Chapter 21
The Rehearsal
The next week and a half were a blur, as so many people came in and out of the house. Gram finally arrived from London and stayed in the guest suite up on the third floor. I thought she might have a difficult time getting up there, but soon found that the house was equipped with an elevator for her. My job was to keep Gram entertained while Sandy and Barbara finished up all the details of the wedding.
Jane came home on Friday and all the out-of-town guests started arriving as well. Jake and I had our final fittings and thanks to Aunt Barbara, Jake started his vacation as of Friday. We decided to have our dress rehearsal on Friday instead of Saturday, just in case there were any last-minute changes. We rehearsed at the house and then went to the chief’s house for dinner.
Aunt Barbara set up her backyard to look like a Moroccan Riad, or garden. She replicated a riad by placing a fountain as the focal point in the middle of the tent. Hovering over the fountain stood a large open tent with rich fabric graciously draping over each pole. Lemon and lime trees stood near these drapes, while rugs simulating zellige tiles covered the entire grassy area. We sat on pillows on the ground and dined on couscous with vegetables, pastille—a squab meat pie, lamb tajine—a stew, and Zaalouk salad with eggplant and tomatoes.
During the meal, musicians playing the lute, drums, tambourine, and fiddle circled the tent, and we all clapped in awe when the belly dancers strutted among the guests. They tried to get me and Jake up to belly dance with them, but neither one of us was keen on making a fool of ourselves at our own rehearsal dinner. Charlie, Uncle Henry, and Doug got up to dance with all the ladies. Aunt Barbara was a good sport and she tried her best to keep up with the hip-swinging ladies.
With dinner and entertainment finished, Uncle Henry stood in the middle of the tent and thanked everyone for joining us. To my surprise, he called up Jake to continue a family tradition.
Looking at a crowd of thirty or so cousins, aunts, and uncles, Jake addressed our loved ones. “Most of us in this tent know that we Reids have a tradition at our dress rehearsal dinner. This tradition is started by the first child of his generation to get married and all the other children in that generation must follow the same tradition he chooses. Since I am the first among the cousins to get married, you all must follow my lead when you get married.”
Many whispered, “I hope he chooses something cheap.” I wasn’t quite sure what they meant by this statement.
“The chief says that I need to pick from one of the wedding traditions of something old, something new, something borrowed, or something blue. Gramps apparently chose something old and gave Gram a pearl necklace that his mother wore on her wedding day. Gram?” We saw him circling around the tent looking for his grandmother. “Will you be giving this pearl necklace to my Emily as well?”
This question brought on a holler of boos from all the cousins. Again, I wasn’t sure what they were unhappy about as opposition mounted.
First one to oppose was Doug, the chief’s oldest son. “Gram, I demand a recount. Who voted to give Jake the six-carat diamond ring?” A round of “yeah’s!” came from the other cousins. Most of the aunts and uncles found this dissention hilarious, and some of the aunts joined in with the protestors.
Oh, so that’s what everyone was booing about. I, too, found the family ribbing comical.
“Doug, sit down!” Jake ordered. “I have the mic. Anyhow, before I was so rudely interrupted,” my fiancé continued, “the chief continued the tradition by picking something blue, and he gave his bride a measly blue garter. All of his brothers had to do the same for their brides as a wedding gift. Now I must say, that’s a crappy wedding gift.”
All four aunts and Mom stood and gave Jake a standing ovation. We were rolling in laughter.
“Now it’s my turn, and I pick something old and something new.”
“Show off!” Cousin Glen yelled.
“The only way to outdo a six-carat Asscher cut diamond ring,” he emphasized and enunciated each of those words while a hiss rang through the tent, “is to shower my bride with more diamonds.”
At this point, every cousin paraded his and her strong opinion. The girls hailed Jake as a hero. They jumped up and down with animated faces, knowing that their future fiancés would be subject to the same tradition. They danced around like they’d just found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and made the aunts’ standing ovation look tame. The men, on the other hand, jumped up to the imaginary podium where Jake stood and put him in a head lock, pretending to assault him. The rest of us broke into every kind of laughter in the dictionary—a chortle, a cackle, a guffaw. My belly never hurt so badly from laughing as it did tonight.
When everyone settled down, Jake came over to me and walked me up to his stage. His eyes only on me, he uttered, “Emily, I don’t think I ever told you this, but when I first saw you at the supermarket, I followed you around the store like a lost puppy.”
“Stalker!” I heard one of the cousins yell out. The audience, myself included, found the comment hilarious.
“I was more than happy to help you after you fell. I told all the doctors and staff in ER to slow down your treatment so I could spend more time with you.”
“Malpractice!” was the next shout we got from a different cousin. While we all laughed, Jake sent out a lighthearted threat to the hecklers.
“Just remember that you all are getting married after me. That means that you will all be up here at some point, and I don’t forgive or forget easily.” Jake attempted an evil eye. Nobody was scared.
