As she stilled herself, Zack’s phone rang. He stared at the phone a moment and then glanced at Sondra. “That’s Jade. I think it’s Dad.”
He pressed the speaker. “Hi. What’s up?”
“Dad died. What are we going to do about Granny?”
Zack narrowed his eyes in anger. “We aren’t doing anything about Granny. I’m leaving her right where she’s at. If she needs help, we’ll hire a live-in nurse to go in and help.”
“You can’t do that. Dad put everything in my name.” Jade’s voice took on a strident tone.
“That’s only if I didn’t marry.” Zack’s calm voice was a contrast.
“As far as I know, that hasn’t changed.” Jade sounded triumphant.
“You haven’t met Sondra yet.”
Jade paused and then asked, “Who is that?”
“My wife.”
Jade gasped. “When did the happy event take place?”
“A couple of weeks ago.”
“How come you didn’t send out announcements?”
“I didn’t have time. Sondra and I decided to marry before I heard about the change in the will. We moved the date up a bit, that’s all.”
“Where did you get married?” Jade asked.
“A courthouse in Virginia.”
“Who married you?”
“Not that’s it’s any of your business, but his name is Justice Turly and he did a fine job.” Zack’s white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel belied his calm tone.
“I thought you always wanted a temple wedding.”
At that accusation, Zack turned white under his caramel color. His voice throbbed with anger. “Why should you care? It’s not like you married there.”
Silence again filled the car, and then Jade responded, her own anger clear. “I never lived the faith like you did. When you went on your mission, you swore you’d never risk your marriage like our parents did. Dad never joined the church. I suppose you’ll make sure their temple work is done, but you said you wouldn’t risk that for your own family. Sondra must be really something if you’re willing to throw your temple wedding away.”
Sondra averted her gaze, staring out the window and hoping Zack wouldn’t see the naked pain she was sure was visible on her face. She had always felt the same. Here she was, throwing her temple marriage away. And for what?
Then she thought of her sister. Because she wasn’t sealed to anyone, the babies she bore for Nikki could be sealed to her and Brad. This was the whole purpose for the event. Provide a safe place for her sister’s babies to grow. She would think about her own happiness after she took care of Nikki.
Zack’s conversation with Jade broke into her thoughts.
“Sondra is everything I ever wanted in a wife. It’s none of your business how, when, and where I married her.” He raked a frustrated hand through his hair. “You worry about Stan and your children. I might not be around to do your work for you. In the meantime, don’t worry about Granny. I’ll take care of her.” He took a calming breath and switched topics. “What are the plans for Dad’s funeral?”
As the discussion turned to the funeral, Sondra tuned it out while she thought about Nikki, Brad, and the twins. She hadn’t ever worried about what it was like to carry a baby. It would have been useless to think about something that wasn’t a physical possibility.
The last time she’d thought about it was in a college biology class, and she couldn’t remember the course covering anything about pregnancy. They’d played a video of a live birth and explained the creation process, but it hadn’t covered any information on the months between.
She was pulled back into the conversation when she heard Zack say, “I don’t think Sondra can offer the benediction. She has a court case she has to attend in Salt Lake.” He caught Sondra’s gaze and raised his brows in a silent query as he made the announcement.
Sondra nodded her head in agreement. She felt like enough of a fraud. She didn’t want to participate in the funeral. No one in the family even knew her.
Jade’s voice rang out. “Court case? What, is she some kind of criminal?”
Zack’s frustration could be heard in his voice. Jade had hit a nerve. “Sondra is an attorney. She has lots clients, and she’s very busy.”
“Oh.” After a brief pause, Jade continued, “The funeral will be next Saturday. Are you telling me she has a case on a weekend? It’s not like you can’t afford the plane fare. She only has to fly out in the morning and she can be back the next day. The funeral will be at 1:00 to give time for family to arrive.”
Uncertain of Zack’s answer, Sondra chose to answer herself. “I can attend the funeral, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable offering the benediction. I think that should be reserved for someone who’s known him longer than I have.”
Jade gasped. “We’re on speaker?” She was silent a moment and then asked, “Did you even meet him?”
“Yes, I did. We met him after the wedding. He seemed like a wonderful person.” Sondra’s soft comment seemed to calm Jade.
Jade sounded close to tears. “He was a wonderful father. I will miss him.” She was quiet another moment. “Would you like to join me and my girls in singing ‘How Great Thou Art?’” Before Sondra could protest, she continued, “We can practice before the services.”
“I’m not really a singer, but I’d be happy to join you.”
Jade’s voice was brisk again. “Good. That’s settled then. Zack, I’ll call you later after the plans have been firmed up. We’ve already talked to the Bishop in the area. We’re planning on having the funeral at the local building. He’ll be laid to rest next to Mom.”
“Why are you waiting until Saturday?” Zack asked.
