Going to the Chapel

By Joshlyn Racherbaumer

Family is forever. Joy, Jenna, Sofie and Kassie — the Schurman Survivors— have spent countless summers under the stars. They ache at the memories of sticky cherry popsicles, heartfelt entries in their treasured journal and their beloved Papa at the center of it all. As they map out their path through seemingly impossible adult lives, they find the distance between them has created a void unable to be filled by anything else.

When the ultimate tragedy occurs, weeks before Joy’s wedding of a lifetime, their frayed ends must figure out a way to intertwine once more. Kassie having drifted to the mountains, Sofie roaming through Italy and Jenna overcoming a painful divorce, Joy will do her best to bring the little pieces of her soul back to her. With Papa’s wisdom tucked in their pocket, they struggle to make their way back home and into the lives they were always destined to live.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
• Release date: Oct 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781682999899

Book preview

Summer 1994

The porch swing creaked loudly under its heavy load. Squished in tight, but rather comfortably, sat four freckle-faced cousins slurping on cherry popsicles. Freshly polished tiptoes tapped the concrete pushing them one inch higher and their sunburns cooled in the breeze. Jenna, the oldest, leaned her head back and Sofie nestled onto her shoulder. It had been a quiet day on the water, the only priority sun tans. Papa had teased saying at least one of the girls needed to take the ski boat out, but Grandma came to the rescue.

Papa, don't push the girls. This is their vacation.

He only grinned and snuck a few cookies from the glass jar before heading down to check his fishing lines.

Their parents had dropped them off at the lake a mere three days prior. This year was different. They were young ladies now with makeup hidden in their suitcases. Kassie, Sofie and Joy were each a mature ten years old and Jenna was almost twelve. They knew they were lucky to be so close in age. Their parents reminded them of it all the time.

Come on, let's head down to the water. Papa said some really neat things washed up this afternoon. If we are lucky, well, do I even have to say it? asked Sofie.

Yeah, yeah….we get it. You are going to find a treasure and get rich, muttered Kassie, glancing sideways at Joy.

They scooted off the swing, slipped into their sandals and headed to the water's edge. Gleaming auburn bursts stretched across the darkening water. The boat dock settled into the heavy waves from passing pontoon and speedboats, moaning under its weight. Kassie plopped down onto the pebbled beach and began drawing hearts in the sand. Sofie combed the tide with eagle precision and lowered to skim the water with a butterfly net. She did this every summer and the others wouldn't dare deprive her chance. They too, were praying for treasure, without having to do the work.

How do you think Papa wooed Grandma? Kassie wondered aloud.

Wooed? questioned Jenna. Where did you get that word?

It is romantic, don't you think? The idea of wooing someone. Times were so different back then. Men would seek out the loveliest and most beautiful girl in town, bring her flowers and shout up sweet nothings into the night at her window, Kassie pretended to swoon.

Where do you come up with this stuff? asked Jenna. Too many movies.

Joy, you agree, don't you? Wooing has to come back in fashion. In fact, I'm gonna bring it back!

Joy nodded agreeably at Kassie, dipped her toes into the water and noticed her silver toe ring. Sure, Kas, whatever you say.

When the last ray of light had finally faded into the evening stars, they reluctantly made their way upstairs to dinner. Grandma had a steaming bar-b-que brisket in the middle of the paisley table cloth, surrounded by warm bread, a tossed salad and twice baked potatoes. Their stomachs growled in unison from hours in the sunshine. Papa patted each of their heads when they passed him by, saying their names aloud like he was calling roll, Jenna-Babe, Kassie-Babe, Sofie-Babe and Joy-Babe. All of my favorite girls.

Even then, they knew he was the one thing they would never grow out of. Settling into his seat, he reached for Kassie and Joy's small, waiting hands, and closed his eyes to pray.

My dear Lord, how you have blessed me. My heart cannot love any more than what you have granted it. I thank you for my favorite girls gathered around this table and your gift of believing that our family is the one constant. Amen.

He burst to life with a clap of his hands, Let's eat! And thaaank you, Grandma, ushering the girls, who precisely followed suit.

Thank you, Grandma! they replied sweetly.

* * * *

That night, still with wet hair from the shower, all four girls lay on their sides one after another in a row. The queen size bed left only an inch on each side of Sofie and Jenna, who were luckily on the edge.

Why don't you girls sleep in separate beds? We have a pull out in the couch in the living room, asked Grandma.

They inched further down into the bed. The sheets smelled of fresh laundry and the patched cotton quilt tucked neatly under their chins.