Some yelled back,” Oooh!” The others sarcastically called out, “Scary!”
Jake continued with his story.
“After our first date, I knew that you would be the girl I would marry. What I didn’t know was how deeply I would fall in love with you, and still I grow to love you more each day. I cherish your warmth, your honesty, and the way you trust me to take care of you. In turn, I strive to be your shield and protector and make you the happiest woman in the world. In short, my life is only complete because you are here with me. I love you.”
There was not a dry eye in the tent. All the women cried. I too became overwhelmed with emotion and cried in Jake’s arms. For a change, they were tears of joy. While I pulled myself back together, Jake excused himself and went over to his mother and embraced her. Though I couldn’t hear their exchange, I was sure he was thanking his mother—his first true love.
Jake came back to me and held out a small jewelry box—yes, like the kind a girl received when a man got down on one knee about to propose to the woman he loves. Since that was already done, twice, I wondered what this could be. I thought I’d add some humor to this situation and put up both my ring-bearing hands and told Jake, “I don’t have any fingers left to wear another diamond ring.”
Jake found this statement funny as he opened up the box. I found a big diamond stud earring. I looked at the stud, looked at his face and looked back at the stud. Everyone in the room, including me, wondered why there was only one stud.
“Jake, this is gorgeous, but how does it become something old and something new and why is there only one?”
“Well, for those of you who don’t know the story, I first proposed to Emily back in December, and she turned me down.”
Everyone in the tent booed, even Gram. I hung my head low to the ground till Jake brought my chin up with a tender kiss.
“So this diamond,” he continued the story, “is the first diamond I bought for her seven months ago, that I decided to turn into an earring since I got a new diamond from my favorite grandma.” He waved my ring finger to the crowd for one more razzing.
“The other diamond,” Jake pulled out another jewelry box, “is a new one that I picked up at Boucheron in Paris. So here you go my love, something old and something new.” He handed me both boxes, and I thought it only appropriate to put them both on immediately. This time, I wrapped my arms around my love and embraced him passio
nately. It was only when Gram started clearing her throat we released one another.
“Thank you, Sweetheart. They’re beautiful,” I crooned.
Jake and I thanked Uncle Henry and Aunt Barbara for our special evening.
“Aunt Barbara, you throw the most exciting theme party I’ve ever attended. I can’t wait to see what Thanksgiving looks like at your house. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” I gushed, giving both my aunt and uncle a hug.
“Now Jake, don’t forget we have one more rule that starts tonight,” warned Aunt Barbara.
I looked to Jake for an explanation and he hesitated.
“Aw, Aunt Babs, can’t we forgo that tradition?”
“Nope.”
“How about starting tomorrow night like customary?”
“See you at the wedding, Nephew.” She walked away and I turned for an explanation.
“Well, you see…there’s another tradition where they keep the bride and groom away from each other after the rehearsal dinner. Since we had our dinner a day early, you and I will be separated from tonight till Sunday evening. The guys usually spend the night together at one of the homes, which I think it’s the chief’s this time, and the ladies will all be at our house. I think Aunt Babs is enforcing this policy even more harshly to get back at me for taking the diamond.” Jake found this thought comical.
I found nothing comical about being separated for two days. My lips must have formed into a pout.
“Love, it’s only two more days,” he consoled me. “After that, I won’t let anything or anybody separate us again, OK?” He lifted up my sullen face. “I’ll see you at the altar.” Jake leaned in and placed his lips on my forehead.
This was the last time I saw Jake till I walked down the aisle.
Saturday morning we all slept in. We consisted of Mom, me, four aunts, eleven female cousins, Gram and her staff. Even with our huge house, everyone jostled for space. No one wanted to spend the night in our room, as all the ladies thought it would be weird to spend the night in what they termed, “the honeymoon suite.” As much as I liked company, I was happy to be by myself while everyone crowded in the extra bedrooms. I heard a light knock on the door and I knew alone time was over.
Laney, the chief’s daughter, walked in. “Can I use your shower? It’s crazy how all ten showers can be taken at the same time. Do you need to use it?”
“I think Gram is taking all of us to the spa today as my bachelorette party/bridal shower. I’m probably going to go use the shower there after my treatments.”
“Oh, well if that’s the case, I guess I’ll do the same. Can I hang out here with you for a while?”
“Of course.” I was only too happy to get to know more family members.
Laney sat on the couch and proceeded to tell me a fascinating story.
“Did you know that you and I were in Japan at the same time?”
“No way!” I answered, coming off the bed and sitting on the couch with her. “When were you there?”
“All last year. I participated in a student exchange program and did my sophomore year at Tokyo University.”
“Oh, I wish we had met earlier, Laney. We could’ve been friends in Japan. It was lonely living there without a friend. I took the bullet train many times into the city. What fun that was.” Memories of Tokyo flooded my mind.
