Permanent Resident at the Purse Table (22 page)

Toni tried to ignore her cold feet for two weeks, then a week before the ceremony, she found herself in Pastor Monroe's office, sitting next to Eric, sharing the details of their argument at IHOP with Pastor and his wife. This meeting was needed; however, her hope level was low. Sure, Eric's apology seemed sincere and she believed every word, but looking to a renewed future with him, she didn't want to have the jealousy animal rear its ugly head every so often.

Pastor Monroe rubbed the tip of his chin. “Can I be frank, Eric?”

“Please do, Pastor.” Eric nervously ran his hands on his lap.

“After hearing both sides of your story, I must say, Eric, this is something you're going to have to get in check.”

Eric sat back in his seat and leaned on the armrest. Toni liked the turn the discussion was taking with Pastor's one sentence.

Pastor cleared his throat and went on. “Toni hasn't done anything for you to lose your trust in her. Your jealousy streak or trait, whatever you want to call it, stems from your own infidelity.”

Toni could see Eric's body language change as she read unhappiness in his face. He looked like he wanted to chime in, but instead just listened.

“If you continue to accuse her of things, you will eventually push her away. Is that what you want?”

“No, of course not.”

“Well, I suggest you pray when those feelings rise up in you, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you work through it.” Pastor Monroe turned to Toni. “And, Toni, you'll need to understand that he will be working through. It's a process and will get better with time. Are you willing to put in the time and work through those moments with him?”

Why did it require work on her part? Eric was in the wrong.
Let's be mature here.
“Yes, Pastor.”

“Good.” Pastor took hold of his wife's hand. “Got anything to add, dear?”

Pastor Sandra smiled. “My suggestion is that you both continue couples counseling after the ceremony for at least six months. The enemy is real and he will throw everything at you to break this union created under God's eyes. You need to stay strong and stay together. And continuing to do healthy acts for your marriage will only enhance your relationship. Can you both commit to that?”

Toni glanced at Eric. As the man, he was the head of their relationship. She'd follow his lead. They nodded together. After Toni and Eric thanked the clergy couple, they talked specifics for the renewal ceremony and Pastor Monroe prayed a blessing over them as individuals and as a couple. He prayed that God's will would be done in their lives together as a strong couple serving the Lord.

Before they left the office, Toni and Eric practiced reading the couples prayer for the ceremony. The words were imprinted on Toni's heart and gave her spirit hope again. God was all in their relationship and she couldn't be more grateful.

 

 

Thursday evening rolled around and Ava sat at the Olive Garden restaurant waiting for Toni and Rene to show up for Toni's celebratory dinner. Ava was glad that Toni and Eric kissed and made up. With the ceremony one day away, everything was set and ready, and Ava had been preparing food two weeks prior. And no renewal between the couple equaled a whole lot of food without a whole lot of mouths to consume the scrumptious feast.

The unselfish reason the ceremony needed to take place was Toni seemed happiest with Eric in her life. She didn't want a divorce, no matter the circumstances. Toni had conveyed many times over she believed God brought her and Eric together and the time they spent apart ate away at her soul. Ava wanted Toni to be happy and living as close to a righteous life as she could. They all needed to do that.

Toni trotted up to the table as if she moved to an upbeat tempo song. Her smile only reconfirmed that she and Eric had made up and Toni's feet had warmed up.

Ava stood to give her friend a hug. “Hey, Ms. Bride-to-be-again!”

“I said that was only funny the first time.”

“I know, but it seems so creative.” Ava thought that phrase up all by herself and wanted to milk it at least until the ceremony was over.

“It's cute.” Rene rolled up and took a seat.

Toni shook her head and shrugged her shoulders as if to give in. “Well, I appreciate you two coming out with me before my big day. And I thank you for all you have done to put this ceremony together.”

“We wouldn't have it any other way. You will always have our support.” Ava was not only talking about for physical things, but emotionally as well. Toni, the liaison when Rene and Ava were not speaking to each other, kept their bond strong in that difficult time. Ava owed her a great deal.

“And you guys will always have mine.” Toni reached into her suitcase that masqueraded as a purse and fished out two long, rectangular velvet-covered boxes. She handed one to Ava and the other to Rene. “This is a token of appreciation. Not only for standing up for me a second time, but for taking the time to put everything together, and for sticking by Eric and me through all of our issues.”

Ava couldn't open the box fast enough. “Oh, Toni, you didn't have to do this.”

“Yeah, we're supposed to give you something.” Rene winked at her and opened the box.

Both ladies stared at the sparkling tennis bracelets that shone brilliantly off the black cases. After Ava closed her mouth, she placed the exquisite jewelry over her arm.
Hope it fits.
“Toni, this bracelet is beautiful. Thank you so much.”