We like it, Grandma. We never get to see each other; you know? said Sofie.

Grandma smiled and patted their feet. All right then. Good night.

She flicked the light switch off and the room settled into darkness. The moonlight poured through the bedroom window and cast a soft glow on the edge of the old wooden sleigh bed. The house quieted, nestling in around them. The grandfather clock dinged gently in the living room.

Hey Joy-Babe? whispered Kassie.

Yeah?

Do you think we will come here every summer for the rest of our lives? Kassie shifted down from the top of her pillow and rubbed her cheeks against the cool sheets.

Don't be silly, piped Jenna. This is our home. Like Papa says, no one can take that from us.

Yeah, but our parents hardly come here anymore. And what about when Grandma and Papa die? Ever think about that?

Sofie sighed loudly. Come on Kas, you are being ridiculous now. They're going to live long enough to meet my grandchildren!

Joy snickered. That would make Papa live to be like a hundred and ten years old. She rolled flat on her back, forcing her cousins to the very edge of the bed. They shoved her back, but she didn't budge. Staring at the ceiling, she felt tears brim to the corners. She swallowed hard and whispered quietly, All we can do is pray. Miracles happen every day, right?

Right. Kassie nodded. And is he is the closest thing to a miracle I know. Goodnight, my cousins.

Night.

Night.

Sweet dreams.

* * * *

Before the sun rose the smell of crackling bacon in the iron skillet wafted through the lake house and into their sleepy dreams. The chairs moved in the kitchen and squeaked against the linoleum floor, causing them to stir. Papa peeked into the dimly lit bedroom. Quietly, he snuck toward their feet protruding from the edge of the quilt. One by one, he went down the row tickling with his feather duster. Joy squealed first and practically knocked Sofie off of the bed. They pulled their feet in toward them and Papa floated the edge of the blanket high toward the ceiling, chuckling. They tried to slide toward the headboard, fighting and climbing behind one another, but he kept on, moving toward the right side of the bed to get a better reach.

Jenna reached blindly for her plastic blue glasses and tumbled to the floor. Papa laughed heartily and scooped her up. Sofie took this chance to leap on his back, pulling both Jenna and Papa onto the bed. With sleep in their eyes and wild bedridden hair, all four girls leapt on top of him. They tickled his cheeks, his arms and his ankles.

Okay, okay, I give! wailed Papa. You win…I won't do it again!

Yeah right, grinned Kassie, putting her hands on her hips. You say that every morning!

Well, it's the only way I know how to get you out of bed, he said and smiled mischievously, slid from the bed and smoothed his jet black, combed over hair. He tucked his white polo shirt with a navy stripe across the top, into his trousers. If I didn't bother, you would sleep until noon.

We need our beauty sleep, Papa, said Sofie matter-of-factly.

Papa bent to kiss her strawberry blonde hair. Gently, he patted the rest on the head and grinned, How could you possibly be any more beautiful than you already are? Now go on, get cleaned up for breakfast.

* * * *

After breakfast, Joy slipped from the group to take her turn writing in the journal. It had been her idea. She claimed they needed a record of such an important summer. Joy was to write her entry in the morning, Kassie after lunch, Sofie before supper and Jenna before bed.

One day this will mean so much to us, so don't write anything silly, she warned revealing the dark blue journal with the word Schurman Survivors-1994 written in white bubble letters. Their eyes widened at the importance of her words.

What should we write about? Sofie asked, reaching for the journal.

Anything you want! Tell how you feel, what you are thinking….secrets! Joy clapped her hands. I know this is going to be the best summer ever!

In the back bedroom, Joy pulled the journal from under their pillows on the bed. She chose carefully from the various colored gel pens. The colors had to reflect your mood, she had instructed. Orange = happy, Purple = lonely, Blue = sad and Pink = in love.

Orange, she said aloud.

Reading yesterday's entry, she rolled her eyes. Jenna only said nice things about people. She wanted secrets!

She lowered the pen carefully and started to write.

July 15, 1994

First, I have to say, I miss my cat. I just know that Bunny is lost without me. Second, I have to say, if only I could bring Bunny, my parents, and Mr. Bear, my favorite stuffed animal here, then I would stay forever. This is my favorite place in the entire world. I love the way it smells like chocolate cake (Grandma's best dessert), Coke and the lake water. I will be so sad the day we leave-only five days from now. I don't know how to live without my cousins and I won't see them until Christmas! Yesterday, Kassie burned her skin so bad that we pulled leaves from the Aloe plant on the back porch, ripped them open and rubbed them on her cheeks. She didn't like it at first, but I know that magic medicine inside worked, because today she is nothing but tan and freckles. If only we could live here. Maybe I will ask? I am sure there are schools around here.

