The Colonel's Daughter

by Lili Tufel

  “I understand. I didn’t mean to sound like I wasn’t being considerate of what you’re doing out there. I’m very proud of you and my dad. It’s selfish of me to want you here all to myself. You’re a great leader, Dallas. I respect you so much. This country needs you and your soldiers need you. I just gotta learn to share my man, for a little while at least.”

  He sniffled, “I…uh…gotta go now baby girl. One of my guys just walked by, my Sergeant. You’re gonna make me break into tears and they’ll never let me hear the end of it.”

  * * * * *

  The old Spanish Monastery gleamed in the midday sun. Winter in Miami Beach hit a cool 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Soothing sounds of 1950s jazz trumpets played on a stereo in the dressing room. Jasmine stood in front of a large full length mirror wearing an off the shoulder silk faille wedding gown.

  Abby fluffed Jasmine’s floor length ivory tulle veil. “Something borrowed something blue…how does that saying go?”

  Jasmine’s mother fixed her granddaughter’s faux diamond and pearl tiara. “Well Abigail, I think it goes something like—” She brought a finger to her chin. “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, something Blue, and a Penny—”

  “For your Shoe.” Samantha interjected.

  “And how do you know that?” Chelsea looked at her granddaughter with a raised eyebrow.

  “Because it rhymes like one two, buckle my shoe.” The little girl brought a hand to her hip.

  Abby crossed her arms. “Really? For your shoe? Okay…um…does anyone have a penny?”

  Jasmine’s mother grabbed the box of boutonnieres. “Well, let’s see. You have your grandmother’s Saint Anthony pin. That’s something old. Your dress is new.”

  Jasmine lifted her gown above the knee and smiled. “My garter has a blue trim.”

  Abby handed Jasmine her bouquet of six long-stemmed calla lilies tied with organza ribbon. “So all you need is something borrowed?”

  “Oh, yes. That’s my job.” Chelsea ran for her purse. “I got it right here. You can borrow my diamond earrings.”

  Jasmine gave her a hug. “Thanks mom.”

  Samantha gently tugged at Jasmine’s dress. “Momma, can you see what I have inside this basket?”

  “It’s filled with rose petals.” Chelsea sifted through the petals, “And what is this young lady?” She pulled out a baseball hidden underneath.

  “It’s my ball. Momma, please let me carry it. You can’t even tell it’s in there.”

  “Why can’t this child carry a baby doll or a teddy bear?” Chelsea turned to Jasmine with a puckered brow.

  “Leave her alone, mom. She’s fine.”

  “No,” Chelsea bent down and looked into her granddaughter eyes. “You are a young lady, Samantha. You look like a princess. Princesses don’t carry baseballs around.”

  The old woman took the baseball and stuffed it in her purse.

  Abby picked up the box of boutonnieres. “I’m gonna go take this over to the men. Want to come with me, Sam?”

  The little girl nodded and picked up her flower girl basket.

  Abby and Samantha walked hand in hand past large stone archways in the exterior corridor of the old monastery.

  “Abby, this dress is itchy.” Samantha came to a standstill then fidgeted with her dress.

  “Yeah, mine’s kinda itchy too. Although I think it’s only my belly that itches.” Abby wore a pink chiffon strapless ruche bodice dress with an a-line skirt and empire waist for her growing belly.

  “Hey there, lovely ladies.” Javi walked down the ancient corridor wearing his Old Guard dress uniform and black bow tie—the equivalent of a civilian tuxedo. The medals on his uniform flickered as rays of sunlight pierced through the corridor.

  Samantha ran to him. “Javi, Grandma took my baseball.”

  “No kidding. Why did she do that?”

  “Because she says I have to be a princess today. But I think princesses can still play baseball. And besides, I was hiding it in the basket under the rose petals.”

  “Come here,” he pointed to the bottom of the stone arch, which was about three feet high and sat down. He helped lift her onto the stone and sat her beside him. “Grandma’s just trying to help your mom have a beautiful wedding. She means well. She really does.”

