The Game of Denial (8 page)

"A couple of months later, when I was certain I was pregnant, I sucked up the courage to tell my daddy. He laughed! I couldn't believe it. He called Les and told him "˜the good news'." Evey looked at Joan and blinked hard. "My daddy paid Les to get me drunk and pregnant because he knew I would agree to get married because of the baby."

"Why would he do that?"

Evey brought her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms tightly around them. She lowered her forehead to her knees and seemed to be trying to decide what to say.

"If I was married and had a baby I would seem more normal, I guess. Like everyone else we knew." Evey shook her head and tossed her hair back as she gazed up at the blue sky. Finally she turned her head toward Joan. "I shouldn't be telling you any of this. I don't want Brad to know. You won't tell him will you?"

Joan rested her hand on Evey's back. "Your secret is safe with me."

"It actually feels good to tell someone after all these years. I guess I thought Brad would think less of me if he knew the truth."

"Everyone has secrets."

"Do you?" Evey asked.

"Of course." Joan smiled.

Chapter Eight

MONDAY AFTERNOON JOAN paced restlessly back and forth on the front porch of the Chase home listening to her personal assistant, Cleo Morrison, run through a lengthy list of messages with questions only she could answer. There were deadlines for both print and television advertising campaigns looming on the horizon and Joan wasn't used to being so out-of-pocket. For the first time she wished Fran had chosen a location closer to New York for her ceremony. After all, most brides did get married in the bride's hometown. She understood why Fran had chosen Virginia but while it was beautiful and peaceful, it was also the ass end of nowhere. Joan paused to jot down a question concerning one of Charmaine's clients and was relieved when Cleo said it was the final message.

"I'll pass this along to Charmaine," Joan said. "She will probably call back shortly. We'll both be back at the office next Monday. Can you keep everyone calm until then?"

"Certainly, Ms. Carmichael. I don't foresee a problem. Do you still want me to call with an update each day?"

"Yes. At least until Friday. The rehearsal is that day and we'll be up to our asses in last minute preparations. You deserve a bonus for this, Cleo."

"I like that," Cleo said. "A bonus for doing my job. Give my best to Charmaine and Fran and try to relax and enjoy yourself."

"I will, Cleo. Talk to you tomorrow."

Joan disconnected and released a sigh. "Charmaine!" she called out. A moment later Charmaine walked around the side of the house and looked up to the porch.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Call the office. The art department has a question concerning the new campaign for Sag Harbor that will run in the December issue." Joan handed Charmaine her cell phone. "What is everyone doing?" she asked.

"Giselle and Tucker are taking the kids for a ride in a little while. I have no idea where Meg is. She took off a little while ago to commune with nature, whatever that means. What are you going to do?"

Joan rolled her eyes. "The minister performing the ceremony called and wants to meet with Brad and Fran and, unfortunately, with their parents."

Charmaine laughed. "That should be delightful."

"It will be brief," Joan said.

Joan opened the front door of the house and walked inside. She needed a drink, preferably something stouter than coffee or sun tea. Maybe a Long Island Iced Tea. She heard what sounded like a moan and heavy breathing as she started to close the door. Recognizing what it was she stomped on the wooden floor, coughed loudly, and slammed the front door. Brad's head popped up from the sofa, his hair disheveled, followed by Fran, hastily rearranging her blouse.

"Greetings Earthlings," Joan said. She shifted her eyes to Fran and smiled as her daughter blushed and straightened her hair. "You missed a button, dear."

"We were, uh, just..." Brad said.

"Practicing?" Joan asked, trying to keep a straight face.

"Mother! Stop it!" Fran said.

"I think that was my next statement. Without the Mother part, of course."

"Don't try to pretend that you and Mama didn't"“"

Joan's hand flew to her neck and she gave Fran her best outraged look. "Well, I never!"

"Oh yes, you did!"

Joan nodded. "You're right, but you weren't supposed to know that."

Brad sat looking back and forth between the two women as they helplessly began laughing.

Evey walked in from the kitchen, rubbing lotion on her hands. "Reverend Nagle will be here in about fifteen minutes," she said. She stopped and took in the scene before her. "What are you laughing at?"

