Singsation

by Jacquelin Thomas

  “What’s wrong, baby?”

  She was trembling with the excitement of the news.

  “Did something happen? Is it your parents?”

  She shook in his arms. “William called . . . I . . . he wanted to tell me that the single has gone platinum.”

  He pulled away to look into her eyes. “Are you serious?”

  She nodded as tears still fell from her cheeks. “Triage, this is all about the abundant blessings of God.”

  He squeezed her close again. “Oh, baby, you’re right. We are truly blessed, because this has been ordained by God. And there’s one more blessing He has for us. It’s time for us to get married.”

  CHAPTER 53

  DEBORAH AND TRIAGE HAD ARRIVED IN HAWAII A day before their families and other guests. No one had been told the location of the wedding until their tickets were delivered to them by Federal Express.

  “Deborah, this place is really beautiful,” Willetta gushed as she stood in the open lobby of the Hyatt Regency, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

  “Wait until you see it in the daytime. Now you should get up to bed, Willetta. With the time change and all, you’ve got to be ready for the breakfast rehearsal in the morning.”

  They chatted as they went up to their rooms, and once she was alone, Deborah went over a mental checklist. Everyone had arrived, with the exception of Pastor Duncan and the photographer from Ebony magazine who was covering the event for an exclusive story. They would arrive in the morning. Deborah had purposely purchased most of the tickets so that everyone would arrive at night—which would give her one more day to get things in order.

  As she stood on the balcony of her suite and gazed into the blackened, star-filled sky, Deborah thanked God for her blessings. In two days, she’d be marrying a man she loved and who knew the Lord. She was blessed with a career that had taken off from the moment the album hit the stores. It had become impossible for her to walk the streets without people stopping her, and now even she wore disguises when she and Triage went out. It was a different life, but it was a blessed one, and she would be forever grateful.

  The ringing phone brought her in from the balcony, and she smiled when she heard her soon-to-be husband’s voice.

  “What are you doing?” he asked softly.

  “Thinking of you.”

  “Ah, that’s just what I’m doing.”

  “You’re thinking of you too?”

  They laughed.

  “Do me a favor and go out to your balcony,” Triage said.

  “I was just out there—”

  “Well, go back out there.”

  Deborah took the cordless phone outside.

  “Now look to your left.”

  Her head turned, and she saw Triage, wrapped in a white terry cloth bathrobe, standing two balconies away. She smiled.

  “I thought your room was on the other side of the hotel.”

  “It was, but I had to be able to say good night to the woman I love.” He blew her a kiss. “Good night, my love.”

  “Good night.”

  She stepped back into her room and crawled into bed. Her smile remained on her face through her peaceful sleep as images of her wedding danced through her dreams. When she awakened, she showered and dressed quickly, wanting to be the first in the banquet room for breakfast. But when she arrived, Triage was already there, speaking with the hotel waiters.

  “Why didn’t you come by my room and get me?” Deborah asked after they kissed.

  “I wanted you to get some rest, and I have this under control.”

  She shook her head with delight and said a quick prayer that Triage would always be this way.

  Slowly, the room began to fill. Their parents arrived together, saying that they had been up for a few hours and had already explored the expansive grounds of the luxurious hotel.

  “Deborah Anne, you should see the flowers around this place,” Virginia said. “Your father wants to plant some of these in our garden.”

  “I don’t think they’ll grow in Georgia, Mama.”

  “That’s what I tried to tell him.”

  Deborah looked toward the door and excused herself from her parents. “Vianca,” she said, hugging her friend. “It is so good to see you. When we didn’t hear back, I wasn’t sure if you were going to come.”

  Vianca smiled. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t decide, and then yesterday I knew that I just couldn’t miss my friend’s wedding,” she said softly.

  They hugged again, and Deborah stepped back and looked at Vianca. She had let her hair grow out a bit and had layered it with blond highlights.

