Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Unconditionally Cherished by Robert Kinker (Installment One)

It’s still hard for me to believe just ten years ago that I traveled back in time to ancient Bethlehem by a bizarre looking phone booth just outside of my town’s only mall. Not even my own mother believed my fantastic story, but my good friend Lyna knew I was telling the truth. I am now a newspaper reporter at our city’s newspaper with my journalism degree.

 

During this time, my good friend Lyna's life also changed drastically. After getting her law degree, she moved to Atlanta, GA to work at the prestigious law firm of Elkins and Dourn.  There she met Geoffery Ortzwinder, a quiet, well-dressed man with an effervescent smile. One year later, they became husband and wife. Geoffrey provided Lyna with the good lifestyle she was accustomed to.

 

Lyna's wedding hurt me deep down inside.  I had hoped that one day our close friendship would blossom into something more intense and lasting.  The day that Lyna spoke the two words "I do" to Geoffery, I knew I'd lost all chances of a life with her. I’d waited around too long. I wondered if Lyna was my last chance for marriage. Sitting in the midst of the large crowd gathered at our home church for this happy occasion, I felt sad, lonely, and friendless. The love in Lyna's eyes for Geoffrey told me the best man had won this time, and it hadn’t been me.

 

Who knows why I did it? Maybe Lyna's wedding had completely depressed me. Maybe I thought my love life wasn't moving fast enough in the right direction.  Maybe it upset me that a lot of my other friends were married with children. Nevertheless, I decided to be interviewed at a well-known matchmaking service just three days after Lyna and Geoffery became husband and wife.

 

My adventure into My One True Love Dating Service (as opposed to an Internet dating service) began at the bright yellow door marked "Sweet 4U."  Upon walking into the office, a homely-looking secretary signed me in, and told me to watch a show called, “Becoming the Real You.”  I fondly remembered the numerous times that being "the real me" got me in real trouble. I watched this in the dating parlors I sat in a couch being smothered by hordes of fuchsia pillows.

 

 Soon, Secretary Homely placed me in an interview room. The beautiful interior of this small room meant the company had gone to great expenses to make you feel ready to find your one true love. Secretary Homely told me my “love counselor” Miss Peppermint Sweetie would be with me shortly.

 

 "What a sickening excuse for a first name. Was I meeting with a person, or a Christmas confection?" I wondered.

 

Fifteen minutes later, Miss Peppermint flowed into the room. I wondered if she doubled as a pink flamingo lawn ornament with professor glasses on the weekend. Peppermint had a head of short, brunette, frosted, and gelled curls.  Unfortunately, the tall Miss Peppermint looked just like a peppermint candy stick in her stylish short red and white striped dress.

 

The first few words to come out of my love counselor's mouth made me regret my decision to come to this place. Her artificial cheerfulness made me want to gag.  Why had I traveled from the other end of town to hear her speech?  Desperation to find my perfect woman was all I could chalk it up to.  Sitting here, smiling, and acting like I was going to enjoy this interview would be the true test of my patience.

 

"Danny, you can call me Miss Peppy. That’s what everyone here calls me because I am excited about working here. I’ve seen over two hundred couples get married because of this important service. I've been looking forward to meeting you.”

 

"Get me out of here," I thought, "before I star to scream."

 

"Let’s have a heart-to-heart discussion. What are you looking for in a female love companion?"

 

I wondered if all this fake cheerfulness was covering up some mental issue.  I squirmed in my seat, and answered her questions as truthfully and precisely as I could.  "I want someone that's a beautiful person both on the inside and the outside, loves the outdoors, and is of the Christian faith." This meeting felt awkward and uncomfortable, and Miss Peppy wasn't making it any better for me.

 

During our conversation, she looked at me in astonishment. (Did I have a booger on my nose?)  Her mouth was gaped open for catching flies.  At least, her dentist had done an excellent job of bleaching her teeth white. Was he taking new patients?

 

"That's so powerful."

 

 "More intense than what your brain can probably think.  You big air-head with a tan," I almost yelled.

 

"I need to ask you if that Christianity requirement is a must. We don't cater to many of those kind of Bible individuals."

 

“Watch out, Miss Peppy, you're stepping on thin ice.  You can say anything to me you want, but get off my religious beliefs," I thought.

 

"Danny, wait here as I go talk to my director, and see if you are the right kind of person for what My One True Love can offer. I'll be back soon."

