Just in Time Read online

  “In your world,” he concluded, “a man could actually drown in a state of utter joy…and I’m more than happy to go under.” He searched her eyes. “More than anything, you’ve taught me that love, true love, can still exist.”

  After a long hug, she looked up at him. “Let’s just go away and get hitched,” she said. “I mean, it’s not like our parents will ever complain.”

  “Not a chance,” he snickered. “I want to show off my beautiful bride to everyone.”

  ~~~

  It was the most beautiful experience when Bill Stryker and Eunice Giles exchanged vows in the presence of family—except for Bill’s two daughters—and close friends. During the simple ceremony, Eunice’s proclamation of love for her new husband silenced the crowd.

  And then it was Bill’s turn. He looked straight into Eunice’s eyes and vowed, “I love you, Eunice. I mean…I really, really love you.” He grabbed both her hands into his. “And you’ll never hear words more honest or important than those coming from my lips.” He half-shrugged. “The rest is no more than white noise that fills the space around us.”

  The entire room sighed.

  “Time stands still whenever I’m near you, my love,” Bill went on. “But when I check my watch, I realize that the world has completed countless rotations without me ever feeling the movement beneath my feet. I walk on air around you. And you magnify all the goodness in me, making me a better man than I’d ever dreamed possible. That’s always been your greatest gift to me. Like a magnet, you draw out the very best in me, Eunice…and I’m so grateful to realize it.” He kissed her hand. “You came into my life just in time. Thank you for that.”

  “Just in time,” Eunice repeated and wiped her eyes over Bill’s sincere proclamation of love.

  Before the pastor could even pronounce them man and wife, the older couple’s passionate kiss told the world that they’d finally become one.

  ~~~

  For the best man’s toast, Eunice’s son, Jim, recited his heartfelt gift:

  Crossroads of Love

  Two roads began at separate points

  in a time called long ago

  To wonder then where they would lead

  was a fate for God to know.

  Each guided children down their paths

  of goodness, hope and love

  with nothing but the light that shone

  from heaven up above.

  The obstacles, the bumps and turns

  which stood in both their ways

  were merely just a set of tests

  that led to better days.

  The rains would pass, the winds subside

  and with their labor done,

  two roads would stop and take the time

  to watch the setting sun.

  But God had other plans in mind:

  their trips had just begun.

  Two roads began at separate points,

  but now those roads are one.

  After a sweet kiss, Eunice and her new husband shared their first dance as man and wife. A circle formed around them, loved ones swaying back and forth. As the final note faded into the distance, Bill and Eunice continued to dance for a few moments more—lost together in the silence.

  Applause rang out, prompting them to kiss again.

  ~~~

  During one of the night’s many love ballads, Eunice danced with her grandson, Richard.

  “I’m so happy for you and Bill,” he said. “I really am.”

  She peered into his sad eyes. “Getting older only means better choices,” she whispered, adding a wink. “…and second chances, Richard.”

  He nodded politely.

  “So Rose couldn’t make it to the wedding?” she asked.

  Richard shrugged. “She sends her best, Grandma, but she’s finishing up a business deal that’s required her to be there in person.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, no need for apologies, sweetheart. It’s just too bad,” Eunice said.

  “I suppose,” Richard mumbled—just as the song ended.

  Eunice watched him walk away, thinking, There’s nothing worse than a neglected heart.

  ~~~

  Bill appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her hand, yanking her back into the magical night that was before them. “We’ve been summoned to take pictures,” he told her.

  Hand-in-hand, they headed out on the ship’s deck to take wedding photos and paused at the hall mirror. “Look at us,” Bill said. “Aren’t we the pair to beat a full house?” The wrinkles, crow’s feet and paunch midsections could not distract from their glowing smiles. He squeezed her tightly. “Until you,” he told Eunice, “my heart was known to no one.”

