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Does She Do Weddings?

Father Dave stood in the nave to greet the parishioners as they filed out of the church. Kendra looked for the Woodards in the departing crowd. Being only 10, all she could really see were backs and elbows.

“Dad, everybody is going outside after they shake hands with that guy. Don’t we need to go the other way to get Chelsea?”

He looked down and reached out to hold her hand. “It’s okay. The kids are all in the vestibule behind the minister.”

She looked up at her mom and aunt to find them whispering to each other. The closing organ music and the murmur of the people drowned out the secret conversation.

“Did you see him?” Holly teased.

“Yeah, so?”

“He cleans up pretty well. Doesn’t he?”

“Better than the first time we saw him. Still talks to himself.”

“Well, you know the rule. Don’t you?”

Ivy jerked her head back. “What? What rule? What are you talking about?”

“The better looking they are, the crazier they get.” Holly leaned in.

Ivy squinted at her. “Rule? Sounds like nonsense.” She shook her head. ”He’s obviously crazier than he is good looking. Who cares?”

“Nancy thought you guys had chemistry.”

“Nancy who?”

“Lynn’s mom.” Holly hissed, her eyes darting between the shuffling parishioners.

“Yeah, she’s completely objective.” Ivy’s eyes drilled into her sister.

“Maybe not, but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a valid opinion.”

“She’s running auditions for a Sister-In-Law, Holly. I’m pretty sure that disqualifies her.”

“Alright, alright. Don’t blow your stack. Hey, isn’t that the kid from the Zavijava?”

“Yeah, poor guy. What a face.”

“Shh, he’s standing right there.”

“He can’t hear us over this organ music. Oh, look. There’s Chelsea.” Ivy waved to her niece.

Chelsea jumped up and down and waved as she waited with her friend.

“Thank you for joining us this morning.” Father Dave said.

Dustin stood behind him, leaning on the wall, trying to be invisible.

Despite the angry red eruptions on his face, Ivy noticed that he bore a passing resemblance to the minister. ‘Well, he’s not lacking in prayer that his face clears up.’

Frank shook hands with the priest. “It was a lovely service, and what a beautiful church.”

“Well, thank you. I hope you’ll join us again. There’s always room.”

Holly kept her hands tucked in her coat pockets. “Our daughter, Chelsea, was here with her friend this morning. We just came to be sure you guys don’t do anything weird.”

“The only thing Episcopalians do that’s weird is filling the church from the back pew forward.” Father Dave laughed. “Did you enjoy the music?”

“You have a very talented organist. Does she do weddings?” Holly asked and gave a shocked squeak as Ivy drove an elbow into her side.

“Well, certainly.” Father Dave said with a broad smile. “Have anyone in mind?”

“No. I can just picture how beautiful this church would be with all the flowers and everything.”

“Yes, we’ve had a lot of weddings here and they’re always lovely. One of the best parts of my job, actually.”

Ivy pushed past them to collect her niece.

“Aunt Ivy!”

“Hiya, sweetie. Did you have a nice time?” Ivy knelt to give her a hug.

“Mrs. Tribbett is very nice and we learned about Fruitcake of the Spirit and some guy named Paul who doesn’t know how to use a phone and greasy churches from a looooong time ago.” Chelsea hung tight to Ivy’s neck and gave her a big, wet kiss on the cheek.

“You’ll have to tell us all about it. Lynn, did she behave herself overnight?”

“Sure. If she didn’t behave, we probably wouldn’t be friends. Chelsea is my best friend in the whole world.” Lynn declared.

“Well, it was very nice to let her stay over. I’m glad you both had such a good time. Do you have your bag?”

“Mommy went out to get it.” Lynn said, turning her coloring page over and over in her little hands.

Kendra appeared beside her aunt. “Hi, Chelsea.”

“Hi, Kendra. You should have come to Sunday School. There were older kids than you there.”

“That’s fine. I liked the church music.” Kendra pushed her glasses up. “Are you ready to go?”

“Lynn’s mommy is getting my stuff.”

“Where did your uncle go, Lynn?” Kendra glanced at her aunt to watch for a response.

Ivy’s eyebrows jumped up and her cheeks flushed. She picked Chelsea up to bounce her on her hip.

Kendra turned to look for her parents so Aunt Ivy wouldn’t see the little smirk she was trying to conceal.

They were at the doorway talking with Lynn’s mom. Her dad shouldered the bag as they chatted.

Kendra tugged on the hem of her aunt’s coat and walked over to join her parents.

“… and she told us how much she loved fruitcake, so we stopped for some on the way back from skating.” Nancy said.

“She’s obsessed.” Holly laughed. “Thanks again for having her over.”

“It was a delight.” Steve said. “She’s welcome any time she wants to visit Lynn. We’d love to have all of you over for dinner sometime.”

“Isn’t that nice?” Frank smiled. “We’ll have to have you guys over, too. Lynn is welcome to visit Chelsea any time.”

Holly’s smile turned into a thinly disguised sneer. “Definitely.”

Ivy walked over with Chelsea in her arms and Lynn close behind. “Okay, honey. Say bye to your friend. We’re going to get going.”

Chelsea slid down off of her aunt’s hip and clutched her friend in a bear hug that nearly lifted Lynn from her feet.

“See you tomorrow, Lynn.”

“See you tomorrow, Chelsea. I’m glad you could come over.”

“Me, too. Bye.” Chelsea let go of her best friend and made a beeline for the door.

Kendra followed her outside. “Chelsea, where are you going? You don’t even know where we’re parked?”

“Follow me.”

“Chelsea, you’re going to get lost or run over or something. Stop.”

Chelsea stopped abruptly and looked around. She found what she was looking for and gave her sister a knowing smile.