  “Congratulations on your CD.” Vianca smiled. “It’s playing everywhere in—” She stopped as Lavelle came into the room.

  He looked at them and then walked over, a smile on his face. He kissed Deborah first, then turned to Vianca.

  “It’s good to see you.”

  Vianca smiled, but lowered her eyes.

  “Listen, you two,” Deborah began, “I have to get everything started. Are you going to be all right?” she asked Vianca.

  When Vianca nodded, Deborah made her way to the head table, where Triage was sitting between their parents.

  When everyone was seated, Triage and Deborah stood.

  “First of all, we would like to thank all of you for coming so far to celebrate this special time with us. It means a lot, especially since we couldn’t tell you anything about the wedding. So thank you for understanding our desire to avoid any disruptions or distractions from the media.”

  Deborah smiled as she looked out into the crowd. Her cousins weren’t listening to a word Triage was saying—their attention was on the back of the room where Lavelle and Vianca sat.

  “Before we eat, I would like to ask my future father-in-law to bless the food,” Triage continued.

  Elijah stood, and there were moans from half the room.

  Virginia laughed. “Now y’all behave. Your uncle Eli promised that he wasn’t going to preach this morning.”

  It took a moment for the laughter to simmer down, and it was only then that Elijah asked them to bow their heads. As he prayed, Deborah thanked God with her own silent prayer. But she was thanking God for much more than the food. There was so much she had to thank Him for that if she spent every minute of every day making a list, it would never be enough.

  After the breakfast rehearsal, Deborah and Triage had planned an entire day of entertainment for their guests. First, there was the chartered glass-bottomed boat that was going to cruise along the Kona Coast to the Kealakekua Bay Marine Reserve.

  While everyone ran to change quickly, Lavelle and Vianca walked toward Triage and Deborah.

  Triage kissed Vianca and shook Lavelle’s hand.

  “Hey, we wanted to tell you guys that we’re not going on the cruise,” Lavelle said.

  Deborah eyed the two of them. “Anything wrong?”

  “No, we want to spend some time talking.” Lavelle took Vianca’s hand.

  “Talking?” Deborah looked from one to the other. “About—”

  “No problem,” Triage interrupted Deborah, and began pulling her away. “We’ll see you later. Just remember the dinner tonight.”

  “Wait, Triage,” Deborah said, when they were several feet away. “Don’t you want to find out what’s going on with them?”

  “No.” He grinned. “Let them work it out.”

  Their guests were amazed at the boat cruise and the fish that came right to the glass bottom. When the boat docked for lunch, Triage took a few cousins snorkeling, while others sat on the beach.

  Willetta and Deborah sat together, watching as others romped in the water.

  “Deborah Anne, you deserve all that is happening to you, and a whole lot more.”

  “Thanks, Willetta. You know, the only thing that makes me sad is that we won’t be living next door to each other. I’m going to miss that.”

  “Girl, you didn’t expect that to last forever, did you?” Willetta chuckled. “And anyway,
I’ll be moving out soon. I think Steven and I will be the next ones walking down the aisle.”

  “Willetta, that’s terrific.”

  She grinned, then put her finger over her lips. “But don’t say anything yet. Steven wants to ask my dad, like Triage did. Your man caused quite a stir in Villa Rica. Uncle Eli told everyone how Triage called him up!”

  Deborah laughed. “You should have seen Triage that day! It was quite a picture.”

  For the rest of the afternoon, guests split into groups. Some went shopping, some went hiking, and others stayed at the beach. As Deborah dressed for dinner, she hoped that everyone would make it back for the special banquet they planned.

  By the time the traditional Hawaiian feast began with the arrival of torchbearers via canoe, everyone who had come for the Peterson-Waters wedding was in attendance.

  The conch shells were blown, and the torchbearers began to light the pathway surrounding the area where the luau would be held.

  There was an audible gasp when the roasted pig was lifted from the underground oven.

  “What’s that?” Maxine asked Deborah.

