Avoid immorality. Any other sin a man commits does not affect his body, but the man who is guilty of sexual immorality sins against his body. Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God?
1 Corinthians 18-20
Isham sits on his couch, watching television. His mind begins to wonder. His thoughts take him a million miles away from his reality. Isham's thoughts take him to the horrible fight between Christopher and him. They have been best friends for a very long time, and now, it is destroyed. He thinks about where Christopher is at fault and where he is at fault. It reaches the point where they both said horrible things to each other. Things that might take a long time to heal. Isham feels terrible about the things he says to his best friend, but it is not just Christopher. His friendship with Christopher's wife, Valentine, is also destroyed. He lost his friendship with the Newkirks, his job at Newkirk's, and, most of all, a precious gift he will never get again. This is a mistake that may seem unforgivable to many others. Immediately he thinks about getting high, but the thought of Orchid Willoughby stops him. Isham can still see her sitting up in her hospital bed looking beautiful as ever. Even in sickness, she looked angelic. If Orchid finds out he lost his job due to getting high, it will break her heart. Then, she will never want to see him again.
He leaps off the couch and paces back and forth.
"I have to stop this." Isham thinks to himself, scratching his arms, "Punishing myself like this is not going to solve my problems, …but it hurts so badly. I lost my friends, my job, and most of all, …her. How could I have been so stupid? I have to face reality. I've done a horrible thing, and the only thing I can do is ask God to forgive me. At least I still have Orchid… Orchid Willoughby…Miss Willoughby… Mrs. Mejia…"
He sighs and thinks, "…at least I still have her as my friend. We can't be together now, but she won't stay a teenager for the rest of her life. When she becomes legal age, we can finally be together as lovers…as soulmates."
Isham goes to the bathroom and looks at himself in the mirror; he is shocked to see that he cannot recognize his reflection. He frantically goes into the bathtub and turns on the shower, hoping the water will wash away the grossness from his face and body. Isham lets the shower rain on his naked body for as long as he can stand it. After taking a shower, Isham puts back on the same clothes to visit Orchid at the counseling center. Before he leaves his apartment, Isham's addiction keeps calling to him.
"No. I have to stop. If not for me, as least for Orchid," Isham thinks to himself.
He tries to fight the urge by focusing his attention on Orchid, but unfortunately, his addition had gotten the best of him.
He thinks to himself, "…Then again, …one little hit wouldn't hurt."
Hours later, after getting high, Isham goes to go see Orchid. He is in terrible shape. Isham looks as if he rolled out of bed. His hair is uncombed, and he is wearing the same clothes, which he wore the past three days. Most of all, he has a horrible stench to him. Despite his horrendous condition, Isham staggers into the counseling center
"May I help you, sir," the receptionist asks?
"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Where's Orchid?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Orchid. Man, I'm talking about the sexy little white girl with curly hair."
"Oh…um…I'm sorry, but I don't know where she is."
"Come on, man. You know. Stop playin'."
"I can assure you. I do not know Orchid's whereabouts."
"Quit messing with me, man. I want to see Orchid."
Then he starts rudely yelling out to her.
"Yo! Orchid," Isham shout, "Where are you, baby? Daddy's come to see you."
"Wait for a second, sir? Are you her father?"
"No, but I would love to take her home with me."
"What?"
Isham leans on the edge of the receptionist and mentions the receptionist to come closer to him.
He whispers, "When I am done with her, she will call me 'daddy.'"
The receptionist lets out a gasp while Isham gives her a coy smile.
"You are not going anywhere with that child, you…you…pervert," the receptionist retorts.
"Hey, wait, wait, wait for a second, young man."
"That is another thing. You will refrain from calling me "man." You will address me as "sister." Understand?"
"Yes…yes…sister," Isham says shamefully, "Look, I am sorry that I came off a bit rude but…I…really love this girl…I care about her. I…foolishly left one angel, and it's been killing me for a while. Now…I feel the Lord gave me a second chance. He sends me Orchid. The Lord sent me Orchid."
"Yes, well, Orchid is an extraordinary child, but you are a man, and for a man who desires to bring sexual pleasure to an innocent child is a sin."
"No. No. I don't lust for Orchid. I love her."
Before the receptionist can say another word, another sister comes into the lobby. It is Sister Astor.
