Malachi
"You may kiss the bride," Pastor CC said.
Mal just stood there until Belle reached up and gave him a gentle kiss.
"Come along, darling," she said. Our guests are hungry and you promised a nice dinner."
"Just a couple more pictures," Huey said. "It won't take a minute and then I will be done."
Mal put his 'frozen face smile' on again and turned toward the camera. "I don't think I would have survived a big wedding," he thought. "I may still pass out cold as it is."
"Hey Mal, grab the camera and take a shot of me and Huey," Amelia interrupted. I need something for my scrapbook.
"Ok Amelia," Mal said. "Give me the camera Huey and show me what button to push."
Photographs finished, everyone climbed into their cars and headed for the restaurant. Amelia got to ride with Huey. It was fun.
The restaurant had a large table ready for the wedding party. Mal had preordered for everyone. Belle wasn't too sure that was the way to do it, but Mal had insisted. He wanted everyone to have a very nice meal and he was afraid they would not be comfortable ordering from the pricey menu. He had steak and lobster for everyone. It was prepaid with a big tip. He had explained to the manager what he was doing and left dessert and appetizer up to them. There were some lovely flowers at the table as well. Belle and Amelia seemed pleased, so Mal was happy. Just in case, he quickly swallowed a few more antacid tabs while they waited on the first course to arrive.
"Well, Mal, now that you are a married man, have you given any more thought to what you might plan to do in the future?" Pastor CC asked seriously.
"Actually, yes I have, but I haven't spoken to Belle about it yet."
"Go ahead Mal," Belle said. "Now is as good a time as any to fill me in on our future."
"I was thinking about Christian radio. I might want a thirty minute radio program, with one or two minute ads spread around at other times for regular radio directing listeners to my radio program."
"What would the focus of the program be?" Huey asked.
"Just Christian living for new Christians, and for Christians wanting to get a better idea of what the Bible says about how we are supposed to live."
"Were you thinking of any Bible prophecy studies?" Belle wanted to know.
"Yes, but maybe just more focus on the signs of the times pointing to the short time before the return of Christ. I couldn't tackle Revelation or anything like that," Mal answered.
"Were you thinking of doing all the talking yourself, or having guests?" Amelia questioned.
"I would have to have guests. I don't know enough to do all the talking myself. Maybe you can help me there. You seem to have to gift of gab," Mal said jokingly.
"Of course I can help you," Amelia said agreeably. "You might be surprised at all the people I know."
"You know Mal, this is very interesting," Belle said. "I was thinking about something along that line myself. In light of all the natural disasters that have been happening here and around the globe, I want to form a network of churches who will help sister churches within a certain area. Like our church should have probably 4 churches within 50 miles that we would help in case of a disaster. They should have 4 churches within 50 miles and so on. Churches could even help each other on just regular church work days. That way the congregations would get to know each other."
"Those both sound like good ideas," Pastor CC nodded. "You are in a unique position regarding financing a radio program or organizing a church network."
The conversation continued as the food was served. It wasn't the usual wedding party conversation, but it captivated the attention of all members of the wedding guests. Ideas came from every direction. Even Huey had a few suggestions. By the end of the meal, everyone was convinced the ideas were sound, but would take a lot of work and preparation.
Finally, Pastor CC suggested the guests leave and allow Mal and Belle to leave for their honeymoon.
When Pastor CC said ‘leave for their honeymoon’ Mal thought he would pass out. ‘I actually did get married. Now I have to get up from this table and walk out of this room without passing out. I’m so nervous that Belle may have to drive. Now I know why grooms hire limos to take them away from the wedding.’
Belle was equally nervous although she managed to hide it better than Mal did. She smiled at all the guests. She hugged everyone. She shed a small tear when she hugged Amelia. Then she took Mal by the arm and they walked away together.
Thankfully, no one followed them to the pickup truck. Mal was thankful that the truck was not decorated in the traditional ‘just married’ theme. He had been worried about the damage shoe polish might do to the paint job on the truck.
Mal dutifully opened the passenger door and helped Belle get in. There was a step up because of the slightly over sized tires.
