A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding

by Cindy K. Green

  She opened her eyes and found they were full of tears—tears of happiness. Wiping them away, she got up and walked to her closet to dress for the day.

  When the phone in her room began to ring, she picked it up to hear Geoffrey on the other line.

  “What do you want, Geoff?”

  “I went to see Blair last night, but she wouldn’t even let me in the house. She closed the door on me and told me to never come back. I don’t know what to do; I love her. I know I do. I think I always have. What am I going to do?”

  “You keep praying and God will work it out. I’m sure good things are planned for you both. Maybe when I’m in the city next, I’ll make a visit to see Blair on your behalf.”

  “Really, Kari, you’d do that? I mean, after all I’ve done to you, you don’t owe me anything.”

  “I know. I want to do this. If I can help you both come together, then I want to do it. Now settle down and pray. God will handle the rest. I promise.”

  “Thanks, Kari.”

  ****

  Kari found herself on her way to the Hudson’s home on her next day off. This wasn’t exactly how she wanted to spend her free time, but she felt heaviness in her heart to help Geoffrey and Blair. She didn’t know why. One side of her felt like letting Geoffrey stew in his own pudding. He’s the one who made the mess, let him clean it up. But on the other hand, she wanted to help and knew it was the best thing to do.

  Exiting the train, she caught a cab and headed to the house belonging to Blair and Geoffrey. She got out of the taxi, paid the driver, and walked up the path to the front door, snow covering the entryway.

  Blair opened the door with obvious surprise, her mouth falling open for a moment. After gaining control of herself, she closed her mouth and gave Kari a sweet smile. “Hello, Kari. I’m surprised to see you. Geoffrey’s not here.”

  “I know he’s not. Do you mind if I come in?”

  “Uh…sure…please….please, come in.” Blair seemed taken off guard and though she maintained her regal demeanor, her face revealed she was a little perplexed with Kari’s presence.

  Kari entered the living room and sat on the Victorian style couch with plush pillows piled all over it. “I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here.”

  Blair nodded without saying a word.

  “Well, Blair, Geoffrey came to see me.”

  Blair took in a quick breath and sat up straighter in her chair. “I assumed he would. How often has he been seeing you since we’ve been together?”

  “Just one time when you were engaged and then last week he came to ask for my help.”

  “Your help?”

  Kari decided bluntness would be her best bet. “I know Geoffrey can be a real jerk and sometimes he is incredibly insensitive and selfish.”

  Blair crossed her arms and sniffed in agreement.

  “But inside I think he just wants to be loved and accepted. I believe he really loves you.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “Because he told me. Geoffrey hardly ever told me he loved me when we were together. But when he called me a couple days ago, he seemed really broken up by all this.”

  “Really broken up? Yes, I’m sure he’s broken-hearted to lose all Daddy’s money.”

  “Blair, I think he is sincerely sorry.” Kari sat forward in her seat and looked directly into Blair’s eyes. “He doesn’t love me. He loves you. He told me he thinks he always has. I encouraged him to go to church and to take you with him if he intends his marriage to last.”

  “You did…he did. Church?”

  “If you really want to be happy Blair, you’ll find that in God and in the relationship you can build with your husband under His loving eye.”

  “I don’t know. In my whole life, I’ve hardly ever gone to church.”

  “How happy have you ever been?”

  “I suppose not all that happy.”

  “So, maybe, give God a chance and you just might find an opportunity for real happiness.”

  She wrinkled up her nose and puckered her lips as if she was deep in thought. “I suppose.”

  “So, when Geoffrey calls again, you will go to church with him and give all this a try?”

  Blair looked down and nodded her head. When she glanced back up, her eyes were teary. “Yes, I’ll give it a try.”

  “Geoffrey will be so happy.”

  “Kari, why are you doing this? You should be angry with him, too.”

  “I’ve spent many months being angry at him and me, but I realized there was no reason for that. I have joy in God and in the hope He gives to me.”

  “And in your young pastor?”

  “He’s not my pastor, but I hope we can still be friends.”

  “You are an interesting person, Kari. I hope maybe one day we can be friends.”

  Kari reached over and took one of Blair’s hands, “I hope we already are.”

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  Chapter Fifteen

  Randy was glad he’d taken some time off to be with his parents and to get away. The time hadn’t been wasted. He reconnected with friends back in his old neighborhood. He always loved going to Lake Ontario to walk, fish, and play. But every time he was alone, he would start to think about Kari again. It was agonizing. He had convinced himself she wanted nothing to do with him again. The idea of never seeing her green eyes and sweet smile hurt him more deeply than he thought possible.

  When he first started studying for the pastorate, he’d decided he could spend his life as a bachelor. It was a definite possibility considering the work he was dedicating his life to. It would take a special woman to convince him to marry. All that changed when he met Kari. After meeting her, he could envision himself married and see her working alongside him, but now that had all gone awry. He should have known better. Kari wasn’t ready to be in a relationship and he had blown it.

