This may sound strange but sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. I was dating a guy for two years. We got engaged but months before the wedding, we decided that we weren’t right for each other. Now, he’s engaged to one of my friends and I’m one of the bridesmaids. The wedding is tomorrow. It’s going to be strange seeing his family again, especially since they would have been my in-laws. Still, I know that Nathanael and I made the right decision. I’m happy for him. His fiancee, Gina is a great person. She and I have been friends since high-school.
When I think about it, Nathanael and Gina are perfect for each other. He and I wouldn’t have worked out. We loved each other but weren’t in love with each other. When we announced to his family that the engagement was off, everyone was shocked and very disappointed that there wasn’t going to be a wedding. They had been looking forward to it. I noticed that Nathanael’s Dad didn’t say much. He was a very reserved man. When I first met him, I wasn’t sure if he approved of me. Nathanael assured me that his Dad liked me. He told me that he was a very private person. He wasn’t an extrovert like his son. It had been ten years since his wife, Nathanael’s mother, died from heart disease.
When I met Nathanael’s father, I knew I was in big trouble. I was instantly attracted to him and felt really guilty about it. I mean, I was dating his son. What kind of woman I was–dating a guy and being attracted to his father? I was afraid to go to family get-togethers because I knew I was going to see Mr. Eaton and it worried me that I might end up being alone with him. What would I do then? Would I be able to hide my attraction for him?
I’m going to see the family and Mr. Eaton tomorrow at the wedding. I’m debating whether or not to take someone with me as my guest. I don’t have a boyfriend. Since Nathanael and I broke our engagement I haven’t dated anyone. I suspect that it’s because of Mr. Eaton which is very foolish because I don’t stand a chance with him. He probably just sees me as Nathanael’s ex-fiancee who is young enough to be his daughter. Besides, he’s such an attractive man, it won’t be long before there’s a love interest who will be closer to his age. The thought of him with another woman bothered me greatly. I pushed it out of my mind and picking up my phone, I call my good friend, Troy and ask him to go to the wedding with me. Fortunately, he was available. So, I had a date, well, in a manner of speaking. Nathanael and Troy never met.
It was the day before the wedding and I was on my way home from the grocery store when I spotted Mr. Eaton. My heart and pulse immediately began to race. He was standing just a few feet away, looking at me. As I stood there debating whether or not I should walk over to him he started walking towards me. I willed myself to act calm. When he reached me, I smiled nervously. “Good afternoon, Mr. Eaton,” I said breathlessly. I shifted the bags to my left hand so that I could shake his. I know shaking hands with the man who was almost my father-in-law seemed a bit formal but I was afraid to hug him.
He towered over me although I was wearing heels. His eyes flickered over my face and there was a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Hello, Adah.” He clasped my hand in his large one. His fingers felt so warm. “It has been a while since I last saw you. How have you been?” he asked.
“I–I’ve been well, thanks. Busy at work. What about you?”
“I’m happy to hear that you’ve been well. Ever since Nathanael started dating another girl, I have been wondering how you were.”
He had released my hand and I was holding the bag again rather tightly. If he only knew how seeing him and being this close to him was affecting me. “I’m doing fine, Mr. Eaton. I’m happy for Nathanael and Gina. I think they will be very happy together.”
“So, it really doesn’t bother you that he’s marrying someone else?”
“No, it doesn’t. He met the woman who is right for him.”
“What about you? Have you moved on?”
“Yes, I have. As-as a matter of fact, I’m bringing a date to the wedding tomorrow.” Now why did I say that? I saw his expression change.
“Well, I have to be going now. I’m meeting a friend for dinner. Enjoy the rest of your day. I’ll see you tomorrow at the wedding.”
“Thanks, you too. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I watched him walk away, my heart heavy. I wanted to run after him and tell him that I hadn’t moved on with someone else and that the person I was bringing to the wedding was just a friend. Then, I remembered that he said he was having dinner with someone–probably a woman. Well, that settled it. He was seeing someone. I turned and headed in the opposite direction.
