A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding

by Cindy K. Green

  “Can I help you with something, Kari?” asked Judith.

  “Maybe,” replied Kari with a deep sigh.

  “Is something troubling you?”

  “I’ve just been thinking that I really enjoyed working on the charity benefit, and I thought maybe there was something more I could do here around the church.”

  “Well, it is interesting that you ask because there is something. We’re starting another Thursday night teen girl’s Bible study, and we need someone to lead it. The current class is just getting too large. So, we want to start a second one. Do you think you could handle that?”

  “A teen Bible study? I would lead it…all by myself?”

  Mrs. Elton smiled and nodded. “It could be something you’ll really enjoy. It’s a small group of eight. The girls are all really sweet, and I think they’ll like you too. They aren’t a troublesome group. They just need some guidance.”

  It was no mistake that this had come along. God wanted her to serve Him and here was her chance. “All right, Mrs. Elton, I’ll take it on.”

  “Great. I’ll get the phone numbers for the girls in the group, and you can set up a time and place for the Bible study. I’m really glad you asked, Kari, because I have had a real burden on my heart to find a leader for these girls. I would have taken it on myself if I didn’t already have a group of my own on Thursdays.”

  “I certainly hope I can handle it.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  ****

  Mrs. Elton had been right. The study was going very well. After only two weeks Kari was really beginning to love these girls. They were young thirteen and fourteen year olds, but they were genuinely sweet and accepting of Kari, which was exactly what she needed.

  Even with the added responsibility of the Bible study, she still had time to think about what she didn’t want to think about. Most of the time, it happened at night just when she was trying to get to sleep. She would lie in her bed, close her eyes and Randy’s face would pop into her mind. She’d toss and turn, and then there he would be again. She could hear his words too, ‘Will you be right for anyone, Kari…Even if you won’t let me in, you must let in God.’

  One night after going through this regiment, she sat up in bed and yelled out at him, “Just leave me alone, leave me alone.” Then she threw herself back down on the bed, covered her head with her pillow and concentrated on the Bible verses she was having her study group memorize until she finally fell into a fitful sleep.

  ****

  When her birthday came around, Kari was finally thankful she didn’t have any family to force her into a party. She remained resolute in not wanting any contact with her friends. Emily threatened to come over there and induce her to celebrate her birthday, but Kari warned her she better not even try. Emily gave in and left her alone.

  Even though she didn’t come to celebrate, Emily did send her a gift. It was a ceramic bell with her birth flower etched into the background and her birthstone in the handle. Kari disliked the November birthstone, that yellowish-orange topaz. The bell, though, was actually quite beautiful with the chrysanthemum imprinted on the front. She turned it around to the back to see written in yellow print: “This flower stands for cheerfulness, optimism and truth.” Now Kari understood why Emily had sent the bell. It had a message, and the message had been received. She didn’t dismiss the gift. Placing it on her nightstand, she admired it from the doorway. It was a beautiful piece. After picking up her satchel, she took off for her morning class.

  When she returned to the dorm later that afternoon, the senior on duty at the front desk caught her attention. “You had a delivery this afternoon, Kari.”

  Kari walked over to the desk, wondering what it could possible be. She wasn’t expecting any other packages. The girl pulled out a large box onto the counter.

  “Thanks,” said Kari as she picked up the box. It wasn’t heavy just bulky. She heaved it over to the stairway, then lumbered up the stairs and into her room with it.

  After placing it on her sitting room coffee table, she examined the address label. There was no return address, only her own. She opened the box with trepidation, still questioning who had sent it. She removed a wrapped object. Pulling the paper away, it revealed a clock—the same clock she had seen on Randy’s living room mantle. It must be from him. She just couldn’t figure out why he would send her such a valued gift. It defied logical explanation. She wasn’t even talking to him and here he sent her one of his most precious family heirlooms. His namesake as he called it. She studied the face of the clock to see imprinted on the elaborate vine pattern the words ‘Seth Thomas’ and under it in smaller print ‘Randolph’. She wanted to cuddle the clock in her arms like a newborn baby. It was precious. It was just a clock, yet it meant so much. She knew she shouldn’t keep it. It was so valuable to him and not in a monetary sense. She couldn’t send it back. She wanted to keep it; she needed to keep it.

  At nine o’clock, a knock sounded on her door. “Yes?” Kari called out.

  “It’s just me, Alice Steele.”

  Kari cringed inside. She hadn’t been too friendly to Alice lately. Whenever they were in the same room and Alice looked like she was going to come over and talk to her, Kari made some excuse to leave. She didn’t want Alice to ask the questions she wasn’t ready to answer. Even more she didn’t want to tempt herself into asking the questions she wanted to know about Randy.

  In a pleasant voice, she called back to Alice, “Come on in.”

  Alice stepped into the room holding a cupcake with a lit candle sticking out of the gooey chocolate frosting. She looked at Kari and smiled as she closed the door quietly. “It’s your favorite, chocolate. I knew you probably didn’t want everyone to know it was your birthday since you seemed to be keeping it a secret, but I had to come and tell you ‘Happy Birthday’ myself.”

