Standing at the altar (cont’d)

“Stop it now” the old woman screamed. The whole congregation turned to face her. She walked briskly along the pews to the front of the church. Irene and her groom Brian stood aghast in shock. All sorts of crazy thoughts went through Irene’s mind; who is this woman? Is she crazy? Does she know that I am getting married here? What does she want; she can’t exactly be Brian’s ex wife. Or could she? But she is old. Oh my God. This is terrible! At the same time, Brian’s mind was circling along all his memories, past girlfriends, their mothers. This woman’s face was certainly absent from his registers. She is an impostor… maybe a beggar who thinks she can get a penny from creating unnecessary drama. “What is the meaning of this?” a previously calm pastor screamed. By now the old woman was crying hysterically. She looked at the bride and seemed to be at a loss of words. “Why would you marry them?” she asked, turning to the pastor… “Oh my God?” Irene shouted and dropped in a faint. Brian rushed to hold her just before hitting the floor. The church exclaimed and suddenly uncontrolled movements and screams could be heard from all the corners of the church. “Is she dead?” Someone screamed from the back of the church. “Take her to the pastor’s room? Please. Now,” a woman advised. Brian, tears streaming down his face, was frantically trying calling upon Irene to wake up. A woman claiming to be a doctor ushered everyone out as she explained the need for Irene to have fresh air. “Clear out the church?” shouted Irene’s mother. The guests started to stream out. “Surely there won’t be a wedding here?” a woman wondered aloud. With help of the maids, Brian carried his weak bride to the pastor’s office hoping that she would awake anytime soon. “Irene my child, please wake up!” the old woman could be heard whispering. “My child! What does she mean?” asked Irene’s mother. Then it all came streaming back to her. “Could this be the woman who dumped baby Irene at my door step that cold December morning nearly 25 years ago?” Irene’s mother wondered. A cold shiver went down her spine.Voices, different voices were all Irene could hear when she came to. She opened her eyes and focussed on her grieving husband. “Why is Brian crying?” she wondered. She looked around the room and saw her. The old woman, her wedding disaster was so real unlike she wished to believe. So it’s all true. It is not a dream. Then she saw her maids and her beautiful wedding dress, and then she suddenly screamed, “Oh my God, this is real? Someone, please, explain to me why this is happening?” “Let her through; let her explain why she is doing this to me.” Irene said looking at the old woman. Brian helped her straighten up to stand as the woman begged for her to listen to her. “It’s because I love you both that I can not let this happen,” the old woman said. “Love us? How can you claim to love us when we don’t even know you?” asked Brian who was getting more and more angry. “How can I not love you when you are my children,” said the old woman. It was Brian’s turn to faint. Email pgathoni@gmail.com