Mystic Park

by Regina Hart

  Finally, she threw herself into his arms. “Doctor Quincy Spates, you’re a fast learner.”

  Quincy’s smile was unsure. “Is that a yes?”

  Ramona’s laugh was buoyant and free, like a rushing brook. “Yes, you ridiculous man. I’ll marry you.” She leaned back in his embrace. “I love you so much. And I love the way you love me.”

  Quincy’s heart swelled in his chest. “You’ve just made me the happiest man of the century. I love you, Ramona McCloud. Forever and always.”

  “She’s not coming. I can’t believe Ginny’s not coming.” Vaughn sounded on the verge of hyperventilating.

  It was six-thirty on Mystic Park’s opening night, June thirteenth. Curtain call was seven P.M. Cast members and stagehands had been asked to arrive backstage by five-thirty P.M. As five-thirty became six o’clock and six o’clock had grown to six-thirty, the volunteers had accepted that Ginny Carp, their play’s immensely talented but grossly unreliable female lead, wasn’t coming.

  Benita had ignored the furtive glances cast in her direction. It was apparent that the cast and crew expected her to replace Ginny for tonight’s performance just as she had each time Ginny had been late or missed rehearsal altogether. However, the knots reproducing in her stomach were sending another message.

  “The stagehand came back a few minutes ago.” Benita stood beside Vaughn as they looked out over the audience, each willing Ginny to appear; better late than never. “He said no one answered the door and it didn’t look as though anyone had been home.”

  They hadn’t stood this close or spoken as many words to each other in more than a week, not since Benita had told Vaughn about the theater producer who was interested in his play.

  “Do you think she’s on her way?” Vaughn checked his watch.

  “No, and neither do you.” Benita checked her wristwatch as well. They were running out of time. Guests were beginning to arrive. Darius escorted Peyton and Ms. Helen into the auditorium. Jackson and Audra followed them in. Benita was going to be sick. She could only imagine how anxious Vaughn felt. “She’s still not answering her phone, either.”

  “I can’t believe she’s not going to show for the performance.”

  “I warned you she was erratic. She keyed Darius’s car, for heaven’s sake.” Benita crossed her arms. She felt her heart thundering against her chest. “Do you remember when I suggested we get understudies?”

  Now probably wasn’t the best time to remind Vaughn of the road not traveled. But she really hated being put in this position.

  Vaughn turned to her, his expression desperate. “Yes, I remember.”

  “I hate when I’m right.”

  “So do I.” He glanced over the audience again before facing Benita.

  “I know what you’re going to say.” She glared at him, more from fear than anger.

  “I don’t have any right to ask you.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “But I am asking, Benny. Will you fill in for Ginny one more time?”

  “This isn’t a rehearsal. It’s the actual performance. There are people watching.” Benita’s muscles were tight with panic. A sharp pain in her temple signaled a tension headache was building.

  “I know you’re not comfortable performing. But you’re a natural and you have a beautiful singing voice.”

  Vaughn was laying it on pretty thick. She was still angry with him. His accusations about her contacting the L.A. producer were ugly and uncalled for. But as angry as she felt, she still couldn’t bring herself to destroy his opening night. Tonight was the realization of his dream. A lot of other people also had worked hard and made great sacrifices to get to this night. She couldn’t let any of them down.

  “I really hate this.” She rubbed her eyebrow.

  “I know. I’m sorry, but I’m not asking just for me.”

  “I know.” Benita spun on her heels and hurried toward the dressing room before she changed her mind. “Just make the announcement that I’m filling in for Ginny.”

  “I will.” Vaughn followed after her.

  Benita clenched her fists as her body started to shake with nerves. “The costume probably won’t fit.”

  “We have time to make adjustments.”

  That depended on the extent of the alterations. Benita had never even tried on the costume. She’d refused to believe Ginny wouldn’t turn up for the performance. She should have known better.

  This was one of her worst nightmares come true. At least once it was over, she’d never have to spend time with Vaughn ever again.