 

 I smiled. Miss Peppy giggled and came out the door she entered earlier.  My mind was racing as my heart beat rapidly like a trapped animal in a cage. There was the door. I left quickly.  Secretary Homely tried to stop me, but I was too fast for her. I dodged around her like a football player. Miss Peppy would wonder where I had gone. Miss Homely could fill Miss Peppy in on my sudden departure.

 

 Driving north on Interstate 60, my breathing returned to normal soon. I looked at the seat next to me. My overdue library book stared me in the face. I thought I'd lost that book somewhere in my apartment. The title of the book struck me as a humorous and pathetic commentary on my dating life. The book asked me judgmentally, What’s Your Problem with Your Dating Life?

 

 For the book and everyone else, I had no answer. I'd started a dating service, but nothing seemed right. The only person I wanted to pursue a relationship with was Lyna, and I'd foolishly passed up that opportunity.

 

 My closest childhood friend, John Hanley, once told me that marriage was overrated, and not all it was supposed to be.

 

 “The single life has advantages, too. Danny, no marriage is better than a bad marriage. I speak from experience."  John was evidently concerned for me. I didn’t want to hear his real-life reasoning right now. This was his second marriage.  His first marriage ended in a bitter divorce battle. 

 

John had been on the merry-go-round of marriage twice. I'd never even had the opportunity to get on it. I gazed at the freeway ahead of me, and wondered what my future wife would look like. What was she doing right now? What if God didn't want me to marry? Could I accept that?

 

"My Heavenly Father, if You want me to have a wife, please find her for

Me because. I give up." I prayed unhappily (with my eyes open).

 

A splitting headache was developing at the base of my skull, and moving directly to my face. My brain was overloaded with so much to think about. I wanted to cry, but wouldn't. Maybe I could think about all of this stuff

tomorrow morning when I wasn't so tired and depressed. My car moved toward the onramp leading to my apartment  at The Mulcreek Manor Apartments.

 

I needed some Ibuprophen to relieve this headache. I wondered if I had any in my medicine cabinet at home. Relief came in another form sooner than I anticipated.  This relief had “bizarre” and “magic” written all over it.

 

In what seemed like seconds my ears were filled with an instrumental version of “Off to Join the World (The Circus Song)” by Blaine Larsen

 

 "Where was I?"

 

 More questions flooded my mind. "Where was the freeway? Where was my car and why wasn't I in it? Was I dreaming?"

 

“If I'm dreaming," I reasoned, "then I'm driving, and falling asleep at the wheel of my car. I better wake up, or I’m going to have a wreck."

 

I smacked my face hoping that whatever I was seeing would vanish away quickly.  Nothing happened. The self-induced pain on my cheek hurt like a wind burn.

 

The smell of wood chips and animals stung my nose. The cutest clown I'd ever seen in a circus stood next to me. She began to talk with a distinctly southern-female accent.

"Stop foolin' around.  Danny, you are gonna ruin everything."

 

"I only met this female clown thirty seconds ago. She knows my name, and she's already angry at me. I'm good at annoying women," I thought as I scratched myself on the back.

 

"Where are we?" I asked quietly. I'd become a lot bolder with my questioning since my time trip to the first Christmas many years ago.

 

"Who are you, and why are we standing here in a circus both dressed like clowns?" I demanded a logical reason as my voice moved into a high-pitched whisper.

 

"You are such a joker actin' like I'm a complete stranger."

 

She smiled at me, and reprovingly tapped me on the shoulder.

 

"If she only knew the truth," I thought.

 

"Honey child," she whispered in an annoyed manner at my stupidity, "I’m gonna be your wife, and this is our weddin' under the Big Top. Isn't it simply marvelous?"

 

“Why, is that all?" I replied with a cocky attitude. Underneath my skin, goose bumps were developing.  The last time I had so much frightening fun was at My One True Love Dating Service with Miss Peppy.  I shuddered at the very thought of that lady being a matchmaker, and wondered if she even understood the concept of matchmaking.

 

To the average person, my situation would have been utterly horrifying; but I was certain this was all a bad dream resulting from the Four Alarm White Bean Chili I had eaten the previous night for supper. In dreams (if you remember), the dreamer is usually in control.

 

 My soon-to-be-any-minute bride was a female version of Bozo the Clown. She was rather short; wore a pure, white clown suit with pink polka dots; and looked to be about two years older than me.  Her face was covered by a long shimmering silver veil. Beneath it her face was painted white. On her feet she wore, silver clown shoes.