"You don't want to know," Brad managed as he joined in the laughter. He finally stood and pulled Fran up from the couch. He kissed her cheek and they walked past Evey.

"Oh, Fran," Evey said. "One of the buttons on your blouse is undone."

Fran looked down at the offending button as Joan and Brad broke into uncontrollable laughter again.

It took Joan a few minutes to get herself under control and calmed down. By the time she finished a non-alcoholic bottle of water, a solid knock on the front door alerted her that it was time to face the minister. All Brad had told anyone was that Reverend Thomas Nagle had been recommended by one of his professors at William and Mary. He apparently wasn't associated with any particular denomination, but did have a license from the state to perform wedding ceremonies.

Joan walked casually back into the living room in time to notice that Fran had changed her blouse. A swarm of bees took flight in her stomach when there was another knock at the front door. It was time to corral her feelings and behave as diplomatically as possible. Evey opened the front door and invited their guest inside.

"Mrs. Chase?" the man asked. When Evey nodded, he said, "I'm Dr. Thomas Nagle. It's a pleasure to meet you." Nagle was well over six feet tall. Even though his face appeared middle-aged, his thick hair had turned prematurely gray. That, along with the wire-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, gave him quite a distinguished appearance. His smile and demeanor were friendly. He looked at those gathered in the living room.

His gaze stopped when he reached Brad and Fran. He strode toward them, his hand extended. "Is this the happy couple preparing to embark on the journey of a lifetime?"

Brad took a step forward. "Bradley Chase and this is my fiancé, Francesca Carmichael."

"Francesca. What a lovely name for such a beautiful young woman." Nagle winked at Brad. "You are indeed a lucky, and blessed, young man, Brad. My heartiest congratulations to you both."

"Thank you, Reverend," Brad said.

"Doctor, if you don't mind," Nagle corrected. "Reverend is a nickname my colleagues at the university have given me because of the subject-matter I'm interested in." He saw the look on everyone's face and nodded. "I am licensed by the state, but have not been ordained as a minister in any church. I suppose I am rather like a civil servant, a justice of the peace if you will." His gaze traveled from person to person. "Were you expecting a man of the cloth?"

Brad looked at Fran and shrugged. "I don't really know, Dr. Nagle. You were recommended to us by Dr. Bernardy of the English Department at William and Mary."

Joan watched as the man rocked back and forth from his heels to his toes.

"Bernie is a colleague. I teach Comparative Religions and Religious Philosophy at the university. In fact, it hasn't been that long ago that I officiated at his wedding celebration. I have my license with me if that would put you more at ease."

"No, Dr. Nagle, I think you will do just fine," Joan said as she stepped forward. She offered her hand and said, "I am Joan Carmichael, the mother of the bride."

"A pleasure, ma'am," Nagle said. "Well, now that we've taken care of the momentary confusion and since all of the parties are present, I suppose we can either stand around making civil small talk or discuss what Brad and Francesca have in mind for their ceremony."

"I thought we could sit at the dining room table," Evey said.

"An excellent idea," Nagle said. "Frankly, I suck at writing on my lap."

His unexpected comment seemed to put everyone at ease and freer to speak openly without fear of offending Nagle. Joan, in particular, appeared relieved.

Nagle opened his briefcase and took out several papers, spreading them out on the table. "There are a few forms that need to be filled out and signed in order to satisfy the state" He handed some papers to Brad and Fran. "This is the application for an official copy of your marriage license. To save you a little time after the ceremony, I've brought a name change request form for your Social Security card, Fran. Am I correct in assuming you will be taking your husband's last name?" .

"Yes," Fran answered with a nod as she squeezed Bran's hand.

"It's not required by law and many women are opting to retain their maiden name," Nagle explained.

"I understand," Fran said, "but I'm not planning to ever divorce Brad and will be proud to have the same last name."

"Very well," Nagle said. "Have both of you had blood tests to rule out any venereal disease and a genetic test to detect any disorder that may affect children in the future?"

"Those tests are not required for a marriage," Joan said.

