Chapter 46 — Alexander

"By the way, George is coming with us to church today," Katerina told me as she put in her earrings.

I sat sprawled across her desk chair, waiting for her to finish getting ready for church. I had already showered and dressed and been ready to go twenty minutes ago and had since been teasing her about taking too long to prepare. "Really."

"He said he had to talk to you about…something," she replied, that same wary surprise in her tone as was in mine. "Something important. Also, I made him promise to go with me."

"That does make sense," I mused, watching her apply pink lipstick in the vanity's mirror.

She picked up a Kleenex and swiped at the corners. "Yep," she said, her voice sounding distracted and far away. In the mirror, she smiled at me, small and soft, and warmed my heart in that way that only she could. "I'm so excited for the wedding."

Six months ago, it would have been false on both our ends to say that. Now, it was as true a confession as any. "Do you know what I can't wait for?"

"What?" She looked up at me, hazel eyes wide and that smile I loved still tugging her lips up at the corners.

"I can't wait to—" A knock sounded at the door, and we separated.

"Okay, we're leaving now!" Katerina called to whoever the intruder was. "Come on, Alex. Let's go."

+

"Fancy seeing you here," I made an attempt at jocularity as George plunked down on the seat beside me, eyeing the church bulletin with a mixture of contempt and resignation.

"I could say the same for you," he jibed right back, setting down the leaflet on his lap with a rustle. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

"What is it?" I kept my tone wary but polite and looked him in the eye. Behind him, something caught my eye. Or rather, someone…

"So, do you think I should say yes or not?" George finished his long speech that I had not heard a word of, with a question that I had no idea how to answer.

"Begging your pardon, George, but there's something I need to do. If you would excuse me..." I sprang from my seat and began moving briskly. I could hear Katerina's brother follow me, the clatter of his feet against the tile echoing loudly, and I made no move to dissuade him. He needed to join me in this manhunt anyways.

"Hey, slow down! You didn't answer my question." I heard him protest from behind me. "I will not be ignored—"

His words were annoying to an extent. But I found nothing more revolting than the man standing in front of me, that slimy grin on his face as he sized the two of us up. You again, I thought, trying to tamp down my disgust for him. I had changed, after all. Had I not? I supposed this was God testing me, to see if I had. And I hoped, certainly, to prove that slowly, with His help, I was getting better.

So, I said a silent prayer not to punch the man and went ahead to face him.

"Good morning." That was a promising start to any conversation, was it not? "May I help you?"

He looked past me, at George. "Who are you?"

George took a step by my side, the two of us looming over the man. "Someone who doesn't care for your rude questions. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to speak with my brother-in-law."

He turned and walked quickly back towards our seats. I was grateful, at least, that he had stopped me from doing or saying anything I might have regretted. It was, I supposed, God's interference.

"What is it that you wanted to say to me, George?" I finally questioned him once we were again ensconced in our pew.

"I wanted to ask you if—"

"Please, everyone, rise for the service this morning," said the worship leader, and I thought then that God must really not want me to know George's question.

In his seat next to me, George sighed deeply, and then said, "You know what, Alex, I'll just tell you about it after the service."

I paid attention to the sermon and from what I could tell so did he, but all the while, in the back of my mind, curiosity burned in me like a brand. What was his question? Why would he ask me, of all people, anything? And so it was with eager anticipation that I excused myself from Katerina and my father and sat down in the car across from him to finally converse.

"So, please, go ahead. Shoot," I urged him on.

He put his head in his hands. Was he giving up on his trademark blunt honesty and rudeness now of all times? "Katerina asked me to walk her down the aisle at the wedding."

It was a practical, straightforward, and sensible solution, as well as one that would certainly be viewed as a peace offering between them. So essentially, it was what I had come to expect of my future wife.

"How did you answer her?" I probed him cautiously. Me, being cautious? I would have scoffed at that six months ago. Now, however…it did not seem so far-fetched.

"I told her I would think about it. And she didn't seem disappointed by it, I mean..." It was almost funny to see such a strapping, tall man made so confused and uncertain by emotions and by his own sister. It would have been funny if he hadn't reminded me of myself, circa a year ago.

"Of course, she wouldn't seem disappointed, she wouldn't want to pressure you. That's just how she is," I reprimanded him.

George rolled his eyes. "I know that, Alexander. I just…don't know what to do now."

"So why ask me?" The answer to this question was still murky, though gradually becoming clearer.

"Well, it's your wedding too," he said. "And—well, I hate to admit it, but I've been away from her for a long time. I can't say that I know her as well as I once did. Is she asking me because she wants me to walk her down the aisle, truly? Or simply because she needs someone to hold onto her in case she trips on the way to the altar?"

I was not well-acquainted enough with the man to understand if his second question was a joke. "She is honestly not that confusing once you get to know her, George. If she asks you something, she really means it."

He looked at me, brows furrowing into a frown. "She told me you hated her at first. Are you sure that's true? Because the two of you seem to have something…something impossible to find."

Our love was impossible to find—because we had to find it in not just one another, but in God.

"I did hate her at first. I did push her away, for…for reasons I won't get into right now. But…God changed me. He helped us to love one another." I swallowed thickly, feeling almost bashful.

He laughed. "I never thought she would find a man who loves God as much as she does. I am happy for the two of you, and I know I have been bad at showing that. But I am."

"Thank you," I said, and was surprised to find that I meant it. "That…I do appreciate it."

"I've made my decision. I'm going to walk her down the aisle."