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Everything is You
Everything is You
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Everything is You

His trip to Indonesia was to investigate and write an extensive piece of the evolving strife within the government. There had been several uprising of opposing forces within the past six months that had the United States wary of a possible coup. This assignment had Pulitzer written all over it.

“I’m hoping to gain access to some of the members of the opposition. The story has to be balanced. And of course, traveling throughout Jakarta and some of the outlying areas to get some insight from the people.”

“Just be careful, Ray,” she said with more emotion than she intended.

“Of course.” He paused. “Are you all right? You sound funny.”

“No, no, I’m fine.” She swallowed.

“I know you don’t like it when I question you, but I’ve been worried about you, J. I hated to leave.”

She lowered her head. She so wanted to tell him, to unburden her soul, pour out her fears and have him wrap his arms around her and tell her that he would make everything all right. But she would not condemn him to the life that was on the horizon for her. That’s not what you did to someone that you loved.

“You worry entirely too much.”

“I’m supposed to.”

Her bottom lip trembled. She had to get off the phone or she was certain she would break down. “I know you have to be exhausted.”

He yawned as if on cue. “I am. Twenty-four hours flying across time zones are for men half my age,” he joked.

Jacqueline laughed. “You love it. You always have. And you look kinda good for your age.”

“Very funny. But,” he yawned again, “if I don’t get some sleep I’m going to feel like seventy-six instead of thirty-six.”

“Then get some rest when you can. We can talk when you get to your hotel.”

“I will and we will.”

“Have a good meeting with the Ambassador.”

“Thanks. Night babe.”

“Bye,” she whispered. She pressed the phone to her chest, wanting to hold him close to her for a moment more before she set the phone down on the nightstand. It was the right thing to do, she reminded herself, the only thing to do.

She set her phone on vibrate and placed it on the nightstand then stretched out on the bed. Within moments, sleep held her in its grasp.

When her eyes flickered open hours later the room was bathed in the glow of the setting sun. She blinked, confused. Nothing looked familiar. By degrees, her sense of place returned. She was in Baton Rouge. Home.

She pulled herself up into a sitting position and glanced around her space. Her reality crashed around her. Lightly she shook her head and pushed up from the side of the bed. She picked up her cell phone to discover that Traci called while she was asleep. She listened to the voice message and then called her back.

The phone rang several times before Traci answered in a rushed voice.

“Hey, it’s me,” Jacqueline said. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just a little crazed. The movers are here.”

Jacqueline’s heart thumped. “Any problems?”

“No, just trying to make sure they don’t break anything while they pack.” She blew out a breath. “How was the flight?”

“Uneventful. Listen, Traci, I know I’m asking a lot from you and I know how much you’re against this. I want you to know I really appreciate everything you’re doing for me.”

Traci was silent for a moment, and Jacqueline listened to the sound of strange male voices in her soon-to-be vacated condo.

“I know you do,” she finally said. “Everything okay on your end?”

“Yeah. I woke up from a nap and for a minute I didn’t have a clue where I was,” she said, pushing lightness into her voice.

“I better get back to the movers. I’ll…uh, call you.”

Jacqueline blinked back the sting of tears in her eyes. “Okay. And Traci…”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

“You’re my sister, J. And…I would do anything for you. You know that.”

“I know. We’ll talk later.” She disconnected the call and sat perfectly still for several moments. A chapter of her life was coming to an end. When she’d purchased the L.A. condo she was sure that she had finally put down roots, that she would have a place to call home when she returned from her innumerable trips around the world. She’d rented a small apartment in New York, which is where she would go when she left Baton Rouge after the wedding. Some of the best doctors in the world that specialized in treating her condition were in New York. Although there wasn’t much more that could be done, save for the one alternative she refused to pursue, they were making strides every day. Strides equaled hope.

Resolved, she set the phone down, reached for the remote, turned on the television and surfed to CNN. There was the usual spate of uprisings around the world: bombings, fire, famine and government coups. Newscasters were never at a loss for tragedy to feed the public. And then her brother’s image was on the screen as he alighted from his car in front of the Lawson mansion.

“Senator Branford Lawson has returned to his roots, and not just for a good home-cooked meal but for the wedding of his daughter Dominique, twin sister to Desiree who was married last year. The nuptials are set for tomorrow afternoon and all of the Who’s Who of Louisiana and beyond will be in attendance. Desiree Lawson will marry Spence Hampton. Many of you may remember the eldest sister Lee Ann Lawson married Jr. Senator Preston Graham several years ago. And of course there is perennial bachelor and bad boy of the family, Rafe Lawson, and the youngest Lawson, Justin, who recently passed the bar. There will be no press at the event, but we do hope that the Camelot family of the South will share some of the pictures with us. In other news…”

Jacqueline released a sigh of relief. If she thought for a moment that the lure of the Lawson spotlight had dimmed at all, that idea was out of the window. At least she didn’t have to worry about the press tomorrow.

Chapter 6

The wedding was scheduled for two o’clock. Jacqueline felt as if it were her own. Her nerves were frazzled. She’d been up with the sun, rehearsing over and over how she would act, what she would say when she saw her family again, how they would receive her. It was Lee Ann who’d sent the invitation but if it had family support she had no idea. The family was unaware that she was coming as she’d never RSVP’d since she had no intention of attending the reception, only the ceremony. She would see her family at the church and then be on her way.