The white hat with the ostrich plume was a nice touch to this chiller theater fiasco. I couldn't decide whether to run out of the circus tent, or fall on the ground and laugh myself stupid.  This wasn't the way I'd envisioned my wedding day, but I'd give it a ten for originality.

 

Because none of my choices was suitable, I stood there too confused to know what to do. Maybe I should try to discover how ridiculous I looked. That would comfortably pass the time away.

 

There I stood clothed in a black clown suit that appeared to be the property of a circus thrift store.  To complement the ensemble, I wore a large red bow tie and gargantuan black clown shoes and a curly black wig.  I touched my face. White grease paint stuck to my finger.  I couldn't bear to think what the rest of my face must look like.

 

I didn't recognize any of my wife-to-be's bridesmaids. One of them was disguised like a bearded lady.  Two of the bridesmaids appeared as a Chinese acrobat and a female lion tamer respectively.  The most noticeable bridesmaid was the scantily-clothed showgirl with the large bosom.  Why on earth would a bride put her groom this close to infidelity before the marriage had even started?  A chill of fear danced up my back.

 

What if I didn't love the lady I was about to commit myself to?  That was a possibility.  What if I made a mistake?  Was it too late to back out now? I couldn't run away, and make my family and friends the laughing stock of the town. I just couldn't do that. I swallowed hard and proceeded to check my groomsmen out.

 

John Hanley, my good African-American childhood friend, (who I hoped was also my best man) stood there dressed like a circus strongman.  He fidgeted with his new Jamaican-style dread lock hair do. Last time I saw him he had tight braids all over his head. From experience, I knew John was uncomfortable in openly displaying any part of his muscular upper body. Whose stupid idea was it to have a costume wedding?

 

“It was probably one of your flaky ideas," Mr. Conscience responded.

 

"This is no time to go pointing the finger of blame at me, Mr. Conscience, so shut up." I shouted inwardly.

My nice gray-haired boss, Mr. Dumont, from the hardware store stood there costumed as a trapeze artist. The red cape and gold leotards didn't flatter his flabby figure.

 

"Why on earth was he a part of my wedding party," I wondered. "He was polite to me at work, but we were never good friends."

 

The last two groomsmen in my party were twin brothers, Trevor and Garrett Slayton, that I met at college. (I wasn't even going to try to identify what they were supposed to be.) Our threesome was always doing something together, like ordering Hawaiian pizza from Crumley's Pizza Shop at, or buying outlandish outfits we'd probably never wear at J.C.'s Vintage Clothing.  I truly missed those days of fun.  

 

 People in the audience started staring. Who printed up the wedding programs? Was I supposed to sing? As if the clown standing next to me could read my mind, she pointed me to a music stand and a microphone.

 

"Did they think I was going to do this. They were sadly mistaken." I wondered and hoped not. Well, maybe I could to make her happy. Winning "the best singing voice in Oaksdale" contest for WLRT radio had given me some measure of confidence in my ability to perform this task. 

 

I stepped up to the microphone and waited for the pre-recorded music track to give me my introduction to the current love song by the duet of Tim McGraw and Reba McEntire.  I was thankful I knew the lyrics.

 

All around the large audience, I could hear sniffles as I performed this piece.  Everyone including my new wife-to-be was trying to hold back the tears they wanted to let out. I could see Lyna, Geoffrey, and their daughter, Janiece, in the audience. Lyna's mom and dad, sister Nancy, and younger brother Kyle were also in attendance with Lyna.

 

There sat my wonderful Cousin Aqua Wells-Johnson and her husband Manly. Their adorable three-year old daughter, Arnetta, was with them. The only person that could cheer me up with her corny jokes when I was utterly depressed was Cousin Aqua.  My cousin and her family lived twenty minutes away in nearby Lacy, Ohio.  Her walrus impersonation with the two straws up her nostrils could make me forget about any problem I might have had, and laugh to the point of near sickness.

Finally, the song was finished, and I was shaking all over.  The palms of my hands were sweaty.

 

"Ravena Caroline Gionelli, do you take..." The minister winked and quickly smiled at me. Did I know this man dressed as a circus ringmaster getting ready to introduce each act in this freakish wedding? I looked again. It was my pastor from the church I grew up in. He looked quite distinguished with black top hat, white pants, and red jacket with tails. I wondered if he was really enjoying this. In the audience, I could see his wife, Jo, and their son, Lye, with his wife and squirming twin toddler sons. 

