The sun had disappeared from the horizon, but summer twilight lingered as Diana and Mart entered the banquet room of the Sleepyside Country Club, arm and arm. They were followed by their friends and family members. They had just arrived from their wedding rehearsal and were preparing to enjoy a dinner hosted by Mart's parents, Peter and Helen Belden. The past few days had been a roller coaster of events and emotions for the young couple and their friends, but they were determined that this evening would be a time to relax and enjoy themselves before the "big day" tomorrow.
Tables were covered in white linen, set with sparkling crystal and china and lit with white candles. Club employees were making finishing touches to the floral arrangements as the celebrants arrived. French doors opened on to the patio, allowing the music from the band in the nearby clubroom to drift in with the late summer breeze.
As the guests arranged themselves around the tables, Mart managed to pull Diana out onto the patio. He grabbed her and kissed her, "This is it. Your last chance to back out." He whispered to his bride-to-be.
"Not a chance," Diana said as she returned his kisses.
"This might be the last chance we have to be alone until we're Mr. and Mrs. Belden. I have to tell you one more time how certain I am about all of this. I love you, Diana. I love you more than words can express."
"Martin Belden at a loss for words?"
"I've always been numb in your presence." Mart kissed her again. Diana wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer.
"Okay, you two," Mart's brother, Brian came out onto the patio. "We throw you this big party and you disappear?"
"Only for a moment or two." Mart and Diana stepped apart and followed him back into the room.
Over the next two hours, the room was filled with joy and excitement. The groom's parents repeated countless times how happy they were to be gaining a daughter. The groom's sister spoke of her relief to no longer be the only Belden sister. The bride's father spoke of his admiration for his future son-in-law, while his wife wept openly. Ignoring his own breaking heart, the best man spoke of his admiration and respect for his younger brother and future sister-in-law. The bride's younger sisters and brothers teased their sister openly. Friends of the groom spoke enviously of his good fortune and good taste in women--or woman in this case--and teased the bride about her "questionable" taste in men. Friends of the bride teased her, wondering aloud if she might be crazy to be trading her "freedom" for marriage. There were countless toasts made to the groom, the bride, the couple, and to anyone else present that evening.
Mart and Diana said little. With each toast, with each speech, they sat holding hands, savoring the moments, the memories. When the last course had been served and the tables were being cleared, Mart stood and cleared his throat for attention. Several of his friends groaned teasingly.
"Di and I have thoroughly enjoyed all your, ah, kind remarks and comments this evening." He looked down at Diana and took her hand. "However, we could not let the evening end without a few words of our own." There were more groans from those who had always teased Mart about his verbosity.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lynch, Mom and Dad, how can I ever thank you for creating a daughter as beautiful as Diana? Everyone always speaks of her physical beauty, and that is so true; she's incredibly beautiful to look at." Mart looked down at Diana again, winked and smiled. "But she has the most beautiful spirit of anyone I've ever met. She's sensitive, loving and caring, and generous. I recognized it the first time she came over to our house to play with Trixie and I've seen it grow and deepen over the years. I can never repay you for this gift. I do pledge to you that I will always treasure and protect your lovely daughter."
"Moms, Dad, I can never thank you enough for being the terrific parents that you are. For encouraging me and allowing me to pursue my dreams. Without your guidance and support, and I don't just mean financial, I would never have been able to pursue my professional dreams and realize my personal dream of a loving wife. I thank God for your love and pray that Diana and I will have the same kind of loving relationship that you share."
Mart held up his water goblet. "To our parents."
Everyone stood and toasted. There was mumbling and scraping of chairs as they sat back down.
Diana wiped the tears from her eyes and cleared her throat before speaking. "I could never hope to speak as eloquently as Mart. I just want to add my own gratitude to my parents who have shown me how wonderful love and marriage can be; and to Mr. and Mrs. Belden..."
"Dad and Moms!" Mr. Belden interrupted.
Diana smiled at her future in-laws. "Dad and Moms, for accepting me so unconditionally into their family and raising a good and loving man such as Mart."
Everyone stood again and toasted.
With few dry eyes left in the room, it seemed a fitting end to the official rehearsal dinner. Honey came up to Mart and Diana and, hugging each of them, asked if they would mind if she left with her parents. Diana kissed her cheek and assured her that it was all right. Mart had shared with her what had happened that afternoon and she marveled at how Honey had made it through the evening. "I expect you at my house bright and early," Diana scolded. "Eight at the latest."
"Eight it will be." Honey promised before leaving.
Diana's parents left with her twin sisters and brothers and the Beldens left with Bobby. One by one the other guests wished Mart and Diana well and left, leaving the bridal couple, Brian, Trixie, Dan, Jennifer, Jim and Barry, who planned to enjoy a few dances in the Club Room.
