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Chapter Thirty-One
Trask
I have been walking the floor since I have been at Haddie’s. I know that Kelly is here somewhere, and I want to see her but Botie has been put on guard dog duty until it’s time for the wedding. It better start soon, or I am going to find my woman. I hear a tap on the door. I open it, but it’s not who I expected.
“Son, can I come in?” I look at my dad. I should have known he would find out.
“If you are here to try and stop this wedding, then no,” I tell the man that I used to respect and still love.
“I’m not here to stop you but I would like to have a word with you.” I step back and let the man in. I look at Botie.
“Give us a minute,” I tell my friend.
“You have about ten if we are starting on time.” I look at my watch and he is right. Botie walks out the door and I close it after Dad is inside.
“Nine minutes and counting,” I tell Dad.
“Very well. Kelly came to see us today at the house. She said we were welcome today if we behave as adults should. I don’t want to miss your wedding, Son. I don’t want to miss any of your life. I have behaved dreadfully, and I am sorry. I know you are an adult and have every right to marry who you want. I guess that parents always want the best for their children. I was blinded by what I wanted for you instead of listening to what you want.” I’m not sure my dad is being sincere, but I hope he is. “I should have already told you about your grandfather’s will. I know you are the stronger of my two sons and I have always taken that for granted. I was trying to straighten your brother out the best I could, but nothing helps. I was taking those frustrations out on you. I was taking your mother’s wants out on you, too. I have warned her that she better reel in that attitude of hers today or I will cut her off without a penny. Your mother loves you, Son. She just hasn’t shown it in the right ways for a while and neither have I. She feels like she is losing both her sons and she isn’t dealing with it very well. I’m sorry and I would like to be able to watch my oldest son get married today. If you will let us.” Dad stops talking and looks at his feet. “I won’t say I agree with your choice in a wife, but I will admit it is your choice. I will try to get along with her for you and I won’t disrespect her again.” I consider what my dad has said, and I hope he is telling me the truth.
“Kelly had her reasons for including the two of you and you should be grateful for that. Don’t make us all regret it.” There’s a knock on the door. I go to it and open the door.
“It’s showtime,” Botie tells me.
“I’ll get back to your mom.” I nod at Dad and he leaves.
“Everything good?” Botie asks.
“I hope so. Kelly invited my parents. That woman doesn’t know the havoc those two could cause,” I tell Botie.
“Maybe she just wants all the people that you care about here today. Lyric has done everything she can think of to try and help me and my brother, Hawkins, to mend fences. We’ve made some headway but nothing in our relationship will ever be perfect, but Lyric tries and I love her for it.” Botie has that goofy look on his face he always gets when he is thinking of his woman.
“We are both lucky to have women that can overlook our screwed-up families. Come on, man, it’s time for me to get hitched.” My smile stays on my face for a long time.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Kelly
Our wedding was beautiful, and it is all I could have ever dreamed about. It was small and simple but so me and Trask. I thought I would have been nervous, but I wasn’t.
After my little trip to visit Donald and Skeeter, I was calm and just in a hurry to marry my man.
When Nick escorted me down the aisle, it was the happiest day of my life. Trask was waiting in front of the pastor just like he said he would. We said our simple vows and there were no interruptions. I’ve never laughed as much as I have today.
I wasn’t thinking about any of my past—not my mom, not my sister, not all the mistakes that I have made, and not about the things I should have done. I was only thinking about the man I loved and our future.
Don’t get me wrong, I wished that Kim and Sage could have been here today, but no one can have everything in life they want. There are a lot of bumps along the roads of life. I know I am a better person, and I will keep trying to improve myself, but Trask loves me as I am, not for what he wants me to be. I never knew that unconditional love could ever set me free of all the monsters in my past. Trask may not always be able to be my hero. I may need to take that title from him some day and be my own hero or even his hero, but we will do it together and that is all that counts.
“Woman, it’s time for us to be going or we are going to miss our flight.” I let Trask pick our honeymoon destination. I don’t care where we go as long as we are together. I smile up at my husband. “We have a baby to start on. I can’t let Botie get too much of a head start on us.” Everyone laughs. Botie and Trask have a brother-like relationship. Botie put it in Trask’s head that we need a little boy since he and Lyric found out they are having a son. Botie and Trask have it planned that our sons will be best friends just like they are. Lyric and I laugh at them. I thought women were the ones that made plans for their children years in advance. Lyric and I agree that we should have a little girl first so our children can fall in love and get married. That did not go over well with Trask. No one was marrying his daughter. I never thought I would have any of this and I want to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming at times.
“Son, can I have a word with the two of you before you take off for your honeymoon?” Donald asks Trask. Trask looks at me. I lift my shoulder and let Trask know it’s up to him. Donald doesn’t wait for an answer. “I just wanted to say congratulations on your wedding.” I hear Skeeter huff, but I don’t give her the satisfaction of responding. Trask and I both ignore her.
“Thank you, Dad. I appreciate that,” Trask says.
“I hope when the two of you get back that you will come to dinner out at the house so we can talk. I need to get to know my daughter-in-law,” his dad says.
“Donald, I will not have it and I will never accept this woman as our daughter-in-law.” Trask starts to say something, but Donald puts his hand up to stop him.
“Skeeter, I will not let you run our son off by your elitist attitude. Get over yourself and get off your high horse. Trask has made his decision and we will respect it.” Donald stands up for his son and me. Donald looks at his son and hands him a check. “This is your wedding present. Have a wonderful time on your honeymoon and that invitation is open for dinner. Your mother will be on board by the time you return.” Donald shakes Trask’s hand and then steps up to me and kisses my cheek. I am speechless. Donald steps away from me and takes Skeeter by the arm and leads her out of the room. No one in the room says anything until Trask breaks the ice.