  Three hours later, Vaughn stood on stage with Benita and the rest of the Mystic Park cast as they accepted the audience’s standing ovation. Despite Ginny not showing up, the night had been better than he’d ever hoped. Once the applause died down, Vaughn led the cast, musicians, and crew backstage for the after party.

  “Congratulations, everyone. Congratulations.” Vaughn stood in the front of the break room and raised his voice to get the group’s attention. The room grew quiet. “I’d like to thank you all for a wonderful performance tonight. You were all great: actors, musicians, and crew. You deserved the audience’s ovation and another round of applause.”

  The room erupted in cheers and handclapping.

  Ethel Knight shouted above the cacophony. “You deserve another round of applause, too, for that phenomenal script and those songs.”

  More cheers, and this time foot stomping joined the applause.

  Vaughn raised his hands again and called for order. “I asked a lot of you to prepare this show in just seven weeks. But you pulled it off and your performance was better than I’d even hoped. Thank you.”

  He waited for the din to quiet down. “Special thanks to our last-minute water fairy, Benita Hawkins, who filled in for our female lead and provided us with an outstanding performance.”

  The roar of approval almost brought down the house. Vaughn was thrilled for Benita, especially considering how nervous she’d been.

  “Thank you, Benita, for saving the show.” Simon Knight shouted the words above the cheers, and the noise grew even louder.

  Vaughn smiled as Benita’s golden brown skin took on a pinkish hue. He wanted to talk with her. He needed to tell her how much he appreciated her finding the courage to do the live performance. If it weren’t for her, his dream of producing Mystic Park would not have been realized tonight.

  He worked his way across the room, stopping often to offer congratulations and to accept them. There was an electric current in the room. It was made of excitement, success, victory, and relief. He’d felt it before in other performances he’d been a part of. It was heady. It made people chatty, giddy.

  Vaughn finally made his way to Benita’s side. He noticed right away that she seemed neither chatty nor giddy. “Thank you again so much. You really went above and beyond for the play.”

  “I’m glad you were able to bring your musical to the stage.” Benita’s smile didn’t make it to her eyes. “It was the realization of your dream. And, judging by the size of the audience, it also was a very successful fund-raiser.” She started to turn away from him.

  Vaughn caught her arm. “I’m sorry for the things I said the last time we talked.”

  “Are you?” She walked away from him before he could say another word.

  Vaughn didn’t know what he would have said if she’d stayed but he would have liked to have found out. Instead he watched her disappear into the crowd of cast members, stagehands, musicians, friends, and family.

  Darius’s hand on his shoulder startled him. “Well done.”

  “Thanks.” Vaughn turned to offer his friend a smile.

  Darius jerked his chin in the direction Benita had disappeared. “She was fantastic.”

  Vaughn’s smile was much more natural this time. “Yes, she was.”

  “Were you able to resolve your issues or are you breaking up?”

  Vaughn glanced over his shoulder. “I guess we’re breaking up.”

 
CHAPTER 30

  Alonzo’s wedding day was perfect: cloudless blue sky, gentle breeze, and scores of friends to wish them well.

  Someone pinch me.

  Alonzo stood with Darius, Juan, Jackson, and Father Steven on a low platform in an open clearing near Pearl Lake at Harmony Cabins. Vaughn sat at a baby grand piano, playing “Air,” by George F. Handel, for the wedding processional.

  All of the bridesmaids carried hand-tied bouquets of purple roses and soft white calla lilies. They wore different variations of the same basic Chardonnay dress. Audra appeared first, walking the path that led from the main cabin. Her version featured capped sleeves and ended at her knees. Ramona’s dress was sleeveless with a high waist and a hemline above her knees. Megan’s dress had a cinched waist, three-quarter-length sleeves, and ended just below the knees.

  After the bridesmaids were in position, Vaughn changed the music to “At Last,” sung by Etta James. It was the perfect song for them.

  And then Doreen appeared.

  Alonzo’s heart stopped. Doreen was an ethereal vision in her full-length ivory sheath gown. She was glowing as she walked alone down the path to join him. In her hands, she carried a hand-tied bouquet of ivory roses. Her soft smile was steady. Her brown eyes were full of love. She came to him and he took her hands. Alonzo’s heart was full.

