Fresh Cut Romance (19 page)

The next morning, I put Sister Sue off again.

That afternoon I was surprised when Teresa walked through the door. She handed me a bouquet of lilies. "Who died?"

She pursed her lips to the side. "Hopefully, not your marriage.
Laurel, we need to talk."

I'd been sitting and reading. I set the book down and crossed my arms. "I really have nothing to say."

She wagged her forefinger my way. "Well, I do, so just sit there and listen. I warned Julian not to tell you about our little trick, but no, he was too ethical. The whole operation was mine."

"I had a suspicion you were behind it."
 

She scrunched her nose and frowned. "Thought you had nothing to say?"

"Just get on with it."

"All right. I even undressed you. Julian didn't even see you naked unless he did the next day. All he did is let you make assumptions."

"Humpf. He told me it was all his idea."

She lifted her hands shoulder high. "Baby sister, he would, and that's one of the reasons you shouldn't let him get away. He may be an atheist, but he's a saint. You could search through three lifetimes and never find such a man again. It makes no sense because I love my husband dearly, but damn if I'm not jealous of you."

"Are you through?"

"Why?"

"Because you are right, he's gorgeous, intelligent and talented more than you even know. I wish you could have heard him singing,
'Some Enchanted Evening'
the other morning. His voice is unbelievable. And don't think I don't know how decent he is. I know he didn't have to tell me about the first night, but I told Mother Superior I wanted to say my vows and now I'm stuck."

"No, you're not. Have you talked to her?"

"Not since I told her the wedding was off, and I wanted to say the vows."

"Well, Nobody can make you do what you don't want to. Talk to her."

She took my hands and kissed me. "I have to go and pick up the girls now. Think about it. It's not too late."

On day five of my self-imposed isolation, I decided it was time to see Mother Superior. I took the stairs down and walked to the chapel building. Her office located in the back of the chapel was next to the Head Priest's office. She wasn't there, so I turned around to leave and there she was, walking toward me. "Hi Laurel. Feel like talking yet?"

I nodded.

"Good. The bug man just sprayed my office. I'm supposed to stay out of there for awhile so why don't we go to the hospital cafeteria for coffee and if your hungry, I'll buy."

"All right. But I haven't been very hungry lately."

"Not surprising, with the emotional roller coaster you've been on lately."

I grabbed iced tea instead of coffee and sat down while Sue went through the food line. When she sat down, I noticed she had soup, salad and a bowl of oatmeal. She slid the bowl of oatmeal toward me along with a cup of milk. "This is for you if you want it. Sister Celeste, who seems to be looking out for your welfare has told me you haven't left your bed in four days, which means you haven't eaten. Whether, you become a permanent sister or marry your man, you have to eat."

I shook my head. "I don't think I can eat yet." 

"That's fine. Sorry to eat in front of you, but I got too busy to take a lunch today."

"No problem."

I kept quiet while she ate. With nothing to do, I picked up a spoon and scooped up a tiny amount of the warm cereal. Then I scooped up a full spoon. It tasted good so I added milk and a little sugar and began to eat it. Oddly, by the time I finished the oatmeal I was starving.

Sister Sue saw me looking toward the food line and said, "My eyes are bigger than my stomach. You wouldn't want this clam chowder would you?"

I nodded and she set it in front of me. It may have been hospital cafeteria food, but it was delicious.

When she finished her salad, she pushed her tray away. Sue watched me eat and when I was almost finished, she asked, "I'm going to get dessert. Would you like something else?"

"Please. I didn't realize how hungry I was."

"Don't worry about it. What would you like?"

"Is a hamburger all right?"

"Of course. With fries?"

I nodded. "And a slice of chocolate cake."  

She smiled. "Just what I was going to get."

When I'd finished the hamburger and we'd both finished our de-elicious chocolate cake, Sue leaned forward ready to talk, "I'm glad you came to chitchat with me. Under the circumstances, we need to iron things out. The sisterhood is generous about sisters renouncing their vows until they say their permanent vows. When a sister becomes a permanent sister, they don't allow it except in cases of extreme hardship.

"To be honest since we talked briefly five days ago, I've talked with Julian and your sister."

I did a double take, but didn't interrupt her.

"They told me about the deception that they played on you and frankly you have good reason to be angry. Nevertheless, I believe you love Julian and he loves you. Would it be less upsetting if he'd forced himself upon you in your helpless state? I doubt it.

"Tricking you was wrong and he knew it. That's why he confessed to you. Anger is understandable, but depriving him of you forever to punish him when you love him is not. It's punishing yourself."

I'd heard enough. "That's not why I'm taking my vows and you know it. If I'd never met Mr. Peters I'd be taking the vows, so since he's no longer part of my life, I'm back to the original plan."

"Laurel. Take hold of the crucifix hanging on your chest, and swear to God Almighty that you don't love Julian."

I grasped the crucifix and tried to speak, but nothing would come out. I was so confused; I didn't know what to do. Sue watched me, waiting for me. I stood. "You're right! I do love him, but I can be a sister anyway. You'll see." I ripped the chain from my neck and after throwing the crucifix on table, I ran back to my dorm. Up the stairs and into my room, I ran past my startled roommate and once more threw myself onto the bed. Sobbing, I pounded my pillow as I bellowed, "Why can't I have both!" repeating it so many times I lost count.

All of a sudden, a tender hand stroked my hair. "Because it's against the rules, sweetheart. You have to pick one. You have two weeks to make the choice you will be stuck with for the rest of your life."

