, they stepped out into the star-filled November night with the moon bright and yellow above them.
“I really want to thank you for walking me home every week, Kari. Or I should say my mother is grateful. She hates letting me go anywhere alone.”
“I don’t mind. It’s on my way anyway.”
“So, you were really engaged before?” asked Desiree, abrupt as only a thirteen year old can be.
Kari gave her what she thought was a regretful smile. “I was…for three months.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “He seemed so great in the beginning. He went to church and was active in it. He was an usher and a greeter. He went to all the services. If there was anyone at church or elsewhere that needed help, he was there. But it was all a ruse.”
“How? Was he a real creep underneath or something?”
“He was definitely a creep. Let me just say that after we got engaged, his true colors came out and he had no intention of serving God. He wasn’t anything that I thought he was.”
“So, you broke off the engagement.”
“That’s right.”
“Do you regret it, Kari? I mean sometimes you seem really lonely, not that I’ve known you all that long.”
Kari released a sigh before she answered, debating on the best way to answer her. “It’s okay. Sometimes I am lonely, but I don’t regret it. I would be miserable if I had married him and then I would be stuck.”
“Do you have hope there is someone out there for you?”
Kari stopped and looked at the inky, black sky filled with bright, pulsing stars. She couldn’t help but think about Randy. With hands in her pockets and the crisp night air invigorating her, she answered, “Yes, I think there is. I may have even already met him.”
“I hope you’re right because if someone as great as you can’t find a guy, I have no hope.”
“Oh, Desi, there is always hope.” Kari gave Desiree a quick hug and a smile. “Yes, there is always hope.”
Kari dropped Desiree off at her house and took the long way home, loving the brisk weather. Wrapping her favorite scarf around her throat, she walked on into the night thinking about the hope God had planted in her heart. She knew there was hope. God would lead her to the life she was supposed to have.
She knew she missed Randy, but she still wasn’t convinced he was the one for her or if the timing was right; although, she did know she needed to talk to him again. As she told the girls, spending time to get to know someone of the opposite sex didn’t mean courtship. It didn’t have to be romantic. She could just be friends with Randy for the time being. She wanted to be his friend. She missed his friendship. She needed his friendship.
****
Kari walked back into her room at nine-thirty that night and figured now was as good a time as any to call Randy. Her hands shook nervously as she dialed the number. Taking a deep breath as the phone rang, her heart thumped hard in her chest as she tried to work out what she was going to say. The phone rang a couple more times before the answering machine came on. She felt an odd sense of relief. She wanted to talk to him and yet she didn’t. Without leaving a message, she hung up the phone and lay back on her bed.
Deciding she didn’t want to spend another minute in her room, she got up, with her coat and scarf still on, and walked back down the stairs. Opening the door to go outside, she almost ran right into Alice Steele and a couple of her friends.
“Hey, Kari, where are you off to?” asked Alice as they stepped inside.
“I’m not sure actually. I just need to get some air.”
“I know what you mean. I will be so glad when Thanksgiving comes so I can have a break,” said Chloe before passing Alice with the other girls behind her.
“Well, I guess I’ll…” Kari decided she may as well bring up the topic going through her mind, “…uh, Alice?”
“Yes?”
Kari pressed her lips together for a second. “I tried calling Randy tonight.”
“Did you really,” said Alice, not even attempting to hide her happiness. “Did you catch him before he left?”
“No. Was he going somewhere?”
“Yeah, he…” she hesitated for a moment “…he went home to visit with our parents.”
“Oh, did he? I didn’t think he…well…I was under the impression that…”
“Yeah, Randy hasn’t been on good terms with them in years. I guess he thought now would be a good a time to patch things up.” Alice smiled hugely. She really was horrible at concealing what she was feeling. Or maybe she just didn’t care to. “I’m sure he had a good reason.”
Kari felt uncomfortable talking about Randy like this. She grabbed a hold of the door again. “I guess I’ll see you later.” She turned and stepped out into the cold night air, encircling her arms around herself as she walked toward the all-night coffee shop. Before she took five steps down the sidewalk, she heard her name again.
“Kari, I have to say something,” said Alice.
Kari stopped and faced her with a small, impartial smile.
“I don’t know for sure because my brother has been a bit distant lately, which I have to say is usual, but I think I know why he went home.” She paused and looked at Kari as if she expected a response. Watching Kari just stand there with her arms crossed, she started again with a more solemn look on her face. “I think he went home because of you.”
“What do you mean? Did he tell you…”
“He tells me nothing anymore, but I have my suspicions and I know my brother. I think he cares for you a lot maybe even more than that.”
“But he can’t…”
“All I know is Randy has never shown much interest in anyone before. I mean, he’s dated and had girlfriends, but he was never all that attached. He’s attached to you and I think it’s killing him. I don’t know why I’m telling you. He’d probably kill me if he knew, but I thought you should know.”