"What is all the commotion going on here," Sister Astor asks with slight aggravation.
"This rude, young man is looking for Orchid Willoughby," says the receptionist angrily.
"Sisters…please, I mean no harm," Isham says regretfully, "I just…."
"Enough," exclaims Sister Astor, "Young man, unless you are family, she is not going anywhere with you. Understand?"
"But, Sister…"
"Please go," Sister Astor exclaim, pointing to the exit.
"Fine! Fine! The…Forget all of you. You don't want us to be together," Isham yells, facing the nuns and walking back to the exit, "No one does. No one!"
The wedding of Anton and Nataline has finally arrived. Both families have relatives, and friends fly from all over, from parts of the U.S.A., parts of the UK, and Goa, India.
In the Braganza family's modest apartment, relatives from all over scramble to get themselves lavishly dressed. It is a madhouse. The women are barely ready themselves because they are in a frenzy getting themselves, as well as the children and their husbands dressed.
In the middle of this madness, the groom and husband-to-be, Anton Braganza, was in his room. Agnelo Braganza is helping him get dressed while his mother, Rakel Braganza, feeds him his breakfast.
"Woman, please," says Mr.Braganza, feeling irritated with his wife, "I am trying to dress my son."
"Well, MY son needs to eat," rebuts the wife, "he needs all his strength for his bride."
"Mommy…mommy wait," Anton muffles with food in his mouth, "You are feeding me too fast. I could hardly chew and swallow."
Mrs. Braganza sighs and says, "Alright. Alright. Fine."
She places Anton's breakfast on the dresser.
"….but, please. I need you to eat."
"I will tell mommy. Don't worry."
"I'm your mother. It's my job to worry. Speaking of worry, I need to investigate the ruckus going in my home."
When she opens the door to leave, she starts scolding one of the relatives.
Anton's dad shakes his head and laughs while his wife closes the door behind her.
"Your mother," Agnelo Braganza says, walking towards his son, "still insists on treating you as a little boy. However, your father insists on treating you as a man. I am so proud of you, my son."
His father plants his big hands firmly on his son's shoulders and plants a kiss on both sides of his cheeks. He stares at his son; for a minute, he envisions Anton as a little boy again. His eyes begin to water, but he has to stop himself from becoming too sentimental.
"Daddy, are you alright," Anton asks, "Why are you staring at me? Is there something wrong?"
"….OH NO! Oh no, Anton. Everything is fine…everything is fine," Mr. Braganza assures his son, "You know…I realize now that…tonight you will not come home with us. Tonight you will have a wife. Soon, you and your wife will have a family."
"Aw, daddy, I will always be a part of this family. You know that."
"Yes, but…you are a man now. You are no longer my little boy."
Mr. Braganza could feel the tears building but quickly held them back.
"Ok. Ok. Enough of that," Mr. Braganza says abruptly, stopping his emotions from getting the better of him.
"Daddy, it is ok to be a little sad. I am sad too. I will miss my family," Anton assures his father.
Anton hugs his father. His father slowly embraces him, but then his father's embraces became tighter and tighter.
"I love you too, daddy."
Mr. Braganza releases his embrace and says,"…well…we should finish getting you ready for your wedding."
As Anton's father continues to put on the finishing touches to his son's garb, Mr. Braganza reminds Anton, "Remember to finish your breakfast or this wedding with turn into a funeral."
Anton laughs.
"Yes, daddy," Anton agrees.
As Anton continues to finish his breakfast, he thinks to himself, "I am about to marry Nata, the woman I love…and yet…she shares my love with Zora. Oh, Zora, why did you hurt me so? People might say that I should resent you for marrying and having a child with my…former friend…but my heart will not allow me to hate you. I forgive you, my darling. If only there was something that could bind us together forever. All I have are my memories of you."
Then there is a knock at the door.
"Yes," answers Mr. Braganza, "Who is it?"
"Daddy! Anton," calls out Monik, from the other side of the door, "It is picture time."
"What do you mean, picture time? We have to get to the church."
"Yes, but momma wants the four of us to take a family photo before the wedding."
Mr. Braganza sighs.
"Are you almost done? Is your belly full," Mr. Braganza asks.
"Oh yes," Anton replies, swallowing the last bite, "If I eat another bite, I'll explode."
