Darren’s only response was a grunt.
Darius instantly realized his brother knew more than he was saying. “Look, Darren, if you know something, say it.”
“Nothing to say—I don’t know anything.”
“Then why did you say that?”
“Just messing with you. It was a joke. You’re too sensitive. Chill.”
Darius’s eyes narrowed. His brother was lying. “Darren, as my brother I would expect you to tell me if you saw something or even heard something about Liz while I was away.”
“Man, you’re overreacting.”
“Am I?”
“Look, I just called to see if you needed some help with the wedding stuff. Never mind.”
Darius listened as the phone went dead on the other end before turning off his own. Darren knew something. Something he was obviously hesitant to share. That short conversation was just enough to confirm Darius’s suspicions.
Before he could change his mind he leaned forward and knocked on the glass. “Instead, can you take me to 5682 Willard Avenue?”
The driver gave him a quick annoyed glance. “That’s thirty minutes in the opposite direction.”
“I know. I’ll make it worth your while.”
That seemed to appease the driver because as soon as he could find an appropriate place to turn around, he did, and headed back across town in the direction of Willard Avenue.
Thirty-five minutes later Darius was stepping out of the cab and paying the driver his fee and a fifty-dollar tip. The man nodded his satisfaction before pulling away.
Darius stood in the drive of the small family home belonging to the Donovans. Liz’s compact car was sitting in the drive right behind her father’s pickup truck.
He walked to the door and knocked. It was a warm June evening, so although he waited a few minutes and knocked again a couple of times, it was not an uncomfortable wait.
Finally, the door cracked partially and half a face topped with a couple of pink rollers appeared. “Darius? What are you doing here?”
“Evening, Mrs. Donovan. Sorry to disturb you so late. I was hoping to talk to Liz.”
Marian Donovan closed the door to remove the chain and opened it wide. “I’m sure she’s in bed already. Is something wrong?”
“Who is it, Marian?” A gruff male voice called from the top of the stairs.
“Sorry to wake you, Mr. Donovan, I was hoping to see Liz,” Darius called up the stairs.
The stairs creaked as the large man descended. “Darius? What’s wrong, son?”
Darius, starting to feel a little ridiculous for getting this couple out of their bed for nothing, tried to play down his concern. “No, nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to speak to Liz for a few moments, if it’s not too much trouble.”
They gave each other a strange look before Marian announced, “I’ll go wake her.”
“Thank you.” Darius called to her retreating back as she climbed the stairs.
“Come on in.” Will Donovan gestured to the living room. “Have a seat.”
The two men entered the small, cozily decorated room, and sat at opposite ends of the couch.
“You sure everything is okay, Darius?” Will asked, leaning forward to meet the younger man’s eyes.
Darius tried to smile reassuringly. “Yes, sir. It’s just that I haven’t been able to reach her by phone for a couple of days.” His smile widened to a grin. “Just want to make sure she hasn’t changed her mind.”
Will chuckled loudly. “Better not, considering the money me and her mama have spent on this little event.” He reached over and patted Darius’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, son. She’s probably just a little nervous. Perfectly natural.”
“Yes, sir.” Darius nodded obediently, and tried to tamp down his own concern as he watched Marian Donovan descend the stairs alone.
Her troubled eyes first went to her husband as both men stood to greet her. “She’s not in her room.”
Will frowned. “What do you mean she’s not in her room?” He crossed the floor and pulled back the curtains on the windows facing the front of the house. “There’s her car right there.”
“I know. She must’ve gone out with some girlfriends after we went to bed.” Darius did not miss the way his future mother-in-law avoided eye contact with him. “I guess she’s making the most of being a single woman.” Marian tried to laugh, but the sound sort of faded off in a squeak.
Will’s face was twisted in a harsh frown. “Without even leaving a note?” He crossed the room and grabbed the cordless phone from his base on a side table. He quickly dialed his daughter’s cell phone number.
Marian and Darius stood patiently, although Darius was feeling anything but patient. His earlier concern had deepened to an almost terrifying fear.
“Where the hell are you?” Will Donovan growled into the phone. “Call home as soon as you get this message, young lady!” He slammed the phone down on the base and flopped down in the chair next to the table. “Sorry, Darius. I don’t know what’s gotten into that girl lately. This is the third time she’s done this in the past couple of weeks.”
“Will!” Marian hissed.
He rolled his eyes at his wife and continued, unintimidated. “The man has a right to know, Marian.”
Marian crossed to stand between her husband and Darius. “It’s just regular wedding jitters, Darius. Everybody has them. I’m sure you’re nervous in your own way, as well.”
Darius tried to force a smile. “Yes, ma’am. I’m a little nervous. I’m going to head home.” He turned toward the front door, then paused and looked over his shoulder. “Could you call me and let me know when she makes it in? Just so I know she’s okay.”
Will simply nodded and Marian called out, “Of course we’ll call you. I’m sure she’s just out with some girlfriends.”
Or another man, Darius thought. But the worried expressions on both her parents’ face let him know he was not the only one thinking it.
Just before five, Darius was awakened by a phone call from a tired-sounding Marian announcing that Liz had finally made it home.
“Can I speak to her?” he asked.
“Um, Darius, maybe now is not a good time. She just had a big argument with her father and I just don’t think she’s…”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“Maybe you should just give her some time to herself. I really think she’s just nervous about Saturday.”
“Yeah, that’s probably it.”
“Okay, then, we’ll see you at the church on Saturday.”
But as he hung up the phone and laid back down, Darius realized he did not understand. Somehow, his well-planned-out life was becoming complicated; things were changing, and he did not understand at all.
Two days later, dressed in his sage-and-black tuxedo, Darius knocked on the door to the dressing room in the back of the church, and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. “Liz? You in there?”
In the distance he could hear a piano solo of Jeffrey Osborne’s “On the Wings of Love” coming from the sanctuary. One of Liz’s friends, a bridesmaid, Kelly, hurried toward him down the hall, her sage-green gown lifted