 

"This couldn't be the daughter of Vito Gionelli and the niece of our family counselor, Dr. Sophia Jackson. Could it be?" I thought.

 

Vito’s college provides clowns for some of the most famous circuses in the world. Ravena's family must be wealthy. An established college like that must be generating a healthy sum of money every year.

 

Let me repeat again that I believe marriage is wonderful with the right person, but I don't know if I love this lady. This is not the way I want to remember my wedding.

 

Ravena was making a beautiful speech to me. Please don't tell me I have to give a speech full of lies about a lady I barely know. Maybe I could say generic terms that could apply to almost anything. I hoped Ravena would forgive me for any fibs I was about to tell.

 

Ravena's elaborate language about me was over, and I hadn't shed a tear. Maybe it's because I hadn't been concentrating on any of the wedding, and let alone her speech.

 

"Here goes nothing but my good sense," I thought.

 

"Today, we are just beginning in this game of love called marriage."

 

"Whoever you are, Ravena Caroline Gionelli, get that veil off so I can get a look at your face," I almost said. "I want to see what exactly I’ve married."

 

 "I could never love you any more than I do right now."

"What a liar you are!" Mr. Conscience protested loudly. "You wouldn't know true love if it bit you on the nose."

 

 "As we live together, Ravena, you are a woman I’ll never know completely. You are always a sweet surprise for all eternity."

 

 "Get the shovel out, Danny," Mr. Conscience ordered, "you're in way too deep.  You're about to drown in a load of your own absurdity

 

 Why was I starting to get teary-eyed?

 

 "It's due to this horrible acting job you're trying to pull off as reality." Mr. Conscience stated.

 

 After the exchanging of the gold rings, the wedding concluded with a breath-taking elephant show.  Puffy white poodles were riding these beasts.  It was a sight to see! The act got a standing ovation.

 

Ravena's veil was lifted, and the minister told me that I could kiss my bride. Through the grease paint and the silver clown wig, I truly believed my wife was totally gorgeous.

 

Unexpectedly to me, I swooped down, and kissed my new wife.

 

"Give her a kiss she'll never forget." Mr. Conscience cheered me on.

 

 Ravena was shocked, but delighted with my impulsiveness.

 

"Ravena," I thought, "if you liked that treat, you can come back anytime for unlimited refills at the Philman Cafe' of Love."

 

 For the first time today, I was beginning to enjoy this wedding.  Marriage didn't seem so scary any more.

 

 "Now for the first time ever," stated my pastor, "I proudly present to you Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Lee Philman." Looking down at my etched gold wedding band, I knew this whole weird marriage was not a strange dream any more, but reality.

 

 

 To the circus calliope sound of Fucik’s “Entry of the Gladiators”, Ravena and I exited the circus tent (arm in arm) amidst thunderous applause.

 

I was curious about something. "Ravena, what's the date today?"

 

"Danny, you are actin' mighty strange today. It's a Saturday, November 8th. This is your thirtieth birthday-wedding extravaganza," she giggled.

 

 "What a nice way to remember my thirtieth birthday.

 

  After a long receiving line of jackhammer handshakes, we went into another much smaller tent for the reception. Was I glad that my voice wasn't permanently stuck on "thank you." If the receiving line hadn't stopped when it did, I thought my arm would have fallen.

 

 The name "Ravena Caroline Gionelli" sounded both Italian and southern. There ought to be some good food at the reception. I looked around and was disappointed to see only salted peanuts, green M&M's,  and pink lemonade, The majority of the refreshments appeared to have had been taken right off a circus concession stand.

 

If a wedding cake could be classified as a sweet mountain to devour, then this configuration fit into that category. It was six feet tall! There were five layers of strawberry cake covered in a sugary white icing.  Mini pillars separated each layer, and a red and white striped tent similar to the one we were married in covered the whole gigantic thing.

 

On the first layer of the cake were two clowns holding hands that looked similar to Ravena and me. On the other layers were various circus animal and people figurines that were painted in great painstaking detail. One could actually identify the features on each figurine. They were simply breathtaking.