"Don't worry. The most important thing is that you are content. Are you content?"
"With breakfast?"
"No! Nataline."
"Yes, daddy…why?"
"Well, pre-wedding jitters. This is a big step in your life."
"Yes…I know…but I love Nataline."
"Good! I want to hear that. Well, let's go, son," Agnelo says to his son, placing his big, steady hand on his son's shoulder, "It's going to be an incredibly long day."
In another part of the city, at Aunt Tina's house, the house is full there, as well. Unlike Anton's home, everyone is ready to leave the house, except for Nataline.
"Where is Nata," the mother, Magdu asks, "We cannot have a wedding without the bride."
"No worries, mum," Mari assures her mother, "I'll go find her."
Nataline is still in her room. She sits at the foot of the bed, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She looks incredibly stunning in red and gold. Her face is lace with ruby red and rose makeup. Her hair is pinned back with a long veil of shimmering gold lace and gold headpiece centered on her forehead. Her gold and ruby chandelier earrings complement her gold necklace and gold and glass bangles and henna tattoos, which match her red lehenga embroidered in gold and gold heels. Although she looks incredibly beautiful, Nataline is a nervous wreck. She is shaking like a leaf on a cold, autumn morning.
"I am a bride. In a couple of hours, I am getting married. I am going to be someone's wife," thinks Nataline, "This is so scary. I do not know if I can go through this…no…I love, Anton…Anton loves me…so why am I so frightened to spend the rest of my life with the man I love?"
Suddenly, there is a knock on the bedroom door. It makes Nataline jump to her feet. Her pulse is racing; her heart is beating faster than usual. She slowly walks towards the door.
"Y…yes," Nataline answers with fear.
"Nata, let's go. We are going to be late."
When she recognizes her sister's voice, Nataline hastily opens the door. Mari is distraught with her sister.
"Nata, are you out of your bloody mind? What is the matter with you, eh," Mari scolds, "This is total bollocks, know what I mean? You are about to marry the bloke of your dreams, and you are here messing about in the bedroom."
Nataline not only feels afraid, but she also feels ashamed for disappointing her family and friends.
Nataline turns away from Mari and sits back down on the foot of the bed. She feels so ashamed, Nataline hangs her head. Mari looks at her troubled sister and realizes she is too hard on her. Mari walks up to her and sits next to Nataline at the foot of the bed.
"…Nervous," Mari asks?
Nata takes a deep breath and finally says, "…yeah…"
"Don't be nervous. You will be a great wife."
"Mari…This is scary. What if things change between us?"
"If things change, it is going to be for the better," Mari replied, taking her sister's hand, "You and Anton are going to have a wonderful life together. Will it be easy? No. It takes work. Believe me, I am learning that right now. Come on, I know you're dying to finally bonk him."
Nataline looks at her sister strangely, but then, out of nowhere, they burst into laughter.
"Yes, I do, but…but it's more than just shagging…with the one you love…night after night…you know what I mean?"
"Yeah."
"Perhaps I am worrying over nothing, you know what I mean? This is the man I love. He loves me too."
Nataline laughs at the memory of her and Anton's first encounter.
"What is so funny," Nataline's sister asks?
Nataline explains, "When I first met Anton, I was frightened then too. Now…I feel like I am meeting him for the first time again and yet…this time it's a different kind of freight."
"I…, I do not understand."
"It's…anxiety…excitement…and fear wrapped in a ball in my stomach."
"Oh…oh yeah. I remember feeling that way on my wedding day. Eventually, I got over it…and you will get over it too. Now, let's quit messing about and get you married."
"Ok," agrees Nataline, leaving the bedroom hand to hand with her sister, Mari.
Hyacinth, Jabari, and the triplets are in the living room, playing with the baby. Time and again, Jabari looks at the family's Grandfather clock. He is growing incredibly concerned about his wife's whereabouts.
"Baby, is there something wrong," ask Hyacinth.
"No, mama," Jabari replies with concern in his voice, "it's just that…Zora should have been home now. Where can she be?"
"Don't worry about Zora. I'm sure everything is fine. She has a good head on her shoulders. Besides, she is probably at the library getting some work done."
After a while, the door opens. In comes Jabari's wife, Zora Grant-Montague.
"Aunt Zora," the triplets cheers, racing towards Zora!
