Mark My Words (3 page)

“Daddy, it is so much fun! I wear a helmet. It’s all cool.”

“Sloane!” Artie protested

“Oh, can I try?!” asked Philomena as her excitement rose to a fever pitch.

“Philomena!”

“Oh, relax, Arthur. He is a fine young man and he loves our daughter. Weren’t you once the dare devil with a need for speed?”

Arthur hated when Philomena decided to take him on a trip down memory lane in front of his children when he was trying to make a point. His memory soared back to a time when he was roaring his engine up Philomena’s street in his Mustang, just to get her attention.

“Alright everyone, let’s sit down and eat. We have so much to discuss!” Philomena declared as she placed the last dish on the table.

Philomena took her seat next to Arthur, and Sloane and Luke filed in next to her. Holly and Brant, who were still trying not to laugh from Luke’s exchange with Artie, stared down at their plates sheepishly.

“So, how’s married life?” Artie asked Brant with an annoyed look on his face.

“Great. We can’t thank you enough,” Brant replied.

Artie shrugged his shoulders.

“Are you going to keep him this time?” Artie asked Holly with a smirk finally emerging on his face.

“I think I might,” said Holly facetiously as she winked at Brant.

“How’s your old man doing? I haven’t seen him around lately,” Artie asked Holly as the conversation begin to fizzle.

“Oh, he’s doing
real
good. Did you hear that Mom moved back?”

“Gloria?! She’s back?!” gushed Philomena.

“Are you kidding me?” Artie asked with a pained expression.

“Nope, they are living together at his house,” Holly continued.

“That’s an interesting turn of events,” Artie remarked.

“It sure is…” Brant said, as he got a visual of Marv and Gloria dancing in the kitchen.

“So speaking of interesting turn of events…” started Artie, “What made you two decide to get engaged?” Artie asked Luke and Sloane.

“Daddy, we’ve been together for seven years…”

“Why am I just now meeting him?!” Artie barked.

“Well, Daddy… No offense, but look at you! You’re a bloody mess. You would have sent him runnin’ off on me!”

Everyone at the table couldn’t help but laugh. Everyone, that is, except Arthur.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re giving him the third degree.”

Luke shrugged, “It’s alright, Sloane. He just doesn’t want some bum coming in off the street and stealing his little girl away. I get it.”

Sloane gave both Luke and Artie evil glares.

“I’m not a little girl, and I will marry any damn man I choose!”

“Baby, I love you… I don’t want to see you make a mistake,” Artie said.

“I love you, too… But marrying Luke is
not
a mistake... I’m going to steal your slogan from you! Mark my words, Daddy. I will marry Luke Casile!”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“Simmer down, you two,” said Philomena to Sloane and Artie as she prepared to broach the all-important topic.

“So, you two,” Philomena said talking to Sloane and Luke, “Tell me about your plans so far!”

Holly stirred in her seat. This was the moment she was waiting for. Arthur’s face was turning red again as he glared at Sloane and Luke.

“This is my vision,” began Sloane. “We want a June destination wedding, a very intimate but fun affair. I was thinking in St. Thomas. The beaches in Charlotte Amalie are beautiful that time of year.”

“Oh! St. Thomas! I
love
it!” gushed Philomena as her mind started to piece what her daughter’s dream wedding would look like.

“Wait a second…” said Artie as he began to rub his temples to ease his headache away, “I doubt that there are any synogauges in St. Thomas.”

“Well, there are one or two, but we’re having a non-denominational wedding.”

“What?!” Artie griped, his nerves fraying beyond repair.

“It’s only fair. Luke’s Catholic. I’m non-practicing Jewish. Honestly, I don’t want a traditional wedding.”

“Oh, no. No daughter of mine-“

“Oh! Here he goes again!” Philomena protested.

“Am I the only one who sees a problem with this?! She’s breaking tradition!”

“Arthur, honestly… Welcome to the 21
st
century. Change isn’t always a bad thing! Anyway, honey. Continue,” Philomena urged.

“Well, I don’t want a huge crowd. Just our basic family and friends. We have a lot to cover in just a few months.”

“Doesn’t anyone want
my
opinion?!” Artie shouted.

“Not right now, Arthur!” Philomena shouted across the table.

Sloane continued, “Holly is my maid of honor… Brant is Luke’s best man… Marv and Gloria are going to attend, too.”

“Wait! Old Marv McCresson knew my daughter was getting married before me?!”

“He was sworn to secrecy…” Sloane said bashfully.

