Page 52 of The Beachgoers
Which is what Lauren’s mother seems to be trying to do—get Lauren to walk out the door to Kyle.
“Listen.” Her mother’s voice is firm now. “Nobody knows what happened. Nobody knows you broke up with Kyle for Neil. Just me and Dad know. And Kyle. Jason might, too, I suppose. But nobodyelseknows, so don’t worry about facing the guests.”
“Oh, Mom. Do you really think this is right?”
“Yes, I do. Now more than ever, it’s right.” Her mother takes Lauren by the shoulders. “You’restrong, Lauren. And youdolove Kyle. That love didn’t go away.”
“Maybe.” Lauren closes her eyes with a long, shaky breath. “Sometimes I just don’t know,” she says as another tear escapes down her cheek. “Don’t know what’s right, what isn’t.”
As she says it, there’s a sudden knock on the door. A second later, it slowly opens a crack and a man pokes his head in. “Lauren?”
“Dad.” She holds a hand to her heart and glances past him into the church.
“It’s time,” he tells her.
* * *
Which means she’soutof time.
So Lauren does it. She seems to summon the strength—the grit—to face what’s on the other side of that door. To face the one hundred twenty guests sitting in wooden pews in a church with the stained-glass windows tilted open this September Saturday. A September Saturday with rose floral arrangements set at the altar. With white sashes strung on the ends of the pews.
Her father stands in the tiny room’s doorway and extends his hand.
“Lauren. Wait,” her mother says. She hurries to her daughter and lifts the veil to cover her face. Giving her a hug then, she whispers that she loves her, then leaves to be escorted to her pew by a groomsman.
* * *
As Lauren picks up her bouquet and moves to the doorway, she waits while her bridesmaids and groomsmen pair up for the bridal procession. She notices, too, as Kyle’s best man is pushed in a wheelchair to the end of the procession line.
“Jason!” Lauren whispers as she hurries to him in the vestibule. He’s wearing a formal tux, with the left leg’s fabric cut short and hemmed to accommodate his recent amputation. That leg is bandaged still and is prone on an amputee board attached to the wheelchair. Jason’s freshly scarred face, though clean-shaven, looks gaunt. His wavy hair is brushed back and touches his suit collar. And his eyes? They’re dark. “Oh, Jason,” she says again while bending and giving him a hug. Her veil billows around that hug as she whispers in his ear, “I’m so glad you made it.”
“Lauren,” he says, hugging her back the best he can.
“Do you need anything? You’re okay?” she asks, straightening and lightly touching his face.
“Hey, it’syourday today,” he insists while the church organ softly plays. “And you look beautiful.”
She only nods, her eyes moist as she then looks up at the man behind the wheelchair. He’s dressed in a black suit and standing in perfect military posture. “Mr. Barlow. Thank you for coming. It means everything to me and Kyle that Jason’s here with us.”
“Of course,” the man says, briefly clasping Lauren’s hand. “Wishing you the best, sweetheart.”
“Dad.” Jason turns and looks up at his father. “Let’s go. We’re next,” he tells him, motioning to the last bridesmaid and groomsman walking down the aisle.
As Jason’s father wheels him into position to join the processional walk, Lauren loops arms with her father behind them. She watches Mr. Barlow slightly bend as he holds the chair’s handgrips. Sees the chair’s wheels turning as he slowly pushes his son to the altar. Carefully, he sets the chair in a position beside the groom there.
Beside Kyle, who’s shaking Jason’s hand and clasping his shoulder now.
Now, as theWedding Marchbegins.
As the guests all rise.
As Lauren and her father take one step after the other and slowly walk down the aisle.
* * *
The brown wooden pews are filled with family and friends. Family and friends wearing suits and dresses. People turn to watch her, smiling, ready to celebrate this union. Up ahead, a large crucifix hangs on the wall behind the altar. The depiction of the suffering Christ nailed to that cross is tempered by the white-rose floral arrangement on a table beneath it. Above the crucifix, there is a round stained-glass window. In its center is a white mosaic dove.
A dove.
