Julia 03 - Miss Julia Throws a Wedding (36 page)

“Be careful,” Hazel Marie said, watching as I was from the door. “Don’t mess up her hair.”

Then Hazel Marie drew me back into the bedroom. “I didn’t want to say anything to the others,” she whispered, “but I think I saw Dixon Hightower again.”

“No!” I gasped at the thought. “No, Hazel Marie, he couldn’t be that foolish. Not with half the deputies in the county in our living room. Are you sure?”

“Well-l-l.” She frowned, thinking over what she’d seen. “I guess I’m not. It sure looked like him, though, slithering and scooting through that crowd with nobody but me noticing him. I guess it could’ve been a child.” She didn’t sound too sure about it.

“Well, I can’t worry about him now.”

I looked past Hazel Marie to see Miss Wiggins give way to Lillian, who lifted Binkie to her feet. “I’ll get her a cold drink,” Miss Wiggins said, as she headed for the cooler in the corner of the bedroom. “That might help settle her stomach.”

As Lillian led Binkie to the bed, I said, “Don’t let her lie down. We don’t have time. Binkie, how’re you feeling now?”

She gave me a weak smile, her face slightly on the green side. “I’m all right. I think. Where’s Coleman?”

“He’s downstairs with Sam. They’re just waiting on you, as is everybody else. Take some deep breaths, Binkie.”

She did, then sipped from the icy drink Miss Wiggins held for her.

“Nibble on this,” Miss Wiggins said, giving her a saltine cracker. “Just nibble, now. No big bites, just enough to put something on your stomach. It’ll stay down, I promise.”

Binkie, like a little girl, obeyed, biting carefully into the cracker and sipping the cold drink.

“I’m feeling better,” she said, taking a deep breath and smiling with some assurance.

“Let’s get her dressed, Hazel Marie,” I said, taking the gown from its hanger. “If her stomach’ll hold off for ten minutes, we’ll have this wedding over and done with. Where’re her shoes?”

With Binkie still sitting on the bed, Hazel Marie settled the dress over her head, being careful of her hair. Miss Wiggins knelt and put Binkie’s shoes on her feet. As Lillian zipped up the dress, Hazel Marie loaded a brush with enough rouge to bring a healthy color to the face of a corpse. Then
she laid on with lipstick and lip gloss until Binkie was ready for public viewing. They helped her to her feet, and she only swayed a little bit.

“All right,” I said. “Let’s get this show on the road. Hazel Marie, don’t you leave Binkie’s side. I want you to be ready to catch her if she stumbles on the stairs. Binkie, pay attention now. You stand right behind Hazel Marie at the bottom of the stairs. As soon as Little Lloyd seats me, Sam and Coleman will come out and stand in front of the arch where the minister will be. Then Hazel Marie’ll come out and walk toward the arch. Slowly, Hazel Marie, remember that. When you get there, Miss Morgan will strike up the wedding march and that’s when you come out, Binkie. Walk right up, but real slowly, and stand beside Coleman. Everybody clear on what they’re supposed to do?”

They all nodded, then Binkie asked, “What if I get sick again?”

“You’re not going to get sick again,” I assured her, and if willpower had anything to do with it, she wouldn’t. “But if you do, there’s a big vase of flowers by the arch. Just lean over and throw up. But you stay right there until you’ve said your vows. The Reverend Mr. Abernathy’ll understand. Oh, by the way, don’t be surprised at the last-minute change of ministers; the one we have is better qualified than the one you’re expecting. Now, Hazel Marie, give us five minutes to get around the house and into the living room. Oh, and don’t forget your bouquets; be sure Binkie has hers.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Hazel Marie said, her eyes already on her watch. “I’ll look after her and get her down there on time.”

Miss Wiggins, Lillian and I hurried down the back stairs, coming out into the kitchen to the surprised faces of Sam and Coleman. The Reverend Mr. Abernathy remained unperturbed, probably because he’d officiated at so many weddings, nothing surprised him anymore.