I was depressed when I got home. I didn’t even feel like eating but I forced myself to. I spent the rest of the afternoon, busying myself with cleaning the apartment because I knew I wouldn’t have time to do so tomorrow. I went to bed early but it took a long time for me to fall asleep. I lay awake, staring up at the ceiling and thinking about him. I was in love with him. I wondered what Nathanael would say if he knew that I was in love with his father. Would he be upset, amused or would he feel sorry for me? I sighed heavily and rolled on to my side. I closed my eyes. I dreamt that I saw Mr. Eaton having dinner with a beautiful woman at a cozy restaurant. They were laughing and toasting. I watched them, feeling miserable but they didn’t notice me. I dreamt that I told Nathanael that I loved his father but he laughed at me.
When I woke up the next morning, I felt terrible. I dragged myself out of the bed and fixed myself a light breakfast. The hours seemed to drag but finally, it was time to get ready for the wedding. I showered and got dressed. The car with Gina’s mother and the other bridesmaids drove up just as I came through the doors.
“Thank you, Troy,” I said as I pulled on my coat. “You look really nice in your suit.”
He thanked me as we left my apartment and walked to the elevator.
It was a 20 minute ride to Gina’s family home where the two limos were to pick us up. Troy and I arranged to meet at the church after the service and ride over together to the reception. I rang the doorbell and Gina’s mother let me in. After we hugged, we went to Gina’s bedroom where she and the other bridesmaids were. We all hugged each other. Gina looked lovely. I gave her a chain which my mother had given me before she passed away. “Something borrowed,” I said. I put it around her neck and when she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she was touched.
“Thank you, Adah. It’s lovely.”
“Now don’t start crying or we’ll all be crying,” I scolded her and she laughed.
We went to the church in separate limos. I went with Gina’s mother and the other bridesmaids while Gina rode with her paternal uncle who was giving her away. Her father had passed away when she was seven years old. It was a beautiful, mild, sunny day. The guests were still arriving and the parking lot was filling up. We were ushered to a room where we were to wait until it was time.
And then, the wedding service was on the way. We walked down the aisle and when the bridesmaids took our seats, my eyes strayed over to where Mr. Eaton was. He looked really handsome in his three piece suit. I wondered if the woman he had the dinner with was there. I forced myself to concentrate on the service. When it was over, Troy and I headed over to the church.
The reception was held in the Courtyard ballroom at the Vaughn Estate. The room was elegant and beautifully put together. I was very impressed. The bridal party along with their guests sat at one table while the bride and bridegroom sat at another with the groom’s father, the bride’s mother and her uncle. My eyes kept straying over to where Mr. Eaton was and a couple of times, I caught his eye. I wondered if we would have a chance to speak to each other before the night was over. I looked away as Troy and I took our seats.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your young man?” A voice inquired a few minutes later. Startled, I looked up and saw Mr. Eaton standing there. As usual, my heart and pulse began to race. He looked so handsome. His gaze shifted from me to Troy.
“Oh, yes. Sorry. Troy, this is Mr. Eaton, the bridegroom’s father. Mr. Eaton, this is Troy.”
The two men shook hands. “I’ve been to weddings before but this one is very classy,” Troy said.
Mr. Eaton smiled. “Thank you. I’m delighted that you think so. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“Thank you. I’m sure I will.”
Mr. Eaton’s eyes met mine in a steady stare, making my stomach do crazy things. “Excuse me,” he said before he turned and walked away. I watched him go, wishing that he and I could be alone together somewhere.
“Very nice man,” Troy commented. “He looks extremely good for his age.”
“Yes, he does.”
Troy leaned over and said in a low voice, “I think he likes you.”
I stared at him. “Really? What makes you think that?” Just then, the rest of the party joined us so Troy didn’t get a chance to answer my question. Bummer.
The food was delicious. The conversation flowed. We were all having a great time. Nathanael and Gina came by our table and stayed for a few minutes before they returned to theirs. Everyone agreed that it was a fantastic wedding and the banquet hall was perfect. Soon, dinner was over and it was time to dance. We watched as the wedded couple danced their first dance. They looked great together. I was so thrilled for them.
I didn’t realize that I was alone at my table. The others were either on the dance floor or had gone off somewhere. I had no idea where Troy was. I thought he was going to ask me to dance. My heart leapt in my chest when I saw Mr. Eaton coming towards me.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked.
“Yes, I am, thank you. And-and what about you?”
“Yes, I’m happy with how everything has turned out.”
“Yes, things couldn’t have been more perfect.”
“You look so beautiful, Adah.”
I felt so shy and flattered by his compliment. “Thank you, Mr. Eaton,” I managed to say.
