On This Day Read Online Free PDF Page A

and smiles pleasantly. “Your granddaughter is marrying a fine young man, Mrs. Simpson.”
    “And Michael Fairbanks is marrying a fine young woman.” I return his smile. “But then I might be just the slightest bit biased.”
    They all laugh. Well, everyone except for Jim’s wife. Suzette, I believe her name was, and she looks decidedly unhappy. Or perhaps she’s sitting on a thumbtack.
    “Sorry I’m late,” Ingrid says as she slips into the chair next to mine. I’ve known Ingrid since she was in grade school. “There were some last-minute fires I had to put out.”
    “This is Jennifer’s best friend, Ingrid Campbell,” I announce to the rest of our table, just in case someone doesn’t know her. “Ingrid is the maid of honor in the festivities today.”
    “A worn-out maid of honor.” Ingrid shoves a lock of bright red hair behind an ear. “I’ll be so glad when this whole thing is over.”
    I laugh and pat her hand. “Don’t be in such a hurry, dear. Why not just enjoy the day for what it is? The splendid weather, the beautiful lake. Goodness, we couldn’t be in a prettier place.”
    Ingrid sighs and seems to relax. “You know, you’re totally right, Mrs. Simpson. I don’t know why I keep freaking over every little detail. I just want everything to be perfect, though. Jenny’s such a good friend.” Then she gets a sly grin. “Besides, she’s supposed to do all this for me before long.”
    “That’s right. When’s the big date?”
    “New Year’s Eve,” she says in a cheerful voice though her eyes seem to betray her. “Jason’s idea. I think he just wants the tax break.”
    “New Year’s Eve,” I repeat. “How romantic. You’ll always have a special anniversary date that way.”
    “I guess.”
    Now our food is being set before us, a good excuse for a break from my feeble attempts at light conversation. Calvin always told me I had the gift of gab. Oh, he meant it in the best possible way since he always depended on me to get the ball rolling in social situations. And perhaps I was better at it back then—back when he was around to encourage me along those lines. I’m not so sure anymore. As I look around the table at all the young people surrounding me, I think perhaps I’ve failed completely.
    Because the sorry truth is, no one looks entirely happy to behere. Goodness, I hope it’s not anything I’ve said or done. And if I’m not mistaken, Suzette Burke is on the verge of tears. Dear me, I would think they all have so much to be thankful for too. Their youth, their health, their spouses. I wonder how it could be that they’re not.
    O Lord, please help these young people see that they have so much. Help them not to take their loved ones for granted. Help them realize that marriage is a precious gift, a gift that will not last forever. Amen
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    I suppose it might seem strange to some folks, but I pray like that all the time—silently, in my head with my eyes wide open—even if people are all around me. I don’t fold my hands or bow my head or anything else that would give me away. In a way it’s like having my own invisible prayer closet. I just silently pray the words in my mind and my heart, and I’m certain the good Lord always listens.
    But I’m not so sure he’s heard me right, because things seem to be getting even worse now. Elizabeth looks as if she’s bitten into a lemon, and Suzette is actually starting to cry. I’m not sure why this is or whether I missed something. But that woman is definitely upset as she gets to her feet, a bit clumsily I notice, perhaps due to those high-heeled shoes, which aren’t really suitable for this outdoor luncheon, or perhaps it’s the effect of the wine, although it looks barely touched. But she tosses down her cloth napkin right on top of her untouched food and then storms, a bit unsteadily, right out of here.
    Her husband looks perfectly stunned, as if he hasn’t the slightestclue about what’s undone his pretty wife. Perhaps