  Part of the reason he left for home was to forget her, but by the end of the visit, he knew that was never to take place. The trip hadn’t been completely fruitless, though. His parents were so happy to see him. His mother especially had rejoiced at the sight of him. She hugged him in the very way he needed to be comforted. His father hadn’t been so forthcoming but after a couple days, he too could see the need in his son’s eyes. They learned about his hurts and travails and decided to come into the city to spend Thanksgiving with Alice and him. They even said they would go to church with them. Randy was overjoyed. For the first time, his parents were open to God.

  When he returned home, it was time for the youth to prepare for their Fall Festival, which took place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. He spent his time constructing booths and making sure everything was ready for the event. It was good to be back home and working with his kids. He really enjoyed his job and loved the teens in his youth group.

  Before he knew it, Thanksgiving was upon him. He was to lead prayer during the Thanksgiving Eve service and he was excited to see his parents again. Things were so different between them. He wished he could share his happiness about it with Kari. The idea of her didn’t hurt as much as it had a couple weeks ago. Still, he wished he could see her if only one more time. He didn’t realize that the last time he saw her was going to be the last time he’d ever see her again.

  Randy had decided to host a get together at his house before the Thanksgiving Eve service. His friends and church family members were all expected within the next ten minutes. While tidying up his living room, the doorbell rang.

  “Randy, can you get that?” called out Alice’s voice. “Mom and I are trying to get this pie out of the oven.” His mother and sister giggled in the background as the oven door clanged down with a loud vibrating thud.

  “Sure, it is my house after all,” he called back to her with sarcasm. “And don’t wreck my oven you two because I use it so often.” He opened the door to Brittany and Ethan MacFadyen who entered with cheery smil
es.

  “How are you doing, Randy?” asked Ethan, putting his large hand out for Randy to shake.

  “Great. Happy Thanksgiving Eve to you both,” he said shaking Ethan’s hand.

  “And you, too,” said Brittany. “I just talked to Emily on the phone. They’ll all be over in a little while.”

  “ All ?” asked Randy feeling surprised. His pulse picked up with the small hope Kari might be with them.

  “They’re bringing Emily’s mom,” spoke up Ethan.

  Randy shook his head and stuffed his hands in his pockets, trying not to look as disappointed as he felt. “Sure, sure, Mrs. Burke.”

  “Oh, and Kari Montgomery,” added Brittany. “I guess she’s staying with them for the holiday.”

  Randy opened his eyes wide as he looked at them while his pulse continued to race out of control. Trying to steady his words he said, “Kari is…” he coughed and touched his chest, “…she’s with them.” He lowered his voice so low it was almost inaudible.

  “Sure,” said Ethan. “Hey Alice,” he called to Randy’s sister who stepped into the dinning room. “Looks like you have a nice pie there.”

  “Yes, but you can’t have any yet,” said Alice.

  Ethan and Brittany walked inside toward Alice. Randy remained by the door, trying to take in the idea of Kari coming back to his house. Absently, he closed the door and excused himself to his room.

  Standing in front of his dresser mirror, he spoke to himself. “Okay, Randy, just because she’s coming doesn’t mean anything. She probably just doesn’t care one way or the other. You’ve just played this up in your mind. She doesn’t care for you, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be around especially with her cousin. Get a grip.”

  Finishing his talk with himself, he tightened his hold on the dresser as he looked at himself deep in the mirror. Then he brushed his hands back through his hair again, smoothing it down before he walked back out to see that many more guests had arrived.

  ****

  The house was bursting with activity when Kari entered with Emily, John, and her Aunt Patty. She walked in to see the familiar faces of those who had worked on the benefit committees with her. Many of them walked up and said hello soon after she arrived.

  “Kari,” called out Alice as she made her way in that direction. Upon reaching Kari, Alice gave her a big hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. You have to meet my parents before you leave today.”

  “You’re parents are here?” questioned Kari, feeling squeamish.

  “Remember how I told you Randy went home a couple weeks ago.”

  Kari nodded.

  “Well, he totally made up with them. They came down to spend Thanksgiving with us, and they are going to church tonight and everything. Can you imagine how pleased Randy is?”

  Kari needed a moment to catch her breath with Alice’s marathon fashion of communication.

  “Randy will be glad to see you.”

  “Are you sure?” asked Kari. “I haven’t spoken to him in so long. He probably thinks I’m a huge flake.”

  Alice looked at her with care. She placed her hand on Kari’s arm with a light touch. “He could never think that.”

  Kari glanced across the room after Alice left and her eyes picked Randy’s profile out of the crowd. She knew it was him because he stood a head taller than everyone else in the room, and she had memorized every curl on his head. He turned in her direction and she saw his face. It was him. She immediately turned her back to him, not feeling ready to face him or his wonderful eyes. But still she smiled.

  Ethan and Brittany started talking to her next, asking about school and how she was doing at her own church. Kari answered their questions, but her gaze kept creeping away in search of Randy again. When she found him, he was surrounded by a group of women. They seemed fascinated by him. Suddenly, they all broke into a huge roar of laughter as he entertained the crowd.

