Page 45 of A Taste of Grace

The tension in Grace’s shoulders visibly left as she exhaled slowly and her eyes widened.

“What in the world? Hallelujah! My instincts were right. The Lord moves fast. Look at God.” She spoke in tongues briefly and shouted for several seconds, so loudly I had to lower my phone’s volume.

Grace and I grinned at each other as Aunt Nita calmed down.

“After y’all get hitched, it’ll be my turn. Who’s doing your marriage counseling?”

Grace and I laughed at Aunt Nita’s running joke that although she was almost seventy years old, she was going to be caught up like the rapture when her man showed up. My experience with Grace was exactly what my auntie said hers would be like. Grace’s eyes got as big as saucers as she shook her head and mouthedI don’t knowto me about the marriage counseling. Neither of us thought that far ahead.

“I’ll ask Elder Peyton. He has been like a father figure to me since Dad died. I’m sure he’ll guide us in the right direction.”

“That sounds like a solid plan. When’s the date?”

Grace and I stared at each other again. Aunt Nita asked all the hard, common-sense questions we should have thought about but didn’t in our excitement.

“We haven’t decided but around thirty days out,” Grace said.

“That’s fast,” Aunt Nita said with a thin whistle.

I chimed in.

“I’d like it to be soon so we can begin our life as a family. Right, Grace?” I gestured for her to get her energy up.

If we were going to be convincing, I needed her to sound excited about our engagement and nuptials.

She widened her eyes and made an “O” with her mouth.

“Yes, yes. I can’t wait to be with the love of my life.”

Too thick,I mouthed.

Grace and I were awful at improv. We needed to discuss our plans away from Aunt Nita.

“Auntie, we’ll let you know the details when they’re finalized.”

“Okay. Just know I’ll be here when you need me. I can’t wait to see Grace walk down that aisle. Look at God.” She tsked.

I imagined Aunt Nita rocking her body from side to side as she spoke. I was blessed to have the solid support of a mother and aunt who knew my past but didn’t make a big deal about my current choices.

When we said our goodbyes and I hung up, Grace looked at me in what I now knew was her cautionary gaze. She had never told me she battled anxiety, but I sensed from her tense body language that her general preference to be alone came from deep hurt and fear of rejection. Whatever it was, I would do my best to cover her from harm and let her know she didn’t have to face the world and its issues alone.

“I don’t want a big wedding. I told myself if I ever got married, I’d focus more on the marriage than the wedding. Could we do something small and intimate?” Grace’s eyes pierced my heart.

I imagined how overwhelming it could be to join a new community and marry so quickly. Her taking on the Stallings name would put her in the limelight. The least I could do was to compromise and honor her request.

“You’re the bride, but Mama isn’t going to be pleased. She gave birth to twin boys who were the apple of her eye. When my brother Joshua died in an ATV accident in fourth grade, she clung to me like we were joined at the hip. This is also her chance for a do-over since my first marriage was a bust. I’m not scared of my mother, but I’m going to let you explain to her why half the county won’t be at the wedding of the summer.”

Grace bit her bottom lip and reached for my hands.

“Tell you what. We can have a big reception after church one Sunday. I’ll stand by and greet your admirers as the girls look on wearing their pretty little dresses and manicures. We can even put fresh flowers in their hair.”

I reached for Grace and pulled her into my lap. A flurry of cute giggles escaped her lips as I tickled her. She wiggled over me in a way that aroused me. When she stilled, she placed her arms around my neck and pressed her body into my chest.

“As long as you’re next to me, Grace, I’ll do what you want. This will be good for both of us. I can’t wait to be your husband.”

Grace kissed me on my cheek and rested in my arms.

“This is so crazy, but I’m kinda excited to be your wife.”

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