Love, Joy

P.S. Okay, one more person I want to move here-Jason from my math class.

Once she finished, she closed the journal, kissed it and slid it back into its hiding place. She stepped into her sandals and ran for the dock. Papa was teaching them the proper way to swing a fishing line, in his life jacket, white tennis shoes with socks and a fisherman hat. Joy smiled to herself. Why did he own a lake house if he couldn't swim?

Papa heaved his silver pole high over his head, checked behind him to make sure it was all clear and then heaved it toward the water. The thin fishing line whizzed through the air with a tiny, fake yellow worm on the end, hooked through its belly. Joy shaded her eyes from the bursting sun, watching it fly lower and lower until it thumped against the surface and sank into the deep green waters.

Sofie sat on the wooden dock bench rubbing suntan oil on her already deeply tanned skin. Jenna watched Papa with pride in her eyes and Kassie sat swinging her feet into the lake. It wasn't even ten in the morning and it was already blistering hot. The sky was fiercely blue, the air humid and sticky.

Papa, can I try? Joy bounded down the dock.

Well, why not? Papa turned and grinned. You only live once now, don't you?

Spring 2012

Joy

Joy leaned back in her stiff desk chair at work. It creaked when she leaned backward, creaked like the dock did in the rocking waters at the lake house. She leaned back again, repeating the sound, forcing the memory.

Damn it!

She stood, shoved the chair away from her and leaned against the window sill overseeing the parking lot. She swiped tears from her cheek angrily and stared blankly at people leaving for the day. What time was it? She spun around to her faintly ticking clock. Six o'clock already? How long had she been tilting in that chair?

Her phone buzzed to life. Chris, no doubt wondering where she was.

I'm on the way home, just got caught up in some reports, she hurriedly spoke into the phone.

Are you okay? his deep voice wondered with a hint of concern.

Yeah, yeah. Leaving now.

Well, be careful, you know we have to meet the Pastor in a half hour.

Okay, I'm coming. Love you.

Love you, babe.

She shut down her computer, flicked off the light and grabbed her purse.

Good night, she called out to the empty office and raced for her car.

Every traffic light imaginable was halted in the red position. She closed in on the bumper in front of her. They were barely moving. She wanted to scream. Every time she was running late, she got stuck behind someone without a care in the world.

Move out of the way! She pressed the horn angrily and flung herself against her seat. The older man in the car in front of her only peered at her in his rearview mirror. She pulled at the hair in her face and took a deep breath. Her anxiety was on high. It hadn't always been this way. She used to be on time everywhere she went. She used to have control. She was organized, had a plan. Now? Now nothing went her way.

Traffic lunged forward and she pressed the gas. At the next opportunity, she ripped from her lane almost grinding her car against his and zoomed past. She turned up the music. Turned it down. After another six miles of grinding her teeth, she pulled into her driveway and ran clumsily up the stairs to the inside of the house.

Chris was standing in the kitchen. He chuckled at the sight of her in disarray.

Well, aren't we in a hurry? He took a sip of his sweetened tea.

Why didn't you shave? You look….I don't know…like you don't care! she burst out.

Whoa now. Don't you worry your pretty little self over my facial scruff. I would be worried about your hair if I were you. He laughed and reached a hand to smooth it from her face. She slapped his hand angrily.

Why don't we try this conversation again after you have changed? He rolled his eyes and took another sip.

She stormed past him up the stairs and tripped over Dexter's bone. With a shrill scream, she kicked the bone down the remaining steps and slammed her door.

A few moments later, she emerged wearing a black and white striped halter dress, black ballet flats and a fresh coat of lip gloss. Chris grinned at the sight of her.

Better? he teased.

Can we just go? She flung her purse over her shoulder.

His smiled disappeared. Sure. You look beautiful, by the way.

She turned to him. His blue eyes were bright against his sun-stained cheeks. He looked innocent and endearing.

Thanks. I…

He hushed her and kissed her forehead.

You don't have to say a word.

* * * *

The car ride was silent, other than the faint radio. She needed quiet. She needed peace. She leaned back against the head rest and listened to the sound of the DJ talk of the weather.

Sunny and upper 60s.

This is perfect St. Louis weather. Make the best of it.

Chris tapped his thumbs on the steering wheel to the beat in his head. They pulled into the towering Presbyterian Church overlooking open fields of budding corn. She admired the blossoming tulips around the main entrance and the way the sun was setting through the trees. It truly was a