Something To Dream On (42 page)

Lizetta had her heart set on that dress. Ever since her accident, she’s wanted to do more for herself so she can help others. Something about that knock on the head changed my bride.

“Just remember,” Paul says, “rehab is a personal and often private matter. It's not just that way for the people who experience it, it's that way for the sponsors, too.”

First I was so freaked out about Griffin running late that I yelled at him over the phone, “Unless you have foregone the tux and are coming in a ball gown, there is no excuse for you to be late. Even then, you can whip on mascara and eyeliner faster than I can paint a nail.” Now Jensen wants to see me before the wedding. My brain is frizzing because I am so freaked out. Like, this can't possibly be good.

Griffin and I pile into the Bel Air so Jimmy can take us to the park. My grip on Griffin’s hand is so tight that it is making my own hand cramp. “Damn, Bra Buster, you have
got
to loosen up. You two wrote the simplest vows in the universe, and all you have to do is look luscious, spit out a couple words, get a kiss from your Sweetie Honey, and you are done, so just,” his hands sweeps across the air like a glider to accentuate his point, “relax.”

God, I hope he’s right. Please let him be right. Why would Jensen want to meet early? He can't possibly want to call this off. Not after all we’ve been through.

We pull up, and Jensen's already in the parking lot, leaning against Paul’s car and bouncing his foot on the pavement. I catch sight of his hand that holds a big, white bag that is overflowing with ribbon. Oh, thank God! It must be my wedding gift. But if I had to have it before the wedding, why not give it to me this morning, or God forbid, ease my mind by saying
why
he wanted to see me? “Men! I swear to God I will never understand them!”

"What did we do?" Jimmy and Griffin chime in unison as I pop out of the car and race toward Jensen.

Lizetta gets out of the car, and my heart does the stereotypical wedding thing by skidding to a stop. She looks stunning beyond words. My God, today I get to marry this woman and spend all of my tomorrows holding her. I'm so glad that I get to see her now, because if I waited until she made her entrance while looking this lovely, I would lose all ability to say my vows.

She throws what must be miles of train over her arm, grabs her dress at the sides and dashes toward me. Her veil flows in the breeze, yet her cascading golden hair barely moves. The sunlight radiates off of her every satin and lace-covered curve. She's so beautiful that breath is fleeting.

Like a lovesick fool, I dash to close the space between us.

Jensen's lips touch mine, and I'm both relieved and mortified. It's bad enough that he’s seeing me in my dress before the wedding, but to kiss me before the vows start? Isn't there a curse that comes upon you if you do that? “What is so urgent that you have me stressed out before we get married?” Jensen closes his eyes, like he's trying to shut off something that could be trouble. Why did he kiss me if he's concerned about trouble?

“I don't know how to say this. I'm not upset, because what you did was amazing, but—Here.” He holds out a bag. “It's a wedding present from Laura. Why didn't you tell me that you know her?”

Laura? Oh shizzles! “We—We went to school together.”

“No, why didn't you tell me that you put my ex-girlfriend through rehab?”

My muscles squish into my bones. “Are you angry?”

Jensen sets down the bag and takes me by the hands. “Of course I'm not angry. What you did was beautiful. Who told you what was going on with her and who she was to me?”

My mouth goes dry, and I can’t moisten it. He sees my discomfort.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I should have waited until later, but the moment I knew something was up, I had to find out more. Why would you do such a good deed for someone I’m so close to and keep it from me?”

Seriously? He’s okay with this? “I didn't try to hide it intentionally.” Nor would I. Harold taught me that prayers are love and once you send out love it lasts forever. Jensen prayed to learn when Laura was safe. My soul wasn’t the only thing that transcended time.

“I know you didn't. That's the thing. If you wanted to hide it, you never would've gotten her a job working for Tom. Lizetta, what’s going on?”

A crazy feeling flows through Lizetta’s grip and into my soul. It's not the feeling of love and devotion I usually get when I look into those eyes. Instead, it is one that I have seen before, but not from her. In fact, I haven't seen a look like that since I was a teenager, so I know in all seriousness when she begins her story that the words she says are true.

“Your granddad says hi.”

Lizetta’s story is a wild one. Some would call it crazy, but to me it's fascinating. And I believe it. I believe absolutely every word.

Granddad always said that the powers of the universe are beyond comprehension. Now that I understand that I can’t see all the universe can do, I have to wonder how many times those words rang true for me.

The music starts, and Paul and I stand in front of the tree I planted in memory of Granddad. Griffin stands just across the way. It seems odd that Paul isn’t the one walking Lizetta down the aisle. I was torn about who should be Best Man until Jimmy said something that made perfect sense. “Paul is always the best man. No matter what he does or where he stands. You can’t always count on your father, but you can always count on Paul.” That made it a no-brainer. Then Jimmy followed it with, “Besides, it's going to irritate the hell out of my sister when we’re strolling down that isle and I’m poking her in the ribs.”

Lizetta’s flowing gown reminds me of the cloak of an angel. A subtle smattering of rhinestones on her veil causes it to glimmer in the sun. I chuckle at her bouquet of white roses wrapped in teal ribbon. Of course, a die-hard Sharks fan would choose something teal over something blue. Then I realize the obvious. A peek at Jimmy, Paul, and Griffin all show that they have teal bow ties. Leave it to my girl!

Paul, Griffin, Judy, Mom and I gather around the minister as Jimmy walks Lizetta down a path of pink rose petals. When the time comes, we say the simplest of vows. “You and me, walking down the path of forever, together, no matter what tomorrow may bring. I will be with you, always.” What greater thing can you say other than you will standby someone for eternity?

With the meeting of our lips, we take the song that we write together today, and put a finish on it so that all of our tomorrows can be filled with new medleys.

It is the responsibility of each person who can help himself to in turn help others. I may not have much power, but I can use what I have wisely.

DIVINE INTERVENTION

Friday, June 8

Lizetta’s story haunts me. Even if you toss away the accident that was—and the accident that wasn’t but was to her—how Lizetta put years of hurt aside so someone could live is admirable.

Addiction is personal. Getting help is personal. Paul is right in that there is a code of privacy among addicts and sponsors, but addicts know who their sponsors are. Laura needs to know, too.

I don’t doubt that without Lizetta, Laura would have died. Not knowing that the person she may have hurt the most is the one who believed in her is not acceptable.

I also can’t shake Laura’s voice in my head that says words aimed at Lizetta. “I am so, so sorry. I was horrible. So horrible.” It’s a memory of something that didn’t happen; yet somehow I know she means it.