  Bill and his lovely bride were in the springtime of their love and celebrated the fact with a long, wet kiss.

  ~~~

  “Are you happy?” Bill asked Eunice one morning, as they cuddled in bed.

  She looked into his eyes and decided that there was no better time than the present. “I can’t remember ever being happier,” she said.

  He sighed, pleased with her reply.

  “Though there is one thing that’s eating at me something terrible,” she confessed.

  “And what’s that?” he asked, surprised. He sat up straight, preparing to spring into action.

  “I can’t tell you how much it bothers me that your daughters didn’t make it to our wedding, Bill,” she said. “And that they’re not a part of your life…of our lives.”

  As though someone had just taken the air out of him, Bill collapsed onto his back. After a few moments of thought, he confessed, “As you know, the girls’ mother passed away some years ago and the tragedy of our parting was that we never really knew each other. I’m ashamed to admit it, but she was an incubator and nanny to my children. I didn’t have time for her. I provided for my family, but we lived separate lives. By the time we had children, I learned that I didn’t have much time for them either. We had two daughters, with just as many houses, but we shared nothing.”

  “And you don’t think that can change, Bill?” Eunice asked.

  A few moments elapsed before he answered. “I make sure my girls are taken care of, but I really can’t imagine that they’d want anything more than money from me.” He shook his head. “And I don’t blame them in the least. It’s my fault completely.”

  “Well, we’re just going to have to do something about that now, aren’t we?”

  Bill’s brow wrinkled. “Eunice, I’m not sure they’d…”

  “Nonsense,” Eunice said, “they’re your family…our family. I’ll invite them to spend Christmas with us. It’ll be wonderful. Just you wait and see.”

  He kissed her. “Okay,” he said, tentatively. “We’ll see.”

  ~~~

  Both RSVPs were returned in a matter of days. Bill’s eldest daughter, Isabella, wrote Eunice: I regret that the children and I have a prior obligation, but please send my best to my father.

  Emma’s reply was even less cordial: Sorry, but not this year.

  Eunice shook her head, thinking, There’s more distance than I’d imagined.

  By the third telephone call, Eunice finally got through. Isabella Stryker Napert had the voice of a caring, rational person, but Eunice also detected the aching resentment of a childhood lost.

  “I don’t know,” Isabella said. “Emma and I haven’t spent Christmas with our father in years. I have my own girls now and as I said, we have plans.”

  “Please think about it,” Eunice pleaded. “If not for yourself, then for your girls…so they can see where their mom came from.”

  “Yeah, money,” Isabella blurted.

  “True,” Eunice said, “and a little more than that, I’m sure.”

  There was a long pause.

  “Your dad would like nothing more than to spend the holidays with his family,” Eunice added. “He’s told me so.”

  Isabella gasped.

  “And besides, I think it’s time that you and I got to k
now each other.”

  “Okay,” Isabella said. “We’ll come.”

  “And Emma?” Eunice asked.

  “You’d better let me take care of her,” Isabella said. “When it comes to the anger department, she makes me look like Mother Theresa.”

  “She’s tough, huh?”

  “A honey badger down to the bone.”