Rene held hers up in the light. “Girl, thank you. You know my cheap behind never had anything like this.”

Hooking the bracelet on her wrist, Ava planned to wear it to complete the perfect dress, shoes, and handbag she'd bought the day before to stand by Toni's side at the altar.
Whew! It fits.
Kevin would probably notice it first thing, and the bracelet could serve as a good conversation starter.

“Well, since we're giving gifts now.” Ava took her purse off of the back of her chair and dug out a greeting card and handed it to Toni. “This is from me and Rene.”

“Ahh, you guys really didn't have to. You gave me a gift the first time around.” She laughed nervously.

“Stop saying stuff like that, Toni. This is just as special as the first time. Enjoy what God is doing in your relationship.”

Toni smiled and slid the card out. As she opened it, a gift card fell out on the table. Ava picked it up and handed it to her. “This is a one hundred dollar gift card to Victoria's Secret. So when y'all go on your second honeymoon, you can buy some new lingerie. You and Eric have a new cause, which calls for some new drawers!”

Each of them burst out in laughter. Toni was almost in tears. They toasted Toni's new beginning, while going over the timeline for the event the next day. As they ate and conversed, Ava couldn't believe how much everything in her life had turned around for the better. God's better.

Ava rode the emotional rollercoaster for most of the year. But she was healthier for it. Healthier inside and out. Her relationships had been restored, she found inner peace with who she was in Christ, and whether she had a man or not, she was a complete woman in God. He lifted her out of her own hell and placed her feet on solid ground. From that point on, no matter the circumstances around her, Ava would hold on to Him and never let go.

In the ladies' lounge just behind the sanctuary, Ava and Rene assisted Toni with getting ready for her ceremony. Eric's sister, Dana, helped by setting up the electric fan to cool her down. Toni raised her arms as the three of them lifted her dress over her head and carefully laid it over her body in a flowing-like manner.

Ava pictured what her wedding day would be like. She knew the where, the when, and the how. Her issue was the who. The colors would be similar to Toni's, with purple being the main attraction, and she would let someone else cook for her. All the details had been planned out to the letter during the course of her twenty-nine years. God just never let her in on the most important detail. Who would be standing there waiting to receive her as his wife, as her father passed her along with his blessing?

The one thing Ava was not envious of was Toni's thin frame. That was even difficult for her to believe. With her eating better, working out, and losing some weight, her goal changed to be the best she could be, instead of being a version of someone else's best. God made her in His image. And if she allowed the funny looks of others and their snide comments determine her value, or continued to down herself, she was downing God's handiwork. And who was she to put her two cents in on what God created?

Toni and Eric's guests packed the church. As Ava walked down the aisle, she acted like the nuptials were her own. Smiling and stepping, each stride was timed appropriately.
Left, right. Left, right.
She enjoyed the procession, consumed by the moment and the attention. Pastor Monroe nodded toward her as she arrived at her destination and took her spot. When she turned to face the onlookers, the beauty of the cream and purple flowers, candles, and soft music increased the want for her day in the wedding dress to be sooner rather than later.

Eric seemed on the brink of tears as Toni glided to him. His smile seemed to grow larger with each step she took toward him. Pastor prayed a prayer for the service and the union, and then asked the guests to have a seat.

The soloist from the church crooned a love song, while Toni and Eric stared into one another's eyes. After they exchanged vows and new wedding bands, the lovebirds lit a unity candle. Pastor Monroe then explained the importance of the couples prayer and what it meant for their union. Pastor Sandra got up from her seat in the front row and handed Eric a framed copy of the prayer as Pastor handed them a microphone.

Eric and Toni read the heartfelt words in unison:

“Dear Lord, we come before You in agreement asking that You would cover our relationship and marriage. We vow to love and respect one another as your Word says. We know You have a plan and a purpose for bringing us together. May we see it through until its completion. We thank You for the grace You've shown us as individuals and as a couple. And when we have an issue with one another, please help us to forgive quickly, as You forgive, and move past it. May we be in your will and honor You with our lives, as we strive to be a blessing to those around us. We love You and thank You for loving us. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

Sniffles scattered around the room, along with a few amens. Pastor prayed over them as a renewed couple in the eyes of the Lord and then gave Eric permission to salute his bride. As they shared a passionate lip lock, cheers rang all over the sanctuary. Toni and Eric marched back down the aisle hand in hand while everyone stood and clapped them down the walkway.

It was now time to celebrate the night away. Ava needed to gather her belongings as quickly as possible, so she could go oversee the crew hired to serve the food. She changed into more comfortable shoes, turned her phone off silent, and headed for the door. Before she could make it into the banquet hall in the next building over, her phone's ringtone went off.