“So that’s why I haven’t seen him much…”

“Honestly, Daddy… the reason you haven’t seen Marv much is because he’s probably getting busy with Gloria…”

Artie’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. Holly and Brant couldn’t contain their laughter any further.

“I swear, I am surrounded by lunatics,” complained Arthur.

As Philomena got up to clear the dinner dishes, Luke stood up and offered to help.

“Here, Mrs. Markowitz. Let me help you…” said Luke as he picked up a stack of empty plates off of the dining room table.

Arthur stared at his future son-in-law with a perplexed look.

“See, Daddy… He’s the perfect gentleman,” insisted Sloane. Holly and Sloane followed behind Philomena to help her. That left Brant alone with Arthur at the table.

“It will be alright, Arthur…” nudged Brant, trying to get the old guy to lighten up a tad. Brant tried to put on his most charming smile. It fell short when Brant realized Arthur was not smiling.

“Oh, yes just perfect. My daughter is getting married like a heathen in the tropics to her motorcycle riding bad boy boyfriend and I’m about to have a stroke!”

“You know Sloane. She likes to do things different.”

“Different, indeed! She’ll be the death of me.”

“Luke is a stand-up guy, though. He wants us all to get together for a weekend at his cabin to get to know each other better.”

“What? Like male bonding…”

“Yeah, basically. Just us guys, out in the woods. Ice fishing… camp fire… hunting…”

“Roughing it?” Arthur said the words as if it was some sort of a disease. He began to laugh. “I
don’t
rough it.”

“You do now!” smirked Brant as he slapped Artie on the back. “It was Luke’s idea, and I think it will make Sloane happy to see that you are going along for the adventure. Marv’s going, too.”

“Great. I’ll stock up on bug spray.”

***

“Okay, Sloane… We have to get going,” said Brant as he helped Holly into her coat.

“Bye, guys. Thanks
so
much for coming. I’m so glad
that’s
over!” Sloane gushed happily.

“Me, too!” said Holly as she gave her friend as tight squeeze. “I can’t wait! It’s going to be so much fun!”

“Alright, Luke,” said Brant as he shook his hand.
“Good luck…”

“Thanks, man.”

“Bye, Luke… Let us know if you need us to do anything,” said Holly, feeling horrible for leaving Luke in the lion’s den with Arthur. They needed to work this out amongst themselves, though.

Holly was happy to support Sloane in any way she could, but she couldn’t be afraid to live her own life. Sloane had to be firm with her father, and go for the life that she wanted. Luke stood by Sloane one hundred percent, and now Sloane had to make it clear where she stood, too.

Brant shut the door of the Markowitz town house with a wide-eyed look on his face. Holly couldn’t help but laugh on the spot.

“That went well…”

“Oh, my God… I never realized how lucky I am to have your Dad as my father-in-law.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him you said that.”

“C’mon, let’s go home and enjoy the rest of our night,” said Brant with a devilish smirk on his face.

Chapter Three

The Aftermath

Brant and Holly lay fast asleep, wrapped within one another’s arms. Their limbs were pretzled together, her hair billowed around him casting a fragrant aroma that set him off to peaceful dreams. Holly’s Aunt Doris had taken the kids for the night and promised to get them off to school on time in the morning. So Brant and Holly enjoyed a quiet night together at home. After several glasses of wine, Brant swept Holly off to bed and into a state of erotic ecstasy that she had never experienced before. After their third round, they both fell asleep, their hearts beating faster; in tune with one another. Brant’s heart jumped when he heard Holly’s phone ring at 2:27 A.M.

Who would be calling at this hour…?

Brant picked up the phone and saw that it was Sloane who was calling at this early/late hour. He glanced at Holly who was still sound asleep beside him and answered the phone.

Quietly, he asked, “Whose ass do I have to kick?!”

From the other end of the line, Brant heard sobbing. Sloane was trying to talk but it just came out in a combination of slurs and curse words.

“Sloane…”

“That bloody bastard!”

“What’s happened?!”

More sobbing came over the line, and Brant could hear Luke talking calmly to Sloane in the background.

“Sloane, put Luke on the phone…”

The sobbing stopped as Luke came on the phone in a cool and calm voice.

“What the hell is going on?”

“What a mess. Her father said that he is not paying for a non-traditional wedding.”

Brant shook his head. What a way to sour an exciting event.

“I told him, we don’t need his money and that we will get married wherever we please.”

“Good. Stand up to him.”

“I did. He just kept saying ‘No daughter of mine’… I think he hates me.”

“He might. But you’re in good company.”

“I’m trying to calm her down because she thinks her father is going to wreck the wedding or miss it altogether.”

