chosen bride

The moment Jael saw Joshua she knew she liked him.  She had heard about all the good things he had done for the community, and all that he planned to bestow upon the woman he would marry.  She saw that he was a man of integrity, that he was a hard worker who would provide well for his bride, that he had built a beautiful home for her.  He was wealthy, prominent, but not proud.  He was polite and kind to all, and ready to lend a hand to anyone who had need.  This was the man of her dreams, and she decided she was going to marry him.  He was a prolific writer, and she read everything he had ever written.  In this way, she learned so much about him, including all the things he desired in a bride.  She began to work hard to make herself into that person.  She also discovered where he liked to gather with his friends, and went there.  She introduced herself, and tried to talk with him as much as she could, so they could get to know each other.

Jael told everyone how much she loved Joshua, and she tried to do the things she thought he would want her to do.  She was so eager to marry him!  He never asked her to marry him, but she thought he wouldn't mind if she asked him.  She brought it up several times in their conversations, and talked about all she wanted in a wedding.  She was so interested in what she was saying that she scarcely noticed he wasn't really listening.  In fact, if Jael had not been so caught up with all the things she was doing, she might have wondered at the time Joshua spent talking with a young girl named Rachel.  But Jael didn't notice, and she continued her plans.  She asked him to settle on a date, but he didn't answer her.  She decided he would let her know when he was ready.

Jael was pleased one day to see an announcement on Joshua's website that he had chosen his bride, and had set a date for the wedding.  She was surprised he hadn't called her first, but at least now she had a date.  On the day appointed, she got herself all dressed up in flowing white.  She had her hair gorgeously arranged with pearls and gold and filmy white veil.  She arrived at the church in a limousine, but was a little disconcerted at finding no one outside.  No red carpet lined the stairs, and the doors were closed.

Confused, Jael climbed the stairs and reached to open the door.  It was locked.  She shook it.  It didn't budge.  There were no windows, so she could not see what was going on inside.  She knocked.  No one answered.  She knocked harder, pounding with her fists, tears of panic pouring down her cheeks.  Finally she heard footsteps, then the bolt slipped and the door opened.

"May I help you?"  Jael recognized the tuxedo-clad man as a close friend of Joshua's.

"Oh, Gilchrist!  What has happened?  Why have I been shut out?  Where is Joshua?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"The wedding...I'm here for the wedding..." Jael began to realize from the confusion on Gilchrist's face that something was terribly wrong.

"The wedding has already begun.  You are late.  Do you have an invitation?"

"An invita--  Gilchrist, I am the bride!  I don't need to be invited to my own wedding!!"

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but you must be mistaken.  Joshua's bride is there."

Gilchrist opened the door wider, and pointed toward the altar.  To Jael's horror, there stood Rachel!  Her spotless gown shone like the sun, making Jael's appear gaudy, soiled, cheap.  Even at this distance, Jael could see the adoration in Rachel's eyes, the pure love in Joshua's, as they stood reciting their vows.

Jael let out a shriek and collapsed on the steps.  The guests sitting nearest the door turned, whispering among themselves, wondering who this delusioned creature was, dressed as a bride at someone else's wedding.  After glancing at her with embarrassed pity, they turned their eyes back to Joshua and his beloved.  Gilchrist shut the door, leaving Jael huddled, sobbing, outside on the step.

Soon Jael heard organ music begin to play, and footsteps drew closer.  She scrambled out of the way just as the doors began to open.  Joshua and Rachel came out, hand in hand, to the cheers of the guests.  For the first time, Jael noticed the carriage waiting for them.  But this was the wrong bride, surely!  What was this all about?  This was her day, not Rachel's!  Besides, everybody knew all the work she had done for Joshua, all the kindnesses she had bestowed in his name, all the changing she had done in her own life to make herself a fit bride for him!  Who was this Rachel, anyway?  She was nobody but a poor, miserable wretch who had spent most of her life with the worst people over on the other side of town, the place where respectable people never dared walk the streets by day, let alone at night.  How she ever got connected with Joshua in the first place was a complete mystery.  But now here she was, clean, radiant, with a love in her eyes that made Jael feel uncomfortable.

Jael knew she was running out of time.  She couldn't lose Joshua!  She had to make him see the mistake he was making!  In desperation she flung herself at him, hardly noticing or caring that she was making herself ridiculous.

"Joshua, what are you doing?  You were supposed to marry me, not this miserable tramp!"

The guests, stunned at Jael's outburst, gasped at her insult.  Joshua's face reddened.  "Who are you?  How dare you insult my bride?"

"Who am I?  Joshua, I'm Jael.  We were supposed to get married today!  I asked you to marry me!  I worked so hard to be the bride you wanted me to be.  I--"

"You asked to marry me, but I never said yes.  My love is for Rachel, and Rachel only.  I never loved you.  Now if you'll excuse us--"

But Jael refused to move.  She clung to Joshua.  "Never loved me?  But how--  I did so much for you!  I asked you to love me!  You have to love me!"

Joshua grew impatient, even angry.  "Gilchrist!"

As Gilchrist stepped forward, Jael's jealousy changed to unmasked rage.  She turned on Rachel and spat in her face.  Gilchrist just barely restrained her from clawing at Rachel.

Joshua became furious.  "Have this woman arrested!  She shall not spoil this day!  Away with her!"  Then, gathering his weeping Rachel in his arms, he stepped into the carriage.  Just as the driver pulled away, the guests saw him wiping away Rachel's tears, gazing tenderly into her face.

Jael was arrested, kicking, screaming, full of rage, and dragged away.  No one ever saw her again.