Unfailing Love

by Kelsey MacBride

  The rest of the wedding party was seated and the servers began pouring drinks and serving food. Tracy feasted on grilled chicken while Paul had steak and lobster. Courtney and Kenneth sat at the head of the table, and all of the wedding party sat down the long sides. The parents sat at the end across from the bride and groom. The rest of the guests were seated at smaller tables scattered about the veranda.

  They ate while the sun set behind them over the water. When the meal was finished, Kenneth and Courtney began handing out their attendant gifts. Courtney had picked out earrings and necklaces that matched the bridesmaids’ dresses.

  “Oh, they’re beautiful,” Tracy said, holding up the yellow and chocolate diamond earrings. “Wow, you didn’t have to do this!”

  “Of course I did,” Courtney said, taking in the praises. “The best for my besties!”

  Tracy watched as Paul opened his engraved money clip and cuff links. “Thanks, bro! Now if only I had a job that allowed me to use this thing,” he said waving the money clip in the air.

  “Well, save it for when you make captain!” Kenneth said, and all his law school buddies laughed. Paul wasn’t sure if they were being callous or just joking around. But he didn’t care. He loved what he did and would never want to do anything else. Especially being a lawyer.

  After the dinner, the guests began heading back to their rooms. The ceremony was going to be held at noon the next day and everyone had to get some rest.

  “Well,” Tracy said to Paul as he wheeled her back outside. “Looks like I’ve got to go. We have to get up early for hair and makeup and all.”

  “You don’t need anything. You look beautiful just the way you are,” Paul said, looking into Tracy’s blue eyes under the full moon.

  He held her hand in his and wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and pull her close. But he knew he couldn’t. Even though they had shared their feelings for one another, this wasn’t their moment to be the center of attention. That could wait. Right now, it was all about Kenneth and Courtney.

  The rest of the girls hopped in the van. “C’mon Romeo! Let her go! You’ll get her back in the morning,” Jules shouted out from the van. “I promise!”

  Tracy blushed as Paul rolled his eyes. “I hope so,” he said as he leaned in and kissed her lightly on the cheek. He had wanted to feel her lips against his. But that too, would have to wait.

  “Goodnight,” he said in a husky voice as he brushed his lips against her soft skin. Tracy felt her heart race, and she swallowed hard.

  “Goodnight.”

  The driver nodded politely to Paul, moved in behind Tracy and wheeled her into the van. Tracy watched as Paul stood on the walkway and waved, getting smaller as the van drove off.

  “So,” Courtney said coyly as she slid into the seat next to Tracy’s wheelchair. “Things seem to be going really well with you and Paul.”

  Tracy smiled, unable to hide her contentment. “Yeah, they are. They’re going really well.” She turned her face to her sister. “But this isn’t about me. It’s about you and Kenneth. And speaking of ... are you ready for the big day?”

  Courtney sat back and closed her eyes as a small smile played in the corner of her lips. “He said it was my wedding present.”

  Tracy watched her sister, uncertain of what she was talking about. Then she remembered the jewelry box in the picture.

  “And that’s why he has been so secretive with his phone.” Courtney opened her eyes and looked at her sister, her smile widening. “He didn’t want me to know about it. The box? The jewelry?” she said as if Tracy didn’t know what she was talking about.

  Tracy nodded. “I know, yeah, I know what you mean.” She didn’t believe it, but she didn’t know what else to say. “That’s great.”

  Tracy felt a knot form in her stomach. Courtney seemed happy with Kenneth’s answer. Who was she to change that? If Courtney had talked to Kenneth and was satisfied with what he told her, then that was between them. It was just there was something, some feeling that Tracy couldn’t shake.

  “So, yes.” Courtney said, resting her head back against the seat. “I’m totally ready to marry Kenneth.”

  The van pulled up to the hotel, and the driver helped unload Tracy. Jules pushed her up to the room and the women said goodnight as Tracy and Courtney closed the door to their suite. After undressing, Courtney called the front desk for a wake-up call and got into bed.