  Abby walked past the archway and turned around. “I have to go deliver these little flower things, err…boutonnieres. Can Sam stay with you?”

  “Sure.” He gave the little girl his gorgeous crooked smile. “But listen, Abby, no boutonnieres on any of my uniformed men.”

  * * * * *

  The Catholic Monastery bells chimed announcing the top of the hour. Abby searched frantically through Jasmine’s purse for some lip-gloss thinking, Ugh. Why would she have me come up here for lip-gloss as the photographer is taking the pictures? It must be in here somewhere.

  A cell phone buzzed and buzzed inside a nearby purse. Abby realized it was hers and jumped to pick it up.

  “Dallas?”

  “Hey baby. I’ve been trying to call you.”

  “This Maid of Honor thing has me going crazy. I’ve been nonstop all day.”

  “Do you have a minute?” Dallas spoke in a low voice.

  Abby sighed. “I wish I could stop time right now and just sit here talking to you. I miss you so much.”

  “I miss you more.”

  “Oh Dallas, just hearing your voice made my day.” She suddenly put a hand to her belly. “Oh my goodness, I think I just felt the baby kick.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yeah, I really did. There it goes again.” She laughed and softly tapped her belly.

  “Let me see…” His voice echoed behind her.

  “What?” She turned around.

  He stood at the doorway in his dress uniform adorned with medals in perfect posture. A saber securely hung from his narrow waist. She dropped the phone and ran to him. He immediately placed his hand over her belly and felt the baby’s movements. After the baby settled down in her womb, he remembered his plan. He pulled out a ring from his pocket.

  Abby’s glossy lips widened showing all her teeth. She watched him get on one knee.

  “Will you marry me today?”

  “Yes, I will marry you. But today?”

  “Yeah, today.” He slipped the three-carat oval center stone diamond ring on her finger.

  “Does my sister know?”

  “Of course they know. I can’t just crash the Captain’s wedding. I told Javi that I wanted to propose to you and Jasmine took the phone from him all giggly.” He imitated Jasmine’s voice. “I’m gonna talk to the priest. It’ll be perfect. Giggle, giggle.”

  Abby wiped a joyful tear and gave him a slow lingering kiss.

  They walked hand in hand down the stone corridor and into the courtyard. Javi and Jasmine stood in front of an ancient well as the backdrop to their photographs and while the photographer snapped photos, Jasmine turned and waved. Abby walked over and gave her sister a hug, then puffed her veil.

  “Let me see that ring? Do you like it?” She grabbed Abby’s hand then whispered, “I helped him pick it out.”

  “I love it. Thank you.” Abby gave her ring a glance then looked at Jasmine. “The other day when you and I talked about how amazing it would be to get married at the same time did you already know about this?”

  Jasmine’s eyes widened as she nodded. “Yes.”

  “I don’t want to take the spot light from you, Jasmine. It’s your day.”

  “Nonsense, it’s our day.”

  “Then it would be an honor to share it with you, sister.” Abby grabbed Jasmine’s hand.

  “There’s a white dress waiting for you in one of the dressing rooms.” Jasmine smiled. “I bought the one you liked.”

  “Really?” Abby hugged her once more unintentionally crushing her veil. “Oops. Thank you Jasmine.” She moved her lips without a sound, “I love you.”

  She glided down the corridor and bumped into the old pri
est. Father Charles was six foot three and wore a Franciscan habit, which consisted of a long brown robe and a brown hood that hung behind his head and a knotted rope around the waist.

  “Hello, you must be Abigail.”

  “Yes Father. I’m glad I ran into you. Um…” She stammered. “I was hoping you could hear my confession before the wedding.”

  “Of Course my child, let’s take a walk.”

  “Well, Father as you can see.” She pointed to her womb and made no eye contact. “I kinda got pregnant before getting married.”

  “I can see that my child.” He crossed his arms and brought a hand to his beard.