“With family spread out all over the country, it’s going to take a few days to arrange flights. A week and a half isn’t that long these days. Plus it gives everyone Christmas before they have to travel.” Jade replied.
“Are you still planning on coming out for Christmas?” Zack asked.
“With the funeral so close, I don’t want to travel twice. We’ll stay here in Tucson. We’ll see you in Maryland.” Jade responded.
“Will the body keep that long?” Sondra blurted out. Images of a body melting away in the next few days were flashing in her mind. All the zombie movies she’d watched in her past were making a quick comeback.
Zack’s lips twitched at her question. Sondra glared at him. She had no idea how long bodies could be kept. Didn’t they have an expiration date? Every funeral she’d attended had been within three days of the death.
“The funeral home assured me he would be fine, and we won’t be having an open casket funeral, anyway.” Jade answered.
“Why not?” Zack asked.
“I can’t stand looking at dead people.” With that cryptic comment, Jade hung up the phone.
Zack and Sondra stared at each other a moment and then laughed. Zack shook his head. “Welcome to my family.” He paused and then asked, “Did you want to go say good-bye to Dad?”
Sondra hesitated. “I don’t think that’s my call. What do you want to do?”
“I said good-bye when I introduced you to him. I guess I’m with my sister. I don’t like looking at dead people, either. I like to think of him as being alive—and happy to be with Mom again. They really love each other, you know. And Jade was right. I’ll get their work done next year.”
“This….marriage….was a real sacrifice for you, wasn’t it?”
“Judging from my sister’s call, I’d say it was one I needed to make. Granny will be fine now. My sister can’t do anything about it.”
Sondra stared at him. “Maybe you better look at the will and fix it so that’s true.”
“What do you mean?”
“You might not outlive your sister or your grandma. I know the person who can make sure your grandma is taken care of.”
This time, it was Zack who reached out to her. “Thanks. Angels that surround us aren’t always invisible. And I don’t believe in coincidences, either. Remind me again why you took that flight to DC?”
* * *
Thursday was a blur. There were several clients who needed last-minute assistance before the holidays. Sondra took Friday off to prepare for Christmas. She ordered a dinner from a local restaurant with enough extras for leftovers. She didn’t want to cook on either day. They stayed up late and watched Christmas classics. They both slept in the next day.
When Sondra let Dewk in, he tore around the living room in crazy circles. “He usually comes in earlier.” Sondra apologized.
Zack laughed and handed him a huge bone. “I thought he’d enjoy this.” Dewk stopped and made a beeline for his rug.
“That one is going to take some work.”
“I thought it would keep him busy.” Zack chuckled at Dewk’s enthusiasm while he handed Sondra a narrow box. “I got you a little something.”
The lid had a well-known name embossed in silver ink. She looked up at Zack and then back at the box. “You shouldn’t have.”
“But I did. ‘For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.’”
Sondra interrupted. “D&C 88:33. I was a missionary, too, remember? Quoting scriptures to guilt me into accepting this? That’s low.” She lifted up the lid and saw the sparkling tennis bracelet. “Ohhhhhh. I don’t think you need to guilt me. This is beautiful.”
“May I?”
Sondra nodded, and Zack attached the bracelet to her wrist. She twisted her arm and admired the sparkles that closely matched the ones on her ring. “I love it.” Her expression fell. “But I’d be terrified to wear it. What if I lose it?”
“The clasp has special features to keep it from coming undone. See?” He twisted the bracelet around so she could see the workings of the clasp. “I don’t think you need to worry. You wear your rings. Why wouldn’t you wear your bracelet?”
“Rings don’t have a tendency to fall off.”
Zack moved the bracelet again. His touch sent prickles up Sondra’s arm. “This one fits just right. It’s not going anywhere.”
Sondra admired the brilliant facets again and then offered Zack the package she’d carefully wrapped earlier in the week. The festive wrapping looked drab in comparison to her flashing jewelry.
Zack ripped through the packaging and pulled out an envelope. He quirked his brows in a question and then opened the card. “Airfare for two to Philadelphia?”
“I thought that’s where you said your grandmother lives.”
“She does.” He nodded, his brown eyes unreadable.
“I wanted to meet her, if that’s okay?”
“I would love to have you two meet, but this is a surprise.” He glanced at the tickets.
“Anyone who can inspire enough love to have her grandson marrying to protect her must be a wonderful person. I hope you don’t mind?” Sondra asked.
“Of course not.” He squinted at the small print. “Are the tickets refundable?”
“Yes. Fully. Why?”
“If you can get a few days off after the funeral, I thought we could drive from Maryland and then return from Philadelphia.”
“I can probably take the week off after the funeral. We aren’t particularly busy right after Christmas.”
Zack ran his hand down Sondra’s arm and paused to encircle her jeweled wrist with his long fingers. “Thanks for your sacrifice. My heart is at peace.” He pulled up her fingers and gently nibbled at her fingertips, watching her astonished expression. Not seeing a response he expected, he turned on his heel and shut his door behind him.
