Kinsey turned around to the familiar sounding voice. Standing in her door was Jessica, holding her dress up with one hand and reaching behind it with the other.
“Was I talking out loud? I’m so sorry, Jessica. I just can’t date yet, especially on your wedding rehearsal night.”
“I have two words for you…”
“I know,” Kinsey said laughing, “Trust me, you’ve been saying that all week, but you won’t even describe him for me. How can I know about what he’s like if you’re so vague about him?”
“I said he was handsome, cute and smart. I mentioned he’s an artist, a writer. What more can I add?” Jessica stepped into the room and added, as she turned her back to Kinsey, “Here, zip me, this zipper is terrible.”
“Really? Mine too, get me next. But what does he look like? I need details, hair color, weak or strong, tall or short, really smart or just pretends to be smart?”
“I think he’s perfect for you. He never pretends to be smart. He’s humble but also very confident in himself. I think he’s exactly your type and if I had to guess I’d say you might even faint when you meet him. He’s that great a guy. He’s a friend of Dale’s, did I mention that? He’s also a friend of Father Ron’s as well. You’ll meet Father Ron tonight, he’s performing our wedding ceremony. Trust me, trust me, trust me.” Jess said and she and Kinsey both began laughing. “Come into my room and let’s get ready together.” Jess said, after they stopped laughing, “We can play some music and have a glass of wine and make this fun. Trust me about the date.”
Kinsey followed Jessica into her bedroom, a smile shining across her face. Being in Charleston, being with her friend, seeing Ms. Lester’s old home, these were all good things. They were enough to begin life anew and Kinsey promised herself that she’d be an incredibly good maid of honor for Jessica – but she’d make no attempt at catching the bouquet when Jess tossed it over her shoulder the following evening. A date? How could she!
The rehearsal at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist went well for everybody involved. To Kinsey, the wedding coordinator seemed a bundle of nerves but both Dale and Jessica were at peace with themselves. It was obvious they were deeply in love and ready to be married. They hadn’t seen one another in a week and the energy, the desire for the other, and the excitement at seeing the person to whom they would be married the next day, shined in their eyes like so many blue and white stars.
Kinsey met Father Ron, Dale and Jessica’s priest, and liked him right away. He smiled at Kinsey all evening and suggested to her that good things came to those who put God first and waited with patience for his answers. This puzzled Kinsey and she wanted to ask him how that applied to her but Jessica stepped between them and said, “Answering a question like that isn’t important just now, is it, Father Ron?” Then she took Father Ron by the arm and led him away, almost seeming to scold him for his words. Kinsey just shook her head. She had no idea what they were talking about and she made her way toward the doors of the Cathedral for the ride to the rehearsal dinner.
The rehearsal dinner was held in a private room at Hall’s Chop House on King Street. The restaurant itself was crowded and its bar was also packed with people having a good time. The wedding party met in their private dining room but then stepped out to the bar for drinks and to spread out a bit before sitting down to dinner. Kinsey found herself sitting at the bar with Dale and Jessica asking when she’d finally meet this blind date they had fixed her up with for the night.
“He’s running a bit late. Father Ron went to get him. They’re good friends and Father Ron said the fellows a bit nervous.”
“I thought you said this guy was confident, Jess?” Kinsey asked, as the bartender handed her a glass of white wine.
“He is confident, but he likes to do things right. He just wants to make a good first impression. He said he met a girl once and made a great first impression but then he never saw her again and he doesn’t want that to happen again.” Jessica answered as Dale began laughing.
“What’s so funny, Dale?” Kinsey asked, taking a sip of her wine.
“Nothing. Jess is taking far too much risk with her words is all.” Dale said, then he turned to Jessica and said, “We don’t want to blow this thing when we’ve come so close. Now do we?”
It looked to Kinsey like Dale was almost glaring at Jessica as he said it but he was smiling and his eyes were lit up looking at her. She had no idea why they were talking as they were; it was almost like a code or maybe they had a secret but Kinsey wanted to let them know how excited she was for them and she tried to change subjects. She held her glass to them and said, “I want to be the first to toast you tonight. I have a good, long toast for after dinner tonight but right now I’d like to give a private toast to the two of you and let you in on something.”
