All That and a Bag of Chips (47 page)

“V
enice, you're the love of my life. I'm going to miss you terribly. I wanted to get something for you to remember our time together. Each charm represents places we've been or things we've done together. I hope that each time you wear it, you remember how special those times were. I wish you all the love and happiness your heart can hold. Love Always, Craig.”

She put the letter down and began to look at each charm. Each one did exactly what he said; it told the story of their time together. Venice couldn't have received a more priceless and precious gift. She lost control of her emotions for hours as she cried into her pillow until morning.

A week later, Venice called Jarvis and told him that she'd marry him the week of Spring Break. He was a little surprised since he'd told her that there was no rush. She knew she was letting go of someone very special, but she also knew Jarvis was the one who truly owned her heart. Bryan went ballistic because he felt Venice should at least wait until she graduated. Sadly, she called Craig and told him about her decision to get married. He didn't take the news well, but told her that he'd never give up on her love. She told him that she needed him to be at the wedding. He told her that if he made it back from Japan in time, he'd be there.

Weeks Later

 

T
he wedding day was getting closer and Venice's mother and Sinclair were stressing. They had approximately two weeks left and Venice visited Jarvis every other weekend to look for somewhere to live. They'd narrowed it down to a nearby condo and on-campus housing and had to make a decision that weekend. They laughed together about their parents freaking out over the wedding plans. Venice allowed Sinclair to handle everything. On this particular visit, they spent the day at an Italian Festival. This was one of Jarvis' favorite foods and they stuffed themselves with food and drinks. When they got back to the hotel, they couldn't do anything but sleep.

After about three hours, Venice woke up to go to the bathroom. Once she sat up in the bed, she felt it. She ran into the bathroom and “called Earl.” She didn't want to wake Jarvis so she closed the door. She knew she'd eaten way too much and was paying for it. Jarvis ate more than she did and she just knew he'd do the same when he woke up.

Every time she tried to leave the bathroom, she got sick again. She sat on the cold floor for about ten more minutes and was finally well enough to get back into bed. Jarvis woke up as she crawled back into bed. She told him that she'd gotten sick.

He jokingly said, “I hope it's not food poison.”

“Do you feel okay?”

“So far, so good. Here, take this.”

He gave her something to settle her stomach. She took it, then laid across his chest for the rest of the evening.

The next morning, Jarvis got up before Venice and went jogging.

When he returned, he found Venice with her face in the toilet again.

“Girl, you're still sick? Maybe I need to take you to the doctor. You must have food poisoning.”

He felt her forehead to see if she was running a fever, but she wasn't. She was just was sick to her stomach.

“I'll be fine. I think my sinuses are draining and making me feel this way.”

He sat down next to her and held a cool cloth to her head. She laid back against his steel chest and absorbed his warmth. Jarvis held her in his arms until she felt a little better. He brought her a 7-up and crackers and put her into bed.

He said, “Don't be trying to play sick to get out of marrying me.”

She turned over and said, “You're silly. I'm not playing.”

Jarvis held Venice and rubbed her stomach, hoping to help make it better. Venice eventually fell asleep and Jarvis got up and took his shower. He called home to see how his mother and sister were doing and they discussed the wedding.

The weekend had come to a close and they had decided on the condo. It was going to be convenient for both of their schedules. Venice was able to get her credits transferred and was blessed to recover her scholarship.

When Jarvis took her to the airport, he told her, “Venice, I'm going to do everything I can to make you happy. I don't want you to ever regret marrying me.”

Lacing her fingers around his neck, she said, “You just show up at the altar.”

“I told you before, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be there.”

They kissed each other breathless and she boarded the plane.

It was Venice's last week on the Dawson campus. Bryan and Gator drove down and picked up all her things except for a few suitcases. She spent the last few days on campus telling the many friends she'd made goodbye. She was really going to miss Monique. They had really become close, through the good and the bad. Venice hoped Monique would take care of herself and not fall into the wrong hands. Her last task was to visit Bernice. She was really going to miss their “girl talk” sessions.

Bernice let Venice know that she didn't blame her for ending the relationship with Craig. Bernice told her that she understood her difficult position. She let Venice know that she was welcome anytime. Lastly, she thanked Venice for making her brother so happy.

“You better come back down here for my wedding in June.”

“I wouldn't miss it.”

Bernice said, “Make sure you bring your new husband. Craig will be fine with it, I'm sure. It's not like he hasn't met him.”

Venice thanked her and said, “Bernice, you know I love your brother?”

“I know, Venice. Craig knows it also. It just wasn't time for you two.”

Venice was about to get emotional. “Well, I guess I'll see you at my wedding. I'd better go.”

“I'll see you next week. Craig told me to tell you to always remember that he loves you.”

“Thanks, Bernice.”

They hugged and said their good-byes.

Wedding Week

 

V
enice and Jarvis were home and in the middle of frantic last minute wedding plans. Venice received a call from Craig and missed it, but he left her a touching message on her answering machine. Sinclair was bossing everyone around as Venice and her mom went in for her last fitting. The wedding dress she'd selected was gorgeous. It was a beautiful diamond-studded, ivory, strapless gown that came down to the knees with a detachable train.

Venice decided to wear her hair up with trestles hanging down around her face. Her veil would have a halo around the upsweep and hang down her back. Her bridesmaids were also wearing strapless lavender gowns. Sinclair had done a wonderful job organizing everything and Venice was grateful. Jarvis also met with his boys for their last tuxedo fittings. Venice was happy Joshua was able to be in her wedding. She wished he could've been her man of honor. He was very deserving of the title. Venice and Jarvis didn't want a large wedding. Just something nice and small. Sinclair got out of hand with the plans because it had turned into a large wedding. Venice wasn't happy about it, but she could live with it. Venice tried to return Craig's call, but was unable to reach him. The time difference and his busy schedule made it difficult at times.

