Page 56 of The River in Spring
Following Reverend Ralph’s frustrated instructions, we move in proper time toward the altar. When we arrive at Parish and Scarlett, we split, and she goes to the left while I join the groomsmen. Van, Aargon, and I stand next to the best man, Parish’s brother.
When I look Dove’s way, she makes a heart and points to me. Then she ups the ante. With exaggerated silent annunciation she says, “fuck me!”. God, I love the irreverence in her. She would have been my partner in crime in school. Had she been born then. Shit. When we were in grade school, Dove wasn’t even a twinkle in her father’s eye.
My father catches me smiling like a goon. But when he sees where I’m looking he figures it out and smiles himself.My mother is looking at her children like she always has when we are together. With parental pride. It’s really amazing how she kicks out all the shit we have put her through as kids and teenagers and focuses on what she wants to see. Wonder if I will ever know that feeling?
What are the chances of having children when my woman is the lead in a rock band? I can’t picture a pregnant headliner. It doesn’t elude me that I’m only concerned about my nonexistent family whenever it suits the argument. It sucks being self-aware.
I vaguely hear the priest’s instructions to the bride and groom, because Dove has my attention. She looks at her watch. Catching my eye she smiles. There is a conversation happening between us made without words. I’m saying, can’t I have your attention for the short time you are going to be here? She answers, don’t get your boxer briefs in a twist.
“And then I tell you to kiss the bride.”
Parish takes the opportunity to plant one on Scarlett. There’s applause from the audience and even Reverend Ralph gets in the spirit by cracking a smile.
“That’s it, folks. You let the bride and groom take the lead back down the aisle. You know the rest,” he says, already heading for the sacristy. “See you tomorrow.”
No one is surprised. There’s alcohol waiting.
We scatter like ants and I head for Dove.
“You look very holy up there. I almost didn’t recognize you with the halo,” she says, standing.
“If you’re a good girl I’ll hear your confession later.”
“I have no sins to confess,” she teases. “Maybe I should hear yours.”
“If you stay for the dinner, I’ll tell you everything. All the dirty details of my impure thoughts.”
I kiss her right in front of God and the saints watching from the sidelines of the room.
“Tempting. But I need to go. We’re meeting at my place.”
There’s no use arguing the point. I know when to fold ‘em.
“Okay. Drive safe. I should be home by nine. Nobody wants this to be a late night.”
“Bye, baby. Have fun. I’ll call you!”
And the girl is gone, leaving me stewing in a broth of unrighteous indignation. I know. But I can’t stop myself.
The ride to the restaurant is at least distracting. Enlisting the company of Teddy and Sam was easy enough. Few sixteen-year-olds want to ride with their parents. I banked on that, remembering how it was back in the day.
Pulling into the parking lot brings back good memories. It’s Scarlett’s favorite from her childhood. All of us kids loved it. The Mountain Top looks a little timeworn now. Not just the Alpine façade, but the unchanged sign from nineteen ninety something. It seemed cool then, with a cartoon mountain climber about to slip off the edge. But we were looking through kids’ eyes. Now it’s only nostalgic.
“How come Dove isn’t coming?” Sam asks.
I’m still getting used to his deep voice. It finally settled.
“She has a meeting with the band. Are you two bringing dates tomorrow?”
Laughter proceeds the answer. It’s Teddy who spills the plan.
“No! We’re taking Uncle Van’s advice.”
“Well, that’s your first mistake,” I say, unbuckling the seatbelt. “What pearls of wisdom did he tell you?”
As we exit the car, I see the look on their faces. Trouble.
Sam runs a hand through his thick hair and lays it out for me. “He said we should avoid bringing women to any wedding we go to from now on.”