  “Oh…” Eunice sighed. “Thank you, Isabella.”

  ~~~

  Someone gave the sleigh bells on Bill and Eunice’s front door a shake. “Can you get that?” she called out from the kitchen, while the biggest smile overtook her face. Bill’s gift is right on time, she thought, and stepped into the living room to watch.

  Bill opened the door and stumbled at the threshold. Each of Isabella’s little girls—Sydney and Jenna—held their mom’s hand, while Auntie Emma balanced a stack of presents and a forced smile. With swollen eyes, Bill pulled his family in from the cold and grabbed the heavy burden from his youngest daughter. “Welcome,” he said with a guilty smile. “Come in…please.”

  Beyond the awkward greetings, it was a warm holiday reunion. Eunice put out a spread that could have graced the cover of Country Living magazine. The intoxicating smells had everyone seated at the dinner table long before it was served. The festive sounds of music and children’s laughter filled the house. Dinner conversation was nice—even if overly polite.

  “Can we open our presents now, Grandpa?” Jenna, Isabella’s little one, finally asked.

  In a flash, Bill was up from the table and running for the tree with two giggling dolls slung over his shoulders.

  While the adults claimed their seats around the festively decorated balsam pine, the little girls tore through red and green wrapping paper. It sounded like branches falling through a wood chipper.

  Bill foraged under the tree and reappeared with a gift for Eunice.

  Even the kids couldn’t be fooled. “It’s a kite!” they called out.

  With the children’s enthusiasm, Eunice shredded the gift wrap to confirm their suspicions. The kite—his thoughtful gift—was a celebration of the blessed day they’d met. Oh Bill, she thought. Even with the ridiculous amounts of money Bill possessed, he’d opted to offer a simple gift that proved to Eunice that his heart belonged to her.

  “Remember my first words to you on the day we met?” he asked her.

  She smiled. “Good day to fly a kite, eh?” She kissed him deeply. “You’re such a beautiful man, Bill Stryker.” Her eyes filled with glistening tears. “And to think that I’d actually given up looking for you.”

  He returned her sweet kiss. “Let’s just thank God you like black raspberry ice cream.”

  Isabella and Emma exchanged several surprised looks.

  Eunice watched Bill bathe in the glow of his family’s smiling faces. It’s true, she thought. It’s never too late to let love prevail.

  Bill turned to Isabella and Emma. “And now for your gifts…” he said, choked on emotion. “I think you’ve waited long enough.” He shook his head. “Too long, in fact,” he whispered.

  Both Isabella and Emma peered under the Christmas tree. There were no presents left.

  Bill walked to the couch and plopped down between them. As if they were wings, he spread his arms and wrapped them around his daughters—pulling them in close to him. “I didn’t get jewelry for either of you this Christmas.”

  They each looked past their father and exchanged another surprised glance.

  “And you won’t be getting money from me this year.”

  They rested their confused eyes upon him.

  He pulled them in even tighter and kissed each of their foreheads. “I hope it’s not too late, but I’d like this to be the first Christmas that I give you…” he lost his breath for a moment, “…that I give you…me,” he managed.

  It took a few moments for his garbled words to register.

  “I’m so sorry…for missing out…on your lives,” he stuttered and started to cry. “I really am.” He shook his head. “I just wish…”

  Though Isabella tried to remain rigid, she collapsed into her father’s heaving chest. “Oh, Daddy…” she cried. “It’s the only gift I’ve ever wanted.”

  Emma was much more reluctant. “So it’s that easy?” she asked, her tone lethal and filled with rage. “After all these years, that’s all you have to say for not being there for us?”

  “But I am sorry, Em,” he repeated. “I truly am. And I love you both too much to waste another minute.”

  Emma shook her head. “Well isn’t that nice,” she muttered under her breath, filling the room a blast of arctic air.

  While Sydney and Jenna played happily beside the tree, Eunice clasped her hands together and fought back the sniffles. It’s certainly not perfect, she thought, but it‘s a start.

  Chapter 3

  Eunice got off the phone, wearing the happiest glow.

  “What’s that smile all about?” Bill asked, grinning.

  “That was Richard,” she said, gesturing toward the phone. “It seems he’s started dating Abby Gerwitz, his childhood crush. She’s such a wonderful person and…”

  “But Richard just got divorced,” Bill interrupted.

  Eunice nodded and peered into his eyes. “True…but he hasn’t shared his heart with anyone in years, Bill. Richard deserves love.” She nodded again. “He and Abby both do…and I couldn’t be happier for the two of them.”

  Bill grabbed her hand and kissed it softly. “You’re such a beautiful soul,” he whispered.

  ~~~

  That night, Bill told Eunice, “Each moment I spend with you…” he stifled a cough, “…feels like time spent in the arms of an angel.”

  She grabbed his face in both hands. “See…and that’s why I could never forget how lucky I am to call you mine.”

  Right then, Bill decided to have an affair with his new wife. “Run away with me,” he told her, excitedly. “Let’s just go somewhere and get lost together. What do you say?”