It was two days before the wedding. Venice and Jarvis were planning on shopping for gifts for the bridal party. Venice woke up with a headache and when she sat up in bed, she felt sick again. Her nerves were really getting the best of her. She had no idea it was going to affect her like this. It took her a minute to get herself together, but the shower helped. Jarvis picked her up around ten a.m. When she got into the car, he noticed she looked flushed.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Just nerves.”

“Are you sure?”

She leaned back in the seat, closed her eyes, and said, “I'll be all right.”

He backed out of the driveway and headed to the mall. As he drove, he asked, “Are you going to stay with me tonight?”

“No!”

He laughed. “Oh, you're going to make me wait?”

“You'd better know it.”

After shopping, they took the items over to Bryan's house to wrap them in private. Joshua came by and offered to help. Before they could finish wrapping, Jarvis had to leave and run some errands for his mom. Joshua told Bryan that he would take Venice home. Before Bryan left, he gave Venice a kiss and said, “I'll catch up with you later.”

“No rush. I'll probably be over here for a while.”

After he left, Joshua said, “You look terrible. What's going on with you?”

She sat down next to him and said, “Joshua, my nerves are so shaken, it's making me sick. I can't sleep, I can't eat, and I'm tripping.”

He patted her on the leg and said, “You don't have anything to be nervous about. What's wrong? Are you thinking about Craig again?”

She got up and picked up some ribbon. “Sometimes, but not like I used to.”

“Well, you should be cool then.”

She got unusually quiet as she wrapped another gift. “Joshua, I'm late.”

He was switching channels with the remote. He looked at his watch and said, “Late for what? Where you got to go?”

She looked at him seriously and said, “Not that kind of late!”

“I know you're not talking about what I think you're talking about.”

“Yes, and I don't want to know the truth right now.”

Joshua looked her in the eyes and asked, “Does Jarvis know?”

“Oh no!”

“Why not?”

“Because I don't want to upset him right now. He's getting curious because I've been sick.”

Joshua fell back on the sofa and said, “That's messed up, Niecy. What are you going to do?”

“Nothing and you keep your damn mouth shut.”

“How could something like this happen?”

“I don't know. The last time this happened, my doctor increased the dosage of my birth control pills and said one of us is unusually fertile.”

Joshua stared at her. “For your sake, I hope you're not pregnant. Talking about deja vu. Your family will go off. Venice, you need to get a pregnancy test.”

“I can't handle that right now.”

“Don't say I didn't try to help you.” There was no response. “Niecy?”

“Yeah?”

“If you're really pregnant, could it be Craig's?”

Startled by his comment, she looked up and said, “We always used protection.”

“Just checking.”

She held his hand and said, “I know. I appreciate your help, Joshua. I may decide to take a test. I just don't want to right now. Look, I don't want to talk about it any longer. Okay?”

He agreed and helped her finish wrapping the gifts.

I
t was the day before the wedding and the rehearsal was scheduled for that evening. Venice hadn't been sick all day, but she did let Joshua pick up a pregnancy test for her. At least if she got up the nerve to take the test, it would be available. She still hadn't heard from Craig. She hoped that he was on his way. Sinclair was running rehearsals smoothly as Venice sat up front to watch Jarvis and the others get their instructions. Crimson was bopping around having a good time. She told everyone that she was going to look like a princess the next day. Venice sat there and stared at Sidney, who was now six months pregnant. She was glowing and Galen was a changed man. Jarvis was visibly excited and occasionally looked over at Venice winking or blowing her kisses. Venice checked her watch and saw that things were running on schedule. Sinclair was touching up the decorations in the church. She wanted to make sure every “t” was crossed and every “i” was dotted.

After about thirty more minutes, the rehearsal was over. They had the rehearsal dinner at a local restaurant arranged by Jarvis' parents. As they ate, Mr. Taylor became emotional as he told everyone about his feelings to finally get to walk his baby down the aisle. He praised Jarvis for being who he was and for taking care of his daughter. Once he sat down, each person stood up and said nice things about the two. Joshua made it a point to be the last one. He told the story about his relationship with Venice over the years. He explained he wasn't blessed to have a sister, but she was the best sister anyone could ever wish for.

Next, Joshua told the story about how he almost died in December and could've missed the event. This brought tears to everyone's eyes in the room. He went on to tell of his closeness with
Jarvis and how they'd had their brotherly ups and downs. He ended with, “No two people deserve to be together as much as Jarvis and Venice. I believed they were destined for this day the moment they were born. You two are my closest friends. I wish you nothing but love and happiness and a couple of little Venices and Jarvis' running around one day.” Everyone laughed, then Joshua finished with, “Seriously, I love you two very much and I'll always be there for you.” Venice, with tears flowing, got up and hugged Joshua tightly. “Thank you!”

He said, “You're welcome.”

She laughed, kissed him, and said, “I love you, Joshua.”

He took a sip of his drink and said, “I know.”

After everyone had finished eating, Jarvis and Venice gave out their gifts. Jarvis went out with his friends, but Venice didn't feel well, so she went home.

Before Venice knew it, the sun had come up. She had an early hair appointment so she had to get moving. Venice hid the pregnancy test in her suitcase and dressed. Before she could finish combing her hair, the sickness hit her hard. She tried her best to hide this from her mother, who was downstairs waiting on her to go to the beauty shop.

Venice needed more time to get herself together. She hollered for her mom to go ahead. She told her that she'd meet her there in a few minutes. The wedding was six hours away. Venice had no idea whether she'd be well enough to walk down the aisle, but she had no choice. As she held a cool towel to her head, the doorbell rang.