Hank
arrived early, as he did for almost every event, taking a seat along a side
aisle of the chapel. After perusing the
church, with its natural wooden beams and stained glass windows, he turned his
attention to the ragged sleeves of his aging sports coat. A wildlife biologist, he had little need for
formal clothing and this tweed jacket, wearable with jeans or Dockers, had
become standard for weddings and funerals.
In Hank’s opinion, neither ceremony justified anything more elaborate.
Others
drifted in over the next twenty minutes, escorted by grim-faced ushers in
blue-gray tuxedos. Nearing the start of
the ceremony, close family members were seated, taking their place in the front
pews. Among this group was Phyllis Gage,
Hank’s ex-wife, and her current boyfriend, Jack King. At first glance, Phyllis seemed to have lost
some weight but Hank soon concluded that her black, formal dress was
responsible for the illusion. Other
family members included the groom’s sister and her husband, the groom’s mother,
the groom’s father and his new, young wife, the bride’s grandparents and the
bride’s mother, Debra, Phyllis’ sister.
As Hank now recalled, the bride’s father abandoned the family when she
was still quite young.
With
everyone in place, the organist moved on to the processional hymn and the crowd
stood to view the wedding party. Bride’s
maids, paired with nervous young men, were followed by the maid of honor,
Julie’s best friend, Candice, and, finally, Julie herself, adorned in a lovely
white gown. Escorted by her Uncle John,
the bride was radiant as she approached the minister, the wedding party and
Josh Peters, her soon-to-be husband.
With everyone in place, Reverend Carson asked the congregation to be
seated and initiated the ceremony.
After two readings from Scripture, one by Phyllis and the other by
Candice, Reverend Carson addressed the wedding party and those seated in the
chapel. He had a smooth delivery, easier
to listen to than most, Henry thought.
Covering the sanctity of marriage, the power of love and the
responsibilities of husband and wife, his words brought tears to some of the
women in the congregation and sniffling soon echoed through the small
church. Brief but effective, the
minister finished his sermon and moved on to more perfunctory duties, including
the vows, ring exchange and, finally, the lighting of candles, a ritual planned
by the bride and groom themselves. A
wedding kiss brought polite applause from the attendees and the newlywed
couple, followed by their brightly dressed cohorts, strode down the aisle and
entered their life together.
The
family followed the wedding party and the congregation filed behind them,
emptying the pews from front to back.
Hank walked behind a young couple that was overly affectionate, a clear
sign to Hank that they had not yet married.
By the time he reached Julie and Josh, they were beginning to show signs
of greeting fatigue, he having loosened his tie and she having set her corsage
on a nearby planter.
“Hi,
Uncle Hank,” she said before he could speak.
“So glad you could come. Josh,
this is Hank, he was my aunt’s husband.”
“Glad
to meet you, sir,” said Josh, extending his sweaty palm.
Hank
patted Josh on the shoulder and kissed Julie on the cheek. “That was a beautiful ceremony,” he said, “my
best wishes for both of you.”
But,
with their attention drawn to the next couple in line, they may not have heard
him. Pulling off his sports coat, Henry
headed for his pickup. He did not plan
to attend the reception.