As the three of us rushed out the back door, I called, “As soon as we’re all seated, Sam, get Coleman out there.”

Lifting my skirt, I ran after Lillian and Miss Wiggins, turning the corner of the porch to the amazed stares of the mob of people who were momentarily distracted from the object of their worship.

Breathing hard, we climbed the steps to the porch where Mr. Pickens and Little Lloyd waited for us. Everyone else had been seated, and the rustle from inside the house let us know they were getting restless.

“What’s the holdup?” Mr. Pickens said, a smile lurking around the corners of that bushy mustache. “You have trouble getting dressed, Miss Julia?”

“No, I did not. But there’s been plenty of trouble, which you don’t need to know about. Mr. Pickens, we don’t have time for your foolishness. Now take Miss Wiggins down the aisle and get back out here for Lillian as quick as you can, then Little Lloyd will escort me.”

“Ah, one little question,” Mr. Pickens said, lifting one eyebrow. “Do you know who’s standing in the arch, looking for all the world like a man of the cloth?”

“He
is
a man of the cloth. That’s the Reverend Mr. Abernathy, and don’t you say one word, Mr. Pickens,” I said. Then, looking him straight in the eye, I went on. “Just do your job and let him do his. Now, as soon as I’m in my seat, give Sam the signal to get Coleman out there. Escort Miss Wiggins in now, and step lively.”

Anxiety knotted up my stomach until I began to fear that I’d have Binkie’s problem, but with a lot less cause for it. I wrung my hands as Mr. Pickens and Miss Wiggins entered the house. He was on his best behavior, holding his arm in the correct manner for Miss Wiggins to cling to. Which she did, smiling brightly.

“It all goin’ now,” Lillian said, patting my back. “You don’t
need to worry no more. You jus’ walk in there an’ take yo’ place like they not a flustration on yo’ mind. Hear me, now.”

“I hear you, Lillian, and thank you. If we can just get through the next few minutes without a catastrophe, I won’t ask the Lord for another thing. I’ll even sign back up for the prayer chain.”

Little Lloyd grinned behind his hand, as Mr. Pickens returned and held the screen door for Lillian. “Let’s go, Miss Lillian,” he said, crooking his arm. “I’ve already escorted you down once, but it’s my pleasure to do it again.”

Lillian’s face glowed as she accompanied him on her second march down the aisle. Little Lloyd and I were left alone on the porch, well, except for the surging crowd on the sidewalk that couldn’t decide which was of more interest—us or the lady on the wall. I squeezed his shoulder. “Won’t be long now,” I said. “At least, let’s hope it won’t.”

Mr. Pickens opened the screen door, smiling at us. “Ready, Miss Julia?” he said. “Last call.”

He gave Little Lloyd a pat on the back, as the boy held his arm in the approved manner for me to take. We stood in the doorway a moment as I gathered myself, then we walked sedately down the aisle toward our seats and the beatific presence of the Reverend Mr. Abernathy in the flower-filled arch.

Chapter 36

I straightened the folds of my dress and breathed deeply as I settled into my seat beside Little Lloyd. Lillian reached across him and patted my hand. Seeing the Reverend Mr. Abernathy’s complacent smile as he faced his audience reassured me that the service was in good hands. There was nothing else I could do now.

A brief silence descended as Miss Mattie Mae Morgan changed her sheet music and nodded to Lieutenant Peavey. He stood to his full height and filled his impressive chest. Then, as she began the music, he commenced to hit notes that I’d never imagined him, or anybody of his gender, capable of, from the extremely high tones to a breathy whisper. He sang about somebody’s wedding day, which I thought most appropriate, if he could’ve managed it in a normal range and without an excess of quavery high notes.

Little Lloyd leaned over, his eyes big with wonder, and whispered, “He sounds just like Barry.”

“Who?” I whispered back.

“You know. Barry, with the Bee Gees. That’s a Bee Gees song, too.”

