Page 80 of Home Body
Rover was given a pink bow tie which he tolerated surprisingly well. He looked up at his girl with devoted doggy eyes, willing to put up with anything for his love.
Kenyon changed into a burnt-burgundy satin dress she’d worn to another wedding, the color stunning with her light tawny skin and lush black hair. She became quite thrilled with the compliments they rained upon her as her new romanticinterest, the one they knew as Bart the Bartender, would be arriving soon.
Mamie went downstairs to change in her bedroom, inviting them to come visit her in twenty minutes.
A few minutes later, Dalia heard a ruckus outside and peeked out her window to see people begin to arrive, lots more people than she’d expected. It made her laugh. Why not? Let them come. They loved her mother who deserved to be surrounded by her community of friends on a day like this.
Some folks she didn’t recognize got out of an SUV. Two of the men looked like they could be Brody’s doppelgängers. His family had arrived.
Inez Crow, Saul Steinburg, and Prissy arrived together. Prissy caught Dalia looking out the upstairs window and waved animatedly. Dalia liked that girl more and more each time she saw her. Her grandfather must have been on duty back in Amberton and couldn’t come.
Vic Van Natter pulled up in one of his three classic cars, a dark forest green 1937 Lincoln Zephyr. Dalia loved his vintage car collection, especially this car. He got out, went around to the other side, and opened the door for a middle-aged woman with striking, gray-streaked hair, the mysterious Margaret.
When Llayne and Mack got there, Dalia watched as they got out of his shiny sedan. They could’ve been on the cover forTown and Countrymagazine, they were such a stunning couple. He wore an immaculate gray summer suit, and she had on an elegant lavender summer dress with a flowing, knee-length skirt. Dalia had to admit that Llayne O’Brien was a beautiful woman, one who she resembled. A blush warmed her skin at the thought. She’d never known before who she looked like.
Zach got out of the back of their car and the mere sight of the teenager made her smile. He was her half-brother who she’d met a couple nights earlier at their house. She’d complimented himon his exemplary skill at mucking up Chad Damon’s billboards and he’d bowed with a dramatic flair. He’d be leaving in a couple of days for the Air Force, and she felt sorry she wouldn’t have more time to get to know him better.
Jessa got out of the back of the O’Brien car, too, and Dalia was glad to see Kenyon’s best friend. She felt certain she and Jessa would become friends, too.
Llayne, Mack, and Zack greeted two older couples with hugs all around, and Dalia surmised they were their parents, Kenyon’s grandparents. Well, hers, too. Holy moly, this family grew by the second. One minute she’d been an only child with no grandparents and now relatives were popping up like a herd of rabbits.
Townsfolk and local farmers arrived, parking all the way out to the county road. Most carried their own lawn chairs and coolers. Some of the farmers dressed up by putting on a button-down shirt under their bib overalls. It looked like the rodeo had come to town. Some pre-teen boys she didn’t know directed the crowd, showing them where to set up. The boys were being managed by a church elder so “elder” Dalia hoped the old guy made it through the day.
When she, Rose, and Kenyan joined Mamie in her bedroom, they found Mamie’s flamboyant cousin Dolly O’Dare there. Big hugs ensued with Kenyon getting one, too, even though they’d just met. They all fawned over Mamie’s classy cream-colored dress and the string of pearls that had been given to her by Butch. She fingered the necklace reverently, elated to be wearing it on this day that exemplified wedded bliss. A knock came at the door and Mamie opened it to Llayne and Jessa, who she invited in.
She closed the door, turned to her bedroom guests, and found Llayne and Dolly greeting each other as old friends. Llayne had mentioned that she interviewed Dolly, the formerburlesque dancer, on TV several times and they’d run into each other at Detroit events.
Putting her hands up to quiet everyone, Mamie said, “I’ve gathered you all here for a word in private before the ceremony. Let’s join hands please, if you don’t mind, while I say a little prayer.” They formed a circle and held hands. Mamie closed her eyes and prayed. “Dear Lord, we are the women of this family. We may not all be joined by blood but as strong as that bond may be, we have something even stronger. We’re chosen family. We’re powerful women, Lord, women with kind hearts, open minds, and fertile imaginations who have brought together the Blackburns, O’Briens, and O’Dares – by sheer luck or by Your grace, we don’t know – but we have come together to be one loving family. May we always share a bond of deep friendship for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until the end of time. I thank you Dear Lord from the bottom of my heart for the blessing of this union of women – and a girl.” She opened her eyes and winked at Rose. “And thank you for the blessing of the worthy men in our lives. Especially that handsome hunk who’s getting married today.” That got a chuckle out of the circle. “Amen.”
They echoed “Amen,” and Llayne said, “Mamie, that was beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” The adoptive mother and birth mother of the same child had formed a bond of mutual respect and gratitude.
“Wait, wait,” Kenyon insisted. “Group hug!”
They huddled together, making sure Rose wasn’t left out. Rover turned happy circles in the middle of the human teepee. When they parted, Llayne held onto Dalia, softly placing a hand on her cheek, her eyes tearing with joy.
“I’m so grateful to be included in this day. It’s a dream I never imagined. May you and Brody be as happy as your mother and father, and as happy as Mack and me.”
Dalia kissed her birth mother’s cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Llayne’s face brightened as she swiped at her eyes. “Brody is going to cry when he sees you. You’re absolutely beautiful! That dress was made for you.” She glanced at Kenyon. “Honey, you’ll get another one someday that will be made just for you.”
Kenyon good-naturedly quipped, “Thanks, Mom. Good to know.”
That got a round of laughter as Mamie clapped her hands together. “It’s time!”
Dalia squeezed her mama tight, hugged her daughter, hip bumped Kenyon, Dolly, and Jessa, high-fived Llayne, and was ready to walk down the aisle.
“Let the magic begin!” she declared.
CHAPTER 47
“Storm’s a’comin’!” A farmer stood up and yelled, pointing to the west. “Run for the barn!”
Only seconds earlier Dalia, standing on the porch waiting for her cue to walk down the grass aisle, had turned her face to the sun, closing her eyes to drink in its comfort. But sure enough, there on the western horizon a line of charcoal gray clouds angrily tumbled in their direction. The bride would never question the weather wisdom of an old farmer. He was right. As if on cue, the wind whipped up, too. They needed to run!
Chaos broke out as folks grabbed their chairs and coolers and high-tailed it for the best shelter in sight, the big, old, sturdy Blackburn barn. Dalia and her entourage joined the fray, and within minutes the whole party congregated under cover. A few minutes later, a seasoned farmer herded in the sheep to mingle with the wedding guests dressed in their finery. It was an amusing coupling.
