Dragged to the Wedding(24)
Lights came on inside, and Daniel turned to the left, practically taking a step back. He shared a moment with James; he couldn’t see Holly wanting to get married here. The back of the sanctuary was a wall of glass, and beyond that was a huge open space, more like a theater than a church. The urge to say something naughty crossed his mind. The altar sat on what looked more like a stage than anything else, and to one side stood a platform nearly eight feet high with a glass lectern and microphone. “Someone really likes to be the center of attention, don’t they?” Daniel whispered to James. “I could do one hell of a show in this place.”
James snickered as the reverend swept dramatically down the aisle. “Howard, Holly, you’re just in time.” He smiled brightly, and a zing went up Daniel’s spine. Daniel understood what Holly meant the other day. That smile, the energy—all of it was designed to impress and be warm, but something was definitely off. Daniel couldn’t put his finger on exactly what it was.
“James, it’s good to see you again.” Instead of shaking his hand, Reverend Peterson drew James into an awkward hug. Daniel practically growled; it didn’t seem to him like the fake intimacy was welcome.
“Reverend, this is Daniella,” Holly said. “She’s James’s girlfriend and came with him to the wedding. They agreed to come along with Howard and me for moral support and because the two of us are a little overwhelmed right now.”
“Of course. We welcome as much family involvement in our wedding festivities as possible. I love to make these occasions as special as we can, with as much joy and energy as I can. Weddings are the most important day in a couple’s life. It’s the start of a grand journey, and I love that I can help you begin that...together.” He gestured down out of the sanctuary. “Please come to my office and we can go over the arrangements with all of you. Afterwards, I’ll take Holly and Howard’s testimony and prepare them for the blessing that is marriage.” Everything the reverend said was true, but it seemed verbose and ostentatious.
The reverend glided down the hallway. His movements were theatrical. Daniel stayed close to James, sharing silent glances. “Is this guy for real?” he mouthed to James.
“Drama queen,” James mouthed back, and Daniel chuckled silently, taking James’s arm.
They entered the room, and it was unlike any minister’s office he had ever seen. It appeared more like that of a CEO, with large windows, a conference table, and a large glass-topped desk that would have been at home on the pages of Architectural Digest. “Please take a seat at the table, I’ll be right with you.” No pictures hung on the walls, religious or otherwise. Diplomas were framed, larger than life, from prestigious universities, proclaiming the reverend’s credentials and achievements for all to see...and admire, Daniel was sure.
Reverend Peterson went to the desk, posing behind it before lifting a folder, drawing their attention. At first Daniel couldn’t understand why the reverend seemed taller, until he shifted slightly and Daniel realized that the floor was raised behind the desk in order to set him higher. That was bizarre. The reverend returned with the folder and sat down in the empty chair. “We made a little change to the program,” Howard said as he slid over a copy of the updated program for the service. “Somehow some of the songs were changed.”
The reverend slipped the program into the file, barely glancing at it.
“Reverend?” A soft knock followed.
“Yes, Bernice,” he said, standing. She spoke quietly and looked something like the Saturday Night Live church lady, complete with pinched expression. He approached her and spoke softly for a few seconds before turning back to them. “Excuse me just a few minutes.” He followed her away.
“See what I mean?” Holly whispered.
Daniel leaned forward, glancing at the door. “It’s all about him. Did you see that platform in there?”
Holly snickered. “He gets up there on Sunday mornings and lays down the word from on high. There’s no subtlety. It’s all about getting everyone worked up and ready to race out to do the lord’s work and the reverend’s bidding.” She pursed her lips. “The thing is, what he says isn’t right sometimes. It’s inflammatory and hate-filled.” She shivered. “Mama insisted that we use him. But I wanted to just have a friend perform the ceremony and leave the church out of it altogether.”
Howard leaned closer to her. “It’s okay. Once we’re married, we can live the lives that we want. We don’t have to go to church here, we can find a place where you and I both feel comfortable.” He held Holly’s hand. “We’re keeping your mother happy.” He shrugged.
James got up and looked around the office. When he stepped behind the desk, Daniel snickered. James was already tall, but he looked like André the Giant looming over that desk. James checked the bookshelves and pulled out his camera, taking a few pictures of the room, and then slowly sat back down. Damn the man was calm and cool. Daniel hadn’t been able to look away because confidence was sexy as all hell and James wore it as well as he did those thigh-hugging jeans.
“I’m sorry. There was a parishioner who needed my guidance.” The reverend lowered himself regally into the chair once more. Daniel had seen drag queens perch themselves on a throne with less drama. “Shall we review the meaning of marriage?” He proceeded to go over what marriage meant in great detail, drawing each of them into the conversation. Reverend Peterson was charismatic as the devil, explaining the meaning of the various parts of the service, asking questions.