Chapter 3 - Old Friends, New Troubles

Lee approached Rachael from behind before remembering that sneaking up on her was a bad idea. Lee had done it once before and had regretted it. She had spun and taken him down, her forearm on his neck, her body on top of his. Lee had stuttered a quick "Hi, Red. Nice move." Then they had both frozen there looking into each other's faces, awkwardly reacting to the simmering connection that was both unexpected and not an option at the time. Only JimBob bursting through the door and pointedly asking "Am I interrupting something? "If so, I could leave," brought them out of the moment. Rachael abruptly let Lee up and stuttered something about Lee making the mistake of sneaking up on her.

Nothing like that had ever happened between them again. It was the only moment of their friendship when Lee had felt there could possibly be something there but for the impossible obstacles, or at least the only moment when he indulged the thought. Anyway, Rachael wasn't really his type. He usually favored the very feminine ones, preferably tall and leggy. Rachael was medium height and a body builder; it was one of the few ways to keep the strength O.N.I. work often required.

Lee looked over Rachael for obvious injuries, but saw none. Just a fine looking pair of calves underneath that dress skirt. Rachael in a skirt. That was a first. Lee caught the side view. Shapely. She'd always been that, but in a pumped up way. That was gone, replaced by a more natural figure. There were cosmetics too. Lee had never noticed her with more than a smear of lipstick. She was pretty, okay, she'd always been that too. He wasn't supposed to notice, so he hadn't. She was just one of them, closest to Roger. Many had speculated about that.

Rachael still hadn't caught sight of Lee. She was distracted by conversation with a woman that Lee guessed was the wedding planner. Lee broke in. "Pardon me for interrupting."

"Lee," Rachael said with a spark of enthusiasm that died away quickly. "I didn't know you were coming to this farce."

"I just learned of it this morning. Been at sea for six weeks. How are you?"

"Ducky. You?"

"No complaints."

"Eh hem, I need a response, Miss."

"Do whatever you think is best," Rachael huffed. "Someone just ought to stop this sorry sham." She looked near tears. "I'm sorry, Lee. I've got to get in position. I promised Roger that I'd hold together and I will. Catch you later."

"I look forward to it." Lee briefly grasped Rachael's hand. He then noticed the scar that wrapped around her wrist. His heart sank for her. Lee hurried back to his seat. The music seemed to be escalating toward the grand event.

Lee watched and waited. Another backfire startled everyone again, followed by yelling somewhere off to the rear right, probably a parking area for the caterer, Lee guessed. It ended as abruptly as it started. The music shifted again. Lee checked his watch. Showtime.

The groom's party was thin as Roger had warned. Lee recognized Brian McDowell, who walked a bridesmaid down the aisle then split off to sit on the groom's side. There were six more men seated in the groom's section none of whom Lee knew, although one looked vaguely familiar.

Rachael walked Roger down the aisle. He looked well. Happy too. Plastered on happy, Lee thought, but Roger could do that expertly. He shot Lee an extra big smile as he acknowledged Lee's presence. Lee responded in kind. Roger and Rachael took their positions.

The bridal party followed. It was large, at least in number. All the women were California fit or skinny even. Melanie's parents were impeccable and beamed. Melanie's dress was a predictable knockout. So was she. Not bad for a barracuda. Lee found himself missing Chip. He wanted someone to share the running commentary with, but instead let it roll inside his head.

The ceremony began. An interminable full mass, Lee realized. Thanks to the morning rain, Lee's whites certainly would be grass stained by the end. He should have gone with a dark tux. Lee watched and listened, trying hard to not drift off during the long and boring mass. His focus continually returned to Rachael. Lee wondered what had happened to her, how she really was. During the ceremony she hadn't bothered to fake happiness. Instead, she had assumed an emotionally neutral military pose that Lee knew well.

Roger, on the other hand, kept that broad smile on his face. Lee wondered what he was thinking about. Roger had been very helpful to Lee during O.N.I. training, particularly in mastering the art of putting on a face. Lee wondered why Roger might need those talents on his wedding day. Rachael had given him cause to think about it calling the event a farce and a sham. Lee also had to admit that he'd thought it himself on first hearing of the wedding.

As the priest droned on in Latin, another backfire occurred startling everyone. After initially jumping at the sound, Lee welcomed the distraction and the shouting that briefly followed it. Lee noticed that Rachael seemed amused by it too. The priest, however, was barely put off his game and had only extended a word or two in Latin through the distraction. Then he indicated for Melanie and Roger to rise (and the rest too, although the backfire had made that happen independently for many). A little more shouting in the background only added to the theatre, causing heads to briefly turn and look. Quiet again. The ring ceremony at last.

A few words were said about Melanie. While all eyes were peeled on the lovely bride, yet another backfire punctuated the proceedings. Most everyone startled again, turning back towards the rear right again, although Lee instinctually felt that the noise seemed louder and closer this time. His eyes quickly returned to the ceremony. This time the priest had continued speaking, barely faltering in his words, at least until Melanie moaned. A red spot burgeoned on the white silk fabric just above her left breast. She swooned. Roger caught her in his arms.