  “Aren’t you going to sleep?” she asked Tracy, who was sitting in her chair by the balcony.

  “Not yet,” she said, looking out at the reflection of the full moon on the sprawling ocean.

  “Okay, but we’ve sort of got a big day tomorrow,” Courtney joked. “Suit yourself!”

  “You’ve got the big day, sis. I’m just a bridesmaid,” said Tracy. “I’ll be to bed soon. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” Courtney called out from the bed. “I love you.”

  “Love you, too,” Tracy said as she wheeled herself over to the bedroom doors and pulled them closed.

  She turned the chair around and wheeled herself out onto the living room balcony. The air was warm and the night quiet as she sat in the chair and breathed it all in. The events of the past few days were just now catching up to her. And even though she was looking forward to the wedding tomorrow, she would be glad when it was all over and she could return home. Tracy laughed and thought that she just might need a vacation after all of the excitement of this one.

  With exhaustion creeping up on her, she turned her attention to God and began to pray. “God, thank you for this day. Thank you for giving me the strength to be there for my sister. Thank you for healing me and for Paul. I am so happy that we are being honest with each other but am also scared about the future. I pray that you fill me with your courage, courage to do the right thing in this relationship, courage to be the Godly woman I know you have called me to be, and courage to be honest in all areas of my life. Amen.”

  Tracy turned her chair around, wheeled herself inside and began to get ready for bed. She laid down and began to drift off to sleep, still hanging on to a nagging feeling of unease about something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

  Chapter 17

  “Hey, lover boy!” Kenneth said, slapping his brother on the back as the van drove off. “She’s gone now! So it’s just us guys!”

  Kenneth had wanted to spend the last few hours of his single life with his best friends and Paul. They decided to go to the entertainments lounge in the hotel and enjoy some jazz and 80s tunes while they played cards and shot pool.

  “Yep,” Paul said, turning to his brother. “Just us guys.” As much as he loved his brother, he knew he would rather have spent the rest of the evening with Tracy. But his brother was his brother, and it was the last night he would be single. This was one night. Paul had the rest of his life to spend with Tracy, or so he hoped.

  “C’mon then,” Kenneth said, drink in hand. “Let’s take this party downtown!”

  Kenneth, Paul, Daniel and the other groomsmen headed toward the entertainment room at the other end of the hotel, passing the casino, the buffet and the spa.

  “Oooh-la, la!” Kenneth said as two very attractive women wrapped in towels made their way to the sauna.

  “Double oooh-la, la,” Daniel said, raising his drink to the women and winking. “Hello ladies!”

  The women turned and waved back, giggling as they continued walking, their towels barely covering their backsides.

  Kenneth pretended to turn and follow them, but his groomsmen grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back. “Not yet, buddy. First, we have bro time!” They all laughed and continued sauntering toward the bar.

  Paul walked a few paces behind, uncomfortable with the tone and choice of words the guys had used. He had never felt like he fit in with Kenneth’s college buddies. Even though Paul went to college, law school was another world. Kenneth’s law buddies never directly ostracized Paul, but there was something in the way they acted that
came across as superior. It was as if they were part of some boys’ club that Paul didn’t want any part of.

  They arrived at the bar, commandeered a half-circle booth, and began ordering appetizers and drinks. Their hostess with long dark hair wore a sequined vest, fishnet stockings, a bowtie and a short skirt that showed off her smooth milk chocolate legs. As the night went on and the drinks flowed, Kenneth and the rest of his college friends got chummier and chummier with the bar hostess. But out of respect for Tracy, Paul behaved like a gentleman, refusing to compromise his Christian beliefs. After an hour or so, Paul decided that he had had enough and called it a night.

  “Hey bro,” he said. “I’m gonna get out of here.”

  “What? No!” Kenneth said, his speech slurred. “The party’s just getting started!” All of Kenneth’s friends laughed at that.

  Paul looked at them and smiled. “Well, you guys enjoy. But I’m gonna get some shut-eye. I’m still a little worn from the accident.”