Sondra stared at the door. What was she supposed to do with him? Maybe their trip to Philly would help iron out some wrinkles. She could hope.
That evening, Zack emerged from his space to help with a simple supper. They were working quietly at clearing dinner when a brisk knock summoned them to the door.
“You must be Brad.” Zack reached out to shake the extended hand of a tall blond man. Even though he was only a couple of inches shorter than Zack, his sunken cheeks and sickly pallor made him seem much smaller. His clothes hung on a skeleton frame. Despite his weak appearance, his eyes still shone with lively interest. He nodded, then Zack turned to Nikki. “I remember you from Trek.” He reached out to shake her hand as well.
Nikki snuck a look at Sondra, who was turning pink as they spoke. She met Zack’s eyes. “I remember you, too. You took really good care of Sondra then. Looks like you’re taking really good care of her now. We appreciate your sacrifice.”
Zack nonchalantly put his arm around Sondra and moved her back to the couch. She was grateful for his guiding arm because her legs felt like mush. Having her family meet her faux husband shouldn’t be so unnerving.
Nikki deposited a plate of cookies on Sondra’s table as they headed to the loveseat. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon wafted off the plate.
Sondra inhaled with a smile. “Snickerdoodles?”
Nikki nodded. “I know they’re your favorite.”
“You know me too well.” Sondra passed the plate around to share while Brad handed Zack a gift card.
“We didn’t know where you prefer to eat, so there are four choices on the card.” Brad said.
“Thanks. This will come in handy. Sondra and I have been doing a lot of eating out lately.”
Nikki turned and furrowed her brow at Sondra, who confessed, “The odor of cooking foods hasn’t been appetizing. It’s easier to eat where I don’t have to smell it cooking.”
Nikki laughed. “It’s a good thing you’re living on a lawyer’s salary.”
Sondra shot a look at Zack. “He won’t let me pay.”
“She’s my wife.” The sound of his voice didn’t leave room for argument.
Brad and Nikki exchanged a meaningful glance.
Sondra switched subjects. “You’re looking good, Brad.”
“I’ve put on ten pounds since they started the new process.” Even his voice sounded healthier, fuller.
“That’s encouraging.” Sondra smiled.
“Yes, it is. I didn’t ever think I’d be able to say this, but remission is looking like a real possibility.”
Sondra squealed in delight. “I’m thrilled.” She turned to Nikki. “Have you let Mom and Dad know?”
“We went on skype this morning. They’re as happy as we are.”
They spent a few minutes discussing politics. After they’d run through the current state of world affairs, Nikki caught Sondra’s gaze. “How are you feeling—other than nauseated?”
Sondra patted her non-existent stomach. “We’re doing fine so far.”
Brad dropped his gaze a moment, staring at the floor. Then he looked to meet Sondra’s eyes as he reached for Nikki’s hand. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me—to us. Thanks.”
“Just concentrate on getting well.” Sondra moved to Brad and hugged him.
“I am.” He smiled, stood up and reached out to help Nikki, still chivalrous despite his weakened state. The cancer had ravaged his body but not his soul.
After they left, Zack said, “I really like your family. Mine could never talk about current events like that.”
“Mom and Dad felt like it was important to keep us aware. It would seem odd not to.” She stared at the glowing gas flames. “I just pray that Brad will get better.” She looked up at Zack and touched her tummy. “This sacrifice will mean a lot more if he can stay and be the father I know he wants to be.”
Zack pulled Sondra to her feet. “You are an amazing person.”
“What do you mean?”
“There aren’t too many people I know who would sacrifice so much for their sister.”
Sondra reached up and touched Zack’s cheek. “I’m not the only one sacrificing here.”
“My sacrifice is small.”
Sondra wanted to argue. She needed to argue, but Zack’s mouth on hers stopped any thoughts. They stopped the muscles in her legs. If Zack hadn’t reached out to hold her up, she would have melted right into the floor. Her arms somehow found themselves wound around his neck, and one of her hands was working its way through his hair when Zack came up for air.
Sondra could hardly see. This kiss was everything she’d ever imagined it would be. When she focused on his face, her brows furrowed. He didn’t seem to be sharing the same ecstasy she was. As she watched the different emotions race across his face, a final one of remorse remained. Remorse?
He gently settled her on her feet. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“What’s wrong?”
“This is supposed to be temporary, remember? I don’t want to complicate things.”
He turned on his heel and retreated to his own space.
Sondra stared at his door and then at the bracelet. Real jewels or not, they were beautiful. How was this gift meant to symbolize temporary? Maybe she was reading far too much into his behavior. Maybe a tennis bracelet didn’t mean much when you had money to spare. She retreated to her own room and cried herself to sleep. It wasn’t a long cry. She was asleep shortly after her head hit the pillow.