"Are you sure, you shouldn't stay and work things out with your father?" Lawrence asked as he followed Eileen away from the house.
"Talking to him isn't going to do any good. He'll just give me some long lecture about the way he thinks things should be . . . I'll talk to him tonight when I get home."
After walking a few blocks in silence, Lawrence asked, "So you're a psychic phone friend?"
"Yes," she answered sheepishly. "Do you think I'm ridiculous now?"
He grinned and shrugged with raised eyebrows, refusing to answer the question. "What exactly does a psychic phone friend do?"
"Don't start teasing me now," she pouted. "People call in and I answer their questions about life."
"Because you're psychic?" he asked doubtfully.
"Of course," Eileen answered with a grin. "It's about time you knew that about me."
"Uh huh . . ."
"Actually, I'm not as much as I'd hoped," she said sadly. "Most of my predictions were random guesses."
"Aren't they all?"
Eileen shrugged. She turned to lean over the fence and looked at the bay. They were quiet again, until Eileen sighed and Lawrence turned to look at her.
"I wonder if my dad will ever stop treating me like a child. You know, the only reason I agreed to marry Hector was because it seemed like an easy way to get a little bit of independence and because . . ." She looked at Lawrence and suddenly felt shy. She didn't want to tell him the other reason, that she only went to Hector after she saw his apartment and thought he was out of the question. "Because he was there I guess. I had really poor reasons for saying yes."
Lawrence nodded solemnly and looked out over the water. "Then you never loved him?"
"No, not really. We were friends, we'd known each other forever, but that's about it. I've learned my lesson, don't worry. The next time I accept a marriage proposal, or even a date, I'm going to make sure I mean it. It's too important not to."
Lawrence cleared his throat. Maybe it was a bad time to say anything, but he thought she needed to know. "You do know that it was Hector who told your dad about your job."
"No, but that doesn't surprise me. How did he find out?"
"He said you dropped the pay stub," he said, quickly moving on with his line of thought. "Don't you think it's time you said something to the police about . . .your suspicions of him?"
Eileen sighed and looked away.
"This is serious business, Eileen. I think you need to speak up."
"I don't really have any proof."
"Let the police find the proof, that's their job. If anyone finds out that he confessed to you and you don't say anything, you could be charged as an accessory."
"I don't know . . ." Eileen hesitated. "I know that I should, but we've known each other for so long. And I'm afraid of how Lucy will take the news. She's had such a tough time already."
"I'm sure she'll be able to cope. Don't let Hector fool you," he said, making sure Eileen looked him in the eye. "He isn't a friend."
"Edward . . .I didn't expect to see you tonight," Alma greeted Edward and invited him into the house.
"I hope it's not too late."
"Not at all."
"I was thinking of you tonight and something you said. Do you really want to get married as soon as possible?"
"Yes."
"Then maybe we should set a date. How soon do you think we could put a wedding together?"
Alma thought a moment. "I don't know. Not long, I think. I don't really want a big showy to do. I'd really be happier just going to the courthouse and having a civil ceremony."
"Then let's do that. I don't have any family to speak of and my guests would be mostly medical colleagues. I'm sure they won't be offended if they aren't invited. If you're sure that's what you want, let's pick a date and elope."
"Let's make it soon," Alma said. "If we draw this out I'm just going to make myself nervous about it. I'd rather get it done and get on with our lives."
Edward chuckled. "It doesn't sound very romantic, but I agree. I've waited a long time to get married and I know you will be a wonderful wife. I'm sure this is what I want. This sounds crazy, but I'm ready anytime you are. I would even be willing to do it tonight."
"Tonight?" Alma repeated.
"I meant that figuratively. I don't want to pressure you."
Alma's head was spinning. She'd already made up her mind to marry him and delaying the wedding would just give her time to change her mind. She was tired of going back and forth. She wanted to do something decisive and be done with it.
"Tonight is as good as any," Alma said. "Why don't we get married tonight?"
"Are you sure? You really want to do this?"
"Yes . . .unless you plan on asking me if I'm sure about every single thing. If we're going to be married you'll have to learn I don't say things unless I mean them."
"Then we're really doing this? This is wonderful," he said, grabbing Alma for a hug.
Caught off guard, Alma tensed up as Edward put his arms around her. Reminding herself that this man was soon to be her husband, she told herself to relax and returned his embrace, gingerly wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
"Wait," Edward said, stepping back. "Do you think we'll be able to find someone to marry us at this time of night?"
"I wouldn't know. I've never been married before," she said.
Edward laughed in delight at her practical response. "Maybe we should wait until the morning. The courthouse will be open and it will give us a chance to sleep on it. I could come over at noon to pick you up. How does that sound?"
"Fine. I'll be ready."
"I can't wait," he said softly. He took her hand and squeezed it warmly in farewell before stepping back towards the door. "You have made me happier than I have been in a long time and I promise I will do everything I can to make you as happy as you've made me. We're going to have a wonderful life together."
Alma just nodded.
She walked Edward to the door and stood by it, looking out long after his car drove out of view. She hoped he was right.
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