Walk a Straight Line (23 page)

Keith didn't answer that question. “Moving near to Mom sounds good too. One of us needs to look out for her.” Though he addressed Michael, his eyes were glued to Gina. He dissected her response to his bombshell. Though she hadn't uttered a word, he'd seen her face go white at his announcement. Gina cared if he left. That knowledge gave him a small degree of comfort, because it took everything in him to sit here and go over her wedding plans to someone else.

“Atlanta is nice,” Michael broke in with a speculative gleam in his eye. He gave Gina a nudge. “Maybe we . . .”

Keith interrupted, knowing what was coming next. He held his hands up and said, “Don't even suggest it, Michael. You don't have to follow me. Besides, you have Gina to consider now.”

“Gina's a teacher. She can move anywhere. Right, Gina?” Michael obstinately continued.

“Yes,” Gina breathed out in a gasp of air. She held her chest and pressed her lips together.

“Say what? Are you trying to take my friend away from me already?” Colleen chimed in. She called Keith's bluff. “Besides, Keith, you're an attorney; you can't just up and move like that.” Colleen shook her head, before shifting gears. “Listen, nobody's moving yet so, let's get back to the wedding plans, okay?”

Colleen cornered Gina for a private conversation as soon as the opportunity arose. The brothers were involved in some conversation about the tuxes. She touched Gina's arm. “Girl, are you all right?” Colleen asked with concern.

“Yeah,” Gina nodded repeatedly. Then she threw her hands in the air. “No. I don't know. I can't believe Keith! Imagine that I had to sit there and remain silent, pretending to be cool when all I wanted to do was scream or shake him. The man is just plain infuriating.” Her shoulders slumped.

“Listen,” Colleen whispered conspiratorially, “you don't have to go through with this, you know. It's not too late to back out.”

“Yes, it is,” Gina declined. She looked around to make sure they were indeed alone. “I couldn't do that to Michael. The man almost died because of me!”

“Well, he didn't!” Colleen said. She lowered her body closer to Gina's. “Just run off with Keith because you both look like you're going to die without each other. It's heartbreaking to watch, actually.”

“I can't!” Gina said, grabbing Colleen's hand for support. “Keith's his brother, for crying out loud. I can't do that to Keith. He'd lose his brother because of me.”

Colleen gave up because what Gina said made sense. “Girl, you need to send this story to
General Hospital
. 'Cause I don't know.”

Gina could only laugh. “It would be a juicy, twisted love triangle if I wasn't the one going through it.” Gina looked over at Keith.

 

 

Keith just happened to look over at Gina while she was looking at him and he lost his train of thought. The moment was bittersweet.

I love you,
Gina communicated.

I love you more,
Keith returned.

Michael glanced to see what had caught his brother's attention. He saw him looking at Gina and piped up, “Don't worry, Keith,” Michael said, “I'm sure about her. She's the right one for me.” Michael had mistaken the look on Keith's face.

“Yes, I suppose that you're right,” Keith said quietly. He looked at his brother wondering if Michael knew something. But Michael's face was without guile. Wisely, Keith kept silent. He looked back at Gina, but she had already turned away.
I can't do this,
Keith thought.
I can't just let her walk away. Gina!
He screamed on the inside, and his heart raged.
Why didn't I meet you first?

“I know I'm right,” Michael returned, confidently, unaware of Keith's inward struggle. Then, unknowingly, he prophesied, “Trust me, Keith, you would feel the same way I do, if you had met her first.”

All through the month of March, leading up to the wedding, Gina went along with the scheme of things, but her heart counted the days—the hours—the minutes until Keith left. Gina's mind became consumed with Keith's possible departure. How
could
he leave her? How was she going to handle it? He couldn't leave. She wouldn't see him. Not see Keith anymore! She couldn't handle that. And, so it went on all day, while she pretended to be in pre-wedding bliss. The pretense of being happy was wearing her down. Frankly, it grated on her nerves. She had been on edge and snappy with her students, and that was totally out of character.

Then all of a sudden, it was April 7th, two days before her wedding day, and her final day at work before her honeymoon. Keith was at her house.

She'd broken down and called him, demanding that he meet her to talk. She had to confront these feelings. She felt like she was about to drown in her misery. She had to convince him to stay.

Keith had been waiting for her. His motorcycle was in her driveway. “Why are you leaving?” Gina demanded angrily while she juggled opening the door with her books and purse in hand.

“You know why,” Keith answered. He grabbed the keys and unlocked her door.

“But, you can't do this . . .” Gina stammered and barged inside. She dropped everything by the front door. “What about your brother, your job—”

“My brother will be fine, and I can do this job anywhere,” Keith interjected. He followed on her heels. He swung her around and asked her a question. “Shouldn't you be saying what about
you,
Gina? Isn't that what this phone call is really about? Admit it.”

Gina snorted, but she didn't answer. She folded her arms and gave him a mutinous glance.

Keith continued, “Just admit that you'll miss me if I leave. At least give me that much.”

“Okay, yes, yes, I'll miss you,” Gina caved. “But why are you going?”

