A May-September Wedding

By Bill Sanderson

Shortly after thirty-five year old Phyllida Schuyler lost her husband in a car accident, Brenda Richardson, her long-time best friend, next door neighbour and mentor, was diagnosed with cancer. Brenda makes her husband Cal promise to help Phyl out where he can and gets the same promise from Phyl. Cal's youngest daughter and Phyl's oldest are as close as sisters. This means that Cal and Phyl are together frequently.

With their pre-teen daughters praying and hoping, their friendship deepens to attraction and mutual respect. As they spend more time together they head slowly but surely toward love but there is a major problem – Cal has three children older than Phyl.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bill Sanderson
• Release date: Dec 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465999375

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A May-September Wedding

By Bill Sanderson

Copyright (c) 2011 William A. Sanderson

Smashwords Edition

Copyright Notices

Copyright (c) 2011, William A. Sanderson, all rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover photograph, Into the Sunset, copyright (c) 2011 by Hassan Rishwan Jalyl, used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. The cover may be copied, distributed, transmitted or modified under the same terms provided that the work is attributed to the copyright holder, Hassan Rishwan Jalyl, and that any work resulting from the modification, alteration or transformation is licensed for use under the same or similar license.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One – May

Chapter Two – June

Chapter Three – July

Chapter Four – August

Chapter Five- September

Chapter Six – October

Chapter Seven – November

Chapter Eight – December

Chapter Nine – January

Chapter Ten – February

Chapter Eleven – March

Chapter Twelve – April

Chapter Thirteen – May

Chapter Fourteen – June

Chapter Fifteen – July

Chapter Sixteen – August

Chapter Seventeen – September

Chapter Eighteen – October

Chapter Nineteen – November

Chapter Twenty – December

Epilogue – Family Camp

Copyright Notices

About the Author

Books by Bill Sanderson

Coming Soon

Prologue

Thirteen years ago - the friends meet.

Brenda Richardson looked through the window at the moving van across the street. Cal, you and Jeremy should help them.

Cal paused his reading. He spotted a young pregnant woman struggling with a crate. Let’s go, Jeremy.

Aw, Dad…

Cal stuck out his hand. Cal Richardson. Need some help?

Harry Schuyler. He glanced at his wife, Phyllida. Yes. I’d love some help.

Phyl glared as Jeremy grabbed the box. Brenda said, I’m Brenda. Don’t mind Jeremy.

I’m Phyl. She finally looked at the grey haired woman. You’re pregnant, too.

Brenda smiled. Then we’ll have something to talk about, neighbour.

The daughters are born

Cal stepped sideways to avoid spilling the coffee. Harry looked up, said sorry, then did a double take. Cal?

Cal straightened and looked at the rapturous expression on his neighbour’s face. Harry? I thought Phyl wasn’t due until next week.

Well, Lydia had other plans. Harry took in the awestruck expression on Cal’s face. How’s Brenda?

Mother and baby are doing fine, Harry. We called her Felicity.

When was she born?

Yesterday evening at seven-twenty-two.

You’re kidding. Lydia was born at the exact same time.

Well, Brenda’s in 4A068. And she’s counting on this coffee.

Harry laughed. Phyl’s there, too.

The daughters are baptized

Name this child. The priest held a quiescent Lydia in his arms.

Lydia Gertrude

Lydia Gertrude. I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He handed a whimpering Lydia back to Harry and took Felicity from Brenda.

Name this child.

Felicity Ramona.

The priest said the words of baptism as he poured the cold water over her head. Felicity squirmed and wailed as her head was dried.

There were two more babies baptized the same day and that part of the service finished with, We welcome you into the body of Christ.

The first emergency

Phyllida stood on the porch knocking franticly.

Brenda answered the door. Taking in the panicked look on Phyl’s face she invited her into the house.

What’s wrong?

Phyl pointed at the infant seat and said, She’s burning up and the car won’t start. Harry’s travelling again.

Brenda held her palm to Lydia’s forehead and asked, Have you given her any medicine?

Yes, but the fever isn’t going down.

Probably an ear infection. Let me get Felicity and we’ll go to CHEO.

Brenda waited calmly with Phyl, remembering many panicked visits to hospitals. Lydia’s ear infection subsided before they got home.

