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“Nothing.”
“No, apparently there’s something on your mind.”
“I don’t want to talk about this now.”
“But I do.”
“You do?” She turned back to face him.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” Burning the side of his face with her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me your surgery was postponed? Or better yet, why didn’t you tell Oscar you had family plans and to get someone else? Or hey, here’s an idea, it’s Friday, give the students the afternoon off. But I think the question I really want answered is…forget about it…I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
“No, you started this, so let’s finish it.”
“Eighteen months, Dexter.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. You’re right, I should have ridden in with my parents.” She turned back to the window, dabbing the tears rolling down her cheek.
Corianne was in the marriage prison her aunts talked about. She wondered why Kyla wanted to get married. She had everything, and now she was giving it all up to become a slave to some man who would probably stop appreciating her…stop loving her. Eighteen months…that’s how long it had been since Dexter made her feel loved. She cried harder.
“Cori…Cori…” Dexter looked over and patted her hand. That was the most physical contact Dexter had given her in eighteen months. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. We’re almost there. See, the traffic is opening up. See, God heard my prayer and is making a path for us. We’ll be there soon. Please, stop crying.”
She didn’t look at him.
Percy paced back and forth praying for both of his daughters. He knew Kyla was making the right decision, but it
was Corianne he worried about. She hadn’t been her normal upbeat self for a while. Call it parental intuition, but there was something going on with her.
Nadine tapped him on the shoulder. “Honey, are you okay?”
He turned around and kissed her. “Yes. Is she ready?”
“Kyla baby, come out.” Kyla walked into the parlor and stood still. Percy grabbed his chest smiling.
“Wow.” He walked toward her and kissed her on the cheek. “Baby girl, you’re absolutely stunning. I changed my mind.”
“About what?” Nadine asked.
“Giving her away.” He took Kyla’s hands in his. “I can’t do it. I like Sean, but I just can’t do it.”
Kyla smiled, thinking to herself, it was a little late for her dad’s comment. She was already Sean’s wife and in less than an hour, everyone would know it. The knock on the door broke the overwhelmingly emotional tone in the room. “Daddy, please get that.”
He walked over to the door and looked out the peep hole. “It’s Zoë.”
“Let her in.”
He opened the door and Zoë walked in full of energy and rambling. “Everyone is here. The photographer is finishing with Sean.” She looked over and saw Kyla. “Oh, girl, you look beautiful.” She started fanning herself. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry any more. I think I cried in every picture.”
“How are Belinda and Russell doing?” Kyla asked.
“They were shocked, but very excited. Are you ready?”
“Uhm,” Kyla looked at her mother and then at Zoë.
“What’s wrong?” Zoë asked.
