The Marradith Ryder Series Part 49
“Paul. I didn’t want to say anything in front of Justin. But guess what? You’re going to give that man your blessing.”
Nora and Paul were driving back to the house, with Sojourner guards following a safe distance behind them.
Paul was shocked. Over the years Nora had been the one to always complain about Justin and his interference in their family. Of all the things that they could have disagreed about, he’d expected her to be on his side about this.
“What are you talking about? Give our daughter up to him on a silver platter? She’s too young to be married to anybody, anyway.”
“She is. But they have been alone together for a long time now. Just the two of them. With no supervision, and living God only knows how. What do you think has been happening between them all this time?”
“You talked to her this morning. What did she say about that?”
Nora sighed. “She told me that they haven’t been together. I believe her. But I am also aware that I want to believe her, and kids don’t always tell you the truth. Especially if they are afraid you’ll have a heart attack about it. One thing I do believe that she said. She’s in love with him.”
“Oh no.”
“Well that was going to happen, sooner or later, with someone. At least we know Justin.”
“What’s that got to do with anything? She’s too young…”
“Paul. Just listen. I heard about some of the things he did to keep her safe. No matter what happens, there will be danger in her life. From now on. Do you really know anyone that would do a better job protecting her? You said yourself that out of the Sojourners he was best man you knew.”
“I wouldn’t have said it if I’d known I was going to regret it all these years later.”
“It’s very simple. There’s no better reason to protect someone than loving them.”
“And you’re convinced he loves her?”
“Yes. Why go through all this trouble? It would have been easier to get what he wanted, and then let Rafael send her away. He’d even have an excuse for not seeing her again. He didn’t have to come to us, that was a gesture. He humbled himself to you. That can’t be an easy switch, after knowing you all these years.”
“I don’t care about him or what he thinks. The question here is Marradith.”
“Yes. And if she doesn’t get her way about this, she will be angry. Maybe you won’t care, since they will send her away…. You won‘t have to listen to all the fussing and screaming.”
“Nora. Don’t do that.”
“Why not? It’s the truth.”
“How do you expect me to just give her up?”
“Because if she stays here, at least we have some kind of input and presence in her life. If it comes down to it, I’ll give my consent so our daughter can be married. She is going to be with Justin so you might as well accept it.”
“I don’t know. There has to be some way to stop it.”
Nora raised an eyebrow. “Really? Like they stopped us?”
*****
When Justin pulled up to the house, Marradith was waiting outside the gate.
He did a double take when he saw her. She was wearing heels and a little white sundress, with a denim jacket thrown on top of it. She slid into the seat beside him, and the interior of the car was immediately filled with the scent of her perfume.
“You look beautiful,” he grinned. She took off the jacket and he realized she had worn it to conceal the dress. The bodice of the gown was studded with pearls.
“Where did you get that?” he asked.
“Family heirloom,” she batted her eyes.
“You’re really ready,” he said, taking her hand. They had planned this, but he’d only half believed it would happen. He looked away from her for a second, composing himself.
“Like I told you before,” she said, brushing a curl away from her eye. “I knew they wouldn’t act right. But, we gave them a chance, so that‘s on them. You have the license?”
He nodded, touching his breast pocket. “Right here.” He paused. “I am going to ask you one last time. Are you sure?”
She smiled, and the expression lit her eyes. “Yes. Lets get out of here.”
©2009 Lori Titus
Lori Titus is the Managing Editor for Flashes in the Dark, and Short Story Editor for Sonar4 Ezine. Her work has been included in three anthologies so far. Most recently her stories appeared in Mausoleum Memoirs, and Toe Tags: 21 Spine-Tingling Stories by the Best New Authors in Horror. Meanwhile, she continues to write The Marradith Ryder Series, posted here weekly. For more info, see her blog at :
http://loribeth215.wordpress.com
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June 16th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Oh plan B, well at least she found a dress to wear and he already has a suit. But boy are her parents going to be pissed.