The Other Side of Perfect (5 page)

Nervously, Mason began to fumble with something in his pocket. His mind ran through his well-rehearsed speech as Jennifer obliviously savored her wine and luscious dessert course.

Then, Mason stood from the table and looked down at Jennifer, his nerves jumping in his throat. “Jennifer? Ever since the day I met you, I have known that this day would come. Your grace and beauty are breathtaking. You amaze me every day. You and Chelsea are everything to me and I am in awe of you both.  There’s nothing I want more in this world than to make you a permanent part of my life” he said. 

Then, carefully he knelt before her, revealed the white silk box and opened it, displaying a remarkable 2 carat diamond ring. Jennifer’s eyes swelled with tears as her lips began to quiver. She sat quietly as she allowed Mason to finish his speech.

“
My sweet Jennifer. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

             
The room was still and quiet; all eyes were fixated on the lovely romantics.

For a moment, you could have heard a pin drop as Jennifer mastered her composure to answer the surprising proposal. Then with an astounding reply, she said, “Yes. Oh my God, Yes!”

The room lightly cheered as Mason put the ring upon her finger, and the two embraced in a celebratory kiss. Mason was relieved to have gotten through a much-rehearsed proposal, and Jennifer was relieved to have finally found the man of her dreams...

The wedding was on!

SEVEN

The church was decorated with beautiful ivy vines and white carnations.  Kyra, the maid of honor stood beside the bride, wearing a beautiful green dress.  Jennifer had been disowned by her family and it still hurt deeply, but Helga stood proudly as her honorary stand-in, acting as mother of the bride. 

Robert, one of the stock boys from the store, would stand and 'give her away.'  Robert was as gay as gay can be, but she and Robert had shared many laughs together. He’d been a valuable friend through the years. It seemed natural to have him there for her special day. Though she lacked the presence of personal family members, she felt as though her honorary family completed her on this, her special day.

             
“Thank-you for walking me down the aisle” she whispered, as they prepared to
             
make their entrance.

             
“My pleasure, sweetheart” he said softly.  “Just make sure Mr. Hotstuff treats you
             
right, or I will be laying the smack-down on that boy!”

             
Jennifer smiled.  “I’m not worried.  You’ve met him, he’s great!”

             
“He is great, but I don’t trust him completely…” Robert said.  “Still, it’s your day,
             
so if this is what you want, then I am all-in for you, sister!”

             
“Thanks” she said with a smile.

Robert had been suspicious of everyone at one time or another, so his words largely fell upon deaf ears. Jennifer simply brushed them off and considered them nothing more than the product of an over-protective and conspiring mind.

Soon, the music began and the doors to the sanctuary opened wide.  Then, elegantly, the parade of bridesmaids began to enter, one at a time. Sylvia, one of Jennifer’s friends, was the first to walk down the aisle, followed by Ella and Ruth. Finally, with a quick hug to the bride, Kyra prepared to take her turn down the walkway.

“
Knock 'em dead, girl!” Kyra whispered.

“
Thanks, Kyra.”

             
“Meet you at the front.”

             
Jennifer nodded with a smile. 

Chelsea walked with Kyra, sprinkling rose petals along the way. Then, Robert carefully fixed Jennifer’s train and veil, just right.  The two of them began down the aisle.  All the people in attendance stood and marveled, as the sweet, young lady began to walk down the aisle.  Smiles were all around her, but no smile was as big as the beau she saw waiting for her at the front. Then finally, at the front of the sanctuary, Robert gave her hand to Mason and wished her the very best. 

***

The ceremony was a dream. Mason had paid for it all. He wouldn’t have it any other way.  Then finally, the announcement they’d all been waiting for.

             
“I now pronounce you husband and wife!” announced the minster.  “You may
             
kiss the bride…”

From the ceremony to their honeymoon send-off, the day was a perfect dream. Chelsea would stay with Kyra until their return from a Cancun Honeymoon.

***

Before she knew it, she and her new husband were on a plane to Cancun and seven days of bliss had taken place in what seemed like a matter of hours. They’d made sweet love repeatedly, coming up for air just long enough to enjoy some sights and savory the Cancun culinary treats. 

It was heaven on earth for Jennifer, who'd forgotten what true happiness could feel like.  Heaven had definitely come to her in the form of this beautiful and attentive man. Now, he was all hers.

             
“I could live like this forever” she said on their final day.  “Too bad we gotta go
             
back.”

             
“Yeah.” Mason was rather mundane in his response, which caught Jennifer off
             
guard.

             
“You okay, hun?”