  “I love Dallas so much, Father.”

  They stopped in front on a cypress wood crucifix, which hung from the balustrade of a narrow staircase.

  Father Charles stroked his bearded chin. “My child, no sin is greater than the mercy of God.”

  * * * * *

  The chapel aisle was strewn with rose petals. In the front pew to the right sat the Colonel with Chelsea at his side. Samantha sat next to her grandmother very lady-like. On the pews behind them sat a few members from Jasmine’s family including some aunts, uncles, and cousins. On the pews to the left sat a myriad of decorated soldiers in their dress uniforms representing Javi’s side of the family. Following tradition, the General and his wife sat in the front pew with others sitting in order of rank. Javi gripped Jasmine’s hand with his white glove as they stood before the old Franciscan priest. Dallas also wearing white gloves and holding Abigail’s hand stood next to them. Abby’s wedding dress was a silk faille pearl studded gown with a silk train that covered the steps leading to the altar.

  Father Charles motioned to the first couple for the pronouncement of their vows. Javi faced Jasmine and cleared his throat. “I spent many years not feeling…simply because in my line of work I can’t let emotions take over. I force myself to get over it, and get the job done. It’s like I have a switch in my head that turns all emotion off.” He pointed to his head. “But…” He gave his heart-splitting crooked smile. “I can’t turn off...the very thought of you. Everything about you is soft, warm, and pure love. I vow to love you and honor you and protect you with every ounce of my being.”

  The old priest motioned to Jasmine. She looked into Javi’s eyes and gripped his gloved hands. “Javi, you came into my life when I least expected but I have been praying for you. You’re my best friend and my soul mate.” She bit her lip. “I admire and respect the brave man that you are. You are a hero in the truest sense of the word. I promise to honor you and cherish you all the days of my life.”

  The Franciscan priest blessed their rings. He then turned to Dallas and asked if he prepared his vows. Dallas placed his gloved hand into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

  “The first time I heard the Colonel describe you, I had been dead inside…darkness filled my heart. I sat there and listened to his words. A flame was lit inside my soul like a beacon of hope directing me. The first time I saw you…” He sighed and placed his gloved hand over his heart. “That flame took over my entire being. Seeing you, I know that God has to exist. In my darkest moments out in the desert, I think of that laugh that wrinkles your nose and death turns to life. Even the desert sand that I abhor turns golden and everything is bearable. You’re so deep in my heart and soul that you’re a part of me. You have my unspoken devotion all the days of my life.”

  He folded the piece of paper without ever having looked at it. He spoke from his heart and as he placed it back in his pocket, Abby brought a hand to his wrist. “Wait, I may need that. I’m not prepared.”

  She drew laughter from the crowd, as many of the women were heard sniffling and fidgeting with their purses looking for tissues.

  “My vows are your vows.” He winked and offered the sheet of paper.

  “Nah, I don’t need to rehearse or prepare vows. I know that anything I say will be from my heart. I love you so much, Dallas. I’ve told you this before that you’re like my guardian angel. I trust that you will always be there to take care of me and I vow always to be there for you no matter what. You are the wealthiest man I know because you’re so rich in virtues. You’re faithful, you’re honorable, you’re generous, you’re kind, and you’re patriotic. You’re a hero in my eyes. I vow to love you and honor you all the days of my life.”

  After the final blessing, the two couples faced the guests and remained on the altar steps. The commissioned officers and saber bearers marched to the center aisle in pairs. They stopped at the first pew and faced the guests. The senior saber bearer gave the command, “Center face.” The officers pivoted forming two lines facing one another. Another command, “Arch Sabers,” was called out. In unison, the sabers were raised until the tips grazed those directly opposite. The guests all stood as Javi and Jasmine made their way beneath the arch of sabers. Dallas and Abby followed.

  The senior saber bearer gave the command, “Carry sabers,” the officers obliged. Then he gave the command, “Rear face,” and they pivoted towards the chapel exit, “Forward March.”

