Destined by Patricia Haley

Author:Patricia Haley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2010-11-05T16:00:00+00:00

chapter

38

Sherry entered the dining room clutching Joel’s arm. Vibrant colors and culture oozed from each corner of the room. “My goodness, I didn’t expect this many people,” Sherry whispered to Joel. His lack of enthusiasm about the marriage hadn’t prepared her for the gravity of the event.

“I didn’t know, either,” Joel said.

Realization was setting in with Sherry. Joel’s decision was big. She felt out of sorts among the crowd of foreigners with whom she shared little, starting with their clothing. Joel’s suit was top of the line at home but appeared inappropriate at the Bengalis’. Sherry couldn’t find a source of contentment. Releasing her son, his future, and their family’s legacy to people she didn’t know made Sherry light-headed.

A man approached Joel and took him to the side. Sherry stood idle, appearing to be gazing into her cosmetic mirror. Thank goodness Joel wasn’t gone long. “What did he want?” Sherry asked.

“He gave me a quick overview of what’s going to happen during the engagement process.” Joel must have sensed her concern and stopped her before a word of warning was uttered. “Don’t think about telling me to turn around,” he said. “The deal is done. The contracts are signed. This is it, so let’s go,” he told her.

A woman approached as they entered the dining room, wearing a purple Indian garment heavily laced with gold accents and a lace veil hanging from head to waist. It didn’t cover her face, causing the small decorative jewelry on her forehead to stand out. The woman ushered Sherry and Joel to a slightly raised platform where Mr. Bengali and his daughter were sitting. There were two seats next to Zarah, where they were instructed to sit. Joel sat next to Zarah after greeting Musar. Sherry sat on the other side of Joel. It felt like being in a fishbowl. If this was the engagement, she couldn’t comprehend enduring three days of wedding festivities.

Sherry leaned toward Joel. “I have to admit, she is lovely. I saw her in Detroit that one time, but I didn’t realize how gorgeous she is.”

“Uh-hmm,” he responded.

Sherry understood how limited he was in his ability to respond, sitting that close to Zarah. After a few words from Mr. Bengali and the official engagement proposal from Joel, dinner was served. Sherry wanted to close her eyes and wake up in Detroit, wishing she’d somehow gotten locked into an awkward dream. The evening was ending but she had a feeling Joel’s troubles were only beginning. It was to be expected when marriages were done under the wrong set of circumstances, she thought from experience.

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