The second birthday

Brenda sighed as she surveyed the remnants of the two birthday cakes with the two candles. Felicity had white icing and cake crumbs mashed into her curly brown hair. Lydia had chocolate icing on her nose and cheeks contrasting with the fine blonde hair falling over her face.

A noticeably pregnant Phyl was busy with a camera recording the event for posterity while the girls giggled like mad and the grandparents watched fondly.

Picking up a damp cloth, a smiling Brenda proceeded to wash the giggling girls’ faces, getting smears of white and brown icing all over her red blouse.

The anniversary party

A toast to Cal and Brenda. Harry raised his glass. To twenty-five more years.

The guests raised their glasses. To Cal and Brenda.

The happy couple stood under a banner that read ‘Happy 25th Anniversary’ and kissed while David took pictures.

Phyl snuggled into her husband. Harry looked at his wife. It’s been a good four years, Mrs. Schuyler. Think we can make twenty-five, too? She kissed him.

The punch bowl fell off the table with a wet crash.

Lydia said, Oops.

Felicity began, I was just trying to get a cookie…

Brenda and Phyl said, simultaneously, Girls, don’t move.

The last first day of school

Brenda had her hand on Felicity’s chest as they watched the school bus approach the stop. She could feel her daughter’s heart thumping with excitement but she felt like a phase of her life was ending.

Phyl held Lydia’s hand while rocking Timmy’s stroller.

The girls jostled a bit, but as usual Felicity the brave went slightly ahead of Lydia the prudent. They climbed the stairs into the bus and waved from their seats.

Phyl noticed a tear forming at the corner of Brenda’s right eye and the sad expression she wore. Would you like to come over for coffee?

A day at Mooney's Bay beach

Phyl watched fondly as Harry and Cal tried to teach the girls to swim. The day was perfect: twenty-four degrees, a light breeze, scudding clouds that gave occasional cool shadows, and sun warmed water. She and Brenda were sitting with Tim and Eric, Brenda’s oldest grandchild, while Eric’s parents went for a child-free walk.

She looked wistfully at Brenda’s newest granddaughter Jean in the bassinet next to them. She and Harry had agreed that two children were enough, but she wasn’t entirely happy with it. Then she looked again at her handsome husband playing with Lydia and banished the thought.

Male bonding rituals

Cal watched the sun sink into the trees on the west side of Wolf Lake, glad that Harry had talked him into the canoe trip despite feeling each of his fifty years.

Let me see, he thought, watching the glory of a sunset and the quiet emergence of God’s star strewn heavens or spending the evening trying to sleep while Felicity and Lydia have a ‘sleepover’ with ten of their girlfriends from school?

He looked over to where Harry and Tim were roasting marshmallows over the campfire then up to see the first star emerge from the purple firmament.

No contest.

A thirtieth birthday party

Well, you don’t look over the hill. Cal flirted with his pretty neighbour as she opened another teasing birthday card for her thirtieth birthday.

Phyl stuck out her tongue at him. This from the man who complains about being too old to sleep on the ground.

Brenda said, Don’t listen to the old man, Phyl. I think he’s buttering you up so that you’ll take Felicity for the weekend so that he can have some alone time with me.

Phyl watched her best friends banter and then smiled at Harry hoping that they would be like that in twenty years.

An evening with good friends

Phyl enjoyed the polished grace of Cal’s muscular frame as he guided her around the dance floor for the sixth time that evening. I’m glad Harry’s not the jealous type.

Cal winked. Well, you dance so beautifully. Brenda tries, but…

Phyl laughed. And Harry can’t tell left from right.

The music stopped. They returned to their table. Brenda was laughing so hard there tears were rolling down her cheeks. Cal grinned. What’s so funny?

Harry grinned and said, She overheard someone say it was lovely that you would dance with your granddaughter.

Cal glowered. Phyl smirked. Brenda lost it, again.

Another birthday party

Thanks again Brenda. It’s hard to surprise Harry. They looked out Brenda’s kitchen window at the birthday crowd. You’ve been such great friends.

Does it still feel weird? Us being older than your parents?

Phyl hugged her best friend. Well, at first it was. But you guys never treated us like kids.

It felt a bit weird for me, too, at first, but since Felicity was born I have more in common with you than with my classmates from the high school reunion. They’re all stodgy.

Well, you’re only as old as you feel.

Thank you, friend.

A shared Christmas

They’re kissing again. Felicity complained to Lydia.

So are my Mum and Dad. That’s what mistletoe is for. Lydia was matter of fact.

