GI Joe and Ebony, An American Love Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

aunt clears everyone out a room off of the family room and leads Ebony and the officers into the room. Ebony is urged to sit while the two Marines stand. They begin to speak and Ebony begins to unravel and loose her composure. She quickly becomes hysterical and inconsolable when she discovers that Jay was killed in Saudi Arabia two days ago.

Chapter 9
    Distraught, Ebony is curled up on the bed quietly sobbing. H er eyes are closed and tears are freely flowing. She is alone, except for the spirit of Jay. Helpless to console her he is slumped over in a chair beside her bed. His head is down and he rings his hands- obviously devastated by Ebony's sorrow. It tore him apart that he could not comfort her.
    Ebony ignores the faint knock at her bedroom door. Her aunt Lottie enters the room and sits beside her on the bed and tries to comfort her. “ Baby I know that you are hurting, but I need you to do something for me. This is going to be the hardest thing that you'll ever have to do, but Ebony I need you to get up and get dressed. It's time and everyone is waiting for you. ”
    “I can't. Please don't ask me to, because I just can't. I can't and and I won't. ”
    “Yes you can and yes you will. Ebony, life doesn't take a back seat to death. Death must always take a back seat to life. So, get up and get dress. Your family and friends are all waiting. Child, everybody's hurting. They need this as much as you. Believe it or not it'll make you feel better. Besides, it's what Jay would want you to do. So get up, get yourself together and let ’ s go. ”
    Ebony draws her body further into the fetal position. She ignores the pleas of her aunt. Her aunt gets up and quietly leaves. Suddenly, Ebony hears a familiar voice in the room. “ Ebony, she's right. Get up. It's breaking my heart to see you like this. Mourn for me tomorrow, if you have to. But take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate my life tonight. Now, get up and get dressed. Everyone is waiting. You're going to be late. ”
    Ebony jumps up and looks around for Jay. She doesn't see him, but she knows that he is there. He gently strokes her hair from her face and attempts to wipe a tear from her tear stained face. She closes her eyes as she feels his touch.
    “I love you, and I always will. Now, get dressed. ”
    “Jay, I love you so much. I can't do this without you. ”
    “Yes, you can. Not another word. Get dressed. I'll meet you there. ”
    Ebony immediately gets up. For once she let Jay have the last word. She opens the bedroom door to look for help and a crowd of women swarm in to get her dressed and ready.
    ~*~*~
    Ebony nervously stands at the top of the aisle. She is joined by Lieutenant Bonner. “ Thank you for doing this for me. ”
    “It is an honor and a privilege to stand in for your brother. ”
    The organ begins with a jubilant rendition of Here Comes the Bride as Ebony watches the flower girl skip down the aisle, dropping rose petals she went. Even though her legs felt like jellyfish tentacles, Ebony walks proudly and purposely to her waiting groom. The crowd quickly rises to salute her. Although their hearts are broken their spirits instantly lift as they watch the stunning Bride slowly make her way down the aisle.
    “Dearly beloved we are gathered here in the sight of God to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Who gives this woman to be wed to this man? ” The minister asks.
    “I do. Sir on behalf of Major Jason Terrell Saunders of the United States Marine Corp I proudly present to you your beautiful Bride. ” Officer Bonner proudly announces as he places Ebony's hand into the hand of her anxious groom, GI Joe.
    ~*~*~
    Later at the reception Ebony takes the microphone to make a speech. “ I'd like to thank you all for joining us tonight. Many of you may have heard that I lost my brother Jay to the war two days ago. But what most of you don't know is that we received the news of his death earlier today. And even though this is