“Put her on the phone.”

The sobbing became more audible until finally Brant heard Sloane complaining into the phone again.

“It’s just not fair!”

“Sloane…”

“He’s so stubborn. He won’t listen to anything I’m saying….”

“Sloane……..”

“Why can’t he just listen…?”

“SLOANE!”

“What?! Why are you yelling at me?!”

“You’re not listening. You and your Dad are both very stubborn people. Everything will work out just fine. Do you really think your Mom would let your dreams be dashed? Or us? Or Luke?”

“No…”

“Then relax. He’s just being an old blowhard.”

“Maybe, you’re right.”

Holly had started to stir next to Brant.

“Baby, who’s on the phone?” Holly asked.

“It’s Sloane. She’s upset.”

“Give me the phone…” Holly said as she reached her right hand out.

“Sloane…” Holly said, sounding groggy.

“Finally…” Sloane said impatiently.

“Did he say what we knew he would say?”

“Yeah! He was so heartless.”

“Well, guess what? That doesn’t mean that your wedding is off. It just means that we are going forward with it your way. People can say what they want, it doesn’t mean they control your life.”

“You’re right.”

“I know I’m right. Now stop crying and go to bed. I’m sure Luke has to be up early, and he doesn’t like seeing you upset.”

“He just called out. He didn’t want to leave me.”

“See… He loves you. Your Dad loves you, too… He’s just very, very stubborn. Like you!”

“And you…”

“This isn’t about me,” said Holly as she began to laugh. “Go to sleep.”

“I’m sorry for calling so late…”

“That’s what we’re here for.”

***

“Do you feel better now?” asked Luke as he took the cell phone from Sloane and put it on the charger.

“A little…”

“Let’s get in bed then.”

“I just can’t believe him…”

“Don’t worry about it too much. We will be married regardless and surrounded by the people that love us.”

“But…” started Sloane.

Luke stopped her. Backing her up against the wall outside of the bedroom that they share, Luke leaned his arm against the wall as he looked down at her.

“I’m not going anywhere, and I’m going to make sure that everything works out. Do you understand me?”

Sloane looked up at him with surprised eyes. There was complete calm in Luke’s face. He did not look worried at all.

“Honey, I’ve dealt with fathers before. It never really mattered until now. I refuse to be stripped of my life with you. You’re mine. All mine. Nothing can stand in our way. He might not like me, but he’ll learn to love me.”

“Good luck with that,” said Sloane as a smirk formed on her face.

“Sloane, I’d marry you right now if I could.”

Suddenly, something lit up Sloane’s formerly depressed face.

“That’s it!”

Luke looked around nervously.

“What?”

“Run away with me. Valentine’s weekend. We’ll get married at City Hall and have a small ceremony in St. Thomas.”

“Are you serious?!”

“Dead serious! I know Holly and Brant would be on board. They need a vacation.”

“What about your parents?!”

“They are welcome to come, but not to interfere.”

Sloane’s mind was made up. She wasn’t the type of girl who changed her mind easily. She wanted her Valentine’s Day wedding on the beach in St. Thomas. Luke’s mind was reeling. It was all happening so fast. He wasn’t nervous, though. He was thrilled. He had been waiting for Sloane to marry him since senior year in college. Finally, it was happening. Sloane wrapped her arms around Luke’s muscular shoulders and looked up at him with her big brown eyes.

“You’ll see, it will be perfect…”

“How on earth are we going to pull this off?”

“Are you serious? It will be a Sloane Markowitz production! I pulled together Holly and Brant’s formal affair in less than a week. I can do this,” said Sloane with a sparkle in her eyes.

Luke led Sloane into the bedroom.

“Your father is going to hate me,” said Luke warily as he stripped off his t-shirt and flopped down on the bed.

Sloane’s eyes danced over his rippling abs and a devious smirk crossed her face. With a graceful prance, her heels echoed a staccato beat across the floor until she was by Luke’s side. She slid her perfectly manicured hands across his chest and straddled his lap, spreading her elegant cocktail dress across him like a blanket. Luke pursed his lips. He loved Sloane’s games.

“So, tell me… Lover boy… Are you marrying me or my father?”

Luke winked at Sloane slyly.

“Hmmm… I don’t know…”

With a broad grin on her face, Sloane whispered in Luke’s ear, “Oh, shut up. My mind’s made up. Valentine’s Day in St. Thomas. Be there.”

Before Luke could respond Sloane had seized his lips with her own, and sealed the matter completely.

***

“What in the bloody hell is wrong with you?!” screamed Philomena as the front door slammed shut.