Almost as soon as they entered the Club Room, Mart and Diana were out on the dance floor. Oblivious to anything but each other and, ignoring the rhythm of the music, they danced in close embrace. Dan and Jen joined them on the dance floor, leaving Trixie and the other young men to find a table. As the evening progressed, Trixie managed to dance with each of the men, including her two brothers, as well as several other young men in the club. It seemed the only eligible male in the room who had not asked her to dance was Jim Frayne.
Finally, Trixie took it upon herself to ask Jim for a dance. He reluctantly agreed. Just as they stepped out onto the dance floor the music changed and they were forced to dance slowly. Jim stood stiffly as Trixie placed her hand on his shoulder and his on her waist.
"Mart and Diana couldn't be happier." Trixie offered as they began to dance.
"Umhuh."
"I'm glad all the Bob Whites are together."
"Umhuh."
Trixie stopped dancing and stepped away from Jim. "Jim, please, don't be this way. We've got to call a truce." Trixie looked up at her partner.
"I'm trying Trixie, truly." Jim began leading this time.
"I care about you Jim. Just not in the way you want me to."
Jim danced in silence, staring over the top of Trixie's head.
"Will you dance with me tomorrow?" Trixie tried to start a conversation again.
"I still wish..."
"I know what you're trying to say. I'm so sorry I hurt you. I'm so sorry our relationship ended the way it did...But it's got to be better this way. We'd never be happy together. And you deserve happiness..." Trixie wasn't sure what to say next.
"The hurt will fade, Trixie. It already has some...You have your dreams...I understand I can't stand in the way of them and I understand that I won't be part of them." They continued to dance until the music ended.
Jim held Trixie's hand as they walked back towards their table. "Trixie, although my heart still says otherwise, I do understand what you're saying. I'll dance with you tomorrow, Trixie. And I'll dance with you someday at your own wedding--even if it's not as your groom."
"Thank you, Jim."
Honey had maintained her composure throughout the evening. She had spent the entire afternoon crying in her room, refusing to talk to Jim or take any calls from Trixie. Somehow, she managed to shower, dress and make herself presentable for the rehearsal. She even managed to smile for the photographs and sit through the dinner, although she stayed as far away from Brian as possible. As soon as she arrived home that evening, she'd fallen apart again. Hearing her sobs, her mother had gone to her room to see what was wrong and had been shocked by Honey's revelation. Now, Madeleine Wheeler sat on the side of her daughter's bed. She had just given Honey a mild over-the-counter sedative and tucked her under the covers.
"I wish I were better at saying the right thing." Mrs. Wheeler was rubbing Honey's back as Honey lay on her side.
"Mother, there's not much anyone can say." Honey closed her eyes and tried to relax.
"It tears my heart out to see you so unhappy."
"I really am not surprised. I've suspected something was wrong for a long time. In fact I mostly feel stupid right now for having let it go on so long."
"Honey, you're not stupid." Her mother continued to gently rub Honey's back and shoulders. It had been years since she'd done this.
"That's how I feel. Stupid and used."
"Just be thankful you found out now. Brian might have led you on forever, maybe even after having married you." She rubbed her daughter's back in silence. "Remember the saying, you have to kiss a lot of toads before you find a prince?" She finally offered. "Well, just count him as one of those toads."
Honey was asleep. The sedative was working. Her mother tucked the covers around her again and kissed her forehead before turning off the light beside the bed.
"Goodnight, daughter. There really is a prince out there for you. You'll see." She whispered as she closed the door.
They had remained in the Club Room until the band announced the last dance and now, after taking her back to the Sleepyside Inn, Dan held open the door to the room for Jen to enter through. "I can't come in, Uncle Bill is waiting up for me."
"Dan...just for a short time." Jen turned and looked pleadingly up at Dan.
"Jen, I want to, really. I have to get home." Dan stepped away.
"Dan, I didn't come all this way to sleep alone in a strange hotel." The tone of Jen's voice had changed significantly.
"Jen, don't force me."
Jen put her arms around Dan's neck, kissing him. "There's alot more of that if you stay just a little.." She snuggled against him.
Dan pulled away. "Don't force me."
"Force you? I've never forced you to do anything." Jen tried to kiss him again.
"Jen, you don't understand." Dan had his hands placed on her shoulders.
"No, I don't. All I understand is how much I want you. I want you now."
Jen pulled away and grabbed his hand. She kissed and then gently bit his palm. "You want me, too. I know it. Your hand is burning hot. I can see..."
Dan pulled his hand away. "I'm sorry." He turned and walked up the hall.
"You walk away now, Dan Mangan, you'll regret it. I promise you." Jen called out before slamming the door.