"You're correct, Mrs. Carmichael. However, I believe anyone getting married today would be wise to rule out any potential problems."

"It can't hurt anything, Mom," Fran said. "Better safe than sorry."

Once all of the paperwork was completed, Nagle rubbed his hands together. "Now comes the fun part. I will be asking each of you to pledge yourself to one another. Other than the standard vows, is there anything different or special you would like said."

Fran took Brad's hand. "We would like the obey part removed."

"Is there anything you wish to replace it?"

Fran shrugged and looked at Brad. "I will promise to love, honor, and respect Brad for the person he is."

"And you, Brad?"

"That works for me, too."

"Do you mind if I ask why you have chosen a secular ceremony rather than a religious one?"

"Fran and I were brought up in different religious beliefs," Brad said.

"Which ones?"

"Well, I'm Episcopalian," Brad said.

"And I'm Roman Catholic," Fran said. "I have no desire to change my religion and I don't expect Brad to change his. I don't believe any children we have will suffer because their parents belong to different denominations." She looked at Brad. "It's really a non-issue."

"Are your parents of different faiths?"

Joan leaned forward, but didn't speak. There was absolutely no reason for her lifestyle to interfere with Fran's wedding. Fran looked at Joan and smiled.

"My Mama, my brother, and sisters are all Roman Catholic. However, my mother was brought up in the Lutheran faith."

A short round of laughter went around the table at the look of confusion on Nagle's face. Finally Joan said, "Although I don't believe it has any bearing whatsoever on the marriage of my daughter and her fiancé, my wife, who was brought up as a Roman Catholic, was Fran's birth mother. But I am also her mother. In other words, Fran's legal parents are two women."

"Where is your wife? She should be here for this meeting," Nagle said.

"There is nothing I wouldn't give for that to happen, Dr. Nagle, but Martine, my wife and Fran's biological mother, passed away ten years ago."

"I'm very sorry for your loss, Mrs. Carmichael," Nagle said. Joan met his eyes and decided he was sincere.

"Thank you." Joan sat up a little straighter in her chair. "I am not ashamed of who I am and as far as I am aware neither are our children. We pledged our lives to one another in a private ceremony. However, neither of the faiths in which we were raised accepted our union and it wasn't until after her death that some civil authorities would have recognized us as a legally married couple. There is nothing I would not do for my children, Dr. Nagle. Their happiness is most important to me and I don't want my lifestyle to interfere with that happiness. But I will not apologize to anyone for the way I live my life."

"Nor should you, ma'am," Nagle said. "It will only be a matter of time before a union such as yours will be recognized in every state. I hate to sound sophomoric, but love cannot be held captive by the whims of men and will always find a way to break free." He rubbed his hands together and grinned. "This will be an interesting ceremony, indeed."

"Would it be possible to refer to it as a union rather than a wedding?" Fran asked. She looked at Brad. "That's what the invitations say. Guests are invited to celebrate the union of Francesca Martine Carmichael and Bradley Lester Chase."

"Cool," Brad said.

"Well, I think this calls for a toast," Evey announced.

"That is a wonderful suggestion, Mrs. Chase," Nagle said.

The remainder of the meeting went better than Joan thought it would. She could only hope everything would go as smoothly if and when Charmaine and Meg were married.

AFTER DINNER, EVEY and Ralph made their usual evening trek to the stables to feed and care for the horses. Charmaine finally sucked it up and decided it was her night to clean the kitchen, which surprised Joan. As Evey prepared to leave and was pulling on her rubber work boots, Morgana skipped into the mud room and stared at Evey.

"Did you have fun with the ponies today?" Evey asked.

Joan watched her granddaughter as she nodded so hard she thought the child's head might snap off. "Would you like to say good night to the horses, sweetie?" Joan asked. Bright hazel eyes stared up at Joan and melted her heart. She knelt down and Morgana didn't hesitate to step into Joan's open arms. "I love you, sweet baby," Joan whispered. She looked up at Evey. "Do you mind?"

"Of course not," Evey said with a smile before turning to Ralph. "We'll follow you in a minute."