The triplets, Argentina, Mandela, and Corinthian, run to Zora with their open arms. They are so happy to see her, jumping up and down with glee. Zora welcomes her nieces and nephew with open arms and gives them all a great big hug. She is happy to see her nieces and nephew too. Most of all, she is pleased to see them happy. The triplets are misfortunate to have a front seat of their parents' dysfunctional marriage, the death of their father who died a while ago, and, most of all, their mother's abuse. She now has to undergo counseling and parenting classes.
"Oh, good. You're finally home," Hyacinth says, "You've been spending a lot of time at the library."
"Yeah. Well…that's college life," replies Zora, looking at her husband, "How's my baby, doing?"
"Amisha has been the perfect angel, but I know she misses her mommy," answers Hyacinth.
"Yeah…she misses you," intersects Jabari, looking straight at his wife, "…we all miss you."
Zora is feeling somewhat uncomfortable towards that remark, but she abruptly brushed it off, when she says, "Um…I better get upstairs to get settled. Then I'll take Amisha from there."
"Ok, baby," Hyacinth replies.
Zora goes upstairs to their bedroom to change her clothes. Suddenly, there is a knock at the door.
"Yes," Zora answers.
"Are you decent," Jabari asks?
"Yeah."
Jabari comes into the bedroom with a concerned look on his face. He closes the door and watches her from afar. Meanwhile, she is too busy putting her clothes in the hamper and straightening the bedspread.
"Did you get enough studying done at the library," he asks with a serious look on his face?
"Yeah. These classes are kicking my butt," Zora replies with a giggle.
"…Are they?"
"Yeah…but I greatly appreciate everyone's help."
"Sure…Zora…that's my reason for marrying you, right?"
Zora stops at turned to Jabari.
"Yes," she replies, "Is there something wrong? Do you regret marrying me?"
"…you and Amisha deserve a bright future."
"Ok."
"I didn't want you to leave Holy Chalice due to…a romance getting serious before its time."
"What?"
"Tony! I didn't want you to leave due to Tony."
"Ok…so what's wrong?"
"Are you seeing him?"
"…Tony? NO!"
"Do you still love him?"
"He's the father of my child."
"I didn't ask you that. I asked you if you still love Anton."
Zora took a deep breath and says, "…yes…but that doesn't mean I want to be with him."
"You don't want to be with me!"
"Why are you talking crazy? You're my husband!"
"That's not the point…"
Jabari turns away from his wife; he is clearly beside himself.
"Jabari, help me to understand. Why are you so angry? Why do you care so much about my whereabouts? You know I take care of Amisha; I am always here for Amisha."
Jabari is about to reveal his true feelings to Zora to her, but when she mentions her daughter, his thoughts quickly shift to her.
"Amisha...Amisha…Amisha…Amisha…"
"What about Amisha?"
He turns towards Zora again.
"…Amisha may be too young to understand this…crazy situation…but she will be affected by this in the long run," he says.
"Oh no," Zora exclaims, "Not this again. First, I should tell Anton about Amisha. Now, you're preaching to me about this situation affecting Amisha. When she is old enough to understand, I will tell her everything. Stay out of my business!"
Jabari is shocked by the tone of her voice. Worst of all, her harsh tone is towards…him.
"…Ok…," Jabari says, softly, "…ok…I will never bother you again."
Then, he walks out of the room and closes the door behind him.
When Jabari leaves the room, Zora feels guilty for yelling at him. She plops on the bed and covers her face from the guilt. Zora then puts her hands between her thighs and took a deep breath, feeling overwhelmed. Then, Zora's leg begins to shake nervously. Not only about the argument with her husband but having Anton's daughter, knowing that Anton is marrying another woman, and now she is cheating on her husband, Jabari. Zora does not know what to do. She is totally beside herself.
A few days later, Zora goes to meet with Chauncey for lunch at "The Cornucopia." They are having a great time laughing…joking…simply enjoying each other's company, but Zora cannot ignore the nagging of her continence. When Chauncey leans over to kiss her, she pauses.
"Wait…," Zora says, stopping Chauncey from kissing her, "before we go any further, there is something you need to know."
"Ok…," Chauncey replies.
Before she begins, Zora took a deep breath.
She begins, "…I want you to know that I like you, and I hope this doesn't change anything between us."