Dan continued walking down the hall, not trusting himself to look back.
Mart took the gallon jug of milk out of the refrigerator and poured two tall glasses. "I think it's time for a brotherly talk." He said as he handed a glass to Brian and sat down at the table. "Sit." He pointed to the empty chair across from him.
"There's nothing to talk about." Brian responded, although he sat down across from his brother.
"You break your engagement and that's it? Nothing to talk about."
"It's been a long time coming." Brian took a sip from the glass.
"Brian, tell me, honestly, that you don't love Honey Wheeler. That all those late night confessionals were about an infatuation."
"It's none of your business."
"Dammit Brian! You're my brother. She's my friend."
Brian sat and stared at the glass of milk in his hand. "Mart, I don't know what I feel anymore. Honey is special. No, she's exceptional, but I just don't know if I love her...if it's real. I don't know if anything is real. I wonder if it's just a type of admiration and respect, but not love. There's no...no passion. Not what you and Diana have."
"Passion or lust?" Mart asked bluntly. Brian refused to look at him or respond.
"Trixie seems to think you have someone else." Mart waited for a reaction.
"What did Trixie say?" Brian's tone changed. Mart couldn't tell if he were angry or guilty.
"Nothing specific. It was more her asking me if I knew anything."
"Trixie needs to mind her own business." Mart still couldn't decide if Brian were angry or guilty.
"She cares about you too. And her investigative instincts have never been wrong. Why would she suspect something?"
Brain paused before replying. He took a large swallow of milk. "Trixie's not totally wrong."
Mart didn't know what to say. He found it difficult to accept that Brian might no longer love Honey, but it was even more unbelievable that Brian would see someone else while still engaged to Honey.
"A lot of things are starting to make sense, now. Perhaps it's time for a confession?" Mart paused. He knew he had to make a promise that he hoped he could keep. "I promise not to be judgmental."
Brian nodded and sighed deeply before telling his brother all about the beautiful medical student he was involved with and how his feelings for her had caused him to end his relationship with Honey.
Jim Frayne tapped lightly on the door of his parents' bedroom suite. His father called for him to enter. Both of his adoptive parents were dressed for bed and sitting in their favorite reading chairs.
"It's not too late, is it?" He asked as he entered their room.
"Not at all, son. Come in." Mr. Wheeler motioned towards an empty chair. Jim walked across the room and sat down.
"How's Honey?" he asked his mother, but his father replied. "She took a sedative and is sleeping. Your mother was just telling me about this afternoon. Do you know anything?"
Jim didn't know quite how to answer. He considered Brian his closest friend, but he was totally clueless about Brian's current behavior. Brian had always been reliable, trustworthy, studious, hard-working... and in love with his sister. Jim's only explanation was that Brian had finally "cracked" under the pressure he was always placing on himself and was looking for some escape from all his responsibilities. If the choices were to drop out of medical school, quit his demanding part-time jobs or free himself of his personal relationships, Jim knew which option Brian would choose. Of course, Jim was totally unaware of the existence of Joyce Mitchell.
Jim shared his thoughts with his parents who remained silent while he was talking. He knew that they had always admired Brian and had been pleased when he and Honey announced their engagement. They had to be as shocked and disappointed as he was.
"You understand, I'm only guessing about Brian's reasons. But I do believe he would never have broken his engagement with Honey unless he felt he'd hurt her more by remaining engaged."
"I understand your thinking, son." Mr. Wheeler agreed. All three sat in silence for a while.
"How's this affecting you, Jim?" Mrs. Wheeler finally spoke up.
"I don't understand what you mean, Mother."
"With Trixie. First the two of you break up and now Honey...and Brian always has been your best friend. This has to be especially difficult for you."
Jim sat and thought about the question before responding. "Trixie and I were never as serious as Honey and Brian. Never. And I think we'll be able to work out our feelings. In fact, this just might make it easier." He looked up at his parents and smiled. It was clear they didn't believe him.
"Mom, Dad, I think Trixie is one of the most exciting people I've ever met. My heart still longs for what I hoped I might have shared with her. My head understands that it was a dream. An impossible dream."
Diana sat in her darkened bedroom, looking out the window onto the lawn of her parents' estate. Caterers' trucks, service vans, tents and other equipment were lined up, ready to be emptied and set up in the morning. Hanging in her room, were her wedding gown and veil. A suitcase was sitting open and partially packed. She knew she needed to sleep, but didn't know how that could be possible. She wondered if any bride slept the night before her wedding. Her mind raced with thoughts of all that was to take place the next day and dreams of her future with Mart. She looked out across the hills towards Crabapple Farm. Goodnight, my love. Goodnight. She blew a kiss before crossing the room and climbing into bed.
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