“Thanks, Alice.” Her thoughts were swirling around her, as she took in a deep breath, standing there in the cold.
“Hey, you want me to join you for a walk?”
“No, I think I just want to be alone for awhile.”
“All right, Kari. It’s okay that I told you?”
“Yes, I’m glad you told me.”
“All right, well, I actually better get back. I have deadlines at the paper and a project due in my Investigative Reporting class.”
Alice ran back into the dorm, and Kari walked off by herself, contemplating all the information she’d taken in. She thought about Geoffrey and what had happened in that relationship which had made her so uneasy to enter into another one. Her discussions with her teen Bible study had begun to make her think about the mistakes she’d made but also what a future she still had. Then her talk with Alice had brought up the idea of Randy again.
What’s wrong with me? I like Randy. He likes me. I really want to give this friendship a chance? Dear L
ord, I know you have a future for me. Please lead me. I don’t want to try to carry all this on my own anymore. I’m ready to give it all to you.
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding
Chapter Fourteen
The next night, Kari went for another nighttime walk. She’d been working furiously on her book for hours and needed some air. She ended up at the river near the spot where the art festival had been held. She thought about that night and what fun she’d had with Randy. She even thought back to the horrifying karaoke incident and realized it was a moment of her life she would never forget. Strolling next to the water, she stopped to squat beside it. Sticking her hand into the cold liquid, she let it splash around her as she wiggled her fingers through it.
“You still enjoy walking by the river at night, don’t you?”
Kari spun around completely caught off guard. With her heart pumping irregularly, she moved herself into protective mode.
“Geoffrey, you startled me.” She raised herself back to a standing position as she realized who had approached her. “What are you doing back here?”
“A man can only take so much of the city.”
“And where is Blair?” Her protective mode went back into place. She could never forget the arrogant attitude he’d had with her and Randy at the charity benefit.
“Forget Blair.”
“How can I forget her? She’s your wife.”
“Kari, I just need a friend to talk with. Can’t you give me a little of your time. I just want to talk.”
Geoffrey was never one who just wanted to “talk.” He talked when he had something important to announce, but he was never one for chit-chat or for pouring out his heart. He wanted something that was for sure.
“How did you know I’d be here?” She eyed him with suspicion as she pulled her coat close around her.
“I actually saw you leave the dorm and I followed you.”
“So, you’re a stalker now.” A shiver of anxiety shot up her spine.
“Don’t think about it that way. I just wanted to wait until we were alone.”
“What, so you could attack me? Maybe we should go somewhere better lit.” She didn’t think Geoffrey would actually hurt her, but she didn’t trust him and wasn’t sure what he was after.
“We can, but tell me, are you still seeing Randy Steele?”
“What if I am?” She lifted her chin in defiance. “What business is that of yours?” Anger poured over her. How dare he even mention Randy after all he’s done.
“So, you don’t think he was rude to me? He owes me an apology.”
Kari felt the anger surging into her face now. “Randolph Steele doesn’t owe you anything. He’s the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I felt alone and abandoned in this world especially after I lost you and he…”
“Kari,” he took a step toward her, “you never lost me. I’ve always been here.”
Kari stepped backwards. “No Geoffrey. You haven’t been there for me. You never were. I was the only one who ever gave to our relationship and you took advantage of me. You thought you could keep it up even after Blair but that stops now. I’m not available to you as a friend or anything else.” She stood staunchly facing him, daring him to contradict her words.
When she took a step to walk away from him, Geoffrey grabbed onto her arm and pulled her towards him. “Kari, you can’t do this to me.”
Kari struggled with him for a moment and finally shook him off. He lost his balance, falling into the river with a loud splash.
“Oh Geoffrey, I’m sorry,” she laughed, helping him out of the freezing water.
“No, Kari, I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ve always taken advantage of you. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” He got out of the water and tried to brush some the wetness off. “I’ve lost you and now I’m going to lose Blair as well.”
“What’s happened?”
“She’s been upset with me ever since that benefit dinner. She threw me out of the house last night and I didn’t know where to turn except to you.”
“Geoffrey, you claimed to be a Christian when I first met you, but in time I’ve come to seriously doubt that. Are you a Christian?”
“I thought I was. I mean, I know it all in my head.”
“My advice to you is to go to church. Begin to hide God’s word in your heart and make it real. When you’re ready, ask Him into your life. That is the only way you will find happiness. You won’t find it in great jobs and lots of money. Only God can bring you that kind of happiness. That’s what I’ve had to learn myself.”
“You’re right, Kari. But what about Blair?”
“Take her with you. If you want to have a successful marriage, you need to have God at the center of it. If I’m not mistaken, I think she’ll take you back if she sees the sincerity of your heart. Pray for her, pray for your marriage.”