  “That’s part of the dinner.”

  Deborah chuckled as Maxine turned green; then the buffet table was opened. Some of the children began running toward the food, but they stopped when Elijah held up his hands.

  “No matter where we are, we must give thanks to the Lord.”

  The children slumped back to their parents, and everyone held hands while Elijah prayed. But the moment he said “Amen,” hungry folks flanked the buffet table.

  As Deborah and Triage watched the crowd flow past the buffet, she could see some of her cousins talking to Lavelle, and she smiled. He was being so gracious to her star-struck family, and she made a mental note to thank him for it. But a moment later, her smile turned to a frown when Vianca walked up to him and they kissed.

  “Hey, did you see that?” Triage whispered.

  Deborah frowned. “Yeah, but I don’t know if that’s a good thing, Triage.”

  “Well, good or bad, it’s none of our business.” Triage took her hand and led her to where their parents were sitting. But Deborah continued to look over her shoulder, watching Lavelle and Vianca as they sat with their heads close together.

  Deborah sat next to her mother, while Triage sat at the opposite end of the table between his mother and Mother Dobson.

  “Deborah Anne, this is so incredible.” Virginia squeezed her hand.

  She smiled.

  “Do you know how much I love you and how proud I am?”

  “Yes, ma’am, but I love hearing you say it.” Deborah kissed her mother’s cheek.

  Then Virginia glanced down at Triage. “You have a good man there, Deborah Anne. Be good to him, and I pray that you have as many loving years as your father and I have.”

  “I plan on that.”

  Virginia patted her daughter’s hand. “You know, Milton’s family is so pleased that you children are getting married. Mother Dobson said this was the best decision that Milton ever made.”

  Virginia and Deborah laughed as Triage came to their end of the table. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing, honey,” Deborah said. “My mother was just telling me how smart she thinks you are.”

  He grinned. “You noticed already?”

  Virginia laughed again as Deborah took his hand and led him to the buffet. “I have to make sure you eat tonight so that you can have your strength for tomorrow.”

  “Oh, you think I’ll be too weak at the wedding?”

  “No, silly. I’m talking about tomorrow night. I want to make sure you keep up your strength for that.”

  It took him a moment before his lips pulled into a wide grin. “Well, move out of my way . . . there’s a lot of food I have to eat!”

  CHAPTER 54

  THE PETERSON GIRLS, ALONG WITH CYNTHIA, Triage’s sister, were in the dressing room of the beachside chapel. While the bridesmaids jabbered in front of the dressing table as they put the finishing touches on their makeup, Deborah stood in front of the full-length mirror.

  The image that stared back was stunning. She had chosen a gown by Tracy Rae, and up-and-coming African American designer. The cup-sleeved Italian silk gown had an opulent, hand-beaded bodice with a detachable six-foot train. Her tulle veil fell just below her waist.

  Deborah turned from side to side, surveying her reflection. The cream color complemented her copper complexion.

  As she stood in front of the mirror, there was a knock on the door, and when she turned around, Elijah walked into the room.

  “Hey, Uncle Eli,” Maxine said.

  Willetta glanced at her uncle, then her cousin, and said, “Ladies, let’s get our flowers.” She closed the door behind them.

  In the silent moments that followed, thousands of thoughts ran through Deborah’s mind—from when she was a little girl sitting on her father’s lap as he read stories to her, to when he sat next to her on the piano bench and taught her how to play. She remembered the nights when she had sat with him in the dark house while her mother slept, talking about her dreams and desires. And then there was the image she had imagined—on her wedding day, when she would stand before her father and accept his words of wisdom.

  “Deborah Anne . . . oh, baby.” He paused and swallowed. “You are beautiful.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “You know there is so much I want to say—how much your mother and I love you, how we are so proud of you and how we want you to be happy.”

  “I know, Daddy.”

