Part 8 (1/2)
”The wedding is probably going to be postponed.”
”Why?”
”Elmo thinks Mallie Mae has Alzheimer's disease. He sent her to a specialist in Dallas.”
”So, that explains the limo this morning.”
”Yeah. They ran a bunch of tests on her.”
”And?”
”They're still waiting on some of the results, but the doctor believes that it is Alzheimer's.”
”But we were so close,” said Carnie.
”I know. What do you mean we?”
”You know, uh, we were so close to all being family. One big happy family.”
”Yeah, that's true. I'm sorry. I was just thinking about me.”
”That's okay. You'rethe bride. It's yourwedding.”
”But, now I don't know when it will happen. Elmo says there's no cure for Alzheimer's.”
”So, what's he gonna do? Wait until she dies?”
”Carnie!”
”I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. But you and Elmo deserve to be happy. Y'all shouldn't have to wait indefinitely.”
Carnie hated to see her sister so sad. But even more than that, she hated to wait longer for the money.
Chapter10.
The Tuesday morning sun on Greg's face sent mixed messages to his sleeping brain. The brightness urged him to wake up. But the warmth whispered 'dream on.' Like a mild summer day on a backyard swing.
He rolled over in bed to let the golden rays warm his back. Her sweet scent drew him near to her. He put his arm around her as he kissed her gently on the neck. She awoke with a lovely smile and rolled to her back. And even though she had not yet spoken, he knew what she wanted. As he began to make love to her, he heard something, but ignored it. In her arms, he could have ignored a tornado.
”Breakfast is ready.”
It was Beverly. Cynthia's mother was standing beside the bed looking at them, as though they were sitting on the couch watching TV.
”Beverly! Do you mind? We're trying to make love here!” said Greg.
”Now, Honey, don't you talk to my mother in that tone of voice!” said Cynthia.
Greg woke up. Is that what it would be like if Cynthia and he got married, and Beverly was living with them?
Of course, he was getting way ahead of himself. He loved Cynthia. But he had never told her. Why did it take so much courage to speak three simple words? Because she might not speak them back to him. But he would be brave. He would tell her tonight. Or maybe Wednesday night would be better. No, tonight.
Greg's part-time job as music minister at First Baptist Church required him to be at the church Tuesday through Friday mornings. Staff meetings were held on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM in the pastor's study.
Greg walked from his office, down the hallway to the pastoral suite. Anybody who wished to see the pastor had to go through Sadie Crumpet's office. She had been church secretary for over 25 years. Sadie was the glue that had held the church together through six pastors. At least, that was heropinion. She had plenty of opinions, and was not shy about sharing them.
Greg could hear Sadie talking on the phone in a confidential tone as he approached her office.
”Well, I knew all along he was gay...I knew he wouldn't get married. What's the use? Everybody knows. Why doesn't he just admit it?”
Greg thought, I am not gay. And how dare you gossip about me. Is this any way for a Christian to act? A church secretary?
He walked into her office and Sadie quickly ended her phone call.
”Is Pete already here?”
”Yes. Pete's here. The pastor's here. I'm here. We're just waiting for you, Greg.”
Not that Greg was late. Pete was just early. He was always early.
The pastor, Dr. J. Marshall Huff, would lead the group in a prayer. They went over the list of prayer requests.
Dr. Huff said, ”I got a call from Dr. Elmo Mobley this morning. He asked that we pray for his mother. He got the results of her tests this morning, and it's not good. She has Alzheimer's.”
”What about the wedding? I've got extra custodial staff lined up to work Friday night,” said Pete Termins. Pete was the volunteer chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. He had been a life insurance salesman until a year earlier, when he retired at the age of 65. All of his energy, pus.h.i.+ness, and can-do att.i.tude had been redirected to his work for the church. He was annoying at times, but you had to admire his dependability and determination to get the job done, and get it done right.
Sadie said, ”The wedding has been cancelled.”
”Postponed,” said the pastor.
”They'll never get married. And if they do, it won't last,” she said.
”Now, I'm sure this is just a temporary setback,” said the pastor.
”He's 56 years old. Never been married. He's gay,” she said.
”Let just move on,” said Dr. Huff. He would have fired Sadie if he thought he could get away with it. She was always blunt, and always said too much. But she had too many friends whose husbands were deacons. Any attempt to force her out would end badly for him.
Greg felt better. Sadie's phone conversation had been about Dr. Mobley-not him.
Greg said, ”Who are the Mobleys? Are they members?”
Dr. Huff said, ”Yes. But they rarely attend.”
”Only on Easter,” said Sadie.