I’ve been in San Diego for the past three days, orating at a conference in Dan Smith’s proxy. It’s been strange being away from the office for so long, but nothing compares to being away from Azmir. I’ve missed him so much, I dream of him nightly. I recall Azmir using the phrase, ‘two ships passing in the night’ to justify our need to move in together last summer. That’s exactly what we’ve become over the past month and a half. But with Dan Smith’s new product rolling out, I’ve been preoccupied with either research for the project or covering for him at conferences. His confidence in such a young colleague enthuse me and challenges me to prove myself as worthy amongst my contemporaries. This has been the only thing to distract me from Azmir’s absence and leads me to this moment. This day.
I know where I’m headed, but don’t know what to expect. Tessie, our wedding coordinator, emailed me a set of instructions a few days before, detailed with when to rise from bed to where to march down the aisle. But it’s difficult for me to envision an aisle on a boat. I keep telling myself I don’t care. This is what I want. I’m resolute in my decision to marry Azmir Jacobs. Even when my thoughts become dual, I fight through them. I’m finally marrying a man that I’ve only known for just over a year. It doesn’t matter that I accepted his proposal approximately nine months after meeting him. That isn’t as crazy as moving in with him less than six months after our first date. No. What I’m prepared to do isn’t crazy at all, because I love this man, I’m devoted to this man, and can’t imagine waking up to a life without the company the of one A.D. Jacobs.
“Rayna?” I hear called out expectantly.
I look up to find a blushing redhead with a small frame and gorgeous emerald irises. Her smile is promising and gives away her aura.
“Tessie?” I ask, knowing I have to be correct in my assumptions. Who else would be fully dressed in formal attire at the crack of dawn…at the top of the morning…on the walkway of a marina?
“Yes,” she answers with a polite nod. “I’m Tessie. It’s nice to put a beautiful face with a voice.” She proffers her hand and shakes mine enthusiastically. “Mr. Jacobs is a very lucky man. Not that I had any expectations of you, but I am thoroughly impressed.”
I allow a pleased smile to crack upon my face. I don’t know how to respond to that other than saying thanks, which I do. I guess I feel odd because all I’m wearing is a fitted sweat suit with a black Brooklyn Nets baseball cap that I borrowed from Azmir’s side of the closet.
“Well, thanks for being so prompt.” Tessie clasps her nicely manicured red nails together over her modestly fitted tan skirt. Her legs are clad in opaque hosiery over kitty pumps. She’s the picturesque employee. “As you can imagine, we have lots to do today. We’ll start with introducing you to your wedding venue and home for the next seven days.”
I try to mask my staggered visage. I had no idea we’d be getting married and honeymooning on a boat. In fact, I didn’t know we’d be having a honeymoon. I was told by Sharon last week that my schedule for a few days would be extended to accommodate several patients who preferred pushing up their appointments rather than deferring them to my return. I asked why and she said that I’d be out of the office for a week at the request of Mr. Jacobs. I fought the annoyance rising from my belly at Azmir speaking directly to Sharon. I knew I’d be getting married this week, then eventually, on this day, but I still didn’t like the feeling of being the absent bride. Sharon knew more about the details of my big day than I did. This all began the night I told Azmir I’d grown overwhelmed with the planning of the wedding and was tired of screening planners.
I told him we could get married on a boat in the middle of nowhere for all I cared! I gasp at the revelation.
“Pardon,” Tessie asks, bursting my trance. I didn’t realize I thought aloud.
I cup my mouth for a second, then lower my hands and murmur, “Sorry. I just thought of something I’d told…Mr. Jacobs months ago. I told him I didn’t care if we got married on a boat in the middle of nowhere.” I take a minute to process my running thoughts.
“Considering his plans for today, I suppose he took your wishes quite literally.” Tessie winks before continuing her stride toward our destination.
Too literally.
Dumbfounded, I follow her. We walk a few feet west of where we met and she starts with her orientation of the watercraft we begin to board. My mouth drops to my toes. It’s massive!
“We’re stepping onto Princess Belle, a 149 foot/45 meter motor yacht from the French yard of the Moreau Brothers. Mr. Jacobs not only has exquisite taste, he has friends of elite realms,” Tessie notes as she peers over her shoulder momentarily. “I’ve done at least a dozen events on yachts, but this is by far the most impressive and elegant that I’ve incurred,” she continues with her orientation.