  “But there is something else that I have to say,” he said, taking her hands. “We’ve given you the best foundation we knew to give, and now your mother and I have to let go and let you start this new part of your life. But first I have to say that I pray that you’ve invited God to this wedding and into your marriage. That’s the only way it’s going to work.”

  She smiled. “Yes, Daddy. God is the head of my life, and I know that I can’t do anything without Him. And Triage feels the same way.”

  He nodded, then hugged her. They both turned at the knock on the door.

  Willetta peeked inside. “Are you ready? It’s time.” She stepped into the room with Deborah’s bouquet, and the scent of the lilies filled Deborah’s nostrils.

  Elijah took his daughter’s hand. Then they strolled through the narrow hallway to the double doors that led to the sanctuary.

  As the organist began to play, Pauline walked down the aisle, then Maxine. Before Willetta began to walk, she turned toward Deborah with wet eyes and mouthed, “I love you.”

  Instantly, hot tears stung Deborah’s eyes, and she scolded herself. She couldn’t start crying now.

  When Elijah heard the first note from the Wedding March, he turned so that he and Deborah stood in front of the door. Deborah took a deep breath as they stepped forward, and her eyes focused on Triage.

  He had never looked more handsome, and she hoped she was what he expected. By the time she got to where he was standing, his smile told her that he was pleased.

  Elijah lifted Deborah’s veil, kissed her cheek, then took her hand and put it into Triage’s.

  “‘Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.’”

  As Pastor Duncan began the ceremony, Triage squeezed Deborah’s fingers, but she kept her eyes forward, trying to still her shaking legs. Pastor Duncan’s words continued to strike her ears, but she couldn’t focus. Instead, she was trying to hold on to each second of every minute that passed, pressing it into her memory to be recalled years from now. It wasn’t until Pastor Duncan told them to face each other to pledge their love that Deborah moved.

  They had decided on the traditional vows, repeating the same words that couples had said for hundreds of years.

  Deborah’s hand shook as Triage placed the platinum band on her finger, and she was surprised that his hand trembled as much as hers did when she put the matchin
g band on his finger.

  Pastor Duncan looked down on them. “Both of your mothers have requested to do a reading from the Bible. Each has chosen one of her favorite scriptures as a gift to you, to lead you, to help you in your marriage.”

  The pastor nodded toward Virginia and Erlene, and they both stood.

  Virginia clasped her hands in front of her and recited the scripture from memory. “‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ All you have to do is put God first, and He will take care of you. He will take care of your needs, your wishes, your desires.” Virginia then took two steps up to the altar and kissed Deborah, then Triage.

  After Virginia sat, Erlene looked down into the small Bible in her hand. “Psalm 46:10 says, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’” She looked up. “You don’t have to search for the Lord. As long as He is part of your life, part of your marriage, He will be there. The hardest thing for us to do is to be still. But once you learn that, all will be well.”

  Deborah smiled. Her mother-in-law’s favorite scripture was the same one that she herself loved so much. There were no coincidences with God.

  “Let us bow our heads,” Pastor Duncan directed. After the prayer, he said, “I now pronounce you man and wife. Milton, you may kiss your bride.”

  The fifty-three guests stood and cheered.

  Pastor Duncan said, “May I be the first to present to everyone: Mr. and Mrs. Milton Waters!”

  Even though they were a small group, Deborah and Triage had rented the Grand Ballroom in the Hyatt. On one side of the room were the tables, decorated in white and gold, with gold hearts as centerpieces. On the other side was the keyboard, dance floor, and a small stage.

  Before the food was served, Elijah stood. “May I have everyone’s attention, please?”

  Immediately, the Peterson family began to bow their heads.

  “No, that’s not what I’m doing,” he said gruffly, then laughed. “I want to make a toast.”

  Laughter filled the room as Elijah raised his glass. “I want to welcome you, Milton, into our family. You are now the husband of the most precious person in my life, and we know that you will take complete care of our child. Isn’t that true, Milton?”