  “Oh,” Kenneth said, sloppily. “We’ll miss you, little bro! And remember, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Kenneth winked at him and raised his glass.

  Paul shook his head and smiled wearily. “Yeah, you either,” he said, meaning every word of it. He knew how Kenneth could get when he drank. And especially when he drank with his college buddies. He just hoped that Kenneth had enough sense to stay sober and well-behaved.

  The walk back to the room was lit by the bright full moon. Paul walked slowly, taking in the pristine surroundings. Even in the glow of the moonlight, the resort was breathtaking. He made his way up to his room and within minutes, was fast asleep.

  Paul woke about an hour later from the pain in his leg. He sat up quickly and felt the throbbing rushing from his knee all the way down to his toes.

  “Darned it,” he said, swinging his legs off the bed. He got up and began to walk gently around the room, hoping the movement would increase the circulation and minimize the pain. Within a few moments, the pain subsided. But Paul was wide awake and could not go back to sleep. He walked over to the balcony and opened the doors, taking in the beautiful view of the full moon.

  He checked the other bedroom and noticed that Kenneth still wasn’t back. Still restless, he decided to go back down to the resort and check on his brother. Paul grabbed a water from the fridge and headed toward the elevator. He got outside and began to walk the path back to the main resort. As he made his way around the corner, nearing the pool, he heard Kenneth’s voice.

  Thank goodness, he thought. Kenneth was at the pool. At least, Paul didn’t have to walk all the way back to the other end of the resort to the cigar bar. That might have been a little too much on his bad leg.

  He got closer and was about to turn toward the pool when he heard a girl laughing. Paul stopped and listened closer. He couldn’t be sure but thought it sounded familiar. It must have been Courtney. He waited and then heard it again. It was familiar. But it definitely wasn’t Courtney.

  Paul moved quietly down the path until he could see the pool. He looked through the bushes and saw Kenneth and the hostess at the lounge, sitting on a beach chair kissing. Kenneth was running his hand through her long, black hair, and she was holding his head close, giggling into his neck.

  Paul’s jaw dropped as he stood perfectly still, not wanting to believe his eyes.

  How could his brother dishonor Courtney right before the wedding?

  He couldn’t swallow the fact that Kenneth would do this to Courtney. Or that the hostess could either! But Kenneth was the groom! He was the one taking the vow. And here he was, kissing another woman the night before his wedding. Paul’s head began to spin. He was at a crossroads at what to do.

  Was it right to rat his brother out to Courtney and save her from a disastrous marriage? Would it create a permanent rift between him and Kenneth? What would Tracy think of him if she found out he knew about Kenneth’s infidelity, but said nothing?

  The questions swirled around in his mind like a Kansas tornado in spring. All he knew was he needed to get out of there and think things through.

  He spun on his heels, hoping to escape back to his room unnoticed. But his boot caught the edge of the pavement as he did. His body catapulted forward like an amateur diver, his hands groping desperately for anything to break his fall. As the ground rose up to meet his face, his hand latched on to a thick bush breaking his fall. A sharp pain radiated from the cast on his arm as his face bounced within inches of the black pavement, but his body escaped any trauma. A sigh of relief escaped his lips, but it was too late. The commotion was enough to get Kenneth’s attention.

  “Hey! Who’s there?” Kenneth jumped up from his spot next to the attractive hostess and ran over to the path.

  “Paul? Paul?” Kenneth said, shocked to see Paul trying to catch his breath. “What are you doing here?”

  “I should ask you the same thing,” Paul said, feeling the heat rise in his skin. “Kenneth! Really! What are you doing?”

  Kenneth’s gaze bounced from Paul to the girl on the chair and then back to Paul. Remorse washed over his face as he combed his fingers through his hair. But the expression vanished when his brows narrowed and he brandished his hands at Paul.

  “Paul, you can’t say a word, not a word.” Kenneth kept looking back to the girl on the chair. The woman had a look of fear and embarrassment on her face but was making no effort to leave.

  “Bro, why?” was all Paul could say.