  Kari motioned for her to come join her on the couch. Alice took a seat and handed the cupcake to Kari who took the treat and blew out the candle. “Thanks, Alice. I do appreciate the thought. I just haven’t wanted to celebrate just now, but thanks. I could ask you how you knew, but I think I already know.”

  With a tiny smile in the corner of her mouth, Alice nodded at her. “Yes, Randy mentioned it to me. He said he was sending you a present. I never did find out what.” Looking past the box and paper on the table in front of them, she spotted the clock. She reached out and picked it up. Then she turned to focus her eyes on Kari. “He sent you his Randolph clock?”

  “It seems so.”

  “I can’t believe…I mean he would never…Kari, do you know how much he treasures this clock?”

  “I’ve only been to his house the one time, but he told me later about the history of the clock.”

  “Yes, it has family history and belonged to Grandmother Ferris. But more than that, it represented his independence.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Randy knew when Grandmother died he would get the clock. She had always told him so. But what he didn’t know was that he would also inherit the trust fund my grandparents set up for him. When he got that money, he was able to do as he pleased.”

  “And what did he do?”

  “You know what he did. He went on and got his Doctorate of Divinity degree and took a job as a youth pastor at a small church because that is what he believed God had called him to do.”

  “With all that money, that’s what he did?”

  “Yes, actually I don’t know if he has spent any of it except in charitable ways. He still drives an old clunker car and everything. I don’t know that I’ll have the control he’s had.”

  “I can’t believe…and this clock, it means a lot to him?”

  “A lot. If he gave it to you it means…well…I don’t know what he meant by it but I have my suspicions.”

  “Don’t say anymore, Alice. Thanks for the cupcake, but I really need to get back to my work.”

  “Well, Happy Birthday, Kari.” She leaned over and gave her a hug befo
re leaving.

  Kari moved over to the clock and caressed the cherry wood finish. She pulled the rest of the wrapping paper from the box and an envelope fell onto her lap. She picked it up and silently read her name on the front. Taking it back to her desk, she sat there for a couple minutes just staring at it. She tapped it on the desktop and then nervously stroked the flap before finally ripping it open.

  She had cut herself off from Randy on purpose. She couldn’t handle being near him. It was just too hard. Throughout the three weeks that had gone by she had wanted to see him, talk to him, or just read his words. So, in tearing open the birthday card, she was feeling like most kids did on their birthday when they waited with bated breath for the unexpected surprise.

  Dear Kari,

  Let me start by saying, Happy Birthday. I hope it is a happy day for you. Now try to enjoy this last year of your twenties. Yes, Emily let it slip. How have you been? It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you. I’ve missed you and our talks. I worry about how you’re doing. Please take care of yourself and when you have the chance come by and see all of us here at Grace.

  I have a favorite poet, and I thought I’d end with one of his poems. Consider it your birthday poem. After Lord Byron met a woman at a party, he came home and wrote the poem, “She Walks in Beauty.”

  Kari stopped for a moment and with her hand wiped away the solitary tear that had slipped down past her nose. She was touched by his words. They were so normal and piqued with worry and care. He didn’t tell her “hey you’re being selfish and stupid.” No, instead, he expressed that he thought and worried about her. She looked back down at his note and started to read the poem.

  She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies;

  But it was when she came to the end that she realized why he had sent her the poem.

  And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, so soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, but tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, a heart whose love is innocent!

  A mind at peace , she read again. She had been trying to distance herself from Randy. But she just had to ask herself why. In the few moments she had allowed herself to listen to his words, she was encouraged again. She wanted so much to call him and thank him but she just couldn’t.

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Hey, little sis, what are you up to?” asked Randy while holding the phone receiver to his ear. He tried to sound calm and carefree as if this was just any other phone call.

  “Am I glad to hear from you. I feel neglected. You haven’t called in ages.”

  “I think it’s been a week.” His voice confirmed his sarcasm.

  “Well, that’s like an age for you.”

  “I actually had a reason for calling.”

  “You want to know if Kari got your gift.”

  Randy remained silent for a moment, his heart thumping rapidly in his chest. “She got it, huh?” His voice was low, trying to sound more composed than he felt inside.

  “She sure did. Nice job sending her your clock. I think it made an impact on her.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure. I stopped by her room the night of her birthday and saw it. I told her a little bit more about Grandma and your money.”

  “You told her about the money?” His voice rose an octave, irritation inherent in his tone.

  “Why not? Was it a secret?”

  “No.” He paused for a moment. I guess it doesn’t really matter.”

  “So, what happened between you guys anyway? You never did tell me and Kari hasn’t been all that forthcoming lately.”

  “Nothing happened,” he snapped at his sister. He stopped and closed his eyes for a second as he gained his composure. “Look,” his voice was soft this time, “the real reason I called was to tell you I’m going to stay with Mom and Dad for a little while.”

  “What?” answered Alice. “You can’t be serious. The only time you ever see them is on Christmas and Easter and then you just try to get them to go to church.”