“You don’t say,” I said under my breath, feeling a rush of chills run across my back as Lieutenant Peavey sang most movingly of husband and wife being taken to heaven. I wasn’t sure the song was all that spiritual, but the sound of it was so sweet that, I declare, my heart clenched up on me.

Then, as Lieutenant Peavey ended on a tremulous whisper, Coleman and Sam emerged from the kitchen and made their way down the improvised aisle that wound through the seated guests. Coleman looked remarkably improved, now that the moment was at hand. He walked with confidence, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth, to the arch, then turned to face us with Sam at his side. As tears started in my eyes, I saw the Reverend Mr. Abernathy rise up on his tiptoes and whisper some encouraging words to the groom. Coleman clasped his hands in front of him, nodded and relaxed his shoulders. Sam beamed with pleasure, having accomplished the important job of getting the groom where he was supposed to be. He turned his head slightly toward me, and winked.

Lord, I hoped he had the wedding ring. What with all I’d had on my mind, that was the one thing I’d forgotten to check on. Well, if he didn’t, it was too late to worry about it. I slipped off my engagement ring and loosened my wedding band, readying it to hand to Sam if he needed it.

There was a stir in the crowd as Miss Morgan began a more traditional selection, and people turned in their chairs when Hazel Marie stepped off the stairs and into our view. Moving with grace, a bridesmaid’s pride glowing on her face, she carried her bouquet at her waist as she glided along the winding aisle between our guests. She turned her head toward Mr. Pickens, who stood at the back of the room, and I thought her heart would jump out through her eyes. She looked lovely—in spite of that skimpy dress that would probably have Emma Sue fanning the air again.

I heard Little Lloyd suck in a breath as he whispered, “Mama.” I patted his knee, as she walked beside us to her place opposite Sam. She smiled at Little Lloyd, then at me, and I hoped it was an assurance that Binkie was able to make it to the altar alone.

Oh, Lord, I thought, we should’ve had somebody give Binkie away, in spite of the harsh words she’d had to say about the practice. At least, she would’ve had somebody to lean on in her weakened condition. Too late, though, for Miss Morgan struck up the wedding march with all the power at her command, which was considerable, for I saw the vases on my mantel shake with the vibration. If that didn’t get Binkie moving, I didn’t know what would.

The guests turned with one accord as Binkie appeared, sighing at the sight of her. She was beautiful, glowing as if she’d never had a second thought in her life. Hazel Marie had done wonders with Binkie’s hair, to say nothing of the makeup that hid all the signs of her earlier indisposition.

Binkie tottered briefly as she started through the guests, then she lifted her head, locking her eyes on Coleman. Joy lit up her face, and her steps steadied as she seemed drawn to him alone. I glanced at Coleman and was struck by the wide smile on his face, so remarkably different from the usual grim and serious demeanor of grooms I’d witnessed heretofore. I was looking at a happy man, and it did my heart good, considering all I’d gone through to get him to that point.

As Binkie approached the arch, the guests turning with her as she passed, Coleman held out his hand and gathered her to him. At last, I thought to myself, Coleman has her. He’d take care of her, and I could breathe easy for the first time since it had all started a week before.

It was all so affecting that I had to dab at my eyes again, and Lillian, stirred by the same tender emotion, blew her nose.

Binkie was so intent on Coleman, and probably on another internal threat, that she forgot to hand her bouquet to Hazel Marie. Hazel Marie had to reach over and take it from her, but that was only a minor hitch in the proceedings.

Still, though, there was a nagging worry in my mind that
something else would go wrong. And to that end, I could’ve smacked Lieutenant Peavey to kingdom come when he rose to regale us again with song. If I had thought of it, I’d’ve told him to limit himself to pre-wedding singing so the ceremony could continue apace. Every minute counts when you’re trying to get something to move along. Instead, I had to grit my teeth and listen to him warble something about everything starting from this moment on.