“May I have this dance?” he asked.
Tongue-tied, I nodded and followed him to the dance floor. Our eyes met briefly before he took me in his arms and we began to move to the music. I could smell the aftershave. It felt so good to be so close to him. He was a terrific dancer and we moved with such ease. I caught Nathanael’s eye and he smiled and winked at me. Gina looked very pleased too.
After the dance was over, I was expecting him to lead me off the dance floor and back to my table but instead, we ended up outside of the ballroom. “I need to talk to you,” he said urgently. “We can talk on the walk out patio. Here, you can put on my jacket.” He took it off and helped me on with it. Then, holding my arm, he escorted me out on to the patio. We were completely alone and where we stood, no one could see us.
We faced each other. The night was clear and beautiful. I couldn’t believe that I was wearing his jacket and that we were out here alone together. My heart was pounding like crazy. “It has been a wonderful wedding, hasn’t it? I loved when they read their own vows and they looked so much in love when they danced their first dance and the food was to die for.” I was babbling because I was so nervous.
“Adah, is Troy your boyfriend?”
I shook my head at once. “No, he’s just a good friend. He’s more like a brother to me.”
He released his breath. “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that.”
I stared at him. “You’re relieved?” I asked. Why was he relieved that Troy wasn’t my boyfriend? Could it be…?
“Yes, I’m relieved because it means that you’re not seeing anyone.”
“I’m sorry that I made you think that I was.”
“When my wife, Joan died, I was devastated. She was my first love and my high-school sweetheart. Nathanael was our only child. After Joan died, I withdrew. I didn’t want to go out and socialize. I just wanted to be alone to grieve. I took some bereavement time off and went for grief counseling. It was hard going to church because Joan was in the church choir. I missed seeing her with them. She used to love to sing to the Lord. She had such a lovely voice. Family and friends told me that Joan would want me to move on–to be happy again but that seemed very unlikely until I met you. I was deeply attracted to you the moment I first saw you and it scared me. It scared me because you were young enough to be my daughter and you were dating my son. I tried to fight my attraction for you and when Nathanael told me he was going to marry you, I tried to be happy for him but it was so hard because by then I had fallen in love with you.
“I was so torn up over it that I asked God to help me to get over you but for the first time in my life I felt as if my prayers weren’t being answered. I didn’t know what else to do. Then, Nathanael and you announced that the wedding was off. Instead of being sorry, I was relieved. I wanted to get in touch with you and be there whenever you needed someone to talk to. And when Nathanael became involved with Gina, I wanted to see you and make sure that you were all right. I wanted to be your friend–a father figure if you preferred. I began to hope that in time you would come to care for me but when you told me that you had moved on with someone else and that your were bringing him to the wedding I was heartbroken.”
“Is that why you had to leave?”
“Yes. It was torture standing there talking to you and knowing that there wasn’t any hope for me.”
“You said that you were meeting a friend for dinner. Was the friend a woman?”
“No. It was Jim, an old buddy of mine.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “I was so afraid that it was a woman. That’s what stopped me from coming after you.”
“Why did you want to come after me?” he asked.
“I wanted to tell you that I hadn’t moved on with anyone and that my date was just a very good friend.”
“If you had done that I would have told you right there and then how I felt about you.”
“I didn’t think that you had feelings for me because of my age and my past relationship with Nathanael.”
“Adah, is there any hope for me?”
“So, you don’t want to be friends?”
“No. I want more,” he muttered. “Much, much more.”
I moved closer. “Me too.”
He reached up and cupped my face between his hands. “I love you, Adah,” he murmured huskily.
“I love you too, Mr. Eaton.”
“Call me Robert.”
“I love you, Robert.” I put my arms around his waist and closed my eyes when I felt his lips on mine.
We got engaged a couple of weeks later and married in May. It’s funny when I think about it. Things didn’t work between Nathanael and me for one very good reason–he wasn’t the Eaton man I was meant to spend the rest of my life with.
If two people are meant to be together, nothing can keep them apart – Sarah
There was a time when I didn’t believe that angels were real although I grew up in a Christian home. But something happened to me five years ago which changed my mind. It was on a Friday evening and I was on my way to my apartment. I took a shortcut through a street that was not very well lit. Soon, I regretted my decision when I passed a couple of guys and they whistled at me.