Sloane and Luke had just left, and Sloane was upset. No… More than upset. She was furious. Tears burned her eyes as she called her father a miserable, selfish bastard.

“Me?! What’s wrong with you?! She just wants to go and break tradition! Well that’s fine, but that doesn’t mean that I have to be a part of it.”

“She is your only daughter!”

“Why is it
so
wrong for me to want my daughter to follow in the path that we set out for her?”

“This again? She’s a grown woman, and she’s going to make the right choice for her. We had our moment, if you recall… Let them have theirs!”

“Or what?”

“Or you’ll be sleeping on the couch for the rest of your bloody life! Now fix this!”

As Arthur stared at his wife, Philomena stomped her feet up the steps, raced down the upstairs hallway with fury and slammed the bedroom door shut with a bang. Just as Arthur was about to yell up the steps that he’d be right up, he heard the doorknob of his bedroom lock shut.

Chapter Four

The Plan

“Hey doll, what can I get ya today?” Dotty the waitress asked Holly and Sloane as they settled onto their couch at the Pour House Coffee Shop.

“Venti latte, hold the whip… and a croissant,” said Sloane as Holly made a disgusted face at her friend.

The waitress scribbled Sloane’s order down then looked at Holly.

“Just tea for me. Chai with two sugars.”

“Anything to eat?”

Holly made the face again.

“No, I’m good.”

The waitress tore their order off of her note pad and made a beeline for the kitchen.

“What’s your deal?” Sloane asked. “Not eating?”

“My stomach is a mess. I don’t know if I ate something funky at Marv’s the other night or what…”

“Was it my mother’s brisket?”

“No, that was delicious.”

“Maybe you’re pregnant.”

Holly gave her friend the evil eye.

“Get real Sloane. I had a partial hysterectomy.”

“Stranger things have happened.”

“Whatever, I think it’s just a bug or something. So what’s going on? Do you feel better after last night?”

Sloane smirked as she applied her ruby red lipgloss to her lips.

“Oh, my God… Loads. Wait until you get a load of this!”

Holly smiled at her excitable friend. She never stayed upset long.

“What’s going on?”

“Forget June.”

“What? Wait…”

“We moved up the wedding…”

“Oh, my God! To when?!”

“Valentine’s weekend!”

Holly nearly choked.

“That’s less than two weeks away…”

“Sure is.”

“Can we pull this off?”

“I pulled off your big blow-out, didn’t I?”

Holly had to admit that Sloane had a point.

“Still in St. Thomas?”

“Of course.”

“We have so much to do!”

“First we have to get everyone on board. You, Brant and the kids. Gloria and Marv. Luke’s grandmom. My Mom…”

“I’m not bringing the kids…”

“Why?!”

“They have school… Aunt Doris is going to watch them…”

“Who else am I forgetting…?”

“What about your Dad?”

“At this point, I don’t even care.”

“You care.”

“He made his point very clear. Now I’m going to make mine. This is going to be the most fabulous beach wedding you’ve ever witnessed in your life!”

Holly smiled broadly, clearly thrilled for her friends.

“I am so sure it will be. When do we go dress shopping?”

“Thursday night. Luke is talking to Brant today to book a block of hotel rooms. We all just have to pay for our flight.” I want to leave next Thursday on the 5 P.M. to San Juan and a charter plane to Charlotte Amalie.”

“Wow. You have this all figured out.”

“I woke up at 6 A.M. I was too psyched to sleep.”

“What about the venue?”

“Sweetwater Resort. Right on the beach at sunset. A fully catered soiree afterwards. It will be perfect.”

***

The squeak of sneakers rubbing against the gymnasium floor echoed as a basketball pounded up and down making its way towards the net. Brant and Luke were letting off some steam while the girls met up for coffee.

“You seriously suck at this game!” Brant shouted to Luke.

“You know basketball is not my sport. Put me in a rink or a baseball diamond, and I’m good,” Luke said.

“So what’s up with you and Sloane after last night?”

“Oh, were up alright.”

“Oh?”

“The wedding’s been moved up.”

“Really? Why am I not surprised?”

“Yeah… Valentine’s weekend.”

“Holy shit!”

“Yeah… She was adamant. It’s going to be awesome though.”

“Yeah, were going to need to take care of travel arrangements.”

“Already taken care of. I booked a block of hotel rooms and I paid for the venue this morning. I got us all booked on the 5:15 P.M. to San Juan.”

“Please do
not
put me on one of those cloud jumper planes…”

“Buddy, you’re going to have a front seat view.”