On the Other Side (2 page)

“What would Grandma say?”

Karen walked over to help Damita adjust her veil. Instead of
her usual long wavy hairstyle, Damita had opted for a classic
updo
to complement her veil, which included a dramatic headpiece on the top that skimmed just past her hairline. It was dramatic and the long elegant train enhanced her simple lace and satin stark white wedding dress.

“Well, first of all, she'd ask you whether or not the reason you were jumping was because you weren't living right, and then she would probably ask you whether it was somebody else that wasn't living right.”

“Mom, no, she wouldn't.”

“How do you know she wouldn't?”

Damita giggled. “Grandma wasn't a busybody like you.”

“Hey, watch your mouth, girl. I'm still your mother.”

“You're right. But, aren't you the one that promised you would behave yourself today?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. But, I wouldn't be your mother if I didn't ask you one more time whether you're sure this is what you want to do.”

“I'm a hundred ten percent sure.”

Karen motioned toward the door with her eyes. “Mr. Brooks Brothers is outside barking orders to everybody. I don't believe I've ever seen a man take that much interest in a wedding in my entire life. He's surveyed everything, including the doggone flowers. It ain't natural, baby.”

“You should be happy he's taking an interest. He's only doing it because he loves me and he wants me to have the best wedding day ever. June second, two thousand one will be a day I will remember for the rest of my life.”

“Are you sure it's not because he's controlling as hell and he's paying for the wedding? He wants to make sure he gets exactly what he paid for?”

“So, what's wrong with that? Neal didn't get where he is by
squandering his money. That's one of the things I love about him. He's responsible and intelligent. He's also a man, not some sniveling boy or a man who wants to behave like a woman. I feel safe with him; like I can count on a secure future.”

“Security comes from within, baby, not from a man or from money. Don't let bad relationships of the past guide you out of the frying pan and into the fire.”

Damita was so wrapped up in her impending nuptials she couldn't be bothered to truly pay attention to the importance of what her mother was saying.

“Yes, Mom, I realize that. You don't have to keep telling me these things. You and Daddy raised me to be a strong, independent young woman. Falling in love doesn't mean I've forgotten everything you both taught me.”

“It's your choice of words, Damita. Words like security and falling in love. Words like that have always been red flags for me when it comes to relationships. Somehow the world has embraced the theory that love is something you fall into. That's not love. That's a temporary distraction and once the distraction is gone, what's left?”

“I'm not you, Mom. You and Daddy were married for forty-two years before he died. Things have changed quite a bit since the days when you got married.”

“I'm a dinosaur, but I'm not so much of a relic that I don't see you possibly giving up the better part of what makes you unique.”

“I promise you that'll never happen.”

“I hope not.”

“Come on, Mom. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. I want you to walk with me down the aisle and I want you to be happy for me. Okay?

“Neal is everything I've always wanted in a man. I've got a great job and so does he and we both want the same things. You know
my history with men; the narcissists, the unemployed, the cheaters. For a while there I was beginning to think there was a sign on my back that read ‘single black female seeks dysfunctional male.'

“I'm healthy and, dare I say, not unattractive, and I've got this perfect man so in love with me. Mom, I'm sitting on top of the world.”

“Just don't forget that you're still
all
of those things, with or without a man.”

“I won't.”

Her mother didn't want to point out her use of one of those red flag words: perfect. Instead, she decided to drop the subject.

The minister's secretary opened the door. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, I am,” Damita responded emphatically.

Her mother wanted to be excited for her. She could see how blissful her daughter was. But, Karen knew within every fiber of her being that Neal was not the right man for Damita. But, oftentimes, the most any parent could do was tread softly in explaining their viewpoint. There were certain things that their children had to learn on their own. She hoped the lesson wouldn't come with too great a cost. But, no matter what, she would be there to cushion her daughter if she fell.

The moment Damita heard the soulful sound of “You for Me” playing she knew she had chosen the perfect song to walk down the aisle. She thought of the words to the song: “It seems like forever that I have waited for you.” She
had
waited for a man like Neal her entire life. Now, it was finally happening. She glanced at Karen and smiled. As much as she missed her father, she was happy that her mother could be there. When she was making wedding plans she considered accepting her lifelong friend, Brandon's, offer to walk her down the aisle, but the only person that could take her father's place was her mother.