Jessica reached to the bar and picked up her drink and Dale reached for his beer. “Let’s hear it,” he said, “then added, “I can’t wait.”
Kinsey began, her glass held high in her hand, “Two the two of you, and to me as your friend. I’ve been difficult to be around for the last few years and I want to say I’m sorry for that. I changed this week though. I feel alive in this town, like I can start my life here again. I’ve watched you Jessica, I’ve seen the happiness in your eyes this week – you’re marrying the man you love and I’m so happy for you.” Kinsey let her arm down, “You guys can drop your glasses down from the toast for a moment. I’m not close to finishing this I’ve just realized.”
Jess and Dale both dropped their glasses from the suspense of the toast and looked at each other.
“I saw that, you just looked at each other like I’m going to get all sad again, like I’ve done ten thousand times before, but trust me, I’m not. I saw the peace and serenity that you both had this evening as we went through the rehearsal and I’ve remembered that I had that once. It was just a few hours of that happiness, that love for another, but I think it’s enough for me. I think God gave me that as a gift and maybe that’s all I need to go through life. I had Tanner for but an evening but it was so wonderful, I’ll never be able to let go of it and as hard as I’ve tried to move on from him I can’t, but that’s okay. His memory is more than enough for me.”
Kinsey paused to get her thoughts straight and Jess used the opportunity to say something, “Kinsey, we love you. We don’t think you have to settle for a memory. You should keep your heart open to tomorrow. Sometimes God gives us blessings that are imminent. That are moments from happening and all you have to do is keep hoping, keep…”
Kinsey interrupted. She laughed and said, “This is my toast remember, it’s for you guys, just let me ramble a moment longer,” Kinsey went quiet as she thought about her next words, “I walked by Ms. Lester’s old house yesterday, do you remember that house, Jess?”
Jess nodded, her eyes going wide and looking to Dale who began to cough. “Did you happen to see the owner?” Dale asked Kinsey as he raised his eyebrows at Jess.
Kinsey was puzzled at their reaction but she continued, “He pulled up as I was leaving but I didn’t see him. I’m going to get the courage up one day soon to knock on his door and ask to see my old room. Where I painted my Naked Sunset painting. I want to stand on that balcony again and think about Tanner. I want to paint with a heart that is happy. I’m tired of sad paintings. I’m not sad by nature and I want the old me. I was happy with Tanner and I can paint with his memory in my brushstrokes. I want the two of you to know that I’m moving to Charleston. You can’t get away from me that easy, but I promise to be the best friend the two of you could ever have. I love you both so much.” Kinsey started to cry and she felt a hand, a strong hand on her back, it was Dale’s, then she felt Jessica hugging her.
“Hang in there Kins. We love you too.” Jessica kept saying in Kinsey’s ear over and over. Then she added as she stepped back, “Let’s go get some dinner and meet your date. I understand if you want to throw him back into the sea, I don’t blame you. Tanner is more than eno
ugh for you. Keep his memory alive.”
“That’s good advice. Be nice to my friend though. He is really excited to meet you. He’ll be here soon.” Dale said as he looked down at his phone. “Father Ron just texted me, he has him with him now and they will be here any moment.”
“Ok guys, but here’s my toast,” Kinsey held her glass high again and Jessica and Dale lifted theirs’ as well, “I want the two of you to know that I have your back. I can watch your children for you, I’ll love them like they’re mine. I will be the best friend that a man and woman have ever had. I want to celebrate with you on this night and make you smile, and laugh and I want you to get married knowing that I’m her for you both. I love you so much.” Kinsey touched her glass to Jessica’s then Dales.
“God really loves you, Kinsey. I know he does. You wait. You’ll see.” Jessica said to her as they made their way to the private room for the rehearsal dinner.