  Father Steven began their wedding ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”

  The priest’s words faded into the distance as Alonzo gazed down at Doreen. He’d truly never seen her look so lovely. Her beauty would not be accurately captured in their wedding photos. He’d have to try—

  “I have an objection.” Leonard’s voice was strong and clear as it cut across Father Steven’s officiating.

  Stunned, Alonzo turned to look out over their guests. His eyes landed on Leonard, standing near the back of the gathering.

  Benita was rushing toward the wedding crasher. “Leo, how did you get in here? You weren’t on the guest list.”

  Leonard set his hands on his hips. “I have a right to speak my mind.”

  “Sir, the wedding ceremony no longer asks for any objections.” Father Steven addressed Leonard in a calm and reasoned tone. He might as well have saved his breath. “That part of the script is now obsolete.”

  “It shouldn’t be.” Leonard jerked his arm free of Benita’s hold. “I object very strenuously to this marriage. What do we know about the sheriff?”

  Alonzo stepped forward. “Leo—”

  Darius stopped him with a hand on his arm. “We’ll handle this. That’s what groomsmen are for.”

  Darius, Juan, and Jackson stepped down from the low platform and marched toward Leonard. Ean joined them. Benita stepped aside as the four men approached.

  Leonard glared at the group bearing down on him. “I have a right to speak my piece.”

  Ean scowled at his former high school football coach. “That’s where you’re wrong, Leo.”

  Darius agreed. “This isn’t a public hearing. It’s a private ceremony. And you’re not welcome here.”

  The four men surrounded Leo. They escorted him firmly and respectfully away from the ceremony and presumably to the parking lot.

  Alonzo glanced at Doreen. She appeared shaken and upset. He wrapped an arm around her and drew her closer to his side. She thanked him with a warm if unsteady smile.

  He looked at the guests seated in the folding chairs arranged in front of the platform. Most of them looked surprised and confused as the groomsmen and Ean took Leonard away from the clearing. A few appeared excited by the scandalous interruption of the wedding ceremony. How long would it take them to spread tales of Leonard’s outburst? But it was Nessa’s expression of cold contempt and superiority that dampened Alonzo’s spirits and cast a shadow over their day.

  Benita joined the platform with Doreen and Alonzo. “I’m so sorry. Leo must have snuck in with a group that had an invitation. I take full responsibility for this. I’m very sorry.”

  Doreen took Benita’s hand. “This wasn’t your fault. And I refuse to let this destroy our day.”

  “Leo planned this to try to ruin it.” Alonzo turned to Doreen. “Please excuse me, sweetheart. I won’t be gone long.”

  “And you won’t be going alone.” Doreen lifted the hemline of her gown out of the way. “I’m coming with you.”

  Alonzo decided against wasting time trying to talk Doreen out of joining him. Instead, he helped her from the platform. As he strode after Leonard, he heard Benita trying to explain the events to their guests.

  He caught up with Leonard a short distance from the clearing. The five men were walking quietly toward the parking lot. Leonard seemed to be clothed in a satisfied silence.

  “Leo.” The sound of Alonzo’s voice brought Leonard, Ean, and the groomsmen to a stop.

  “Alonzo, what are you doing?” Ean looked from his mother to Alonzo at her side.

  Alonzo came to a stop an arm’s length from the group. He held Leonard’s surprised gaze. “If you were hoping to spoil our wedding day, you failed.”

  Leonard narrowed his eyes. He turned to Doreen. “Are you sure he’s the man he claims to be? Dorie, what do you really know about him and his past?”

  “Shut up, Leo,” Doreen snapped. “With every syllable you utter, you make me more and more relieved that I had the good sense not to marry you. And stop calling me Dorie. It’s a stupid nickname.”

  Alonzo chuckled. He wrapped his right arm around Doreen’s slim waist. She was so gorgeous. This is what he needed to reclaim his wedding day. Ean, Darius, Juan, and Jackson moved away from Leonard to stand with Alonzo and Doreen.