 

 My curiosity got the best of me as I tried to identify the smaller cake.  Why did we need two cakes? It seemed like a waste of good money.  One kind of cake was more than sufficient for the guests. So, I asked Ravena to explain herself.

 

 "Darlin', groom's cake is a tradition from Europe. This chocolate fruitcake is very popular in the south where I come from. I just couldn't get married without one. Do you know what those slices of red grapes on the top of the cake stand for?"

 

"No, I can't say I do, Ravena," I said fidgeting with my big bow tie.

 

"They mean we're going to have lots of children." She licked her upper lip like she was a tiger, and I was dinner. Ravena then gave me an authoritative smile as if she already had our future mapped out for the next twenty years. Did she know how many kids we were going to have, and what we were going to name them too? Maybe I should ask her. My new wife winked at me, pinched me on the rear, and proceeded over to chat with a group of her girlfriends.

 

A short pudgy man with jet-black hair and a thick woolly mustache walloped me on the back. (Luckily, I didn't go flying through the air like a jet plane.) That slap on my spinal cord brought me back to reality. Standing next to him was a petite woman of similar height with fair skin, sandy-blonde hair, and a smile that could warm the coldest winter's day.

 

I think these were my in-laws. I gave them a big hug.  It was by accident that I discovered I was related to this mismatched pair. When the preacher asked who would give Ravena away, this man answered. He had his arm around this woman. I put two and two together and came up with my conclusion. Ravena definitely had her father's skin and hair color, and her mother's bright southern smile. 

 

 Vito grabbed me and gave me a death squeeze, which was meant to be a hug. As soon as he let go, I enjoyed the privilege of breathing again.

 

 "Are you ready to quit your job at da newspaper, and become a partner in da clown business?"

 

 "Vito, leave that boy alone. He'll treat our little girl just like a princess," Mrs. Gionelli said.

 

 "I know dat because if he doesn't I'll break both of his legs!" Vito said.

 

 By the treacherous smile on his face, I knew he would make good on his promise if I didn't treat his daughter right.  It was a good incentive to keep me faithful to Ravena.

I politely excused myself, and went over to help Ravena cut the wedding cake. Daintily, I placed the piece of cake in my wife's mouth. Ravena had other intentions. She intended to smash the strawberry cake in my face, and completely miss my mouth. She did. It seemed a tad bit childish to me, but you only live once. Make the most of every opportunity. Ravena did that.      Mother Gionelli quickly cleaned me up, and fixed my make-up just like a seasoned pro. I was back into action in forty-five seconds.  

 

 Mom and Mr. Dumont, my boss from work, came over to congratulate me.  Why did Phillip have his arm wrapped around my mother's waist?  For total strangers, they were acting extremely kind to each other.

 

"Your mother and I hope that your life together with Ravena is as happy as our marriage is," he said.

 

Mom looked lovely.  Her red hair was piled on top of her head in mounds of delicate curls.  She looked young.  Many times strangers mistook her for my older sister.

 

"Danny, Phillip and I have left you directions in your duffle bag on how to get to Lake Wilson. It's been a while since you've been to the family cabin. By the way, that was a great choice for your honeymoon. It's so romantic and secluded. The fridge is fully stocked with your favorites; I cleaned the cabin up for----"

 

"When on earth did you and Phillip get married?" I asked. Before Mother started to answer my question, she started straightening out the wrinkles in my clown suit. 

 

"This has been one of the most unusual weddings I've ever been to. It wouldn’t have been my first choice for my only child"

 

 “Mom, please answer my question."

 

 It was amazing to me that Mom finally remarried. Sixteen years ago dad died.  Marjorie and Char Philman were so much in love that I thought she would never get over the pain of losing him. I guess we both got over the pain, and went on with our lives.  Having my boss as my stepdad would take some getting used to.

"Danny, don't ask such a silly question.  You know Phillip and I got married last April. You were Phillip's best man at the wedding. In fact, you were the one that introduced me to him."

 

 "When I fix things up I do a great job," I thought.

 

It was almost more than I could handle to meet my unknown stepfather-boss and my strange clown-bride on the same day.

 

Would Mom believe the truth about my time-traveling wedding? Ten years ago, I tried to unsuccessfully convince her I'd gone back in time to Bethlehem.

 

"Mom, have you noticed I've acted kind of dazed like I really had no idea what was going on?"

 

"Yes, I did notice you've been acting a bit strange. Are you feeling all right?" She stopped fiddling with my suit and felt my head.

