Page 97 of Avenging Azalea

“No, this one is fine. Like I said, my family knows Father Francis.”

She grabbed my arm, and I bit back the bile rising in my throat as we walked down the aisle. The entire time, I wanted to turn and bolt for the door.

“This will be perfect with the lighting at midday. I’m thinking right at noon when the sun is high in the sky and we’ll get all the natural light shining through the windows and skylights.” She pointed to the pews. “I can already see the lavish bouquets tied to each one and more up at the front. Oh, and I was thinking of calling in my good friend Arianna to come and sing with the whole choir as backup. Won’t that be spectacular? Very front page news worthy.”

“I’m sure it will.”

“I’ve already notified all the top sites, and they are sending crews to film everything. We will be the talk of the world. You should see the guest list. It’s all A-listers.” Vera pointed in the direction of the hallway off to the side. “I’ll be back. I want to freshen up before the test photos.”

“Test photos?”

“Yes, of course, why else would I bring McKenzie with us?” Vera pointed to her videographer, who had been wandering around and snapping shots. Rising on her toes, she kissed my cheek. “Smile, Titus. I promise to make you very happy.” With an exuberance that I couldn’t fake, Vera trotted off and disappeared.

Walking up to the front, I dropped down, made the sign of the cross, and then slipped into the first pew. Sitting, I lowered the kneeler and bowed as I clasped my hands and closed my eyes. Years of violence, manipulation, and deceit had cloaked me like a second skin, and no matter how many times I’d tried to wash it off, it clung to me.

“Titus, isn’t this a welcome surprise?”

Lifting my head, I stared up into the eyes of Father Francis.

“I’m used to seeing your mother, but thought you might have forgotten the way.”

I smirked. “The way or my way?”

The priest’s sharp hazel eyes shone with a humor that I’d always appreciated.

“They are one and the same, my boy. Am I interrupting you?”

I looked up at the statue that had remained silent despite all my questions over the years and got up off my knees.

“Not at all. I’m not sure what the big man and I have to talk about anymore,” I said, taking a seat.

Father Francis sat beside me. His robes rustled softly as he moved. The material was far heavier than he made it look. He didn’t say anything, yet his presence urged me to speak.

“Father, is a good deed still considered good when your heart isn’t in it?”

“That is a very solemn question and a difficult one to answer.”

“Tell me about it,” I said.

“Does this have to do with your reason for coming here tonight?”

I glanced around, but Vera had vanished.

“My life is not at all what I pictured.”

“Would you like to confess, my child? Is something weighing heavy on your heart?”

I shook my head. “I cannot ask forgiveness for something that I don’t regret.”

“I’m not sure that I understand.”

“My heart belongs to another,” I said, smiling. “But my honor binds me to a loveless marriage. Even if I was free, it’s wrong to love her. She’s an angel. She came to me when I didn’t know I needed her, but my world threatens to dip her white wings in dark shadows. I can’t allow that. I’m sure you’ve seen this more than once over the years, considering those who visit these walls of worship.”

“The heart is a complicated thing. It’s true that I’ve seen your situation, but that won’t change my advice. Marriage is not to be entered into lightly. It is a binding agreement in front of God to love and cherish one another. Starting it with lies and animosity…is not starting it at all.”

“Are you refusing to officiate my marriage to Vera?”

Father Francis looked straight ahead.