Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey

by Hendley, DiDi

  * * *

  “I’d say island life agrees with you, son,” Lee mused.

  Libby played tour guide as they drove the thirty minutes back to the island, sharing details about the South Carolina coast as they made their way to the secluded retreat.

  Crossing the single-lane causeway bridge, Libby wrapped up her tour as Joe dropped the Kingstons and TBK band members among the closest cabins to the right of the main house.

  Pointing to a doorway on the side of the cabin, Libby added, “There are golf carts to take you to the main house, which is that way,” Libby pointed left, past the trees.

  Marshall waved as he entered their cabin. Cody and Rick took the next cabin; Frankie and Chuck settled for the furthest from the main house.

  Shortly thereafter, the group began to assembly at tables that surrounded the pool and a cozy fire pit. Faint background music could be heard during the rare moments of silence. Festive lanterns surrounded the entire area. The seafood buffet stretched across the porch, wafting the aromas of the many good things to come. Beautiful flowers and candles adorned the tables, as well as the pool. Introductions were made as guests arrived. Soon, everyone was enjoying fruity drinks with umbrellas or beers from the bartender. Will and Jane escorted Marshall and Lee to begin the buffet line, dipping plates of the local fare seafood in delectable recipes and describing the choices as they proceeded along the tables.

  “Finest South Carolina has to offer! You just have to try those crabcakes! They’re amazing!” Jane suggested to Lee. “Grace has wonderful connections for catering and facilities. She’s helped pull all this together!”

  Libby stepped behind Lee, “Don’t let her fool you; Jane had a large part in all this too!” Libby laughed.

  “It’s all so beautiful, and everything looks so tasty! I can’t wait to dig in,” Lee chimed in.

  Soon, everyone had a place around the table. Laughter and stories filled the air for hours.

  Island off the coast of South Carolina, Day 69- Sunday

  All remaining attendees were scheduled to arrive within a 45-minute window on Friday morning. The minibus and a driver waited to bring them all onto the island. A luau luncheon was scheduled for 3:00 pm.

  When guests arrived for lunch, Louie Lovrette was missing. Libby sent him a text message, “Where R U?”

  Louie replied “Missed flight, resched. Xpect arr L8 have surpriz 4 u-hope u like. Thx 4 incl me N ur wknd!”

  Libby texted, “Sorry for probs, look fwd to c’ing u!” As an afterthought, she sent him the address, in case he didn’t have it with him.

  As guests were presented with their cabins, their agendas were pointed out. The first event listed was poolside cocktails, to be served at 2:00 p.m. Dress was casual all weekend.

  Guests mingled in the well-acquainted living area, the wrap-around porch with the wooden rocking chairs, and around the pool where extra seating had been arranged. Joe and Libby greeted the new guests as they arrived and managed introductions. The party was in full swing by 2:30 p.m. The luau buffet placed on the porch had guests excited and impressed.

  Around 4:00 p.m., tiki torches were lit to discourage the insects from joining the party. In all directions poolside, the glowing flames began the ambiance for the celebration that was to come. Down the boardwalk, flames guided the party onto the beach.

  Libby and Joe slipped to the back of the crowd, who made their way to the beach in the late afternoon. Returning to the pool area, Joe put his hands on Libby’s face and kissed her passionately. “I’ll see you soon...right?”

  Libby glowed as she smiled at Joe, “No place else I’d rather be. No one else I’d rather see. Until the time you’re married to me.” She giggled as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He spun her off her feet and set her down gently with a proud grin and a sparkle in his eyes.

  “Leave the prose to me, woman,” he laughed as he gave her one more kiss and pushed her in the direction of the cottage, where Megan and the powerhouses would meet her later.

  “WAIT,” Joe called out, joining her at the cottage door.

  Libby stopped in the doorway.

  Joe pulled the engagement ring from his pocket and slipped it onto her finger. “Now….that’s better,” he said, kissing her finger, then her lips.

  * * *

  Grace, Megan and Jane followed instructions to guide guests to the beach to watch the sunset. While the east-coast sun didn’t set over the ocean, there was a beautiful view of the marsh just beyond the point down the beach. As the night progressed, whippoorwills sang along with the frogs, crickets and other wildlife in the distance. Egrets waded in the distant marsh, and a heron swooped in for treats unseen by the party guests. The glowing flames of the tikis lead to two poles with red roses streaming around them. Flames of a firepit lapped the air beyond the poles, as the view gave way to the setting sun.

  Once everyone had found seating in the haphazard collection of chairs, stools and driftwood, musicians strumming Spanish-styled guitar music made their way down the path, giving Megan and Grace the chance to slip away without being seen. Waiters arrived with beverages to keep the crowd contained and happy. Jane stood at the end of the pathway, snapping photos with Libby’s digital camera before taking her leave as well.

  * * *

  Almost an hour later, Joe appeared on the beach wearing shades, a white cotton shirt and white cotton pants, rolled above his ankles. His left hand in his pants pocket, he smiled as he made his way through the crowd to the rose-draped tikis and turned to face the curious guests.

  Before he could speak, Libby appeared from the pathway in an off-shoulder white cotton dress with a full white cotton skirt just above her ankles. Her hair was lifted into wispy, loose auburn curls that floated around her face. The melting sunlight glinted against the natural gold highlights in her hair and made her glow. She carried in her hand a single red rose.

  After a few gasps, the crowd quieted at the sight of her. As Libby arrived among her friends on the beach, the guitarists began playing the Wedding Song. Will walked between the two tikis and faced the group, putting his hand on Joe’s shoulder.

  “Please stand for the bride,” Will asked, smiling at Libby. Someone in the crowd clapped as the group rose to their feet, watching Libby pass by.