“Because I can't live here with you married to my brother. That's why. I know I won't be able to handle it,” Keith retorted.

Gina didn't know what to say to that because she wasn't handling it any better. But . . . She
was
going to miss Keith something fierce. To keep herself busy, she went into the kitchen, knowing Keith would be right behind her. Gina put on a tea kettle and took out a couple of mugs. She whipped around to face him. “I guess I understand. But I had hoped that I would at least get to see you . . . or something.”

“Well, I can't do that, Gina. It's not fair of you to ask me to either.” He dropped his voice as he ventured into deep waters. “Unless you want to come with me.”

He came up behind her and pulled her against him.

Yes!
Gina's heart cried.
No!
Her mind fought. Her chest moved up and down from her rapid breathing. Michael would be devastated, and what would she look like? Because of her, he'd crashed his car, ending up in a coma. No, she couldn't chance that. One near-death encounter was enough. She wasn't psychologically prepared to handle anything else. “I can't,” Gina replied in a dull and defeated tone. She leaned against the counter.

“I had hoped . . . But, I guess there is nothing else left for us to say.” Keith moved away from her, and she felt bereft at the lack of sudden heat. When Gina turned, he had already left the kitchen and was by her front door. Her heart rebelled. Her feet propelled her forward. Every fiber of her being was now in red alert. On the verge of hysteria, she screamed, “Stop! No. Keith. Don't go. Don't. go.”

He stopped. When he turned to face her, she held out her arms.

 

 

Gina and Colleen were spending the night with Gerry, at Keith's house. Michael and Keith had let them in before disappearing for parts unknown. Gina had hugged Michael with great exuberance, and Keith—well, it was best that she avoided any further contact with him.

She went and knocked on Gerry's bedroom door where she'd stowed the wedding dress because of the superl arge closet. Gina entered when she heard a cheerful, “Come in.”

Gerry held Gina's gown in her hands. Gina saw her run her hands gingerly over the beads and laces. “I just came to see if you need anything.” Gina greeted her future mother-in-law with a kiss on the cheek.

“I suppose you'll need this.” Gerry had a winsome smile on her face. She turned and gently rested the gown across the middle of the queen-sized bed. Then she perched on the foot of the bed and patted the space next to her. After a slight hesitation, Gina took Gerry's invitation.

Gerry began, “Gina, your gown is lovely. It fits you like a second skin, and I have no doubt you will make a beautiful bride.”

Gina beamed. “Thank you.”

Then Gerry dropped a bombshell.

“But I was wondering about you. Gina, are you marrying my son because he nearly died?”

Feeling trapped, Gina uttered an inarticulate “Huh?” Her mind raced. Had she done or said anything amiss? Had she betrayed herself somehow? “Have I done anything to cause you concern, Gerry?” Her heart pounded.

“No, dear,” Gerry said. “Please, call me, Mom. You've done all the right things, but you're trying too hard at being happy. Are you truly happy, Gina?”

Gina gulped. She felt like guilt was written all over her face. Had Keith said something? No, Gerry had seen firsthand the intimate exchanges between her and Keith. You'd have to be blind—or Michael—not to see it. “Yes, Gerry—I mean, Mom. I love your son.” Gina fidgeted uncomfortably, hoping this would be the end of it. She was having a hard time lying to Gerry, and she was this close to confessing.

Gerry appeared to accept her answer, or maybe she wanted to be positive that Gina was sure because she didn't let the matter rest. Instead, she took Gina's hand and covered it with her own. “I just don't want you marrying because of some mistaken notion that you have to, child. You know, it's hard for a mother to know her child is hurting, no matter the age.”

Gina looked at their joined hands and tried to decipher those vague words. Was Gerry referring to Keith just now? She didn't know how to respond without implicating herself. She didn't know how much the other woman knew. So Gina just nodded her head. Then, feeling compelled to say something, Gina declared, “I love your son so much. I'm sure of it.”

“Okay,” Gerry tabled the discussion and patted Gina's hand reassuringly. But she added, “Just know it's not too late, until the papers are signed. I won't think any less of you if you changed your mind, and Michael would get over it.”

Why would she say that? Gina pondered that for a minute. “I'm not going to change my mind,” Gina assured Gerry. “I'm going to marry Michael.”

It rained the next day. Gina felt gloomy as she looked outside her window. She hoped that the sun came out before her nuptials. She tried to keep her chin up. She was not about to be superstitious and start thinking that God was trying to tell her something.

“This isn't a good sign,” Colleen said, coming to stand over at the window.

“Shut up,” Gina warned her friend. “I don't want to hear any of that superstitious mumbo jumbo.”

Colleen relented with a snort. “I'd be a fine one to say anything. The weather was perfect on my wedding day, and look how things turned out.”

Gina held her friend's hand and reminded Colleen, “You know he's coming today, right?”

“I know,” Colleen said.

“You all right with that?” Gina asked, seeking reassurance, again. She'd already asked Colleen the same thing numerous times, and Colleen always gave the same response.

“Do I have a choice?”

“Michael felt he had to invite him since Terence had invited him to his wedding and that's where he met me.” Gina repeated the same explanation for the umpteenth time.

