The Perfect Spouse Read online

  “But what happened to your goddaughter?” Jason asked worriedly.

  Steve placed his head in his heads and his shoulders shook. The three men were silent until he was able to speak again.

  “She was one that died. Her parents could not accept reality and finally got a divorce. That upset me because I knew how much they loved each other. I’m hoping they’ll get help and come together again.”

  “I can understand why you needed the R & R,” Jason said. “Not only because of the heartache concerning the young people but of your precious goddaughter and your friends. I’m so glad you came to us.”

  The men joined hands and Jason prayed before they broke up for the night.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Beth became more excited as the day of her wedding drew closer. She babbled about plans all of the time. Her friends first smiled about it, but they began to dodge her or look as if they smelled something bad when she talked on and on.

  One day, in the office, she asked Jason to sit and talk to her a few minutes. All four of them sat to talk and were pleased when Franklin happened in.

  “Jason, I’m hysterically happy that you’re singing. I need to go over some song selections with you. Don’t hesitate to say something if you don’t agree with me or have a better suggestion.”

  “Okay. You all heard her. Let’s talk about this now.”

  “Mrs. Kerr has agreed to play the organ and my nephew, Brian, will play the violin. While people are being seated, I would like you to sing “Because He Lives”. Do you know that one?”

  “Know it and love it.”

  “The musicians will play a couple of selections. As the groom and the groomsmen come into the room, I’d like you to sing ’When The Stars Go Blue”. Then as the bridesmaids and ushers walk down the aisle, I would like you to sing, “Love Me Tender”. I know that isn’t sung in church, but I’d like it.”

  “It’s your wedding. We’ll do, within reason, whatever you like.”

  “What do you mean, within reason?”

  “Well, I refuse to sing in the nude.”

  They all laughed and Beth blushed, but continued. “As I come down the aisle, I want you to sing, “Isn’t She Lovely.” As I approach Darrell I want you to sing, “Wind Beneath My Wings”. As we light the trinity candle, I would like you to sing, “In The Name Of The Father”. As we leave the altar and walk out, I want you to sing, “My Love Is Longer Than Forever”.” Are all of those okay?”

  “If they’re okay with you, I’m satisfied,” Jason smiled at her.

  “Oh, what a relief. Grace, would you please sit on the side with my parents?”

  “What an honor. Yes, of course I’ll be part of your family.”

  “And Greg, you’re going to be an usher aren’t you, please?”

  “Wild horses couldn’t drag me away. I would be insulted if you didn’t include me.”

  “Franklin, what can we have you do?”

  “I’ll sit by Grace and by then we’ll have a secret of our own to share with all of you.” He smiled and hugged Grace. She ducked her head, smacked her open hand against his chest and went to her desk.

  Beth was so excited that she didn’t take in what Franklin had said. “While we’re dancing after the reception, I want the musicians to play, and if you want to, Jason, sing. You don’t have to, but it would be nice. I want them to play, “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “One Boy One Girl” and “Unforgettable”. Do you think those are all right?”

  “My dear, you will be such a beautiful bride that no one will pay attention to anything else. How are your wedding planners coming along?”

  “They have the white satin runner for me to walk on and they’re placing big white satin ribbons at the end of each pew with two white flowers crossed on the bow. I’ll be carrying a white Bible with Cannalilies and white roses on it. My gown is so beautiful. It’s white silk with a V neck puffed shoulders. The sleeves are short but my white gloves will come to the elbow. I can wear white, you know because I’m a v --- oh, well, you know. The gown fits to the waist and the skirt part is full. Rebecca found a diamond-looking tiara with a comb on it to hold my four feet long veil on.”

  Jason was interested and wanted Beth to be pleased with her wedding, but he didn’t know what to say.

  She went on. “One of the girls found a wonderful item for me to leave a favor at each plate. It is a beautiful light blue tin box full of mints and on it is written Mint to be together, Darrell and Beth, June 20, 2010.

  They have big golden bells with white ribbons on then to hang around the room and a bubble machine to blow bubbles while we dance.” She danced around excitedly. Greg smiled, shook his head, and went back to work.

  “The groom will be wearing a light blue tux with a gold cummerbund. The groomsmen will be dressed like him. My matron of honor is wearing a light blue gown with gold accessories and carrying a big bouquet of a variety of roses. My bridesmaids will wear pale green with wrist corsages.

  The ushers will, of course, wear black tux. Have I left out anything?”

  Greg scooted his chair back and grinned at her. “What are you going to feed us?”

  “That’s easy. The Tasty Tid Bit Caterers are taking care of that.” She flounced over and sat down preparing to work.

  * * * * *

  May had a lot of scattered showers. “I know April showers bring May flowers, but what do May showers bring?” Nigel grinned as he shook his umbrella off and left it open inside The Perfect Spouse.

  “Mud and spring codes,” Annalea Porter said as she hurried by and sneezed. “Excuse me, but I’ve got a code.”

  “Oh, you shouldn’t be out,” Linda Sterling told her as she handed Annalea a box of tissues from a nearby table.

