by Dee Dawning
Her heart jumped into her throat when Sue waved for her to come and called her name, "Sister Laurel." Shaking like a leaf in a stiff breeze, she stood and looked at the audience.
A million butterflies seemed to take flight in her stomach as she saw him, leaning against a wall in the back of the chapel. He was in a tuxedo and looked so handsome. What on Earth, is he doing here? As their gazes met, he hitched his head and smiled. Goose bumps ran up her arms to her neck and she thought she might swoon again.
She partially smiled back. You can do this! She kept repeating to herself as she turned back to Sue. She took a step and her legs had turned to rubber. She took another step and they turned to Jell-O.
Sue came to her and lent support. "Are you sure?" She pressed her.
They took a step. "I think so."
Then another step. "That's not good enough. Are you sure?"
We stood by the cushion. "When I kneel, Jesus will come and tell me."
"And if he doesn't?"
"He will."
As she knelt, Father Christopher spoke, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness the fulfillment of the contract between our Lord Jesus and our Sister Laurel, which commenced three years ago to the day. She is here to recite her permanent vows and become as one with our Lord." Father Christopher looked down on her and dipped his head. "Sister, you may begin."
She'd been waiting for word, a sign, anything, but nothing came. Jesus what should I do?
"Sister it is time."
"I know father." She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. Please Jesus, give me your sign.
Sister Sue eased up as close as she could get and spoke through her fixed smile as a ventriloquist might. "Sister Laurel, people are waiting."
Jesus please, people are waiting.
"Sister," Urged Sue.
Jesus if you love me. If you want me. You will let me know.
"Sister we can't wait forever. Say your vows." Pressed Father Christopher.
She stood and stared at him. "I'm sorry, but I can't. I love Jesus, but I love a mortal too."
She smiled when her sister yelled, "Speak up. We can't hear you."
Another said, "Yes, speak up."
She was elated. Jesus had given her a sign. He freed her. She turned. "All right. I will speak up. I want the world to know." She ran toward Julian bellowing, "I love Julian Peters," and he ran toward her. As they met beside the row where her sister and brother-in-law sat, they embraced and kissed. She saw a bright flash of light and fell.
"Augh" She shook her head to the distasteful odor of ammonia. "What is that crap."
She looked up and saw Tess smiling. "Smelling salts."
Music filtered down to her ears. It sounded like the 'Wedding March'. "What's that music?"
Mother Superior had joy in her eyes. "It's Plan B."
"Plan B?"
Teresa raised her a little and she noticed she wore a different dress. "What did you put on me?"
Sister Sue rose and pulled on her arm. Sister Tess followed. "It was my wedding dress, but now it's your wedding dress, you lucky girl."
She noticed black men's shoes and trousers. She glanced up and Dad smiled down on her holding a wedding bouquet. She gazed toward the pulpit where another group of people stood. Father Christopher, Sister's Celeste and Juanita all waved their hands for her to come up. In between stood an angel in a tuxedo—Julian. He wore a boutonnière on his lapel and that mysterious smile on his handsome face that beguiled her a month ago in the Java Joint.
Tess whispered in her ear. "We need to hurry. Your perfect man is waiting."
With newfound resolve she flung off their helping hands, rose and looked Daddy in the eye. "Are you in on this?"
"I'm afraid so."
She spun around looking at all the expectant faces. Jessie flashed thumbs up. Sarah, through her a kiss. John, with his arm around a smiling Juliet, winked and Agnes Goodbody stood nearby shooing her toward the dais while Teresa and Seth slipped away to join Julian.
She wrapped her arm around his. "You know Dad, I have the best family and friends in the world."
"Yes, you do."
"It would be a shame to disappoint them all, don't you think?"
"Yes, it would."
She kissed him on the cheek. "Then lead the way."
The End
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Sister Laurel & the Atheist
Copyright © 2011 Dee Dawning
Cover art by Dee Dawning
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are eighteen or older.
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