             
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”

             
“Don’t know, you just seem a bit...” she paused.  “I don’t know...”

             
“No worries dear, I am just tired from all of our honeymoon activities.  All is fine
             
in my world.”
             

Jennifer accepted his words and brushed off her fleeting insecurities.

EIGHT

Upon their return, Jennifer picked Chelsea up from the sitter and then the two of them would now move into their new home of luxury and wonder.  Good-bye, ratty old apartment…

Mason assured her she wouldn’t have to work again, but Jennifer liked her job.  She didn't care much for Rick of course, but she did like her coworkers and the regular customers. So with the honeymoon over, Jennifer returned to work.

While she was ringing in a sale on her first day back, Kyra arrived for her shift.  She was curious to see how her friend was doing. Having been unable to communicate with her earlier, she sought details.
             

“
Sooo...” Kyra probed.

             
“So, what?” Jennifer asked. 

She knew of course that Kyra wanted to hear her say it was wonderful, but chose to tease a bit first.

             
“You know…”

             
“Tell you all about it after work, okay?”

             
“Sure.” Kyra agreed.  “By the way, you look radiant!”

The day was hectic, and she’d almost wanted to quit the job on a few occasions, considering she didn't
really
need it any longer, but she was happy now to be going home to her new husband.

Mason had worked during the day, catching up on his finance books.  The books were in disarray. Many of the figures were inconsistent, so it took a lot of probing to fix them and make them square again.

Agent Drummond and Agent Paul of the FBI sat across the bar, having just gotten off duty. They’d frequented the spot often, certain of Mason’s involvement in a crime ring they could not confirm…

             
Tauntingly, one of them asked, “So Mason, how’s married life treating you?”

             
“She’s fine...” he seemed distracted.

             
“She know about your ‘
business’
?” Sarcasm framed the question, irking Mason.

             
“She knows I own this bar, yes.”

             
“I meant, your other business…”

             
“I don’t have another business.”

             
“Not what I heard....”

             
“From who, Vinny?  He’s pretty reliable, huh?”

Mason was irritated, but played it cool.  He was not about to give them any more ammunition than he needed to.

After a day of bad books and agent taunts, Mason returned home to his new wife and daughter, expecting a hot, home-cooked meal. However...

Kyra, Jennifer, and Robert had decided to stop for a coffee at ‘Bianca’s Café’ with Chelsea, and enjoyed the company of one another over a cup of java and some donut holes.  Suddenly, Jennifer realized she was running late.

“
I best get home. Mason will be home in a bit and I want to surprise him with a nice supper” she said.

“
Sweet” Kyra said.

***

As she fumbled for the keys to her new home, the door flew open with Mason glaring on the other side.  She almost dropped Chelsea she was so taken aback, but regained her footing quickly.

             
“Oh shit, Mason you scared me!”

             
“Scared you?” he scorned. “You want to know what fear
really
is?”

             
His tone of voice was new and she didn’t know what to make of it.

             
“Why are you so angry?” she asked.

             
“Look!” he shouted.  “I worked hard all day and came home expecting supper to
             
be ready!  You’ve been off for 2 hours. Where were you, with another man?”

             
“Wha? No!  I was out with Robert and Kyra” she said with a tone of disgust.  “I
             
don’t know where this tone is coming from, but I don’t like it!”

             
Then, she entered the house and put Chelsea on the ground.  “Go play in your
             
room, sweetie.”  Suddenly, Mason grabbed her arm. 

             
“Ouch, you’re hurting me!”

A look of rage gleamed from his eyes, but before he went further, he calmed a bit. 

Then, thinking it was better, Jennifer asked.  “Did you have a bad day?”

“
It was bad…” he said.  “And, I needed to come home to find you and my supper
             
waiting for me…”

He shoved her ever so slightly. “I shouldn't have to mention this to you, understand?” Chelsea appeared from her room and looked at Mason curiously.  “Don’t hurt my mommy!” she demanded.

Suddenly, Mason realized his only allies right now were Jennifer and Chelsea.  Finally calming down, he took a deep breath.  “Look…I’m sorry.  I’m gonna take a run to get this day out of my head.  Will supper be ready when I get home?”

Jennifer nodded in quiet compliance, but didn’t know what to think now.  Who was this man she’d married? Was this the
REAL
Mason Wilson, or a tired man who'd had a rough day at the office? Time would tell, Jennifer supposed.

NINE

Mason’s good personality returned, for the most part, but Jennifer didn’t know whether the ‘angry Mason’ was a one-time deal, or whether she would have to face him again in the near future.  Then, one day-off from the store she was at home cleaning, when a knock came at the front door.