  The saber bearers prepared for the second arch of sabers outside the chapel in the courtyard. Javi and Jasmine made their way under the arch. The last two saber bearers at the end of the arch lowered their swords stopping Javi and Jasmine. The officer to the right took his saber and gave Jasmine a swat on the butt. “Welcome to the Army.”

  When Dallas and Abby passed beneath the arch, Abby raised her finger and gave the officer a warning, “Be gentle.” Following tradition, he took his saber and gave Abby a swat on the butt. “Welcome to the Army.”

  * * * * *

  Leaving behind an orange glow in the pale sky, the sun set over a backyard canopy in Javi’s oceanfront beach house while underneath, a live jazz band played at the reception.

  Cooper, a Second Lieutenant and one of the saber bearers, jumped onto the stage, said something in the base player’s ear then picked up the tenor saxophone. Someone shouted, “Didn’t know you had it in ya, Butter Bar.”

  Sitting at the head table, facing their friends and family, Dallas poured pomegranate juice as if he was pouring pinot noir into Abby’s wine glass then grabbed his glass of bourbon and pointing to the dance floor spoke into her ear, “Will you look at those two, they’re like a couple of teenagers.”

  On the dance floor, with gentle rhythmic movements and a hand on the small of her back, Javi held Jasmine in his arms.

  Picking up her wine glass, Abby sipped while watching her friends on the dance floor. Taking a final gulp of bourbon, Dallas stood up, extended his hand then led his slender yet pregnant and curvaceous bride to the dance floor. Pulling her in close, he made an effort to follow the subtle Latin rhythm of the horn arrangement.

  Drunk enough, Colonel Johnston approached Chelsea, Jasmine’s mother who had been trying to cover her poor sleeping granddaughter with her shawl. The white chairs had been separated from the round table and the guests were either at the bar or at the dance floor. Samantha lay fast asleep on two of the chairs sitting side by side.

  “Chelsea, I know that you don’t want anything to do with this old fool. But…I’ve decided not to retire. I’m going back and I don’t want to leave without you knowing something.”

  “You’re going back again? Oh, James, I really don’t want to hear it.”

  “Alright,” he turned about drunk and uncoordinated.

  Watching him walk away, she called out, “All I ever wanted was you…you old fool.” Chelsea, having had a few glasses of Chardonnay, surprised herself with the words.

  He turned back as if having hallucinated. “Why would you keep that from me woman?”

  “Why didn’t you come after me? I waited for you, James.”

  The old man looked as if he was having a heart attack then pulled himself together. “Ah heck, I’ve been a fool for too long, Chelsea.” He put a hand on her shoulders, puckered his wrinkled lips and kissed her.

  She stiffened, but as his old lips touched
her mouth, her body traveled back thirty-five years. She felt young again and her body relaxed in his arms. “What was it you wanted to tell me, James?”

  “That you look absolutely stunning and I can’t keep my eyes off of you.”

  “Then why are you running away?” She held her chin up.

  “I don’t belong here.”

  “I waited for you.” She repeated while taking a step away. “There’s never been anyone else, James,” holding her chin high. “But I know that there’s nothing I can say that will stop you from going back. I’m not going to beg you.”

  “Chelsea, come have some Chardonnay with me on the sand.” He grabbed the bottle from the table. “Will you take a walk with me?”

  The Colonel held her furrowed hand leading her away from the canopy towards the beach. Taking their seat at the seashore, they shared gulps straight out of the bottle and Chelsea’s high-pitched laugh echoed under the stars.

  Sounds of jazz trumpets had been replaced by the crashing waves from a high rip current moving ashore. A full moon beaming its spotlight on the lonely canopy and underneath it, in the center of an empty stage surrounded by empty beer bottles, used napkins, half-eaten cake pieces, and scattered chairs, Dallas sat facing his new bride with her feet propped on his lap

  Tilting her head and neck, she arched her back. “I…am…so…exhausted.”