“Go tell the poor man the music you want, Angel, and try not to make me have to kill him.” Blade swats her on the ass.
Eve laughs and walks over to the man. Although he’s standing at a distance, I can still hear her yell, “‘At Last,’ Etta James.”
“You look good,” Doug says after giving me a once-over. “I would have put you in a tuxedo, but it’s all about Dolly, so you’re fine.” He straightens his sleeve.
“Is she… is she okay?” And I want to take my knife and stab my other thigh for being such a pussy.
Blade, who’s been watching Eve, turns to look at me with a frown.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine. Why are you guys looking at me?” I crack my neck.
He grins. “Let’s get this going. I think Edge wants his bride.” He pats Doug on the back then turns to go get Eve. She’s happily chatting with some old ladies in the corner.
I turn toward Doug who is staring at me with a look of calm. “What?” I growl.
“I want you to know that I have not always agreed with you and your fucking crazy obsession with Dolly. But”—he picks some lint off my jacket—“she loves you more than she loves herself.” He turns and leaves me with those words ringing in my ears.
I call out to him, “Tell Dolly she can have a maid of honor.” He holds up his hand and keeps walking.
Axel passes him, shaking his head as he walks the small pathway that I guess is going to be the aisle until he’s standing next to me.
My eyes scan the room. Everyone has taken a seat except for the people who want to smoke. They’re hanging out in the back.
Good thing I ordered a shitload of flowers. They asked me if I had a preference. I said red roses since that always reminds me of Dolly’s love of red lipstick.
They must have run out because there are a ton of lilies also.
Coughs can be heard along with shuffling of feet as we all turn to see David walk Charlie down the aisle. She looks like she might be getting ready to give birth any day. Jesus, she’s huge. Closing my eyes, I envision Dolly with my baby growing inside her.
“Why not?” I whisper, not even realizing that I said it out loud.
“Why not what?” Axel leans forward.
Charlie sits in a chair followed by David. “I want kids.”
He starts to laugh. “Hey man, the world is your oyster. If you can keep your mean Smurfette from killing you, I say go for it. Look at Blade.” He nods toward where Blade sits with Eve on his lap.
Etta James starts playing from the loud sound system. It doesn’t matter though. Nothing matters as I hold my breath and slowly let it go.
The doors open. It’s almost like we’re in church. The sky is darkening and only the remaining tips of orange and red seep down into the desert skies. And there she is. She stands in front of the doorway, her arm hooked in her old man’s arm. A loud wail comes from her mom, Misty, as she walks behind them, eventually sitting in a chair that someone has set up for her.
“Fuck brother.” Axel’s eyes are shiny as he nods at her.
She stands still for a moment as though letting everyone know that she has arrived. My mind feels almost like I did smoke some of Axel’s shit. It’s numb and a slight sense of peace and rightness settles over my family. Etta’s voice fills the room as everyone looks. I hear a few more people start to cry and a lot of “goddamns.”
None of it matters. Nothing but this very second in my universe is important.
She didn’t wear black.
Instead, my eyes feast on her as she walks with Shark toward me. Her dress is pearl white. The material is plain, no ruffles, no lace. The low-cut neck pushes her magnificent breasts up so much they almost spill out.
I swallow as my eyes trail to her tiny waist, and then I take in the rest of her: it’s like she was dipped into a Disney movie. Her dress looks like something out of the animated version of Sleeping Beauty. The train is still trailing out the door.
“Take it easy.” Axel puts his hand on my shoulder, causing me to take in more air as she comes closer.
I can smell her. Even with all the flowers, I smell her addictive scent. Vanilla candy, and I want to get down on one knee and propose. I want to sweep her off her feet and never let her go.
I want…
I want her.
Dolly turns to smile at Charlie who holds out her hand to her as she passes. And still, I barely breathe as she stops in front of me. Shark lets go of her and gives me her small, delicate hand. It fits like it always has in my tan rough one: it fits just right.