Promptly at 3:00 p.m. the organ music announces it’s time for us to walk down the aisle to witness Salem and Latham’s vows. The church is toasty warm thanks to a service man agreeing to work off the clock on a Friday night to ensure the wedding would go on without a hitch.
As I walk down the aisle, my eyes find Hamilton looking sharper than James Bond in his black tux. He smiles warmly and winks before I turn to take my spot on the step leading to the altar.
The music changes, the crowd stands and Salem on her father’s arm beams as she walks to Latham at the front of the church. I see a hint of tears in her eyes as Latham accepts her hand from her father. Latham looks scared to death, his face is pale, and he stands stiffly.
When I spoke to him earlier he seemed like the normal farm boy he is. He admitted to fighting his hangover all day but felt fine for the ceremony. I glance at Winston. He wins first-place for the worst hangover today. He still looks a bit green in his tux. Adrian complained about what a big baby he had been all night.
Hamilton and I walk out arm in arm. Once in the sanctuary Hamilton spins me towards him. He tells me how ravishing I look before kissing me passionately in front of all of our friends. This is not a peck on the forehead or the cheek. It’s a panty melting-if I were wearing any, heartbeat skipping, melting into a puddle of wanton need, long smoldering kiss. I strain to reopen my eyes. Our group of friends stand statue still, mouths agape in shock by Hamilton’s actions.
“Now, that’s more like it,” Adrian cheers while clapping. Walking closer to us she continues, “The two of you have skated around this for years. It was exhausting to witness. Now, sleep together and live happily ever after.”
I bury my face in Hamilton’s chest. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. We are in a church for goodness sake. The girl has no shame and most of the time no filter. When I finally pull away from Hamilton, I find our friends gathered tightly around us. It seems Hamilton’s public profession of feelings for me is well received.
Adrian places us in a receiving line as guests begin to spill into the reception hall. Hamilton keeps his hand on the small of my back as we welcome Salem and Latham’s family and friends. Salem kept her wedding small—the ceremony and reception are intimate for all in attendance.
As I enjoy dinner at the wedding party table, I realize for the first time that Salem and Latham are truly the epitome of high school sweethearts. It’s the captain and quarterback of the football team falling in love with the head cheerleader. Many books and movies exist based on such a couple.
My mind then wanders to Hamilton and me. Not that we are officially a couple or anything. Yet. I hope we will be someday. We are the tumultuous storyline of the popular jock with the nerd. Hamilton as my high school friend thought his job was to pry me away from my books and laptop to attend events with him. I was his nerdy sidekick and he was my fun-loving, center-of-attention hero. Wow, our journey has yet to begin and I am already writing our story. I shake away my thoughts, drawing my attention back to the couple of the hour-Salem and Latham.
Music plays during the reception, however there is no dance floor or first dance. Salem opted for the traditional meal, cake cutting, and at the end the tossing the garter and bouquet. With the holidays mere days away, she knew families were busy and wanted to keep the ceremony and reception short. I’m grateful as it allows me to return to Columbia at a decent hour. I long to hold Liberty in my arms.
Adrian loudly announces it’s time for the single ladies and guys to gather. She escorts me to the front of the women beside Savannah. “You’re next,” she whispers in my ear. “You better catch the damn bouquet or feel my wrath.”
“Pregnancy doesn’t agree with you,” I tease.
I have no intention of catching Salem’s flowers. My life is complicated enough without everyone claiming I am the next to be married. It’s time for me to focus on my new career and my daughter. And of course, Hamilton’s public display of affection will haunt my thoughts for many months to come.
Latham lifts Salem’s dress, removing her garter with only his teeth amidst cheers. He shoots it like a rubber band from his fingers. It lands on Hamilton’s head. The white and red garter sits as a crown upon his dark locks. He quickly grabs it and hands it to a teenage boy standing beside him. Several adults inform him he can’t pass it, he’s the next to marry. Hamilton’s eyes dart my direction. Giggling, I can only shrug.
Adrian makes a big production of adjusting the line of all the single ladies before she passes the bouquet to Salem. Of course, Savannah and I are front and center. Salem turns her back, as the crowd counts one, two, three she then tosses it over her head to the right of us ladies. It falls at the feet of a man before Salem’s single cousin hurries to claim it. Yay, she’s the next to marry.
Shortly after Salem and Latham make their escape, I say my goodbyes. Hamilton walks me to my car prolonging our goodbye. He promises to visit me before he heads to Mesa in January as he pulls me closer. He kisses the top of my head while holding me in the chilly air. He begs me to stay one more night and drive home tomorrow in the daylight, but I can’t bear to spend another night away from Liberty. I claim I need to help Alma as her family begins arriving.