The F-Word

Because I don’t give a crap what you call it.

What’s happening between us in that bed and, okay, out of it, is something I’m not yet ready to define.

Or give up.

* * *

We shower again.

We get dressed.

Bailey looks spectacular. Long pale pink gown. Matching heels. Hair loose and lightly curling.

I’m in my tux. It’s hand-tailored. After I moved up in the construction field I found myself attending lots of banquets and awards ceremonies. I’ve even won a couple of those awards. The point is, I figured that it would be sensible to own my own monkey suit instead of having to rent one and once I reached that conclusion, having one made to fit me made sense.

Bottom line?

We both look pretty damn good.

I put my arm around Bailey and draw her to the mirror. We stand before it and gaze at our reflections.

“Ms. Abrams,” I say.

“Mr. O’Malley,” she replies.

We smile. Then I turn her towards me and give her a soft kiss. She reaches up and adjusts my bow tie.

“Showtime,” she says, only without any of the nervous anticipation of last night.

Tonight, we’re going to have fun.

* * *

And we do.

First, of course, we sit through the ceremony. And, despite everything, it’s, you know, it’s okay. I don’t know if Violet and Chester wrote their own vows or if they had some help. Either way the vows are the kind people should be willing to make at the start of a marriage. The judge who marries them says some corny crap, but even that’s not bad. And when Chester kisses his bride, we all applaud.

Even my Bailey.

She leans to me and whispers, “Violet looks beautiful, doesn’t she?”

Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but Violet looks better than she did last night or this afternoon, so I clasp Bailey’s hand and say yeah, she does.

Afterwards, we go through the receiving line. Bailey embraces the mother and father of the bride, she embraces Chester’s folks, then Chester and, finally, Violet.

She holds Violet’s hands and speaks softly to her. I am, of course, right next to Bailey so I hear every word.

“Vi,” Bailey says, “I know we’re cousins, but I’m sorry we were never really friends.”

I’m amazed. Violet is clearly shocked, but the real shocker is when she says she’s sorry too.

Bailey smiles and hugs her. “I just know you’ll have a wonderful honeymoon with Chester, and a long and happy life.”

Violet’s eyes tear up. Chester’s been eavesdropping and now he yanks his handkerchief from his pocket and hands it to his bride.

“Thank you, Bailey,” Vi says.

Chester and I exchange a quick smile. “Congratulations, man,” I say.