Page 9 of Corrupt Obsession

Violet winked at Jesse before she grasped her father’s hand and towed him up the stairs to the church, where everyone waited for them.

He went to Mom and grasped her hands. Thanks to a growth spurt, he was now taller than her.

“You were right to push for a wedding and not get married at the courthouse and rob us of seeing you like this.”

Mom turned her face away. “I love you, son, but don’t. I’m hanging on by a thread. Save it for after the ceremony, please. I’m going to bawl if you…”

He placed her hand on his arm and patted it. “Got it.”

He heard the strains of a sweet melody as they climbed the steps. As they approached the open double doors, he saw Isaac and Violet reach the stage. She stepped to the left, while Isaac stepped to the right. When the music changed, everyone got to their feet. Mom’s hand trembled on his arm as they made their way down the aisle.

It was a modest crowd who’d gathered to celebrate this day with them. After he placed Mom’s hand in Isaac’s, he stepped to his stepfather’s side.

“We’re gathered here today in celebration of Isaac Carr and Lynnette Sampson,” Pastor Sonny began.

Jesse’s gaze moved from Mom to Violet. She was so excited, the bouquet of flowers she held, shuddered. As the ceremony progressed, Violet’s expressive face showed a kaleidoscope of emotions. When Isaac slid a ring on Mom’s finger, Violet blinked back tears.

Violet had a hard, defiant shell that concealed the most fragile heart he had come across. Violet loved hard. Mom gave him the psychology behind it—that never having a mother and Isaac being physically and somewhat emotionally absent made Violet cling to him and Mom. She wanted them around all the time and fretted when they weren’t together. That wouldn’t be an issue anymore. Now, they would be together forever.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Isaac, you may now kiss the bride,” Pastor Sonny announced.

The church exploded with whistles and cheers as Isaac dipped Mom for a dramatic kiss. Violet clapped so vigorously; petals littered the ground around her. When Isaac and Mom started down the aisle, he offered his arm to Violet. She took it and leaned into him.

“This is the best day of my life,” she whispered.

As he looked down at her, he heard himself say, “Me too.”

“Areyousurey’all are going to be okay?” Mom asked.

“Yes,” he and Violet stressed at the same time.

They’d debated about this for weeks. Mom and Isaac offered to make their honeymoon a family vacation, but he and Violet insisted they go on their own. Isaac had been surprised, but pleased, but Mom clearly didn’t like the thought of leaving them behind.

“Mom, I just turned fifteen,” he reminded her.

“So?”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re just going for the weekend. The neighbors are watching out for us, and we can call 911.”

“But…”

“Honey.” Isaac wrapped his arm around her waist. “We have to go, or we’ll miss the plane.”

Mom gave in by throwing her arms around him and Violet and drawing them in for a tight hug. “You two are the best kids. I love you to pieces, you know that? Please be safe and if you need anything, call us. We can always come home and?—”

Isaac covered Mom’s mouth and carried her toward the door that led to the garage. “I’ll try to keep her from calling you every hour. If you’re going to throw a party, now’s the time since the house is such a mess, we wouldn’t know the difference—ow!”

He yanked his hand from Lynne’s mouth.

“Don’t listen to your father, kids!” Mom scolded. “Don’t leave the stove on, and make sure the doors are locked before you go to sleep.”

“Yes, Mom,” he and Violet said dutifully as Isaac dragged her out the door.

“I love you!” Lynne cried.

“We love you more!”

“That’s not possible!”

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