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'Til Death Do Us Part I turned from the casket of my dead husband. He had been decent to me, but he had never really loved me like I had wanted and needed to be loved. My eyes blurred over with tears. I stumbled over something and was kept from falling by a steady hand on my elbow. I looked up and saw that it was Shane McAlester, my husband's best friend. He was also the man I loved more than life itself, although, I had never told him so. We walked to the limousine. "I'm sorry, sir, the limo is only for the family members." The funeral director stated soberly. "It's all right, Mr. Miles. He is a very close friend of mine and my husband's. He is more than welcome to ride with us." I said with a brief smile towards the sharp-faced man. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I have strict and precise orders from Mrs. Duncan that only the family is allowed in the limo." "Very well, Mr. Miles. Shane, if you don't mind, I'll ride with you." I turned to the tall, handsome man standing next to me. "Of course, Rebekah." Shane took my arm and we walked to his car. The drive home was quiet, but it was a companionable silence. At my home, I invited Shane in knowing there would be other people there. In fact, I found my mother-in-law waiting for me in the foyer."You have disgraced my son's good name by driving home alone with this man. How dare you desecrate his sacred memory! He was a wonderful husband to you and you act like a hussy the minute he's dead!" She screamed at me pushing me into a corner. Shane came in and heard most, if not all, of her tirade. He shoved in front of her and let her have it. "How dare you speak to Becky this way. What has she ever done to you to deserve such a tirade from you? She stayed with your son------her husband for six years before he died. He wasn't a wonderful husband to her. He was an ingrate and was never happy with anything she ever did for him. She has the right to do what she wants." Shane stopped and turned to me. He put his hand on my shoulder. "Rebekah, if you would like I will get everyone out of the house so that you can be left alone tonight and not be bothered by anyone." "It's all right, Shane. I was prepared for this. I knew she would do something like this, so I've packed my bags and I have a reservation at the Radisson on Sixth Street. I won't need to come back here. I've taken my belongings and put them in storage. I've left everything else for you, Mother Duncan. It's all yours! I hope you're happy!" I was now yelling at the top of my lungs. I turned and walked out the front door never to go back. I stopped at the bottom step and started to cry. Shane had followed me and now he took me into his arms. He held me as the tears flowed heavily. Finally, I was able to stop crying. "Oh, Shane! I've got no place to go except to a miserable hotel! This house was my home for six years." I turned to stare at the old Victorian house sorrowfully. Shane took my hand gently and led me away from my last tie with my husband and his family. Suddenly, I realized that I was free. Free! As a last show of defiance, I pulled off my wedding ring and threw it on to the porch. It rolled and stopped at the feet of my father-in-law whom I truly loved and I know he loved me back. Sadly, he picked it up and turned it over and over in his large hand. "I guess I understand what this means, my dear." He said softly. "I'm sorry, Dad, but your wife made me extremely angry." I said as I went up to him and gave him a hug. "I know, she can be exasperating, but you have to understand, Rebekah, Gary was her baby and only son. She feels lost without him. "I'm sorry, Dad, but I just can't understand or feel sorry for her. She had no right to talk to me like that. I was always very respectful to her, but yet, she hated me. I always knew that and you can't deny it." I said looking up at the dignified man who had been so very good to me. "I know, Rebekah. Well, I hope you have a happy life. Gary isn't here any longer and you are free from his demands and his pettiness." "You knew?"\ "Yes, my dear. You see, his mother is very much the same as he was." Frank Duncan smiled sadly at me. "May God bless you, child, for all you have put up with so splendidly." He looked up and fixed his gaze on Shane. "Young man, you take care of this young lady. She's very special to me." "I will, sir, you can count on it." Shane said from behind me. "Dad, keep in touch? I'll let you know my address. I'll drop you a note at your office." I whispered, then I hugged him and turned away. Shane put his arm around my shoulders and led me away to his car. Several months later, I had found a lovely apartment not far from where Shane lived. I had a wonderful job working with horses at a large ranch in the neighborhood. I finally felt I had a handle on my life. Then an almost-tragedy seemed to turn things around for me. One summer evening, I went to bed as normal. I woke up about three in the morning coughing and having a hard time breathing. It took me a minute, but I realized that my apartment building was probably on fire. I hurriedly dressed and grabbed some photos and other important papers and went to the front door.I placed my hand against the door to see if I could leave safely. It was cool to the touch. I carefully opened the door and stepped through it. I crouched down to avoid the smoke and ran to the stairwell. I checked that door to make sure it was safe. It was. I slipped through it. I also noticed that the smoke was getting thicker as I was getting closer to the ground floor. It was also getting harder to breathe. I had to stop several times because I was coughing so hard. I stumbled through the third floor door and realized that this was where the fire was. I went back to the stairwell and continued on down the stairs. I reached the first floor safely. Strangely, I hadn't