Once inside the vehicle, Mal smiled at Belle and then started the engine. Well, Mrs. Jones, where would you like to go? He asked.
‘I want to go with you Mr. Jones,’ Belle replied. “We are at the place where we start our new lives. I am ready to get started.
Amelia’s main thought after Mal and Belle left was how to get Huey to agree to take her home. Or at least for tonight, to the pastor's house. She was staying there until Mal and Belle returned. The pastor's home was only a few miles away so the trip would be short. To her surprise Huey offered a ride home without any prompting. Walking to Huey’s car Amelia thought she was almost as happy as Belle had been leaving with Mal for their honeymoon. Huey opened her car door for her. Then he got in the driver’s side, started the engine and began the drive to Pastor CC’s home.
"I better enjoy this while I can," Amelia was thinking when Huey interrupted her thoughts.
"You know Amelia, we really have to talk," Huey said.
"OK Huey, how about over dinner at your place sometime?" Amelia quipped.
"No, I think we better talk right now. I really do like you. I also know that you are very mature for your age considering everything that has happened with the accident, the recovery, and the loss of your parents. But the bottom line is you are just a kid and I am an old man."
"Well!, since you are being so blunt, I guess I can say that I am not just a kid, and you are not an old man," Amelia said defensively. "Furthermore, age doesn't matter anyway. You know I am grown up whether the calendar says I am or not. And you are a young man. In a few years the age won't make any difference."
"Actually Amelia, that is exactly what I was thinking. But in the meantime it does make a difference. I want you to go to college. I want you to get to know people your own age."
"Yeah? Well I don't want to. I do want to go to college. I don't want to meet people my own age. For goodness sake, the girls are all boy crazy with different morals than I have. And the boys are all just boys. I want a man."
"Look, Amelia, I have given this some thought. I can't be your physical therapist anymore. You have to go to school. When you are a junior in college with a decent grade average, then you can give me a call and we can talk about seeing each other."
"A junior in college?" Amelia said questioningly. "Gee Huey, I am only a senior in high school now. That will take forever." Inwardly Amelia was trying hard not to burst out laughing. She thought, "Huey doesn't know that I will be a junior in college in 12 months or less if I push it. I have been taking dual credit classes since the accident."
"That's right Amelia. I want you to have a normal life for a girl your age," Huey said firmly.
"Well, ok, if you are sure that's what you want. I just need to know one thing. Are you seeing someone else? Do I have competition?"
"No, I am not seeing anyone right now. Anyway, I have already set up an appointment with a colleague to take over your physical therapy. In an emergency of course he could consult with me, but you are doing quite well right now. I don't foresee any problems."
"Did you know I have been asked out by th
e guy at church who always shows up on a motor cycle?"
"Yes, well, if you break your leg again, I hope your new physical therapist is as good as your last one."
"A junior in college? You promise?"
"Yes Amelia, call me when you are classified as a junior and we will have dinner to celebrate if you still want that."
"Ok, just don't get too involved in anything. I might be calling sooner than you think."
"Ok Amelia, I will be looking forward to hearing from you," Huey said. But he was thinking, "She will forget all about me before that happens."
Angels of Darkness
Zisa was very satisfied with the outcome of the evening. Mitch Farmer was definitely interested in AJ. His wife knew it and was very unhappy about the situation. She had been through that with Mitch to many times to count. Zisa was thinking about just how much of her time to devote to making sure Lila Farmer was already very miserable before she discovered her terminal illness. Zisa had found out that someone already depressed could not fight an illness like someone who thought they had something to live for. A human being could only take a certain amount of misery before they just gave up and died.
"It really makes no difference in this case," Zisa thought. Lila Farmer is headed for misery in this life and eternal misery in the next life."
Angels of Light
Raphael had been at the wedding; he had been at the wedding party dinner. He had heard the conversation about a radio program and a church network. It wasn't a real surprise to him. It was just the first time Mal had spoken of it so openly. Raphael was delighted with the situation. He loved these people. They were seeking God with all their hearts. That would not make Raphael's job any easier. In fact, it usually made the opposition more persistent, but it was always worth it. Raphael was looking joyfully looking forward to every minute of the future.