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“Bruh, you looking sharp and your wife to be is beautiful.”
“I know something isn’t right.” He paced the room and loosen the bow tie.
“Money, the flowers, the church and the reception is everything you two wanted.”
“I’m talking about Karmella. She doesn’t look well. I can sense when she is going through something. I missed her last doctor’s appointment and she won’t tell me anything. Even the doctor is saying nothing.”
“Planning the wedding and the honeymoon she is just overworked.”
“I know my wife and she is hiding something from me.”
“Money, use this day not to worry. You are about to marry the woman of your dreams. Enjoy the day, please.” He patted his brother on the shoulder.
“You’re right.”
“Okay I’m going out to check on things. I don’t want you stressing, bruh. Every detail and your bride is gorgeous.”
William Matters knocked on the door the program director of My brother’s keeper and his mentor.
“You are looking good in that tux.”
“Thank you.”
“Why are looking sad?”
He sat next to William and he shed a tear.
“I waited for this moment to be Karmella’s husband for eleven years. Everyday I pray hard for her health and I don’t know if she died how I live.I can’t imagine my life without my Queen.”
William thought of his wife Tasiyana and he brewed over the thought of losing her to cancer or some type of disease. She was his lifeline and heartbeat so he understood his worries.
“You live because it is what she wants you to do. You’ve been blessed with a warrior of a woman and you too, bruh. As long as I’ve known you fought like hell to become the man you are today. Death is inevitable for each of us but right at this moment think of living. Think of her having what she never thought a wedding, a husband and a man who loves her. You made every one of her dreams come true. You have your soul mate and that bro will never die. Now get out of the fear and marry your woman.”
Deandre cracked a smile and stood up. He gave William a hug.
“I’m ready.”
He walked out of the room. The sound of Uncle Sam’s, “Baby, You are.” His brother, William Matter, Bishop Jones, and Blue stood. He was ready to receive his bride.
He stood next to his brother, his friends, and everyone wore a black tux and a pink bow ties. The doors opened and the audience stood. Karmella stood dressed in a beautiful pink and white dress. He smiled and blew a kiss. She walked down the aisle. This moment for him was his greatest accomplishment.
“You look beautiful, wifey.”
“Thank you, hubby.”
He held her hands and he noticed she was shaking.
“What are you nervous for?”
“Everyone staring but I’m okay. I can’t believe I am bride. Your bride. I am blessed.”
“I am the luckiest man in the world. You are my dream come true. Thank you for letting me stand here with you, wifey.”
The minister conducted the ceremony and it was time for them to say their vows.
“When I met you I found my angel. My life was wild, crazy, and I only loved myself. I chose you because I found love in you. I became a better man for you because I found what my soul needed and I commit to giving you the best of me for the rest of your life. You are my peace, my happiness, and in you I smile because you give me reason to. I commit to giving you happiness, peace and tranquility. I will take care of you because I want to ensure I fulfill the requirements of being your husband. You are the best of me and right at this moment it is a blessing to marry my angel.” He wiped her eyes.
Everyone surrounding them dab their eyes and she smiled.
“You’re not suppose to make me cry you’re going to mess up my make up and I should pinch you. Nah, I am kidding.You are my King because you see in me what I am searching for my beauty. You are my protector and I am safe because of you. I promise to be your everything to be your protector when you are lonely, lost and can’t find your reason why. I will cheer you on and allow my heart to beat to yours. In our world I will never doubt your love, your friendship and that I deserve to be your wife. You took away the pain, the hurt, and from the bottom of my heart thank you for loving me.”
The crowd applauded when they said I do. He kissed her and he knew he found love in her and no other person could fulfill him the way Karmella.
That day she danced with her King but he noticed her breathing was labored. She had to seat every few minutes. She smiled and their last dance of the evening she said,
“You are the best gift a woman can ever have. I am so happy and full of love. Dancing with you, kissing you and being here. I am know now I am not curse I just had to be patient. I love you, My King.” She collapsed in his arms.
Four months later
Pamela Karamella Jones -Jackson died five days after their wedding. Each moment they shared was accounted for the ten years they missed out on. His love for her is what brings him here today at Our Curls, Inc. a non profit organization for women of color battling cancer. They provide free wigs, support services and caregiver support services .He participated in it every year along with his brother and best friends. They have the words; “IN LOVING MEMORY OF Karmella” on the back of their t shirts.
He would have never imagined himself here doing this alone without her. He missed her so much that some days he would break down and cry in the middle of his job. He found himself working double shifts and sleeping in the living room because he missed her body pressed up against his in their bedroom. He would pick up her picture and realize she taught him a valuable lesson about love.
Large amounts of people believe love comes in the right shape, the right face or waist size usually miss out on what is authentic love. Love when it’s real is blind to the physical, when it’s real he will see past that as Deandre did. We have painted a picture of love to be one way and it will never have a waist size, certain look or dress. Love is a feeling not a look. Karamella was what he needed in his life and he prayed everyday that she recognized her beauty, her kindness and the very reason he fell in love with her. She was worth the investment of time, energy, and love.It was the greatest reward loving her in his past and his presence. If he had a second chance with Karamella he would ask God to restore her heart to love the woman she was at any size. He looked up in the sky and whispered, “ This is for you , Karamella. I love you, Baby forever and a day.” The gun popped and he ran with hundreds of other people for two reasons, love and that no woman will never feel alone or unloved.