  “I’m ready when you are,” she said. It didn’t take much convincing.

  ~~~

  According to the brochures, it was hokey. It was tacky. “It might be the perfect getaway,” Bill wheezed.

  They drove all the way to the Poconos in Pennsylvania, honeymoon capital of the east. Bill decided to stay away from a room at the Cleopatra Towers with its seven-foot champagne glass hot tub.

  Eunice agreed. “I don’t think we’re insured enough to risk the heights,” she said.

  Upon arrival, an obnoxious sign, reading YOU HAVE JUST ENTERED THE LAND OF LOVE greeted them. Feeling more exhausted than he could ever remember feeling, Bill wheeled the car over a tiny creek bridge and entered the romantic playground for fun loving adults.

  After skipping through the minefields left by a flock of gift-giving geese, they checked into the Lakeside Villa at Paradise Stream. Bordering a swamp where paddleboats and rowboats cut through the mosquitoes in search of the elusive thousand-dollar fish, their little bungalow was perfect.

  With the excitement of discovery in her eyes, Eunice opened the door and stepped in. The room featured a bright red, heart-shaped hot tub, a circular, king-sized bed with a mirror bolted to the ceiling and a sunken living room with a fireplace. With a giant smile, Bill filled the mini bar with beer and wine and watched as Eunice made herself at home. Her love is everything to me, he thought. It was a feeling, a choice, a thought—everything that was good. Her love is my religion.

  Eunice chuckled over the complimentary gifts: one fire log, a large bottle of raspberry sherbet bubble bath and a tiny bottle of champagne. “Looks like they’re expecting us to have fun,” she said.

  Bill nodded. I just hope my energy returns in time to make that happen.

  ~~~

  It was a week to remember: breakfast in bed, carriage rides at dusk and bonfires at twilight. There was fine dining in the Huntress Room, foo foo drinks in the Red Apple Lounge and midnight snacks in the Jungle Room Café—each experi
ence a complete delight.

  Games included indoor and outdoor archery, mini golf, billiards, ping-pong and air hockey. There was a beautiful pool, with a Jacuzzi and gazebo bar beside it. There was also shuffleboard, a bocce court and nature trails for Eunice’s morning hikes.

  The competition between Bill and Eunice was fierce. “Looks like I dominated at shuffleboard,” he teased her.

  “Sure…says the man who looks like he’s never seen an air hockey table before in his life.”

  He laughed.

  They passed on the daily competitions with other couples—especially the karaoke. And through it all, Bill pretended that he wasn’t feeling more nauseous and weak with each passing moment.

  ~~~

  Prepared for it or not, the weekly itinerary was jam-packed with fun.

  Monday was themed Romance & Comedy. After playing an exhausting round of mini-golf, they went for a swim and then sipped frozen Passion Potions in frosted souvenir glasses. The afternoon found them testing their knowledge at movie video trivia in the Red Apple lounge. Eunice was unbeatable. Bill couldn’t take his eyes off her—or stop coughing.

  After cocktail hour, they were seated with four other couples enjoying a night of formal dining. He ordered roast prime rib of beef. She opted for the stuffed salmon with crabmeat. While they awaited their dinners, five couples who’d never set eyes on each other before shared forced conversation. It’s time to have some fun, Bill decided.

  Everyone but he and Eunice were honeymooning—idealistic, young couples excited to be away together. The men spoke of their new jobs, the women of their recent weddings. Everyone agreed. They couldn’t remember a thing about their wedding and “for all that money spent.”

  Bill finally introduced himself and Eunice to everyone. “We come here every year to celebrate our divorce,” he announced, “and it’s been the best thing for our relationship.”

  Nervous glances were exchanged across the table.

  “Divorce?” one of the young women said under her breath.

  Bill looked at Eunice—who was clearly fighting off the giggles.

  Bill grinned and engaged in his own struggle to keep an oncoming hacking fit at bay. “And our new spouses have been surprisingly understanding about it. I’ve got to tell you…spending time together here has been better than any experience we had while we were married.”