12
Sea of Tears
Jessica looked through the crack of the almost shut door into the private dining room. She saw her friend sitting at the head table, next to the vacant spot where she herself had been sitting only moments before. To the other side of Kinsey was another vacant plate. This was the plate for Kinsey’s date, who, as far as Kinsey must be thinking, never would show. Not that Kinsey much cared, Jessica realized, she seemed to only be focused on making Dale and Jessica have a wonderful evening.
Jess looked to her side and smiled at Dale. It was time for toasts and the two of them would make an entrance and each would give a small toast before letting others stand to make theirs. It was a change of tradition but Jessica had to have it happen this way if her plan was to work. Jessica looked to her other side and smiled first to Father Ron, who would introduce Dale and Jessica to the dinner guests for their toasts, then she nodded to Tanner, who was dressed in an incredible looking, finely tailored suit, dark blue in color with a red tie, he looked so handsome Jessica thought to herself as she watched him take a deep breath.
Jess knew she’d put him through a long week, but his moment was now, and if she asked him, Jessica knew that Tanner would say, waiting, as hard as it had been to do all week, was worth it.
“You going to be okay?” Dale asked Tanner, “You got this? Maybe a shot of liquor?”
Tanner, Father Ron, Dale and Jessica all laughed.
For Jessica, reuniting her best friend to her long lost love was the best thing she could do on the eve of her wedding. God had given her an incredible gift and a blessing in Dale. Every day since she’d met Dale had been a good day. She was so far from lonely that it hurt her to even be with Kinsey. She hurt not for herself but for Kinsey. Kinsey’s life had been a mighty struggle with loneliness. Each day she’d tried to find Tanner but to no avail. Kinsey had tried to move on from him but her heart wouldn’t let her. Jessica knew that Kinsey had prayed to God, had cried to God and had even begged God but her prayers were never answered. Jessica prayed for her too but her prayers seemed to drift away and find nothing to land upon that would point the way to Kinsey ever finding Tanner.
Then, only a week earlier, Jessica saw Tanner walking up the stairs to Ms. Lester’s old home and Jessica knew that prayers were being answered. Jessica, in those moments that she first met Tanner on the steps of the home, knew that God had a mission for her and Jessica took it very seriously.
Weddings were a sacrament, a gift from God made real through his son, Jesus, at the wedding of Cana. They were the sharing of love – not just the bride and groom’s love, but everyone’s involved in the wedding. Jessica made a promise to God to share her own wedding with Kinsey and Tanner and bring them together forever. Her wedding would be the end of sadness and loneliness for her friends, and, just like for her and Dale, it would be the beginning of a new life for them.
Jess took another peek into the dining room. Everyone was eating dessert and talking quietly. Kinsey had no one on either side of her to talk to and so she simply looked about, a smile on her face, as she waited for Dale and Jessica to step out for the evening’s toasts. She looked beautiful. Jess had made sure to get her perfect looking earlier in the evening when she invited her into her room to get ready. Kinsey was going to be reunited with the man of her dreams and Jessica made sure she looked her best, her stunning best, and, as Jessica took her in, she knew she’d done an excellent job – Kinsey looked breathtaking.
“Ok Father Ron, It’s time for you to get this rolling.” Jess said, “Remember to call Dale out first and let him give his toast, then bring me out.”
“I’ve haven’t been this excited at a rehearsal dinner, ever. I’ve got this,” Father Ron said, stepping through the door into the dining room and pushing it back behind him.
Jessica put her hand on Dale’s and whispered in his ear, “Thanks for doing this. For understanding.”
Dale turned to Jessica, “I think this is great. I love it. I also can’t wait until our wedding night,” he whispered back, then he bit Jess softly on the ear.
Jessica felt a surge of heat go through her body and her heart beat rapidly. “One more night, cowboy,” she said pushing him toward the door as Father Ron called Dale’s name. “You know I can’t think about that right now. I’ll get flustered with my toast,” she said laughing.
Dale smiled and reached for her rear end with his hand as he stepped through the doors and disappeared from her view.
Jess found herself alone with Tanner.