  “I know. I just feel like going home.”

  “All right, Randy. Well, I have to get going. I have a major paper due and the library is calling me.”

  “Okay, I just wanted you to know where I was.”

  “So, do you want me to pass this info on to someone I know?”

  “No,” Randy said a bit harshly. “I mean no.” He lowered his voice again. “I’ve got to go.”

  “All right big brother. Tell Mom and Dad hi for me.”

  Randy hung up the phone attached to his kitchen wall and walked toward the dining room, brushing his fingers through his dark, thick hair. Finding a chair, he took a seat and folded his hands on the table. His eyes looked about the room restlessly. He leaned back in the chair and placed his hand on the back of his neck as he twisted his head back and forth, trying to work out the kink. Pushing up from the table, he got up again and walked out to the living room.

  Looking outside, he glimpsed the sky darkening and wrapping the world up into the warm colors of an autumn sunset. Grabbing a jacket, he stepped outdoors, letting the screen door slam behind him. He zipped up his jacket and walked around the fallen leaves with his hands in his pockets. Kicking a pile of leaves, he looked at the church in front of him.

  Why do I feel this way, God? I don’t want to feel like this. I thought being in love was supposed to be the most wonderful feeling in the world, not this. I love her, Lord. I think she could love me too if she’d let herself. What am I supposed to do? Do I just try to forget her and move on with my life? I can’t imagine my life without her now. Lord, show me the way.

  He fell to his knees and continued praying to his Lord and God hoping to find an answer and solace to his hurting soul.

  Randy had made a decision the day before. He was going to take a week off and go home to Sackets Harbor to try to forget Kari Montgomery. He also wanted to resolve things with his parents. It had been gnawing at him more than usual over the last few months. His talks with Kari about her relationships had reminded him about his own. It was time and he should be the one to make amends with them. It was the only way he was going to make a difference and win his parents to the Lord.

  After talking to Alice, he was shaken all over again. His decision to forget Kari was far, far away. He was confused and just didn’t know what he should do. A couple weeks ago, he had considered going to see her at the college but he decided it would be best to wait. Then as time went on and he still hadn’t heard from her, he started to lose all hope of ever hearing from her again. Kari had made it plain she didn’t care for him in the same way he felt about her. I just need time to forget her and to let go of these pointless feelings. I’m just not sure if I even know how.

  ****

  Kari sat in one of her church’s second floor classrooms with a roomful of junior high girls as they laughed loudly. Their laughter was refreshing as she gazed out at their bright, earnest faces.

  “Okay, girls, that’s enough. Let’s get serious now.”

  “It’s your fault, Kari,” said a tall, slim girl named Danielle. “If you’re going to tell us these stories, you can’t get mad when we laugh.”

  “All right, all right. I’m glad you find my life so amusing,” said Kari with a smirk on her face. “Now to get back to the topic at hand. We were discussing the difference between dating and courtship. My previous teenage experiences aside,” she smiled at the group again, “what do you think?”

  “Well, I don’t really think kids today know what courtship is.”

  “That’s a fair assumption, Sarah,” said Kari. “Does everyone else agree?”

  “Sure,” said a girl in the corner who wore dark colors and multiple earrings. “I mean, courtship is such an ancient term. I feel like I’ve only heard it in old movies.”

  “Okay, Desiree, what is court
ship compared to dating?” asked Kari.

  The girl shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe courtship is what comes right before marriage.”

  Kari raised her eyebrows playfully nodding her head, “That’s exactly right. Dating is a way for members of the opposite sex to get to know one another. Courtship is what we do right before marriage. In the old days, the gentleman would ask for permission to court a certain lady. That didn’t mean can I date your daughter. It meant I intend to marry your daughter.”

  “So, does that mean dating doesn’t necessarily mean I want to marry you?”

  “Exactly, Jennifer,” replied Kari. “Sometimes dating is just a time for two people to get to know one another and be friends. It doesn’t necessarily have romantic overtones.”

  “So when we date, one day, we should be careful to know when this is just a date, friends going out, and courtship, something more serious,” said Desiree from her corner.

  “Yes and that is why we have certain rules in place with teenage dating especially. You don’t want to blow it with some guy you may not even know in six months to a year. What are some of the rules your parents have in place now when it comes to boys?”

  “I’m not allowed to have boys in my bedroom,” Jennifer spoke up again.

  “Why do you think that is?” asked Kari.

  Jennifer looked at her with serious eyes, concentrating on her answer. “I think it is really just so that we don’t even have the appearance of doing the wrong thing.”

  That’s true,” said Kari. “Initially, you will have guy friends and you might question why your parents won’t let them come in your room when you are just friends. But there is the chance that feelings might build, making you or him interested in becoming more than friends, then you need to be accountable to each other. One of those ways is not allowing those opportunities to arise.” Kari looked at the clock across the room and smiled at all her girls. “Well, it looks like our time is up again. Next week we will talk about ‘Who to Date.’ I have a handout here with verses from Proverbs. Look those up and write down some ideas on what it is saying about who to date.”