  “I had to come. I promised someone a favor,” she smiled tightly and hurried off.

  Several people had entered at the same time and umbrellas were blooming all over the floor inside the door. Jason and Nigel walked to the front of the room to join Gary, Steve, Curtis and Mark at the refreshment table.

  Gary drank deeply of the punch, grinned and wiped his mouth with his sleeve as a kid might do. “I almost didn’t come out, but now I’m glad I did.”

  “Why are you glad?” Mark asked him.

  “The gossip. I heard some juicy gossip as soon as I got here.”

  “For shame,” Jason teased him. “You know some gossip and you’re not sharing it?”

  “Well, you’ll be as surprised as I was. It seems that Detective Boggs has not only come often, but he’s attracted to Rebecca Glover -- and -- surprise, surprise, she’s returning his interest. And, Jason, William Penta has been squiring your old girl, Dorothy Cornett around. Charles Goodman and Linda Sterling are making a twosome and ---”

  “Whoa,” Jason butted in. “You’re sounding like some old granny gossip. I never knew you were so interested in others love affairs and spreading the news.”

  “Oh, I don’t care about their love affairs. All of you know I’m not interested. I just think it’s funny. We went for several months with no interest in the opposite sex and now, all of a sudden, couples are springing up like spring flowers,” he laughed.

  During the evening Jason was surprised at the number of new members. He didn’t get to meet all of them, but did remember the names of Cole Berring, Tiffany Trump, Kristi Wheedon, Angelica Ramirez and Alicia Harmon. He left quietly and went on home.

  Jason had contacted a good friend of his in Lynchburg and asked him to send his furniture that had been stored. He had left money with his friend with instructions to let him know if more money was needed. The furniture would arrive next week and he knew he’d be busy getting his house organized.

  Jason had causally mentioned to his friends that his furniture would be arriving the next Friday afternoon. He was pleased and surprised to find Gary, Nigel, Steve, Greg and Jacob waiting to help any way that they could.

  He had previously had the house cleaned and the floors polished. Later he might want to get c
arpets, but the beautiful wood suited him now.

  The men made short work of putting two bedrooms, the dining room and living room together. The kitchen was only partially furnished and the third bedroom would, for the present, be made into an office for him.

  He had purchased a barbeque grill. It was set up outside and the men had planned on cooking hamburgers, baked potatoes and Nigel had furnished a salad. There were soft drinks and cake. It was late when everyone left Jason in his new home. He walked around the rooms, loving the house and wishing his mother and grandparents could see what he had done with his life. He felt their loving presence and went to bed thankful for such good friends.

  The last week in May, Jason hired a young man named Richard Corwin. Beth was pleased that he came to work in time for her to help train him. She did not work the week before her wedding and planned to not return until after the fourth of July. Richard informed them that he would like to be called Richey and he settled in well.

  Grace had asked if she could have the Thursday and Friday off before Beth’s wedding on Saturday. Jason thought it had something to do with Beth’s wedding and told her they’d get along.

  Saturday morning Beth was a wreck. Her nerves were on end. She hadn’t seen Darrell but a few minutes alone at the dinner the night before.

  His parents had taken everyone to the hotel for a scrumptious meal.

  While Beth and her attendants were getting ready, Grace slipped into the back room of the church to speak to them. Beth ran, half dressed, to hug Grace and thank her for being part of her family.

  “Well, my darling girl, you now have an addition to that extended family.” Grace held up her left hand and showed a sparkling diamond ring and a wedding band.

  “Grace! You got married and didn’t let any of us know. You’re ours and we would all have loved to be there for you. When? How? What? Who?”

  “Jason went with us, at Franklin’s request. We went to the courthouse and were married by a judge on Thursday morning. We took a short overnight trip, but will take a longer one later. We felt that at our age, and the fact that we’d both been married, didn’t call for a lot of publicity. We’re happy.”

  “Oh, Grace,” Beth was shedding tears. “I feel badly that I wasn’t there for you. You know how much I love you. Didn’t you tell Greg or Richey?”

  “No. Only Jason. Now wipe the tears from that lovely face and get to your own delightful wedding. I, or rather we are, so happy for you and pray for the best for you and Darrell.”

  Grace slipped out while the young women helped Beth repair her makeup and finish dressing. Beth’s wedding was beautiful and Jason’s voice lent a joy to the occasion. At the reception Beth and Darrell danced the first dance with bubbles floating all about them. Beth danced with Darrell’s father while Darrell danced with Beth’s mother. Then Beth ran to get Jason and loudly proclaimed, “Folks, this man is not a blood relation, but I love him almost as much as I do my brothers and my father. He’s the best boss ever.”

  The crowd cheered and laughed as they danced jazz.

  * * * * *

  The days following Beth’s wedding seemed almost dull. There was plenty of work for Jason and his crew. He and his buddies attended a few of the get togethers at the Perfect Spouse, but he just didn’t enjoy it as he had. He was only happy in his own home.

