Wedding Bells
Jean dropped by the diner during my lunch break one day. As usual, we sat in the corner booth so that we could chat and reminisce. She was smiling a lot. Big smiles too. I asked her what was going on? She replied, “Allen and I are getting married!” The song “Henery the VIII” popped into my head. I chuckled, singing to myself as I made up a little ditty;
“Allen the second I am I am. Never a Bob or a Todd… no Ma’am!” “Congratulations Jean!” I said.
Jean then asked, “Will you be my bridesmaid again?”
“Yes of course, you know I will,” I replied as I thought to myself, always a bridesmaid never a bride. Whoever made up that saying should be shot. We talked all about the wedding plans. A lot of times the bride doesn’t wear white, or even have a large ceremony the second time around. But Jean wasn’t having any of those kinds of thoughts. She said that since this was his first marriage, they were going to do it all the way. He deserves that. Listen to Jean, always thinking of other people’s needs and feelings.
Jeans’ two cute little daughters, Ida and Belle, walked down the aisle carrying the flower basket. I cherished the sight of Jean looking so beautiful, walking down the aisle wearing her white dress, and holding onto Mr. Buhne’s arm. I was so glad she had her dad there to support her. She was walking slowly and carefully. She was glowing so beautifully. Linnie was the maid of honor of course and as always, very elegant too. Allen’s brothers stood beside him. They all looked a little bit nervous and uncomfortable wearing suits and ties. I sensed that Allen’s family was a bit redneckish but then to be honest, so was Jean’s family, and by extension and association, I guess I am too. And that’s okay, I like it.
After the “I do’s” we had a perfect firehall reception with about 100 people. The DJ’s music choices were perfect. I love the music of our day. There was a lot of dancing and drinking and eating and laughing and fun. It was great spending some celebratory time with family and old friends. I noticed across the room that Kob was whispering something to his wife Dee, that pretty but skinny Hampton girl that he married. She nodded her head up and down. The next thing I knew, he was walking toward my table. I smiled at him. He smiled back as best he could. Kob was like Dean, they were always too serious. Ever since he came home from the war, I thought of Kob as the ultimate angry introvert. But I would always still have a crush on him forever. He leaned over our table and asked me to dance! What the****!! I was shocked beyond belief, totally stunned, unable to move. I froze. Kob took my hand and I stood up and walked to the dance floor with him. We stood there quietly waiting for the next song to begin, not knowing what it would be, other than the DJ had announced that it would be a slow song. The soft music began and I heard Percy Sledge’s strong voice bellow out: “Wheennn a Maaannn loves a woman…” Oh my god, I burst into tears as Kob held my hand. He was getting nervous and upset. He asked, “What’s wrong Bea?”
“Nothing, I’m fine,” I said as I turned face to face with the clueless dote and began slow dancing. “Nothing at all I whispered. I am just so happy to see you and also so happy for Jeanie.” I wanted to so bad, but I didn’t dare lay my head on his shoulder. That moment, that dance, was the greatest highlight of my life. One that I will never ever forget.
My eyes were puffy and red when I got back to my table. Suddenly the DJ yelled out over his microphone: “Now everybody get up off your seats!” I stood next to my table when the music blasted the room with Bob Segar’s “Just take those old records off the shelf!” The crowd roared and clapped with approval. Man, I love that old-time rock and roll! I never saw Jean dance so hard.
What a wedding and what a Sunday morning headache that assured me that that night was not just a fantastic fantasy dream. It was real and it was amazing. I was so very happy for Jean and Allen.
RUCKSACK GRUNT - A Vietnam Veteran's Memoir 