  Libby, beaming at Joe, made her way through the small crowd. Joe’s eyes teared at the sight of Libby, so beautiful in the glow of the setting sun.

  Libby’s mind drifted momentarily to the first day she saw Joe. The proud man standing at the makeshift altar didn’t look at all like the haggard, angry soul she first saw months before. His stance reflected his pride and the smile on his face beamed with the joy that was in his heart. As she moved closer to him, she fixed on his sunglasses. Her head cocked to the side automatically as her face became quizzical. She touched the edge of her eye slightly with her hand and smiled. Joe grinned, pulling off the shades and tossing them underneath the tiki beside him. Once she saw his beautiful blue eyes, her face was alight with adoration. So much love was shared in his gaze that Libby’s eyes teared. Blushing, she lowered her head to keep from crying.

  The crowd no longer could remain silent as Libby passed, with murmurs of excitement at the idea they were actually brought to this beautiful island for a wedding.

  As Libby approached Joe, Megan stood and walked beside her. Joe looked around the crowd for Chuck, then motioned for him to join them. Chuck was beaming as he stepped up as best man.

  “Why didn’t you tell me!” he whispered too loudly, eliciting laughter from the group.

  Joe smiled at Chuck, the crowd, then Libby as he reached out his left hand and took her hand in his.

  While Jane photographed the big event, Will officiated the sunset ceremony.

  “I’ve known Libby all her life. It has been my honor and my privilege to watch her grow into this beautiful, giving woman that we se
e here today. Libby, I don’t want to make this wonderful happy occasion sad, but I know that if your folks were here, they would be so proud...” Will closed his eyes for a brief moment as he tried not to choke on his eloquent words. “You’re an amazing woman. You deserve an amazing man.

  “Joe, in the short time I’ve had to get to know you, I truly do believe that your heart and your love for our Libby is a most wonderful gift to her, and we all welcome you and your family and friends into our lives, as I’m sure your family and friends welcome us,” Will smiled at Joe, then his family.

  “Besides, I know you’re gonna do right by our girl...cause if you don’t...” Will eyed him in a mock threat.

  Laughter was heard from the congregation as Joe smiled at Libby and nodded at Will. When the moment subsided, Joe looked deeply into Libby’s face. Libby’s look of adoration and love brought a tear to Joe’s eye. He brushed a curl from her face and touched her cheek with his finger. He returned his hand to hers as Will continued.

  “I believe you two have rings...and vows,” Will called out.

  “Joe, if you please...place your ring on Libby’s left hand as you offer your vow.” Joe nodded as he removed the ring from his right pocket and took Libby’s left hand. He removed his left hand from his pocket, revealing a bandage wrapped around his hand. Libby saw the bandage and shot a direct look at Joe, as if asking a question without words.

  Joe shook her off with a slight smile. Placing the ring on her hand, Joe began his vows as Libby studied his face more carefully, noticing a bruise on his cheek beginning to appear.

  “Libby, I never felt grounded, until I met you. You’ve become ‘home’ to me, somehow I knew the most important thing in the world left when you left me standing alone in that parking lot. You called me out on everything that felt wrong in life...but I had no clue. Yet, somehow you knew. I know that I can’t last a day without you, and you’ll never know how happy you’ve made this man by standing here today—with me—and every day that makes up the rest of our lives. It is my honor to love and cherish you forever, no matter what.”

  A faint, feminine sob was heard from the congregation on the beach.

  Will continued, “Libby, you have a ring for Joe?”

  “Yes,” she turned to Megan and took the ring. She placed the ring on Joe’s hand, carefully studying the bandaged arm without a smile as she did so.

  “Joe, I’ve never felt so grounded, either. You’ve made me whole, and I’m not exactly sure when or how, because I surely didn’t think it was possible. I have everything I could possibly want: love, family, belonging. Not so long ago, I really thought I’d lost it all...well, except for my sweet Megan. I was afraid destiny meant I could only lose people I loved, not find someone like you…someone who loved me too. You’ve made all that different. I now see hope for a beautiful future. Not without challenges, I’m sure, but forever seems like a promise, not a fear. I owe all that to you, Joe. I promise to love, honor and cherish you also, no matter what.”

  As the sun edged past the horizon, Joe looked at Will as they were pronounced husband and wife, just to break her intent gaze. Joe tenderly kissed Libby, his beloved bride.

  # # #

  Acknowledgments

  Special thanks to the following for their encouragement, time, effort and/or support: Sherrie Pitts; Mildred Hendley; Cary Davis; Joni Long; Connie Thompson; Shelba Howard; Joni Long; Laurie Starke; Jeannie and Glen Osborne; Linda Hasty; Lauri Wiles; Sandra Smith; Pamelia Franco; Miriam Williams; Jamie Wurdinger; Claudia Gutierrez; Delilah Bonnert; Michelle Banks; Tammie Hill; Emma Strickland; Amy Hoover; and Ann Gainey.

  Thanks to Sandra Smith, Donald and Crystal Ciesielski, Greg Austin, Jim Shaylor, Robin Hamilton Sisco, Lauri Wiles and Jim Bob Wiles, for all your time and effort for the Whirlwind Love storyboard project (which can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/WhirlwindLove).

  Special appreciation to George Xanthakos of George’s Southside Restaurant in West Columbia, SC and Leigh Burton of The “L” Word Bar, also in West Columbia, SC, for allowing me to shoot the storyboard project and for allowing us to disrupt their day.

  Cover (in part): Special appreciation to the generosity of Carol M. Highsmith and the Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division for permitting usage of her canyon image (in part) for the cover artwork http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.16385