  During the last week of June, Jason decided to have an open house. He asked the Tasty Tid Bits Caterers to prepare refreshments for him. They had delicious finger sandwiches and desserts. A punch was burbling all the time from a fountain pouring into a large bowl.

  Jason had invited the neighbors with whom he had become acquainted. His staff, some people from the dating agency and people from church were included.

  The neighbor, across the street from him, was a twenty year old widow. Her husband had been killed as soon as he was shipped overseas and he never knew they were expecting their first baby. Eight months after his death she gave birth to a little boy. Jason felt admiration for Roberta Grondin and her determination to make her life worth while for herself and her tiny boy.

  His house was crowded with laughing, happy people, some meeting each other for the first time and some greeting old friends. Jason smiled to himself when he looked around at the couples. Monroe Boggs and Rebecca Glover, Dottie Cornett and William Penta, Alicia Harman and Nigel Scovell, Grace and Franklin. He was pleased to see Richard Corwin was paying a lot of attention to Roberta. And he had invited Tony and Betty Dixon to see his new house and meet his friends. It seems that Gary and I are the only two of our crowd who hasn’t found someone. I almost forgot Steve, but he says he is leaving us and won’t be living here.

  People were stopping Jason on the street complimenting him on his home and his party. He went out to eat and never ended up alone. Someone was always sitting at his table to talk.

  Back in his office, Jason leaned back in his chair and smiled to himself. What a good move he made to the Village of Fayette. It truly was a peaceful village and had lots of great people.

  He frowned thinking of Margaret Archer. There were no new developments on her death and Gary had not received any more threatening phone calls.

  He slapped his open hand on the top of his desk and opened a folder to start working.

  On the last day of June, Jason had a call at home. It was a tearful Greg.

  “Jason, mother went peacefully in her sleep last night. I have to be out a few days to take care of personal business.”

  “I understand, Greg. Please let me know if you need anything or if I can do anything.”

  “Mother had planned her funeral, but she didn’t want a lot of fanfare. She just wanted a few Bible verses, some songs and the usual items that are read about a person.”

  “Will you need pall-bearers?”

  “No. Thank you, Greg, but mother even took care of that. She had it all planned. No flowers. Any donations are to be given to Friendly Arms nursing home for the elderly.”

  “Greg, I repeat. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Let us know about the funeral.”

  “There’ll be a viewing tomorrow night and the burial will be the next day.”

  “I don’t expect to see you for at least a week, Greg. Take care, my friend. We will be at the funeral.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The Village went all out for a fourth of July parade, family picnics in the park, band concerts in the park gazebo and the usual boring political speeches.

  The Normal Memorial Library had invited people in to see their renovations and to sign for a library card. Business places had sent flowers and good wishes. Jason sent a potted Elegant Twist Bamboo for the front area and a gorgeous Double Pink Azalea that could be enjoyed inside and then planted out front.

  Beth returned on the fifth of July, giddy and full of stories about where they had been and what they had seen. She was busy settling in the home that she and Darrell had bought. Darrell’s father had paid the down payment on the house as a wedding present. There was loads of furniture from both sets of parents that had been in the families for years. There was little Beth had to buy for her house. Jason was amazed that she was so thrilled with the antique furniture.

  Greg was back and Jason secretly thought he looked more rested and more at ease. The four of them were kept surprisingly busy. Jason began to think he needed to hire an additional person because the work was coming in as if he had wished on a magic ring.

  Finally in the first week of August Jason was able to drop in at the Perfect Spouse. There were not many people present. He was delighted to meet a new member, a Greek young woman by the name of Zohra Demopoulos. He joked with her that she was named after Zorro. She said he was very clever, and, she added ducking her head, very handsome.

  Jason’s crew stayed so busy he remarked that it was almost as bad as being during tax time. He was shocked and pleased. He hadn’t been open a full year and was now contemplating hiring a fourth worker.

  The last week in August Beth
breezed in so thrilled and filled with happiness that all of them thought she might be expecting. “No!” she stated emphatically. “I just wanted to show you what my plans and hard work have done.” She held up a college diploma stating that Elizabeth Mitchell Carson had gotten her degree with honors. Jason made arrangements for all of them, Darrell included, to have supper at the hotel one night and celebrate with Beth.

  August rolled into September with little temperature changes. The nights were cooler, but flowers were blooming every where one looked and birds of all kinds were winging through the village singing their songs of joy.

  * * * * *

  Steve began to talk again about returning to Texas. His family and co-workers were anxious about him. He had made such close friends that he hated to leave.

  One chilly night, Jason, Nigel, Gary and Steve had supper at Jason’s house and then decided to take a walk. They were subdued because Steve wasn’t really happy about leaving and they hated to see him go. The four young men had formed a close group.

  They walked down Main Street and as they passed the alley between the hardware store and the restaurant, Gary caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. He looked into the alley and yelled, “Hey, there.” He took off running down the alley with it getting darker as he went into it.

  The other three took off after him, but Steve quickly passed him and tackled the man that Gary had seen. The man began to threaten and bluster, but Steve and Gary held on. Jason took in a quick breath thinking he recognized the voice.