  Alonzo looked again to Leonard. The other man’s face bore an angry flush. Alonzo smiled. “As you drive away from Harmony Cabins, I want you to keep one thing in mind: within the hour, Doreen and I will be Mr. and Mrs. Lopez, and I will be the happiest man on the planet.”

  “And I will be the happiest woman.” Doreen raised up on her toes to kiss his lips. “Let’s go get married.”

  Alonzo allowed his bride-to-be to lead him back to the clearing. He was aware of his friends following them. A soft breeze played with the leaves in the trees around them. The sky was a perfect, cloudless blue. Good friends surrounded them.

  His wedding day was once again perfect.

  Vaughn waved to catch Jackson’s and Darius’s attention when he saw them walk into the sports bar Monday afternoon. The gesture gave him a glimpse of his silver Timex wristwatch. What time was Benita leaving for Los Angeles? Had she already left? He couldn’t dwell on the image of Benita once again leaving him. He needed a distraction of lunch with his friends.

  He, Ean, and Quincy already had secured a high table with a good view of several televisions. A server arrived minutes after to take the five men’s drink orders.

  “So, it’s official.” Quincy looked around the table. “I’m returning to Trinity Falls University this fall.”

  Congratulatory comments rained down on the professor of African-American history. Jackson and Ean delighted in slapping Quincy on the back.

  Vaughn raised his voice to interrupt the well-deserved cheers. “He’s not just returning to TFU. He’s retained his tenure and he’s the new history department chair.”

  “Wow, Q, that’s wonderful,” Jackson said.

  Ean shook his head in amazement. “Must be clean living.”

  “Or he has naughty pictures of someone,” Darius theorized.

  More jokes and laughter followed until the server returned with their drinks and took their food orders. Everyone requested salads to go with their chicken wings, burger, or fish sandwich.

  Vaughn watched the server leave. “What did Ramona say?”

  Quincy smiled with relief. “She’s thrilled. She’s already making plans for me to succeed Foster when he retires.”

  “If he retires.” Jackson added sugar to his iced tea.

  “He’s been there a while.”
Darius sipped his root beer. “So, Q, what have you learned from this tragic and completely avoidable experience?”

  “I know. I know.” Quincy lowered his glass of ice water. “I have to discuss important life decisions with my life partner.”

  “No.” Darius waved his hand. “You need to listen to your friends when they tell you that you have to discuss important decisions with your girlfriend.”

  Quincy shook his head. “You know, I wouldn’t wish on anyone the misery I experienced when Ramona was angry with me. But if anyone could use that kind of comeuppance, it’s you, man.”

  Darius seemed shocked. “What are you talking about? I’ve been by your side this whole time.”

  Quincy snorted. “Yeah, gloating because everything’s going so well with you and Peyton.”

  Darius sobered. “It hasn’t always been that way.”

  “That’s an understatement,” Vaughn agreed.

  Their food arrived. The friends ate lunch accompanied by more banter, updates on national events, and rumors circulating town. They also watched sports highlights on the televisions mounted to the walls. When the check arrived, they split the bill, tipped the server generously, then prepared to leave.

  Vaughn took one last deep drink of his iced tea. “I’d better hurry. I’m meeting an agent to look at realty listings.”

  Darius stopped to face Vaughn. The group stood in the bar’s back parking lot. “You really don’t know who bought Doreen’s house, do you?”

  “No, who bought it?” And why should I care?

  Darius shook his head. “Benita.”

  Shock rocked Vaughn back on his heels. Benita. She was staying in Trinity Falls. Their last bitter argument and every horrible thing he’d said to her came back to him. His face burned with shame.

  “When?” He could barely form the word.

  Darius frowned in thought. “About a week before your musical.”

  Helplessly, Vaughn turned to his friends. They didn’t look surprised. “Why didn’t someone tell me?”

  “We thought Benita wanted to tell you.” Jackson shrugged.

  Vaughn imagined her sitting on his sofa the day they’d had their final argument. She’d glowed with happiness. He’d thought it had been about the theater producer.