“I know,” Colleen smiled. “Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Just enjoy your big day. It's about you, today.”

“It is about me,” Gina agreed. “I can't believe I'm getting married!”

“I can't believe it either,” Colleen said, feeling happy for her friend. “I hope your marriage lasts longer and turns out better than mine.” She knew it was tactless, but she intended to give Terence the annulment papers today. She was going to see him, and this was as good a time as any to get the job done. That way, she would be free and clear to go on with her life from this day forward. “Now, let's review. You have something blue . . .”

“Yes, the garter belt,” Gina nodded.

“And something new, supplied by yours truly,” Colleen posed, batting her lashes for fun.

Gina giggled and clutched the pearls. Then she added, “And Michael's mother gave me her wedding veil so that's something old. I forgot about something borrowed!”

Just then, Keith entered.

Colleen must have seen Keith's expression for she made an excuse to give them some measure of privacy. Gina was grateful, especially when Colleen stalled Gerry, who had been on her way down the stairs.

“Oh my goodness. Gina, you're absolutely stunning. A vision.” His words were complimentary, but his face said he wished he was the groom.

Gina blushed. Keith's eyes said all that he couldn't say. Suddenly, the day seemed brighter, and Gina felt like a bride. “You clean up real good too, Keith,” Gina understated. Keith looked far past fine. He was like a soap hunk. Then she asked, “Do you have something that I can borrow? I have something new, something old, and something blue.” She couldn't believe that she was participating in such a wedding tradition, but it was fun.

Keith tapped his nose in thought before reaching into his tuxedo pocket to lend her his monogrammed handkerchief.

Gina extended her hand. Their fingers sizzled where they made contact. Her smile froze. Keith was looking at her as if he were entranced. “Thanks, Keith,” Gina breathed, trying to pretend she didn't feel the tension rise between them. “That means a lot to me.”

“Well,” Keith said, stiffening his spine, “let's get this show on the road. My brother's a veritable mess.”

She moved past him, but his hand shot out to detain her.

Keith begged with a tortured voice, “Please. Don't wear that perfume again. That's my perfume. It brings back too many memories.”

Gina hesitated. “It's become my favorite perfume. It just makes me feel closer to . . .” She stopped. “Okay, I . . . I won't,” she promised. She felt a pang, knowing that small request signaled the beginning of the end of the road for them.

“It's not the end, Gina. It's a . . . something new.” He drew her to him and placed his lips against hers. “Hmm . . . Your lips are so soft. This should be our day.” Gina didn't resist. Within seconds, he released her from his grasp.

She had other plans. In a sudden swift move, she grabbed his head and went on her tiptoes. With panicked passion, she planted her lips on his. Keith groaned and opened his mouth to give her better access.

Who knew how long they stood engaged in their stolen kiss before a discreet cough came from behind them. The couple sprang apart and turned to the intruder who had interrupted—saved them. Keith used the back of his hand to wipe his lips.

“Colleen, this isn't what it . . .” Gina exhaled, horrified that she had just kissed another man on her wedding day. Who did that?

 

 

Colleen grabbed her and shook her. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing.”
Gina answered defensively. She gestured with her hands for Colleen to keep her voice down.

“That's what you call nothing?” Colleen said but continued her tirade in an outraged whisper. “This is ridiculous. Your fiancé is in the next room, and your future mother-in-law is upstairs. Either one of them could have seen you just now.”

“You don't understand.” Gina wrung her fingers. “We were just saying good-bye.”

“You couldn't have used words?” Colleen responded. She put one of her hands over her head as if she were about to swoon. “I can't take all this drama, girl.” She looked up to heaven and prayed, “Lord, please give me strength.”

Gerry walked down the stairs, effectively ending the discussion between the two friends.

Keith seized the moment and excused himself under the pretext of finding his brother. Gina composed herself and smoothed her gown. She looked straight ahead and refused to make eye contact with Colleen even as her body felt the after effects of Keith's searing kiss.

Maybe this was a sign.

Nope. Gina composed herself. She'd come too far to back out now. She was going through with this. She had made up her mind that she was going to marry Michael and live happily ever after. No telltale heart was going to interfere with what she felt was right.

Colleen pinched her to get her attention. Gina stubbornly ignored her. She eventually gave up, but threatened, “Just cause, Gina. Don't forget that.”

All through the ritual, Gina wondered if that moment would come. She needn't have worried. In a matter of minutes, she'd pledged her heart and body to Michael. To everyone, it sounded sincere, and like she meant every word.

But Gina knew that her soul belonged elsewhere. It was impossibly entwined with the man standing a mere foot away. Once the vows were exchanged, she emitted a huge sigh of relief. She had done it.

Gina smiled at Colleen with gratitude for not ruining Michael's day. When the preacher had asked the important question about whether anyone had just cause as to why she and Michael shouldn't be married, she had waited with bated breath for those few seconds, half-expecting and hoping Keith would interrupt. But he had remained frozen in his stance. She definitely anticipated a passionate interruption from Colleen. But Colleen had proven to be a friend to the end, and the moment passed.