When Ava viewed Kevin's name on the screen of her cell phone, butterflies fluttered about in her stomach. He'd probably gotten lost on his way to the church and needed directions instead of following the GPS lady's voice. The church sat back off of a main street and many people had gotten turned around. She'd help him find his way to the church. And to her.

“Hi, Ava.” His voice sounded dry and monotonous.

“Is everything okay? Are you lost?”

“Actually, I'm not going to make it.”

Ava's heart sank into the pit of her stomach and knocked the butterflies right out of the way. “Not coming?”

“Yeah, I apologize. It's Curtis. The guy I was with at the hospital a few weeks ago.”

“Mmh?”

“He's going through some things and asked me to come by. He's been clean for five days and is going through some sort of withdrawals.” The breaking in his voice made his words give the impression he was regretfully sincere.

“I understand.”
No, I don't.
Ava had looked forward to this all week. Shoot, the past few weeks. “Take care of him, and I'll keep you both in prayer.”

“I appreciate you being so understanding. I'll give you a call and we can hang out sometime this week.”

Yeah, that's better. Not!
“Okay, good luck with everything.”

She tossed the phone back in her purse.
Figures.
Her flesh took over. Being understanding and wanting what you wanted when you wanted it was hard to balance. The past couple of months of engaging in a friendship with Kevin, she had raised her hopes too high. This was how things always turned out. Why should this day be any different? Yes, he was a godly man. And yes, he was helping someone. But to Ava it appeared to be the same story on a different day.

Lavender and white roses floating in clear water created the centerpieces for each table. Guests devoured Ava's appetizers, which she was thrilled about. But even more thrilling was seeing the glow on Toni's face as she gazed into Eric's eyes. The couple walked around arm in arm, greeting partygoers and stopping to share a kiss every time their eyes met or someone in the reception tapped an eating utensil on their glass.

Ava kept an eye on the food, making sure plenty was available, while she periodically checked her phone, hoping Kevin would call back and say he was on his way. The call on Kevin's life to help those struggling with addiction was honorable and important to him, but her desire to have a date for the reception trumped everything. She didn't want to be selfish, but couldn't help how she felt. Being with him in a social setting would help her navigate through their relationship.

Wanting to remain positive and enjoy Toni's day, Ava went about her catering and mingled with the guests. However, on occasion, her eyes traveled to the banquet hall doors, hoping they'd burst open and Kevin would traipse through them, run to her, and hold her in his arms. He didn't even have to run. He could slowly walk. Or even crawl. As long as it was in her direction.

Dr. Moses, sitting at a table adjacent to the dance floor, shared an intense conversation with the man next to her. Ava wasn't sure if she wanted to roll up on their discussion, but before she could turn around, her and Dr. Glory's eyes met and she motioned for Ava to come over.

Ava scooted over to them, smiling. “Hello, Dr. Moses.”

“Hey, Ava. I told you not to be so formal. You're not my patient anymore, you're my friend.

“Sorry. I meant Glory. I'll have to get used to that.” Ava smiled.

“You do that.” She nodded toward the gentleman beside her. “This is my husband, Gregory.”

He was a nice-looking man, slender built with almond-shaped eyes and curly eyelashes that went on for days, but his body language didn't read so pleasant. “Hello, Ava.”

“Nice to meet you.” Ava pointed to them. “That's cute. Gregory and Glory. It must've been meant to be.”

Dr. Moses gave an uncomfortable giggle. While Ava made small talk, Gregory slumped in his chair, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else than that reception. Ava remembered his struggle with his job search and figured whatever issue they were currently having probably stemmed from his frustration. As far as Ava could tell, Glory seemed to have it together. Meeting her husband gave her a different perception of what Dr. Moses' life situation might be outside the office.

Ava, grateful single ladies were called to the dance floor for the toss of the bouquet, shot forward to claim her spot on the floor. Toni waited for all interested women to take their places. She faced the stage, back to the ladies, and counted to three. Her first toss, a fake throw, grew the excitement and received a few boos from the geared-up group of women.

The second count to three sent the bouquet flying in the air in an arch-shaped line, and women began pushing and shoving with their hands fully extended. Ava pulled an old block-out technique from her basketball days as if she were getting a rebound. A couple women hit the floor in amusement as she swiped the bouquet out the air.

Laughter filled the reception hall and a few bystanders fell out almost in tears. Ava fixed her clothes, putting everything back in place, and wiped her dress down. She smiled, held up the bouquet, and received cheers in her honor. After she and Toni took a picture with the prize, they scooted over to the wedding party table where Rene was already sitting.

