The rest of the ceremony was a blur for Jack. He had to be pushed and nudged in this direction or that or whispered to in an attempt to get him to do what was required. Because of his being in Boston, he'd missed the rehearsal, so from his perspective, it was all ad lib.
The part he liked the best was running out of the church, because it meant the ordeal was over. Once in the car, he had a rest, but it was much too short. The drive from the church to Tavern on the Green and the reception was only a quarter of an hour.
The reception was less intimidating than the wedding, and in different circumstances of being less exhausted, he almost would have found it enjoyable. Particularly after a heavy meal including wine and some obligatory dancing, Jack was beginning to fade. But before he did so, he needed to make a call. Excusing himself from his table, he found a relatively quiet spot at the restaurant's entrance. He punched in Alexis's cell phone number and was pleased when she answered.
"Are you married?" Alexis asked as soon as she knew it was Jack.
"I am.
"Congratulations! I think it's wonderful and I'm very happy for you."
"Thank you, sister," Jack said. "I particularly wanted to call to apologize for my role in creating more turmoil in your life. You invited me to Boston to help Craig and thereby help you, and I ended up doing the opposite. I'm terribly sorry. I feel complicit."
"Thank you for apologizing," Alexis said. "I surely don't hold you responsible for Craig's behavior and for it being exposed. I truly believe it would have eventually. And to be entirely honest, I'm glad to know It will make my decision-making much easier."
"Did Craig reappear in court?"
"No, he didn't, and I still have no idea where he is. There is a warrant for his arrest, and the police have already appeared at the house with a search warrant. They have confiscated all his papers, including his passport, so he's not going far. Wherever he is, he's just putting off the inevitable."
"Surprisingly enough, I feel sorry for him," Jack said.
"I feel sorry for him as well."
"Has he tried to see the children or call?"
"No, he hasn't, although that doesn't surprise me. He's never been close to the children."
"I don't think he's ever been close to anyone, except maybe you."
"In retrospect, I don't think he was even close to me. It's a tragedy, and I personally believe his father shares a portion of the blame."
"Please keep me posted!" Jack said. "We're heading out on our honeymoon, but I'll have my cell phone."
"I did learn something else disturbing this afternoon. A week ago, Craig had refinanced our house, taking out several million dollars."
"Could he do that without your signature?"
"He could. Back when we bought the house, he insisted it be in his name only. He gave me some excuse about taxes and insurance, but at the time I didn't care."
"Did he take it in cash?" Jack questioned.
"No, I've been told it was wired to a numbered offshore account."
"If you need cash, let me know. I have more than I've ever had, thanks to not spending even a pittance of my salary for the last decade."
"Thank you, brother. I'll keep that in mind. We'll make out fine, although I might have to augment my salary with some private practice."
After a few endearments, Jack disconnected. He did not return to the party immediately. Instead, he thought about the unfairness and capriciousness of life. While he was looking forward to a honeymoon with Laurie and a promising future, Alexis and the children were staring at uncertainty and emotional pain. It was enough, Jack thought, to make someone an epicurean or very religious, one extreme or the other.
Jack stood up. He opted for the former and was interested in getting Laurie home.
Epilogue
Jack had wanted to take Laurie to someplace unique and off the beaten path for their honeymoon. He'd thought of someplace in Africa, but decided it was too far. He'd thought of India, but that was worse, as far as distance was concerned. Then someone suggested Cuba. At first Jack had dismissed the idea because he thought it couldn't be done, but going on the Internet, he soon learned he was wrong. A number of people, but not too many, were going to Cuba either through Canada, Mexico, or the Bahamas. Jack had chosen the Bahamas.
The flight from New York to Nassau on Saturday, the day after the wedding, had been ho-hum, but the one from Nassau to Havana on Cubana Airlines had been livelier and entertaining, and had given them an early taste of the Cuban mentality. Jack had arranged for a suite in the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, sensing it would have a hint of old Cuban charm. They hadn't been disappointed. It was sited on the Malecon in the Vedado section of old Havana. Although some of the amenities were dated, the original Art Deco splendor shone through. Best of all, the service was a joy. Contrary to what Jack might have thought, the Cubans were a happy people.
Thankfully, Laurie had yet to insist on more sightseeing than relaxing walks through the old, central section of Havana, which had been restored for the most part. Several of their strolls had taken them beyond the restored area and into sections where the buildings were in a sad state of disrepair yet still with a vague hint of their original grandeur.
For the most part, both Jack and Laurie had been content to sleep and eat and lie in the sun. Such a schedule had given Jack adequate time to tell Laurie the details of what had happened in Boston as well as to discuss the situation at length. Laurie was sympathetic to everyone, including Jack. She'd called it an American medical tragedy. He'd agreed.
"How about we arrange for a tour into the countryside," Laurie suggested suddenly, breaking into Jack's rejuvenating, mindless repose.
Jack shielded his eyes from the sun and turned to look at his new wife. Both were reclining poolside on white lounge chairs. Both were clad in bathing suits and mutually slathered in SPF forty-five sunblock. Laurie was regarding him with eyebrows raised. He could just see them over the top of her sunglasses.
"Do you really want to sacrifice this wonderfully indolent life?" Jack questioned. "If it's this hot seaside, it will be like an oven in the countryside."
"I'm not saying we have to do it today or even tomorrow, just someday before we leave. It would be a shame to come all this way and not get a flavor of the island outside of this touristy area."
"I suppose," Jack said without a lot of enthusiasm. Just thinking about the heat of the island's interior made him feel thirsty. He sat up. "I'm going to get something to drink. Want me to bring you back something?"
"Are you going to have one of those mojitos?"
"I'm tempted," Jack said.
"You really are on vacation," Laurie said. "All right. If you're game, I am, too. I just might have to nap this afternoon."
"Nothing wrong with that," Jack said. He got to his feet and stretched. What he really needed to do was rent a bike and go for a serious ride, but that thought stayed with him only halfway to the bar. Lazily, he decided he'd look into it tomorrow.
Catching the eye of one of the bartenders, Jack ordered the two drinks. It was exceptional for him to drink at all, much less in the afternoon, but he'd been encouraged to try it the day before, and he'd enjoyed the utterly relaxed feeling the alcohol had given him.