But my parents are old.

So are mine.

I have a brother who’s older than your mother. I have two nephews that’re older than us. So your parents can’t be that old.

They watched as Cal and Brenda kissed. Harry cleared his throat and said, Hey, Granddad, there are kids present.

Blushing, they separated then returned to the sofa.

See, even your dad thinks it’s gross.

Lydia rolled her eyes. So why’s my Papa kissing Mum, hmm?

Chapter One - May

Cal dropped a handful of dirt onto Brenda’s casket. Through his tear filled eyes he watched as the children came forward to do the same.

Mark, the oldest, was stoic and unnaturally dry eyed. David, with tears streaming down his face, was trembling so hard he only managed a pinch of the dirt. Elaine, who should have known better than to wear mascara, took her time and said some quiet prayers before dropping her handful. Jeremy, in his Navy dress uniform with a black armband, performed his duty in a crisp fashion.

Felicity clung to her father. She whispered, Daddy, I can’t do it. Please don’t make me.

Cal’s face softened as he spoke to his baby girl. You don’t have to, sweetheart, but let’s step up and say good-bye. Can you do that?

She hugged her father ferociously then stepped back and said, I think so.

Hand in hand the two stepped up to the open grave. Cal said, softly, Good-bye, Brenda. See you in heaven.

Felicity managed to squeak out Bye, Mom, and dragged her father away from the grave before her tears could overtake her.

Cal looked up to see Phyl Schuyler, wearing a widow’s black veil, saying her goodbyes to her best friend. Another hundred or so people who knew Brenda from church or her volunteer work stepped forward to pay their last respects.

Father Gary came over to talk. Brenda was well loved, Cal. We’re all going to miss her.

Cal felt a small sense of closure beginning and wiped the tears from his face. I’m going to miss her terribly, Gary, I don’t know for sure what God’s judgement will be for her or for me, but I know that she believed and trusted in Jesus. So I believe that she’s in a much better place than we are and I couldn’t ask her to come back.

Felicity snuggled into her father and said, Do you really believe that, Dad?

Yes, my daughter, I truly believe that. He squeezed her shoulders. But it doesn’t make it any easier on us, does it? It’s going to hurt for a while. Cal scanned the small crowd of mourners again. His older children were gathered for mutual comfort as the people began to move back to the reception area near the chapel. Phyllida Schuyler was standing alone near the grave looking as if she was weeping.

Felicity, honey. Why don’t you go stand with Lydia or Elaine for a moment? I think I need to speak with Lydia’s mum. Cal excused himself then walked over to Phyl and stood in silence next to her for a moment before speaking.

This must be hard for you, too.

Phyl turned into Cal and threw her arms around his chest. She began to bawl.

Cal stood there patting her back and let Phyl cry for a while. There were a few raised eyebrows from the people who were left, but Cal didn’t care. Cal looked past the open grave to the fresh mound with the new headstone that read, ‘Harald Cornelius Schuyler’.

Phyl eventually regained control and stood up, mildly embarrassed. I don’t know what got into me, Cal, but thank you.

It’s been an awful year for you. It’s the least I can do.

I thought I could get through today without losing it. She dabbed at her eyes under the widow’s veil. But you’re right, it’s been horrible. First Dad's heart attack, then Mum's cancer, then Brenda’s cancer, and H-Harry… She took two deep breaths and turned to walk toward her children. She was my best friend, Cal. I think I might have been closer to her than Harry what with all of his business travel. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Harry dearly but I spent more time with Brenda.

She was my best friend, Phyl. And I miss Harry, too. Cal walked slowly beside her toward their twelve year old daughters. If you need anything, you let me know. Brenda made me promise to help you out where I could. She said you'd need my help.

Phyl looked at Cal gratefully. She would say that wouldn’t she?

Yes. Thank you for visiting her in the hospital during the day.

She wouldn’t let me talk about her problems at all. Even the day before she died she wanted to know if I was holding up okay. Phyl smiled through her tears. She made me promise to help you out, too, with Felicity. And she was worried about Tim now that Harry’s gone.

Phyl felt the mix of anger and grief that she hadn’t come to terms with. I’m still having a hard time forgiving Harry. I told him to stay an extra day in North Bay to avoid the freezing rain. I told him that Lydia would understand. But, no, he had to try to get home.