 

"Mom, don't worry. I feel fine, but I want to tell you something really important so listen please?"

 

 At that point, Mom straightened up and gave me that "concerned-I'm-listening" look. I now had her undivided attention. Would she believe my amazing story? I desperately hoped so for the sake of my sanity. I took a deep breath before starting my story.

 

 "Here's the truth, Mom. This is the first time I've ever met Ravena. I was thrown forward in time to the middle of my wedding day. I have no idea where…" Mom interrupted.

 

"Now you listen here, Danny. You tried this same time-traveling garbage on me a long time ago when you said you had been to ancient Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus . If you remember correctly, I didn't believe that story, and I don't believe this one, either."

 

 Mom then marched off before I could respond to her remarks. Her face was as red as a beet, and I was sure I saw smoke coming out of her ears. Still, she was calm enough to hum one of her favorite romantic tunes.

Ravena was dazzling in her non-clown clothes. Her short black hair looked so utterly feminine. Her full red lips, lustrous long nails, and inviting emerald green eyes were driving me out of control. I was a man that had a bad craving for my new wife.  

 

As everyone was assembling for our triumphant departure from the front of the  Big Top, Ravena and I decided to trick everyone. My big, rusty, lime-green car was covered with everything imaginable like tin cans, shaving cream, and streamers. It actually improved the looks of the car.

 

"Danny, let's take my car, and su'prise everyone. They won't be expectin' us to leave in my car. Can we do it, Darlin'?"

 

"Sure, let's go for it.

 

We threw our luggage in the trunk of Ravena's burgundy Honda, and proceeded to drive away. My wife has a great sense of humor. Ravena was so excited about this trick we were playing on everyone. We drove our car to the front of the tent where the wedding guests were.

 

Ravena honked the car horn as we made silly faces to the unsuspecting guests. The startled expressions we received were priceless. Silver, red, and black helium balloons drifted high into the blue sky until they vanished from our sight.

 

"So, Danny, where are you takin' me for our honeymoon?"

 

Obviously, I had decided to keep the whole thing a secret from her. Good thinking on my part. Here was one part of this day I had some control over. I looked at the car clock, and it read 3:00 PM.

 

"We should be at the family cabin at Lake Wilson by dinner time according to Mom's directions," I figured. I reached over to hold Ravena's soft hand.  "My Mom, Dad, and I always had such relaxing, fun times there 

 

"That sounds terrific, Danny. Anywhere you go, I'd be content to be there."      I definitely liked the sound of that. Ravena snuggled up to me like a purring cat. She proceeded to blow in my ear and run her plum fingernails throughout every inch of hair on my head. I liked it. Yet, there was a problem in Paradise. This was a bit distracting to driving. Ravena realized this by the swerving of the car, and stopped immediately for our safety.

 

If honest conversation is the key to a lasting relationship, the two of us were off to a great start.  We both loved to talk and laugh about ourselves, our families, and anything else that popped into our minds.

 

    

 After cleverly tricking my wife into telling me about herself, I learned  that she had a double degree in psychology and business administration.  After moving to Oaksdale, she'd been the administrator/counselor of a home for unwed mothers. Because of her family heritage, Ravena could fluently speak Italian, some French, and English with a distinct southern draw.  She demonstrated her abilities for me as she translated my speech into those three languages.  Her hobbies included volleyball, swimming, cooking, and reading good  spy novels.

 

Though we seemed to be a perfect match, one thing did bother me. Why would such an intelligent woman want to marry an average guy like me?

 

"Ravena, why did you marry me? You could have done so much better." The question caught her off guard.

 

"Darlin', is that why you've been actin' so strange today? Do you feel you're not good enough for me?"

 

 "I got news for you, Darlin'," She stated with a fury in her eyes at my lack of self-confidence. "Ya'll are the best. The good Lord above knows that I have dated enough intelligent rich boys that turned out to be conceited brats. They didn’t stick around for very long.  Danny, you have been with me through my good and bad times. I feel like a whole woman around you.  You are the only man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I cherish you unconditionally."

 

I squeezed Ravena closer to me and smiled as I drove on the highway ahead of me. It felt good to know that Ravena loved me just the way I was with all my imperfections. A feeling of awe swept over me as I realized that nothing I could do or say would ever separate me from the love of my life,, Mrs. Ravena Gionelli Philman.

 
This book ends with installment two.  

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