John McBain is getting married TOMORROW.
YESTERDAY. She saw their smiling pictures in the Llanview Morning News, announcing their
wedding and the next thing she knew, she was on a train from New York to Llanview. It was
apparent that they were going to have a big wedding because the front of the church sanctuary
was lined with big, beautiful bouquets of lilies…HER favorite flowers. Each church pew was
draped with pale pink carnations and white ribbons to welcome THEIR families and friends, who
longed for this day since the day they met over 7 years ago in some pool hall. She fingered
each blossom as she walked down the aisle, tears rolling down her cheeks and lapping under
her chin. Her dark shades hiding her pain-filled eyes as she took in the scene of the church.
She wrapped her black trench coat around her as if to ward off the coldness she felt enveloping
her. In a way, Evangeline was glad that no one was present now so that she could grieve in
private. How could this have happened? Where did the time go? She asked herself silently, as
her heart begun to break in a million pieces. YESTERDAY. It seemed like they met and fell in
love just yesterday. It was so surreal the way they came together. She allowed the memories
to take her heart, mind, and soul back to the very first time she laid eyes on John
McBain. She needed important information to move her case forward and she was told that the
person who could help her do that was at Angel Square Park. She arrived at the park that
November day and almost missed him. As he turned around and their eyes met, she felt a
spark. Hmm, I don’t think so! I don’t even like white men. He has the bluest eyes though. But
when they shook hands, it felt like coming home after being gone for so long. He must have
felt the electric surge as well because he wouldn’t let go of her hand. She quickly recovered her
professional demeanor, released his hand, and carried the conversation toward completion. As
they conversed, she felt his sharp blue eyes assessing her, sizing her up. She kept stopping
and staring into his eyes or looking at his long hair blowing in the wind. As she left, she felt his
eyes raking her back and behind. Ohhh!! So white boy got jungle fever?! She shook her
head and chuckled softly as she thought back to that eventful day, not knowing then how
McBain would smash through her life like a Mack truck and destroy all of her preconceived
notions of love and relationships. She sat down heavily on the front pew as if the weight of the
world was on her shoulders. What should she do? Should she tell him that she’s back from---?
She shook her head again. Tell him what, Evangeline? Hey, baby, I’m back from a 3 year
coma? That will go over REAL WELL!! No one knew that she was back and she wanted it that
way. She told the doctors and nurses at the facility to not let her family or friends know that she
returned from her coma. She opened her eyes 3 months ago without stimuli. The doctors and
nurses were amazed and they begged and pleaded with her to inform her family of her
miraculous recovery. She was adamant. She wanted to tell them on her own. Not that she was
trying to be heartless, but she didn’t want to disrupt their lives right now, especially her mother’s
life. She placed Evangeline in a nursing facility when she remarried. One of the nurses told her
that she and her wealthy new husband moved to Paris, France about 6 months before
Evangeline woke up. She called only once since the move. Evangeline didn’t blame her. It was
time for her mother to enjoy her life...away from her. Evangeline also heard that Layla and Cris
were married with 3 boys and a little girl on the way. Their family picture was placed next to her
bed at the facility. Layla called or visited Evangeline every week up until she was placed on
mandatory bedrest by her obstetrician. Evangeline knew Layla would be upset with her for not
telling her about waking up, but she felt it was best for everyone if she would just quietly appear
when the time was right. Except one person-McBain. It’s funny how he was the first person she
thought of when she woke up. Just before consciousness, she could still see his blue eyes
filling with unshed tears as she told him that it was over between them; she could remember
the shape of his lips, his eyebrows, and goatee. Her long term memory bank stored her
memory of the way he walked, they way he placed his hands on his hips, the sly smile he would
shoot when he was being mischievous, and the way he would kiss her and their heated,
passionate, and loud lovemaking. The thing is why didn’t she remember Cris or Todd like she
remembered John? As the memories poured over Evangeline, she allowed them to come and
wash over her. She sat in the church until the sun’s rays changed to night shadows. The
minister and his staff wondered about the tall, mysterious woman with the long, dark hair and
dark clothing and shades, who appeared at the church in the morning and cried over the flowers
in the church, as if she was mourning someone’s death instead of celebrating a wedding.
Throughout the day while asking her if she wanted anything to eat or drink, they asked her if
she was a friend of the bride and groom or if she was a member of the family. Evangeline only
shook her head no and continued to stare into space and allow the memories to come and
come and come…She remembered the first time she and John made love in Mary Barnes’
basement. Although they later blamed it on the alcohol, they both were shaken by their
passionate union. In the days that followed Evangeline, who was supposed to be in a
relationship with RJ Gannon, couldn’t get John off of her mind. Eventually, they made love again
and again…and again. She remembered the heated arguments; the conflict with her family
over her relationship with John; the strings; their first Eagles game; the pearls; the open
mouthed stares people would give them as they walked down the street; and the constant
interference and helpless victim tricks that redhead, his bride-to-be, played throughout the
course of their relationship. The longer she sat there and thought about it….the angrier she got,
and the angrier she got, she only had one recurring thought: PAYBACK IS A BITCH NAMED
EVANGELINE WILLIAMSON.
She took out her new cell phone and dialed a number, hoping it has not been changed. She
needed help and the kind of help she needed involved lots of money. The line rang and
connected. Before he could answer, she said in a deep, breathless, sexy voice, “Your
money or your life?”
Todd Manning screamed into the phone, “YOU BITCH!!! About time you woke up, Evangeline.”