Taking a seat between Rene and Toni, Ava sipped her water and searched for the right words to say. One friend was high on the mountaintop while the other was down in the valley. “Why didn't you hop out there and go for the bouquet, Rene?”

“I'm not ready. I don't need any bouquet.” She grinned. “I'm happy you caught it though.”

Toni leaned over to see Rene straight on. “Girl, you'll need it one day. You know, I can always introduce you to my cousin Cletus Jr. He's been looking for a holy hookup.”

“Yeah, Rene, there he goes now.” Ava smirked.

Cletus Jr., complete with powder blue tuxedo and eighties box haircut, busted his moves on the dance floor.

Rene waved her hands in the air. “No, I'm good.”

Ava swayed in her seat back and forth. So much in her life had changed, it was almost unreal. But one key issue that had been resolved inside of her was the fact that she did not have to focus on if she would get asked to dance. If she wanted to, she had no problem jumping out on the dance floor herself. Cletus even made it look fun, like it used to be when she was younger, before she started thinking too much.

Nor would she focus on how many purses may or may not be under her care that night. Ava's mindset had changed. She was living and breathing proof of Romans 12:2. Her mind was transformed, renewed, and searching God's will for her life. Not only had she been given a revelation about her catering business, now called Manna Catering, but she knew that serving as a prayer partner in her church was a part of her calling. Ava was doing exactly what she was supposed to be doing at this time in her life.

“We've come a long way this past year. Aren't you guys just thankful?” Ava wanted to check in with Rene and Toni and see if they were on her page as well.

Toni popped in first, as usual. “Lord knows I am. God restored my marriage and I know He did it and not me, because y'all know I wasn't feeling Eric anymore. But my love for him was always there, and the Lord reconciled that and so much more between us. I pray you guys experience this love whenever God believes you're ready.”

“Well, I am thankful too.” Rene slapped the table when she spoke the word “too.” “I am going to step out on faith. I'm going to put in my resignation at the state prosecutor's office and open my own practice. I've been too scared to do it being hitched on to Ishmael because I wanted to make sure one of us had a steady income. But it has always been a dream of mine to go into business for myself. And I'm going to do it.” She hit the table again. “And I believe I dodged a very big bullet not marrying Ishmael. And through all the pain and struggle, I have my best friend back.”

Ava placed her hand over Rene's. God was in that situation for sure. Only He could turn Rene's heart back toward Ava's in forgiveness. And now they could join Toni on the mountaintop.

“I feel like this is Thanksgiving. You know, before you eat, everyone goes around the table and shares what they're thankful for.” They all giggled as tears filled the corners of Ava's eyes. “But I certainly am thankful to have my best friend back as well. And I'm also thankful I've learned to not only love, but like who I am in Christ. I see myself through the eyes of the Lord now and I must say, I like what I see. God is good!”

“All the time!” Rene and Toni spoke together.

Ava smiled. “And all the time!”

“God is good!”

Picking up her fork to cut a sliver of the last of her cake, Ava took in every good thing in the room. When her eyes reached the banquet hall doors, her heart danced the twist. There Kevin stood, all six feet two inches of him, broad-chested, in a fitted suit, magnetic to Ava's heart.

Their eyes met and he cruised over to her table. “Good evening, beautiful. I made it after all.”

Yes, you did.
“I see. What a surprise.” Giddiness controlled her actions. “I thought you got caught up with your sponsee?”

“I let another sponsor take him to a meeting. I wanted to be here.” He nodded. “With you.”

Ava's soul double-dutched. “I'm glad you came.”

He placed a violet corsage on her wrist. His old-school ways were endearing. “Have you been sitting here long?”

“No, we just sat down after I caught the bouquet.”

“Oh, you caught the bouquet, huh?” Kevin snickered.

“Yes.”
Hopefully, for our wedding-to-be one day.
Ava couldn't help herself.

“Well, how about you leave the flowers here for just a minute? I wanted to know . . .” He paused. “Would you like to dance?”

Would I like to dance? Heck, yeah!
Was this really happening? She wanted to pinch herself, but if it was a dream, she wasn't ready to wake up. Toni and Rene were sitting right there and he wanted to be there. With her. Ava needed to like herself first before anyone else could. And she, with God's help, had accomplished that.

Something good came out of all her mess. Actually, three positives accompanied her out of her pit. She gained a better self-image, a deeper relationship with God, and of course, there was Kevin. The Lord had squeezed, poked, and prodded her lemons into lemonade.

Ava stood, clutching the strap of her lavender purse. She froze and turned to put the designer handbag on the table. Smiling at Rene and Toni, she asked them, “Will you watch my purse?” before being led on the dance floor, where she gladly danced the night away.