“Kari, I don’t know what to say.” He looked so pitiful standing there, shivering in his drenched state.
“I think maybe you should say you need to go inside before you freeze to death. Are you staying with your parents tonight?” He dipped his head down to signify he was. “You go home then and I’ll pray for you.”
“Thanks, Kari. Thanks for everything.”
Geoffrey turned and left, dripping as he went. Kari watched him leave and then faced the river with a smile. When she was sure he was out of earshot, she laughed. She laughed loud and she let herself continue to laugh until she was crying and out of breath. It was energizing. When she finished, she sat down on the hard, cold ground and stared at the water rippling in the wind.
The entire incident had been horrible and funny at the same time. It had been a long time since she was able to laugh at herself. For ten months, she’d been mourning Geoffrey or at least the idea of him. She couldn’t believe how ridiculous she’d been. For the first time, she could see. It was like a blind had been removed from her eyes. She’d never loved Geoffrey. She could see that now. She wanted to be married and belong to a family. She had no one and wanted to belong to someone. Deep down she knew Geoffrey was wrong. The whole time she was mourning the loss of him, it wasn’t him. It was what he represented—a chance to have a family, the love of a family, and the acceptance of a family.
She laughed out loud again. How did I deceive myself so completely? She was elated like an invisible weight had been taken off her back as she walked up a very steep mountain. Then she thought of Randy. Her breath caught in the throat. Randy! I have to tell him. No, I can’t. He’s gone. This really doesn’t concern him anyway. This was about me.
****
“Emily, what are you doing here?” asked Kari surprised to see her cousin sitting in the lobby of Palmer House. The energizing happiness she’d had back at the river was still with her and she just wanted to laugh at how angry Emily appeared.
“I’m here to see you and don’t tell me you don’t want to see me. I’m staying and I’m going to talk to you.” She stood up, holding her purse with both her hands resolutely. Her stance was like that of a stalwart statue of a famous navy captain, ready to take on whatever came at her.
Kari smiled although, she thought that might incite Emily’s anger even more. “I’m glad you’re here.” She leaned over and hugged her. “Come on up to my room where we can talk.” Kari led the way down the hall and up the stairs to her room as Emily followed.
Walking in the door, Kari shed her coat and scarf leaving them lying across a chair as she continued across the room to her sofa in the adjoining living area. She dramatically took a seat and asked, “So, what brings you all the way out here? Checking in on me?”
Emily looked all business. With coat still on, she took a seat on the couch next to Kari.
“You look angry, Em. Are you mad…are you mad at me?”
“Mad? No, why should I be? I mean, my best friend has ignored and avoided me for weeks, but I’m not mad.”
&nbs
p; “Emily…”
“Kari, what’s with this audacious behavior? I don’t think I’ve seen you like this in a long time.”
“You’re right, you haven’t. I thought you’d be glad to see the improvement in me.” She couldn’t help smiling at her again.
Emily gave her a discerning glare. “Look, I came up here to make you promise to come out and stay with John and me for Thanksgiving. I’m not taking no for an answer. I know you don’t think you can be around people, but I am determined to get you to agree.”
“Okay, Emily, I’ll come.”
Emily was silent, evidently tongued-tied for a moment. “You’ll come, no arguments.”
With another audacious smile, Kari added, “No arguments. I’ve been silly avoiding everyone. I’d love to spend Thanksgiving with you guys. Can I come down on Wednesday and stay for the weekend?”
“Of course, we’d love to have you,” replied Emily still seeming to be recovering from her astonishment.
“Great. So, you want to hear a funny story.”
“Sure.” Emily sat back on the couch, relaxed and unbuttoned her coat.
“I saw Geoffrey today.”
“This is a funny story?”
“Just wait for the punch line.”
****
On Monday, Kari wanted to tell Randy she’d had a breakthrough. She knew he would appreciate it and that he cared enough about her to want something good to happen to her. But she decided to wait. Maybe I’ll see him over Thanksgiving when I’m visiting Emily. I’ll tell him then.
She walked over to her window and peered down at the students scampering across campus toward their respective classrooms. She smiled. The sun warmed her spirits, and she turned back to her room as she prepared herself for the day. Bending down beside the bed, she prayed out loud.
“Lord, I know I’ve been lacking courage and strength to go on over the past ten months. It was wrong of me. I didn’t trust in You to take care of me and lead me. I thought I was, but I wasn’t. I allowed myself to wallow in self-pity and believe the lies that I would never be the same again—that I would never be happy again—that I should shut out everything good. I want to thank You for staying with me every step of the way. I know you brought Randy into my life for one reason or another. I don’t want to hurt him. I want to help him and to be his friend. Guide us in this time, Lord. In Your Name, Amen.”
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding Page 11