  When Randy lifted his eyes, he looked right at her. She turned away again and then started talking more animatedly with the MacFadyens. Unable to help it, she raised her eyes in his direction again only to see he was still staring directly at her with an inscrutable look on his face. One of the girls standing near him asked him something and he turned to talk with her. Kari smiled again. He sure seems to make quite an impression on the women at this church.

  “Kari, here you are,” said Alice walking with an older man and woman who had to be her parents. Mr. Steele had the family eyes and Mrs. Steele was a tall woman with dark hair very similar to Randy’s shade.

  Mr. and Mrs. Steele approached Kari with controlled smiles. When they reached her, Mr. Steele said with outstretched hand, “So, this must be the Kari Montgomery we keep hearing about.”

  With a smile Kari, shook his hand and Mrs. Steele’s.

  “I understand you teach at Alice’s college,” said Mr. Steele.

  “Yes,” Kari replied.

  “Oh, what do you teach?” asked Mrs. Steele.

  “American history, early US and women’s history mostly.”

  “It must be interesting work,” said Mr. Steele.

  “I wanted to teach when I was studying at Wellesley College, but that was before I got married.” The two elder Steele’s shared affectionate smiles that warmed Kari’s heart as Mr. Steele put his arm around his wife.

  “Really?” said Kari. “What did you want to teach?”

  “English literature. I grew up loving Austen, Shakespeare, and the Brontës.”

  “Me too,” admitted Kari. “But I loved the story behind things even more so I finally settled on American history.”

  “She’s terrific,” broke in Alice. “I didn’t have her when I took my history courses because she wasn’t here yet, but Hannah, Chloe’s sister, took her this year and says she actually makes history fun.”

  “I’m sure she does,” said Mr. Steele.

  “Randy says you’re writing a book,” said Mrs. Steele.

  “Oh. Randy talked about me…about my book? Yes, I’m in the last stages of turning my dissertation into a book.”

  “Must be a lot of fun,” said Mr. Steele.

  “At this point, I will just be glad when it’s done,” said Kari with a wry smile. “I thought it was the most important thing in my life but in the past few months I’ve come to realize that there are more important things.”

  As the conversation continued and Kari began to feel more comfortable, she reflected that she liked the Steeles. Their noticeable affection for each other made her think about her own dear parents. She missed them every bit as much today as the first day she lost them. Randy’s parents were kind and interesting and they made her feel important. She wondered if they made everyone feel this way. Even though these people didn’t share Randy’s faith and they hadn’t been the ones to teach him about God’s loving grace, they had taught him other things such as gracious manners and kind observances of others. It was refreshing. She was happy for Randy. He had his parents back and maybe one day soon they would accept Christ into their lives as well. She could just imagine how happy that would make him.

  As the Steeles moved on with Alice making further introductions around the room, Emily moved toward Kari with two young men trailing behind her. “Kari, hey, how are you doing? Having a good time?”

  Kari knew exactly what Emily was up to and she tried to communicate as much with her piercing stare. “How are you Em? What’s on your mind?”

  “I’m great. I thought you’d like to meet a couple of the guys from the church here. This is Tom Newell,” she pointed at a man who was at least ten years older than her. “And this is Bill Cadry,” she said of the other man with the pleasant smile who was more Kari’s age. “I’ve got to find John. Why don’t you all get to know one other? Where is that man? I never seem to be able to find him when I want him.”

  Kari smiled at both men self-consciously and then tried to break into conversation. “So, you both go to church here.”

  Bill spoke first in a surprising bass vo
ice. “We sure do. I’ve been going here for about five years and you’ve been here since right after college, right, Tom?”

  “That’s right,” said Tom. Turning to Kari he said, “Emily told me we went to the same college.”

  “Is that right,” replied Kari. “Did she tell you I teach there now?”

  “She mentioned it. How do you like it?”

  “I like it well enough. It was nice not having to move away from home.” She turned her attention to Bill again. “And what do you do?”

  “I work at the Metropolitan Art Museum.”

  “Did you study art?” Kari asked.

  “I sure did. I even spent a summer in France.”

  “That must have been an experience.”

  “One I’ll never forget.”

  Kari surmised that these men were kind and attentive; but as the discussion persisted, she kept losing interest in their conversation as she continued to watch Randy surrounded by his fan club of young women. When do I get my chance to talk to him ? She smiled again before turning back to Tom and Bill.

  ****

  With his coffee mug in hand, Randy stood encircled by several of the young women from the singles class. He didn’t go to that Sunday school class as he taught the youth group Sunday mornings, but he tried going to many of the single activities so he could get to know more people his age. These girls were sweet, but none of them had tempted him into asking them out. He kept an eye on Kari talking with Bill and Tom. He knew them both to be devout Christians and very helpful and kind, but inwardly he really resented them talking to Kari when he hadn’t even had a chance to talk to her yet.

  He was listening to one of the youngest ones, Keira, tell a humorous anecdote of something that had happened at work earlier that week when Emily and John accompanied by Kari joined them. His eyes instinctively locked onto Kari, but he knew he couldn’t stare at her. He looked back at John. “Hey, what have you all been up to?” Then his eyes turned back to Kari’s.