  “I don’t know,” Kenneth said nervously. “I don’t know. I guess, I don’t know. But you can’t tell Courtney. You gotta promise me.” He looked at his brother with pleading eyes.

  Paul hesitated, unsure what to say. “You promise?” Kenneth asked again. “You promise you won’t tell?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know if I can make that promise. You broke a vow,” Paul said with all seriousness. He turned and walked with a purpose back to the room, leaving Kenneth standing alone on the path, speechless.

  Paul got back inside and went to his room, closing the door behind him. He didn’t know what to do. He loved his brother, but he loved Courtney like a sister, too. And even though Kenneth wasn’t technically married yet, he still had been unfaithful to Courtney. The whole thing was a disaster.

  Paul clasped his hands behind his head as he rested his back against the comforter. His heart was heavy over what he should do, and he hoped that Kenneth wouldn’t come in and badger him into covering his infidelity. He let the thoughts spin in his head and prayed to God for an answer, hoping he would get some rest before the morning.

  Chapter 18

  Paul woke with a start. He looked over at the clock on the nightstand and saw that it was only 7:30.

  What time had he gone to bed?

  He couldn’t remember when he dozed off to sleep. All he knew was it wasn’t very late. But then he had walked back to the hotel and encountered Kenneth. It all came rushing back. He sat up and cocooned his face in his hands, sliding them down slowly as if that would erase the decision he had to make.

  The morning sun slid through the gap in the curtains and cut a ray of light on the dark wood floor of the room. Paul got up, walked over to the window and breathed in the healing air of the ocean. That had always made things better. Whenever Paul was upset or worried about something, he could go down to the ocean and take in some waves or just sit on the beach, and he would feel better. That was just one of many things he and Tracy had in common. They both loved the healing power of the ocean and loved spending time alone with God on the shore. But somehow this morning, the cool air did little to quell the uneasiness he felt inside.

  Paul walked over to the door of his room and listened for any sound of Kenneth. He hoped he wasn’t up yet and that he could sneak down to the main hotel for breakfast without having to face him. Paul needed a strong cup of coffee and some time alone on the water to clear his head.

  He went down to the lobby and ordered a golf cart to take him to the hotel. He had done enough walking
last night and luckily his fall didn’t do any further damage to his leg. He knew his limits.

  The cart arrived moments later, and Paul rode in silence, lost in thought. The driver dropped him off at the main lobby, and Paul went to the veranda where he had been the night before. The tables were full of happy guests eating luscious breakfasts and drinking fresh squeezed orange juice and colorful cocktails. The smell of the strong coffee greeted Paul as he found a seat, and a server appeared by his side and immediately filled his cup.

  “Good morning, sir,” the young woman said. “Would you like some fresh juice or a beverage from the bar?”

  “No thank you,” Paul said, smiling politely. “Coffee is fine.”

  “Very good. Then I’ll give you a few minutes and will be back to take your order.”

  The server smiled and left Paul alone. He picked up the steaming cup of coffee and breathed in the thick aroma of the brew. He let the warm coffee float over his tongue and down his throat, awakening all his senses.

  “Mmmm,” he said to no one. “That’s good.”

  “It is, isn’t it?” Tracy’s chipper voice rang out behind him.

  Paul spun around in his chair and saw Tracy sitting in her wheelchair in a pair of shorts and a tee shirt.

  “Where’d you come from?” Paul asked, all thoughts of Kenneth and the girl vanishing from his mind.

  “Over there,” Tracy smiled, pointing to a table across the veranda. Courtney, Jules and all of the other bridesmaids, including the one from last night, sat at the table eating breakfast.

  “I saw you come up and wheeled on over to say good morning.”

  “Well,” Paul said pulling Tracy’s chair close until their knees were touching. “I’m glad you did.” He reached in to kiss her, stopping just in front of her lips. “Good morning,” he said, moving in for the kill.

  Their lips touched and Tracy giggled, pulling away quickly. “Good morning to you, too!” She repositioned her chair so that she was sitting adjacent to Paul.