“Jake was so frantic when you left for Japan. He was such a mess. He flew to Japan and we looked for you, but it was too difficult to figure out where you were staying. Eventually, he went back home, but called me daily asking me to help him find you. It makes me want to cry when I think about him searching for you. He was really devastated.” Her pretty face turned dour.
It made me want to cry as well. Those were not the happiest days, but I guess it solidified our feelings for each other. Those days also made me a stronger person knowing that I could live alone—lonely, but alone.
“So where exactly were you staying? I tried to help, but it was too random looking for you in every village.” Laney’s shoulders slightly shrugged and she looked apologetic.
We talked about where we lived in Japan and all the fun places we had visited. Not surprisingly, our paths crossed many times even in such a big country. Laney had even visited our village after I had left. I enjoyed my talk with her.
Spa time provided more revelations about Jake during our separation. Gram treated all the ladies to a full day at the spa. Because of the enormity of our group, the spa separated us into three groups of six. Mom and the aunts chaperoned Gram through all of their treatments. Jane, Sarah, Laney, and I hung with Uncle Billy’s two daughters. We started with a body wrap in the mud room, and ended with a Shiatsu massage before meeting up with our group for lunch.
We sat in our private patio and Aunt Barbara asked Gram the question that apparently was on everyone’s mind.
“Estelle,” Barbara spoke. It never occurred to me that Gram had a name. “What finally convinced you to give up your most treasured ring? I thought you weren’t going to let go of it till you passed away. We were all curious as to who it would be passed down to, although we figured it would be Sandy.”
I never realized the importance of this ring to the family. Envy was not the motive for their curiosity, as each aunt could purchase one for herself if she so desired.
“This ring does mean a lot to me. My father bought it for my mother as a present after she had me, her firstborn. My dad loved my mother more than all nine of us combined. All I remember from my youth till the day my parents died was how they put each other high above everything and everyone else. When Jakey first told me about Emily, I thought it was a passing phase. He spoke so ardently about a girl he’d just met. Then when Emily left for Japan, I’d never seen Jake so distraught. I had dinner with him in Paris in February and he grieved for this girl who was alone in the world. He believed it was entirely his fault that she had left. There was nothing anyone could do to comfort him. That was when I knew he truly loved her and would do anything to be with her again.”
Sandy put her hand over mine, knowing how sad I was hearing about Jake’s pain.
“Eventually, he found her, and she breathed life back into my grandson. He came to see me before proposing to Emily in Paris, and he told me about every date they’d ever had. More than any of my own children, Jakey’s love for Emily reminded me of my dad and my beloved husband. His love for a girl he’s known less than a year was more passionate than any I have seen. He didn’t ask me for the ring. I offered the ring to him. His passion earned him the ring, not his pleading.”
Gram looked at me and lovingly encouraged, “You and Jake are perfect for each other. You complement each other well. Love him as much as he loves you, and you two will live a happy life together.”
“Thank you, Gram. We will work hard to live up to your parents’ legacy.”
After ordering every treatment on the menu, we all had a light dinner and went home. I was sure there were many missed calls from Jake, but my phone got confiscated by Aunt Deborah early in the day, so I had no way of communicating with my groom. As soon as I got to our room, I texted Jake, hoping he could get away to call me.
Just got home. If you are able, call directly to our room. Missed you very much. Can’t wait to become Mrs. Reid. Love you even more.
As soon as I pushed the send button, the phone rang immediately.
“Hi, Honey. How was your day?”
“Hi, Beautiful. I had a fun but lonesome day today without you.”
“Where are you and what did you do all day?” I too felt alone.
“We’re about an hour north of home and we’re up at someone’s ranch, pheasant, quail, and chukar hunting. I shot a Reid record ten, beating the chief’s old record by two.” Haughty was not a word I associated with Jake, but he always enjoyed beating Uncle Henry.
“That’s great but what’s a chukar?”
“It’s a type of bird in the pheasant family. What did you do all day, my love?”
“We
went to the spa and enjoyed every treatment thanks to Gram, but I really missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
As soon as he let these words out, I heard many unfamiliar voices making fun of my fiancé.
“Who are all those people in the background?”
“My college and med school buddies along with the rest of the family. You’ll meet them tomorrow.”
“When do you get back home?”
“I think we’re spending the night up here and then we have appointments at the spa tomorrow. I don’t exactly know. No one will give me a clear answer for fear that I may bolt on them. They’re all seeking revenge because I gave you diamonds for your wedding present.”
“Oh, I see. What would they do if I came to see you?” It was a tempting thought to drive over and see my soon to be husband.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Jane is guarding your door right now.” We both laughed. “I guess I’ll see you at the wedding.”
“Yes, you will, Dr. Reid.”
“Good night, my love. Sweet dreams.”
“I love you. Good night.”