Cal had heard this rant from Phyl before. Despite all of the advisories, Harry tried to get home to see the play that Lydia and Felicity were in. Harry’s car was found overturned in a ditch at the bottom of a long downhill section of the TransCanada twelve kilometres east of Mattawa.

Harry’s body was already cold by the time the salt truck driver found him. A policeman was waiting on the Schuyler’s doorstep with the bad news when the six of them returned from the play.

The following day Brenda’s doctor called to let her know about the results of the biopsy: advanced ovarian cancer. The play was the last public event that Brenda went to.

Brenda cried on Cal’s shoulder for about ten minutes then, in her organized and efficient way, called her lawyer to review her will and started making a list of all of the things that she needed to do to prepare for an orderly death.

Phyl’s voice broke into Cal’s reverie. Are you okay?

It still seems very sudden. We had that great Christmas party and then she started to get the pain in her abdomen. They did the biopsy in February and we found out about it…

I know. It was the day after Harry died.

Then she spent the rest of March tidying up her affairs. And here we are, not quite Victoria Day, and she’s gone. It was so fast.

Phyl sniffled. We’ve done so much together since Harry and I moved across the street from you two. I was expecting that sometime around our fortieth anniversary Harry and I would be mourning Brenda as she was laid to rest next to you.

But instead she’s laid to rest next to Harry.

The whole crowd of mourners had been moving slowly from the grave site to the parking lot several hundred meters away. Mark came up to his father. We have to be on our way now, Dad.

Cal hugged his son then did the same with Vivian and the three grandchildren. Have a safe drive back to Moncton, Mark.

I wish I could stay longer.

I’m still working, too, Mark. I know what you’re going through. At least you got some time off. I wasn’t able to make it to my mother’s funeral because they wouldn't find anyone to go to Korea to replace me. I found another job pretty soon after that.

Okay, Dad. I’ll call when we get home and let you know we’re safe.

Do that.

Elaine was next. Dad? Are you sure you don’t need anything?

Do you think your Mom would leave me without making sure the pantry was full or without a casserole in the freezer? Cal tried to make light for his grieving daughter.

Despite herself, Elaine snickered. No, Dad. I guess not. She threw her arms around her father. I’m going to miss her so much. She stepped back. She told me not to marry Colin. She said he’d run out on me as soon as things got tough and she was right. She looked through tears at her father. I’m going to miss her advice.

Cal brushed a tear away from Elaine's cheek. I’m going to miss her, too, Elli.

Elaine’s husband Brian came forward. Do you want to go to the reception or home, sweetie?

Do you need me, Dad? She asked uncertainly.

Always. But I think you should do what you need to. I can handle the reception if you aren’t up for it. Cal said seriously.

Then I think I’ll go home and play with Emily. Elaine looked nervously at Phyl. I was sorry to hear about Harry.

Phyl pasted on a polite smile. Thank you.

They continued walking toward the building with the chapel. Phyl spoke first. Elaine’s always been uncomfortable around me, hasn’t she?

Cal gave a wry smile. Her first marriage was the same year as yours and Harry’s, but you’re her Mom’s best friend and she always felt jealous that you and Brenda spoke so often. She and Brenda butted heads more than talking through most of the two years leading up to her disaster of a marriage to Colin. They didn’t speak for almost five years after she married him.

But she has Brian now.

Yes, she does, thank God for his mercy. But she’s still uncomfortable around you.

My parents weren’t very comfortable with Brenda after they met her. I must have talked about her for a year before they finally met at the baptism. They were really shocked to find out they were younger than you.

They were pretty dismissive about us having another baby so late in life. Your mother actually said, 'But how will you be able to enjoy your retirement?' to Brenda. Then Brenda got that funny look that always told me that I should choose my next words as if my life depended on it.

Phyl snorted. And yet Mum and Dad didn't get to enjoy their retirement either. Cal glanced sympathetically at his neighbour.

Jeremy came over. Hi Dad. Hi Phyl. Dad, I just wanted to let you know that we’ll be staying until the very end, so if you wanted to head home early, just say the word.

I have enough room for you and Felicity if you want a ride, Cal, Phyl offered. I can stay until you’re ready to go, even if that’s until everyone leaves.

Cal nodded and said, That would be kind, Phyl. It would save David from going out of his way. Thank you. Turning to Jeremy, he said, I think I'll be staying until the end as well. Brenda would have expected it and I don't want to disappoint her. He