seen anyone else. I hurried toward the front door and slipped outside of it. I collapsed to my knees breathing in the fresh air even though it seemed to sting my raw throat. I was suddenly surrounded by neighbors and friends who were concerned. They led me to an ambulance and sat me down on a stretcher. I was coughing like crazy and could barely breathe. The paramedics made me lie down and gave me oxygen. They told me to relax and everything would be all right. Once the fire was out and everyone had left. I stood alone in front of my apartment building. No one was allowed in until tomorrow sometime. Fortunately, the fire had been confined to two apartments on the third floor. Slowly, I turned away not knowing where to go for the night. "Rebekah? Are you all right?" I looked up and there stood my Prince Charming. I went to him and he put his arms around me and held me. "I'm fine." I said. Something seemed to spark as we stared into each other's eyes. The next thing I knew, Shane was kissing me passionately. My arms went around him and held him so he wouldn't leave. I had waited so long for Shane to kiss me. "Oh, Shane! I love you so much!" I murmured as our lips parted. I felt Shane stiffen. "Shane?" I looked up into his face. "I-I never expected to hear you say that to me, Becky." "I meant it, Shane. I've loved you from the day Gary introduced us, but I could never say anything. When I could say something, I got frightened. I was afraid you would reject me." I snuggled up against him not realizing I was cold until that moment. "Come, my love. You can stay with me tonight." Shane whispered kissing me hard. I picked up my bag and we went to his apartment. I slept in Shane's bed and Shane slept on the couch. The next afternoon, Shane took me back to my apartment building. It had been opened, but no one was allowed to reside there any longer. The damage had been far more extensive then they had realized at first. Apparently, the fire had been caused by faulty wiring. The building was being condemned and we were only allowed to get out our belongings. Shane and I spent the rest of the day packing up my possessions and taking them to a storage unit. Again, I had no place to go. I was starting to get depressed. "I can't stand this anymore, Shane. What am I supposed to do?" Shane looked at me with a small smile tugging at his full lips."Marry me, 'Bekah. I'll take care of you for the rest of our lives." "Are you serious? Don't play with my emotions, Shane. You know how I feel about you." I said. "I love you, 'Bekah. I've loved you since I met you too. I never said anything because of Gary." Shane answered putting his arms around me and pulling me close to him. "Oh, Shane." Wearily, I leaned against him and let the tears fall. I loved him so much and he was offering me a refuge. "Let's go home, Shane. I need some time to think about everything." "All right, sweetheart." Shane replied. At Shane's apartment, Shane ordered a pizza while I looked through my mail. I found a letter from my former father-in-law. I eagerly tore it open and read it: Dear Rebekah, All is well here.
Sharon and I would like for you and Love, "Shane! Look at this!" I exclaimed handing him the letter. I watched his face as he read it. "What do you think?" "Honey, I think we should go." That Friday evening, Shane and I got dressed for dinner at my former in-law's home. Shane was decked out in a gray suit and tie with a white shirt. I wore a modest, black dress. We arrived at the house, my former home, on time. we went to the front door and were ushered into the parlor. "Rebekah! I'm so glad to see you, dear! you are looking well." Frank said coming in and giving me a hug. Sharon was right behind him and was unreasonably quiet. I turned to her with a genuine smile. "Mother Duncan. You look well." I saw Dad nudge Sharon with his elbow. "Hello, Rebekah." She faltered in her speech, then rushed on with what seemed to be true sincerity. "I am very sorry for the way I acted after Gary died. I was terribly distraught and I know that's no excuse. Could you ever forgive me?" "Oh, Mother Duncan! Of course I forgive you!" I exclaimed. I stepped forward and put my arms around the older woman in a warm embrace. "I really am sorry, Rebekah. I do know what Gary put you through, dear. I want to let you know that Frank and I are giving you this house------for a wedding gift, if I don't miss my guess." I know I blushed. "Shane has asked me to marry him, but I haven't given him his answer------yet." I turned and looked at Shane with lovelight shining in my eyes. "Now is as good a time as any." I walked over to Shane. "Shane, you asked me a question the other day------" Shane pressed two fingers against my lips. He knelt on one knee in front of me and put his hand in his jacket pocket. "Rebekah, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Shane looked up expectantly. "Oh, yes, Shane!" I cried. Shane stood to his feet and took me in his arms. He kissed me lovingly. We broke apart at the sound of clapping.\ "Rebekah, will you allow us to pay for the wedding? You gave our son the happiest years of his life, even though he didn't show it. We would like to repay you if we can." Frank requested looking at his wife for agreement and approval. She nodded her head emphatically.\ "I don't know-------" "Rebekah, it would mean so much to us. We know you don't have any family and we would like to be your substitute family." This came from Sharon. I looked up at Shane for a moment. I turned to the older couple and smiled. "We would be most happy to accept your offer." "Oh, wonderful!" Six months later, which just happened to be Valentine's Day, Shane and I were joined together in holy matrimony in a simple, but elegant, wedding held in the garden of the old Victorian home that would soon ring with the laughter of children. The End
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