"…I don't know until you tell me…"
Zora's heart is beating rapidly, but she can gather the courage to tell him.
"…I'm married," Zora confesses.
"You're what??"
"…but we didn't get married out of love. Well, I love him…but only as my friend. He married me as a favor so that I could finish college. My college does not allow single parents to attend the college because…it's considered blasphemy. So…out of the goodness of his heart…he said that he would marry me…and I agreed."
"I…I'm speechless…I'm floored by this news."
"Please don't be upset with me; I like you and---"
"---Zora, I like you too," Chauncey interrupted, "but I can't be with a married woman, whether the marriage is loveless or not. I mean…you, and your husband has a child together. What about the baby?"
"Amisha is not his daughter; Amisha is someone else's daughter."
Chauncey is in shock.
He says, "Well, …where, is he????"
Zora hangs her head.
"Getting married to another woman," she replies.
"Oh, no! Are you kidding me????"
"I wish I were. I wish this was a horrible nightmare."
Chauncey shakes his head in disbelief.
He then says, "Zora…it's very unfortunate the biological father left you alone and pregnant for another woman. If you asked me, he is not a real man."
"Yes, I know---"
"---Now YOU wait," he interrupts again, "You had your chance to talk. Now, it's my turn to talk."
"I'm sorry…continue…"
"It seems you have a great guy at home. He is noble…kind…selfless…I don't understand your reason for wanting to be with another man. I don't know about you but…don't know if I can do this."
"No…Chauncey, please don't do this. Please don't do this to us."
"There can't be an "us" if I compete with another man for your heart. I'm not cut playing the "other lover" or worse, the "undercover lover."
"You don't understand. We're together for the sake of the baby."
"Zora, I like you. I like you a lot but…I'm not into love triangles," Chauncey concludes, leaving their table.
"But Chauncey…," calls out to him, "Please…don't leave."
"No…let me know when you're single."
As Zora watches Chauncey walk out of the store, her eyes begin to water, and her heart is breaking.
Family, friends, and other guests rejoice for the newlyweds. After the wedding ceremony, everyone climbs into their limousines. They have whisked away to their reception, which is held in "The Great Hall."
On the way to the reception, Anton pulls his new bride closer to him and gives her a passionate kiss on her ruby red lips. Then, he stares at her, taking in every line and every curve of her beautiful face.
"What's wrong," Nataline asks with worry while she touches her nose, "Is there something hanging out my nose beside my nose ring?"
Anton gently puts her hand down and holds it.
"No," he says, looking into her eyes, "Your nose is perfect. Everything about you is perfect. I am looking at the most beautiful bride in the world."
Nataline blushes and says, "Thank you. I try."
They laugh.
"…but seriously, no messing about…you look smashingly handsome," Nataline complements her husband, "I never laid eyes on a more smashingly handsome groom. I love you, …Mr.Braganza."
"I love you…Mrs.Braganza."
Then she puts her head on his shoulder.
Meanwhile, in another car, Agnelo Braganza sits next to his wife, Rakel. Monik, their daughter, and Anton's younger sister sit adjacent to her parents. She is lost in thought, while she looks out of the window through the glass. Agnelo looks to his wife. He notices Rakel has a puzzled look on her face. Rakel takes a deep sigh. Agnelo takes his wife by the hand and kisses it. Rakel looks at Agnelo, who looks at her with his deep-set eyes.
"Anton is going to be fine," Agnelo assures his wife, "He is a good man married to a good woman, and they are to have a good life."
"I know, Agnelo," Rakel replies, "…but he is my only son…my firstborn. I miss him already."
Still holding her hand, he places her hand on his lap.
"Don't worry, my lovely," Agnelo says, "We raised a good Christian boy. He will do right by his wife and his children. Wow, grandchildren. I cannot wait until I hear that announcement."
"Grandchildren…our beautiful grandchildren. I can't wait. Well, a least we still have our little girl," Rakel says with hope.
"Yes…soon we will arrange for her to be married to her soon-to-be husband."
She gazes at the city, passing her from the window of the moving limo, Monik is lost in her world. She is happy for Nata and Anton, but Monik cannot see herself being only a wife and mother. Lost in the city's usual hustle and bustle, Monik wonders about other things the world had to offer. She has bigger dreams, bigger aspirations, …but what are they?