The familiar scent of African Violets greeted Damita as soon as
she entered the church. As she walked toward Neal, the vibrant beauty of the purple flowers filled the room and reminded her of their first date. She could remember being impressed with his unique choice. Ever since she told him how much she preferred the sensuously purple flower to roses, he bought her nothing else. Everyone she cared about was in attendance. Carmella and her coworker and friend, Wendy, were her bridesmaids. They were wearing simple, royal blue, satin sheath dresses. She wanted both of her friends to be able to wear the dresses again, so she had chosen something subtle. Despite the fact that Carmella and Wendy's complexions couldn't have been more different, they both were equally vivacious in their dresses. Carmella's reddish-brown color against the blue hibiscus flowers in her hair brought out the rich bronze tones of her skin. Damita looked at her and smile. Carmella was such a small girl, at only five-foot-two, but she had a body that wouldn't quit. Even in the understated dress, her thirty-eighty D-cups and more than ample hips could not be concealed. Wendy, on the other hand, was at least seven inches taller than Carmella and was as flat as a pancake, both in the front and the back. Although Wendy identified herself as Black, she was biracial. Her olive skin and dark eyes were due to the combination of her African-American father and Italian mother and what their union had produced.

While she walked, Damita surveyed the guests and the church with a smile. Once they were at the altar, Karen turned to her daughter and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you, too.”

Damita couldn't help but realize that it was moments like these when you missed your loved ones the most. Despite the fact that the church was packed with family, friends and coworkers, the absence of her father was ever-present in her mind. However, the
moment she looked at Neal, she forgot about what she was missing. He was unbelievably handsome in his black tuxedo. The great care he took of his body could be easily seen, even through the tux. Once she joined him, his lips spread into a smile, revealing his deep-set dimples and the quiet intensity of his darkly mysterious eyes. At six-foot-five, Damita still had to look up to him, even in her four-inch heels. She stood there gazing into his eyes, hoping the moment would never end.

“One look at these two and you can feel the love between them,” the minister began.

“When I spoke to the groom, he was so eager to be married to his bride, his only request was
to keep the ceremony short.
So, that is exactly what I am going to do.”

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sign of God and in the face of this company to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. Who gives this woman in marriage to this man?”

“Her family and friends do,” Karen said.

“Do you, Neal, take Damita to be your wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“Do you, Damita, take Neal to be your husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“What token of your love do you offer? Would you place the rings in my hand?

“May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity; these two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, may they always return to one another, may these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn, may they grow in understanding and in compassion, may the home which they establish together be such a place that many will find there a friend, may these rings on their fingers symbolize the touch of the spirit of love in their hearts.”

The minister handed the first ring to Neal.

“Neal, in placing this ring on Damita's finger, repeat after me. Damita, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward.”

“Damita, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward,” Neal repeated.

“And I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed,” said the Minister.

“And I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed,” Neal said.

The minister then handed the second ring to Damita.

“Damita, in placing this ring on Neal's finger, repeat after me.
Neal, you are now consecrated to me as my husband from this day forward.”

“Neal, you are now consecrated to me as my husband from this day forward,” Damita repeated.

“And I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed,” said the Minister.

“And I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed,” Damita said.

“May you always share with each other the gifts of love, be one in heart and in mind, may you always create a home together that puts in your hearts love, generosity and kindness. In as much as Neal and Damita have consented together in marriage before this company of friends and family and have pledged their faith and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring, are now joined. You have pronounced yourselves husband and wife but remember to always be each other's best friend. What, therefore, God has joined together, let no man put asunder. And so, by the power vested in me by the State of New York and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife, and may your days be good and long upon the earth. You may now kiss the bride.” Neal's kiss took Damita's breath away.

Once the ceremony was over, limousines were waiting outside the church to take the wedding party to The Waldorf. The Grand Ballroom was opulence at its finest. The recreation of the Court Theatre in Versailles, reminded Damita of her and Neal's quick visit to Paris six months earlier. She had been so busy with work while planning the wedding that Neal had taken over many of the details, including choosing the venue. Every detail was a reminder of their incredible courtship.

“Is all this really for me?” Damita asked.

“I promised you I'd give you the world, didn't I? Besides, this place is an architectural dream.”

Neal and Damita kissed once again.

“Thank you, baby,” she said.

Not surprisingly, the reception was everything Damita dreamed it would be. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, but none more than she was. When it was time for the couple to have their first dance as husband and wife, Neal was as gallant as she expected, as he danced her around the room to the tune of “Unforgettable.”

Karen watched as her daughter and son-in-law danced and instinctively knew what her daughter would soon think of: her father.

“May I cut in?” Karen said.

Damita put up her hands as if to dance with her mother.

“I'm here to dance with my son-in-law, not you,” she said teasingly.

Neal was fully aware of the fact that Karen only tolerated him, so he was understandably surprised. Karen was not only thinking of her daughter but also her son-in-law. His parents were deceased and she couldn't bear thinking of either of them having anything but good thoughts on their special day.

The moment the two started to dance, Damita's friend, Brandon, appeared to act as a substitute for the father-daughter dance. Damita looked at Brandon and smiled.

“Are you here to save me again?” she asked.

“From the looks of it you don't need saving. I'm here to fill in for old man Whitmore.”

“My dad would have loved that. Remember how he used to call you a pretty boy and tell you how many girls you were going to have. My dad was never wrong, was he?”