“That guy loves you, Jess.” Tanner said after watching them together, “I’ve spent some time with him this week as you know and he’s over the top for you. We’ve talked about me meeting Kinsey and he always brings it back to the two of you. About how much he loves life since he met you and how he can’t wait for Kinsey and me to experience it.”
It made Jessica feel warm inside to hear his words. It also made her want to do the same for Tanner and Kinsey. “I can’t wait to do this for you. Remember, I’ll step in front of her and speak about her so that you can slip in and stand behind her. When I announce my gift to her you put your hand on her shoulder.”
Tanner nodded, “I’ve never been so nervous.”
Jessica took Tanner by the hand, “This is a special night for all of us. Let’s open our hearts and ask God to help us remember it forever.”
Tanner nodded as Dale called for his bride to step out and Jess turned and stepped through the doors and into the room.
Dale handed the microphone to Jessica and made for his seat to a steady applause.
Jessica took the microphone and looked around the room to everyone. “Tonight is a special night to be sure for Dale and myself,” Jessica said. “Now I have a traditional toast for the end of the night but I wanted to do something tonight for my friend. For the person who I’ve grown up with all my life. Who made my days happy long before I met Dale. Now Dale rocks my world…”
Everyone in the room laughed and Jess gave them time to settle down before continuing, “My friend Kinsey and I have gone through life together. We even met our true loves on the same evening.”
Jess could see a look of shock go quickly across Kinsey’s face that she would say such a thing in a toast but Kinsey fixed a smile on her face and simply looked back at Jessica.
Jess continued, “I’ve spent the last four years learning about and falling in love with Dale. My friend, Kinsey, lost her true love on the first night she met him. We had a fire in our hotel and he went into the fire and saved two small children. That was great but what was tragic and sad was that he was separated from Kinsey after the fire because he was hurt and sent to a hospital and they never could find one another again.”
Kinsey had dropped all pretense of a smile and was looking at Jess with a deep hurtful look in her eyes. Jess felt terrible about it but she continued.
“Every day that I’ve grown closer to Dale I’ve watched my friend grow just a bit sadder. Sometimes it looked to me like this sadness would get the best of her but she would press on with her life and she
never gave up hope in finding her true love. His name was Tanner by the way. I would try to fix her up with some nice men that I knew over the years but they never came close to working out for her.”
Kinsey was beginning to cry and Jessica felt terrible. “Someone give me a drink. I need a shot of something fast because my friend thinks I’m hurting her when in fact I’m trying to give her a gift.”
Dale stepped up from his chair and handed Jessica a drink. She took a big swallow from it. “There. That might help a little. Now Kinsey, I’m here to tell you that I love you. Something happened to me last week and it changed my life. It’s about to change yours as well but you have to listen to me. I went to see Father Ron and I asked Dale about it we all agreed that you need some good news in your life. And a date as well.”
Jess made a subtle motion to the door and she saw Tanner step out and begin inching closer to Kinsey. Kinsey was looking at Jess with sad, puzzled eyes and she never saw the door open behind her or Tanner step through it.
“Now I know, Kinsey, that you said you didn’t need a date for our rehearsal dinner but Dale and I decided to fix you up with one anyway,” Jessica paused, she began to cry, she looked at Kinsey. “I love you girl, more than life itself and it’s with great happiness that I present you with your date tonight,” Jess put her hand out to her friend and then looked up and behind her to Tanner.
At that moment Tanner stepped up and put his hand on Kinsey’s shoulder.
Kinsey didn’t understand at first. She looked at her friend with an expression of complete questioning, then she looked at the hand on her shoulder and slowly took her eyes up to the man behind her.
For Tanner, the moment his hand touched Kinsey’s shoulder was the moment he began living again. Touching her made a connection in his heart that could never be broken. He was standing next to her, his hand upon her shoulder, and he thought to himself, simply, that he’d never let her go. He was where he wanted to be and that was good enough for the rest of his days. He waited for her to look up at him.
Lights on the Far Horizon Trilogy Page 12