Suddenly, Sister Sue stopped stroking my hair. When I rolled over, she was gone. 

Chapter Fifteen – Plan B

Love doesn
't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
~Franklin P. Jones~

I
picked up my ringing phone. "Hello?"

"Is this Teresa?"

"Yes."

"It's Sister Sue. I had my talk with
Laurel and it's obvious she still loves Julian. Under the circumstances, I'm convinced she would make a much better wife than sister."

"I know. What now?"

"I'm afraid we have no choice. It's time to implement Plan B."

"I agree. I'll get going on it. And Sue."

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"Thanks are not necessary. I want my girls to be happy, whether they're sisters or not."

* * * *

The next two weeks flew by. Mother Superior pulled some strings and got me relieved from work while I memorized my vows and read up on my future duties. Almost everyday I had a visitor. The parade of visitors included, Julian's three sisters, but not Julian. Teresa came four more times and pretended to be neutral, but I knew what she wanted. She even brought little Stephen the last time, obviously a ploy to appeal to my motherly instincts. If anything, her ruse backfired. She may not have realized it, but Stephen being the youngest and the only boy was somewhat of a spoiled brat. Any of her darling girls would have worked better.

My problem was for the last seven years, after Dad's miracle operation, I dreamed of being a sister, the last three of, which I'd lived being a sister and, until meeting Julian, I loved it. Meeting and falling in love with Julian didn't change that, but it sure changed my priorities. Maybe it was my hormones taking over, but if I hadn't made a commitment, I'd probably chuck the sisterhood for the perfect mate and have three darling babies as my dad would like.

The pressure was on. For the sisterhood the pressure came from within—the principle of honoring a long-term commitment no matter what. For marriage the pressure came from within and without. I longed for Julian. He was my ideal man. Just thinking of him would make my stomach flutter and do warm, wet, wicked things to my lower regions. Yes, I loved him. More than anything and lest I forget, the parade of visitors were there to remind me. Daddy of course played it cozy.

"You know whatever you decide; I'm behind you one hundred and fifty percent."

"I know Daddy."

"And don't let my request for grandchildren influence you. Thank God, Tessa has already given me four beautiful grandchildren including the little rascal, Stephen."

I hope he didn't notice that I rolled my eyes. "Thank you Daddy. Yes, they are darling."

"Darling that's the word. I'll bet you and Julian could have the most darling children ever. What a stunning couple you make. But, you know me. You're the boss, so whatever you decide.

He nudged me. "Can you tell an old man, have you decided?"

"No Daddy, I haven't decided, but I'm leaning toward my vows and fifty-six is not old."

"Oh, okay, well you know me. I'm neutral. Well, I have to go. I'm meeting Julian. We're going to drive some balls at the Stop and Sock driving range. Boy is he a good golfer."

I couldn't help smiling. "I'm not surprised. Julian is good at everything."

"I'll bet." He waggled his eyebrows and winked.

Daddy winked at me. Could he mean
—nah!             

The visitors who surprised me the most were my potential in-laws, Juliet, and John. After hugging John, I nodded at Juliet, who to my surprise, smiled.

"Thank you for coming, both of you. Too bad you didn't come about an hour earlier, because my dad was here and I would so have liked for you to meet him. I didn't say anything before, but John reminds me very much of him.

John's eyes sparkled. "That is too bad. I would have liked that. Laurel. I guess it's Sister Laurel, isn't it?"

I nodded.
             

"We didn't know that when we met at Jessie's, but she filled Julie and me in. Anyway, Julie insisted I bring her here. She said she needed to talk with you."

I was flabbergasted. I would never have guessed Juliet wanted to speak with me. I turned to her. "Yes, Juliet?"

As Juliet fidgeted, she ran her tongue across her bottom lip, and then apologized, "I wanted to tell you I was sorry. I didn't give a very good account of myself when we met. For years, on the few occasions I've met the women in Julian's life, I've been disappointed. Then, with only a few hours notice, Jessie called and wanted us to come to a dinner to meet Julian's fianc
ée. I didn't even know Julian was seeing anybody and all of a sudden he's engaged.

"You can't imagine the emotions that went through my mind. I was to meet the girl my Julian was in love with and wanted to marry. I'm afraid I was so sure Julian had picked one of his floozies to marry, I prejudged you. When Jessie explained that you were considering breaking off the engagement, I figured it was because of me, so I made John bring me here. I needed to straighten out the record.

"Laurel, I know I didn't act like it, but I was very pleased with Julian's choice. You are a fine, bright, attractive girl, who I would be proud to have for a daughter-in-law. Please don't cancel your engagement because of me."

I was at a loss for words. Juliet looked so melancholy, I had no idea what to do or say. I reached for her and pulled her close for a warm embrace.
Sotto voce
, I explained, "And I would be proud to have you as my mother-in-law. My uncertainty has nothing to do with you."

She pulled away, looking confused. "It doesn't. Then why?"

"I can't go into that. But I'm glad you came by."

Like everyone else who'd visited me, John and Juliet left disappointed.

But the visitor that had the most influence on me was my new friend and beautician, Sarah. Poor Sarah. My heart went out to her. Her heart wasn't into it, but she put her best foot forward.

Sarah's mouth stood open. "So he really didn't sleep with you that first night?"

"Right. My sister cooked up this scheme and together they tricked me."

Sarah gave a solo nod. "Good, it worked didn't it. You had sex with him and fell in love."

"In a way, but in reverse order. I fell in love and then had sex."

She scrunched her lips into a tight smile and wiggled her head up and down. "And it was extraordinary, wasn't it?"