The church was halfway across town and on a Saturday afternoon traffic would be heavy. Fighting off a bout of light-headedness, she gathered her nerves, her gift and purse and headed down to the lobby where a cab was waiting for her at the curbside.

She settled herself in the cab, leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. Fatigue swept through her, making her limbs feel like wet spaghetti. She opened her eyes and stared out the window as the city of Baton Rouge spread out in front of her. Familiar sights brought back memories of happier times; the old Chelsea movie theater, Teddy’s Juke Joint and Juban’s Restaurant, one of her favorites. There were dozens of new businesses, boutiques and outdoor cafés as well that reminded her of how long she’d been gone.

The cab came to a barricade a block away from the church. An officer approached the car.

The driver lowered his window. The security officer poked his head in and looked inside. “Do you have an invitation, ma’am?”

“Yes.” She opened her purse and took out the gold-embossed invitation and handed it to the officer.

“You’re good to go.” He handed the invitation back to her. “Pull up to the next intersection,” he directed the driver before pulling the barricade aside.

“This is a really big deal,” the driver said, slowly driving the car forward.

“Seems so.” Jacqueline peered out of the window at the montage of guests that were alighting from their cars and entering the church. Police presence was everywhere. And there was no shortage of Secret Service, clearly distinguished by their earbuds and dark glasses; for her brother and brother-in-law’s benefit, she concluded.

The cab driver went as far as he could go. “I’ll have to let you out here, miss.”

“Of course. Thank you.” She checked the price on the meter and paid the fare, adding a nice tip. Willing herself to remain calm, she slid on her wide dark glasses and stepped out of the cab. For several moments she stood on the sidewalk, debating her decision to come when there was a sudden flurry of activity. All heads turned to the long, white stretch limo that was gliding to a stop in front of the church.

Jacqueline’s heart thumped.

The driver hurried around and opened the door. Within a moment Lee Ann stepped out, followed by her sister Dominique and Zoe Beaumont, a longtime friend of the family. The ladies were dressed in exquisite dresses in varying lengths of a brilliant teal-blue. Their hair was pulled back from their faces, and behind the left ear of each was a single white lily à la Billie Holiday. And then the bride. Desiree stepped from the car, assisted by the driver. Those who were privileged to see her get out from the car took a collective gasp. She was a vision of perfection in pearl-white organza. A fitted gown that fishtailed at her ankles with jeweled insets at the bodice and down the entire back of the gown. Her face was obscured by her veil that sparkled with tiny jewels and shone like diamonds in the afternoon sun and the train rivaled that of the Princess of Wales.

Her bridesmaids lifted her train and followed her into the church.

Jacqueline folded herself in with the invited guests, found a seat on the bride’s side of the church and waited for the ceremony to begin.

At the head of the church was the proud groom, Spence Hampton. Jacqueline could see how her niece had fallen for the handsome groom. He looked like he was ready for the cover of GQ in his black tux. And then the music began.

First came Lee Ann and Rafe, followed by Dominique and Justin then Zoe and a man she didn’t recognize. Jacqueline’s heart filled with pride as she looked at her nieces and nephews.

There was a pause as the bridal party took their places at the front of the church and then the wedding march began. The gathering rose to their feet in honor of the bride and the poignant organ music filled the cavernous walls of the church. The back door was opened by two ushers and the gorgeous bride, accompanied by Branford, stood in the threshold. Branford gazed down at Desiree and murmured something to her, a warm smile on his face. She slightly nodded her head and they took the long, slow walk down the aisle.

Jacqueline’s heart thundered as they drew closer and Branford’s dark eyes momentarily landed on her. An instant of recognition followed by disbelief darkened his features. He lifted his chin and continued down the aisle never missing a beat.

The forty-minute service, to Jacqueline, was surreal. She barely heard a word. Her thoughts scurried in disarray. All she could see was the look that her brother had thrown her way. It blocked out everything else.

And then the bridal party was walking back down the aisle. The new husband and wife glowed with the love that gleamed from their eyes for each other. The immediate family followed, beaming with smiles and waving and nodding at the guests who flanked them. Branford was mere footsteps away from her. He hesitated a moment, reached toward her and gently tugged her into the aisle.

He pulled her close, holding her by the elbow, never losing the proud father expression as he spoke to her from between clenched teeth. “What are you doing here?”

Jacqueline kept her face averted from prying eyes behind her dark glasses and wide-brimmed hat that swept as far as her shoulders and dipped low over her eyes.

“I came to see my niece get married.”

“No one invited you, I’m sure of that.”

They stepped out of the church into the blazing afternoon and the throng of enthusiastic guests.

“Lee Ann invited me.”

His head snapped toward her. His jaw clenched. “I won’t have you causing any problems.”

They descended the stairs.

“Give your congratulations and then I want you gone. You drew the line between us years ago, Jacqueline.” He turned toward her. His eyes burned with something she couldn’t quite place; anger, disappointment, hurt, she couldn’t be sure.

Her chest tightened in pain. What made her think anything could be different between them, even after all this time? She didn’t, not really. Yet, there was a part of her that held out a thin thread of hope. He’d just snapped it in half.

“Don’t worry, brother dear, I have no intentions of being anything other than cordial. This is Desiree’s day.” She gently pulled away from his grip and continued down the steps.

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