by R.A Cullison
Chapter 19
I do or do I!
I was on the roof of the apartment building trying to get a tan. It was so hot in the apartment I needed to get out of it, It was hotter inside then out. I heard footsteps walking toward me, I looked it was Matt.
He did a wolf whistle, “Sexy momma, in that bikini.” I smiled,
“Yeah yeah, whats up?” He got down on his knees next to me.
“I have something for you?” he reached in his pocket and pulled out a little black box, “ I been wanting to give this to you awhile ago,” he opened it, there was beautiful ring, I took off my sunglasses.
“Matt, its beautiful.” I sat up, he grabed my hand and helped me stand.
“Nora, will you marry me?” he sounded nervous.
I looked up at him, “Yes!” he slid the ring on my finger, I reached up to put my arms around his neck, he had to bend down for me to hug and kiss him.
We were officially engaged and if felt great. I had to tell Nikki, I would need her help to plan the wedding. I wanted to marry Matt as soon as I can, but I wanted a decent wedding.
Nikki cheered, “Yes about time! Have a date set?” she was excited.
“No, but soon, I need your help.” I asked
“Yes, absolutely! I will help.” she was gitty.
I called my Grandpa to tell him the news, the phone rang 3 times.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Hey Grandpa, its Nora, I wanted to tell you some good news. Matt and I are getting married.” I couldn’t help but be excited.
“Married? Congrats Nora-bug. When is the wedding?” he asked, he sounded happy.
“Don’t know yet, I guess as soon as we get everything planned.” I answered.
“Don’t forget to tell you parents they will want to know about it and all the details.” he chuckled alittle, then I heard a females voice.
“Grandpa, do you have company?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah, a few of my friends are playing poker.” he said slightly laughing.
“Oh ok, then I will let you get back to what you were doing.” I went to hang up the phone. We said our good byes.
I called my parents and told them, my Mom wasn’t too thrilled that I was getting married at such a ‘young’ age.
2 days later Nikki showed up at the apartment with a stack of magazines and a note book, ready to do some planning. I was lucky because Grandpa said he would pay for the whole thing, I didn’t want to take his money but he insisted on it.
Nikki and I had the whole thing planned including the music and theme which was fairytale.
The following day we went to a wedding shop to pick out a wedding dress and a few bridesmaid dresses. Jane and Nikki were the only bridesmaids I had.
We walked into the store, I was overwhelmed by all the choices, we found a rack of some fluffy white dresses.
“Look at this one?” Nikki asked while holding up a very beautiful and full dress.
“Its pretty.” I said, Jane raised an eyebrow.
“That’s a bit much, I think your more of this kind of person.” she said as she held up another dress that’s wasn’t so full.
“OH I like that one, more.” I took it from her and headed back to the changing room. I slide on the dress, it fit me good. It was beige with thin straps and hand stitched lace patterns on the bust that went down to the waist.
I stepped out of the dressing room, Nikki and Jane both smiled, I knew I had the right one.
The seamstress came out and did some adjustments, “ This dress was made for you.” she commented. We picked out the shoes and moved on to the bridesmaids. We chose pale green, strapless dresses, they were beautiful.
We left the dress shop and went for lunch at Charlene’s diner. Nikki began checking stuff off the list we made.
“Ok after this, we need to go across the street and order the flowers. I don’t want to keep you out too late.” she said still checking stuff off her list. I looked a Jane who was having a blast.
After we ordered the flowers, I dropped Jane and Nikki off at their placed. I pulled up in front of Nikki’s apartment, Kyle was standing outside and at first glance he looked like Corbin. My heart began to feel heavy and began to doubt getting married to Matt. I had to remind myself that Corbin was dead and I loved Matt.
I walked into the apartment, Matt was making a sandwich, “Hey babe.” he greeted me. I had several bags in my hand which contained my shoes, garter and a few other things. I went straight to the bedroom and put the stuff in the back of the closed. “What was that about?” he asked taking a big bite.
“Wedding stuff, your no suppose to see.” I winked at him.
“AH, ok.” he placed his half eaten sandwich on his plate and headed into the living room. I grabbed a soda out of the fridge and joined him.
A knock on the door made me jump, Matt started laughing at me. “Wow, uptight much.” he had a teasing tone.
“HA-HA!” I mocked him.
He got up and answered the door, it was Kyle and few of Matt’s friends. “Hey guys.” he greeted them.
“Nora, we are here to steal your man for alittle while.” they all began to laugh.
“OH bachelor party time huh?” Kyle smiled, “Ok have fun babe. Behave.” I gave him a stern look. He bent down and kissed me.
“Always, I love you.” he rose back up then grabbed his jacket.
There I was alone in the apartment, I decided to get on the internet to look at wedding stuff and check my email.
I opened my email and there was a message in there that kind of freaked me out. It had Corbin’s email but the message was blank and no date.
I took a shower and went to bed. I woke up at first light and no Matt. I began to worry, so I got up and head out to the living room. I paced for about an hour when the door opened, in walked Kyle and Tony carrying Matt who was plastered.
“What did you do to him?” I asked as they placed him on the couch.
“Nothing, he had a good time and well he drunk a lot.” Kyle kind of chuckled.
Matt looked at me, “Babe!” he reached for me, “your so beautiful.” I began to take his jacket off, “babe, wait for my friends to leave.” I looked at them.
“Yeah, Ok, see you all later.” Kyle chuckled.
I took off his shoes, jacket, shirt and pants. He was passing out on the couch, I knew it was best to leave him there. I piled up 2 throw pillows and lowered him down. He was snoring in no time. I covered him up and headed back to bed. I had to laugh at him, he was such a big guy, you would think when he was drunk he would be mean but he was a teddy bear.
I slept for maybe another 2 hours when I heard Matt in the bathroom throwing up. “Never again huh.” I said to myself. I knocked on the door. “Babe, you ok?” no answer, “Matt? Answer me or I will come in there.”
“Ugh! I’m ok” he barely got out, then threw up again.
I got dressed and waited for him to come out of the bathroom. He emerged, he looked terrible, sweaty and pale. He managed to smile at me, “Hey baby.” I helped him to the bed, covered him up and put a fan on him. “Thanks babe.” He fell asleep.
I made myself a couple of pop tarts and some orange juice. I cleaned the place alittle. I kept checking in on him. I looked at the clock, time for my psychologist appointment.
It went good, I told her about the wedding ,she was happy for me, but tried to change my mind.
“Nora, this is a big step, are you sure your ready for this?” she asked me, making sure her eyes where locked on mine,
“Yes, I love him and I cant see my life without him.” I had a surely tone.
After the hour was over, I left and called Nikki, I wanted get the rest of the stuff planned, of course she was eager to do it also.
I called my Mom and asked her to cater the wedding, she was thrilled. I left the food and everything up to her and she then offered to pay for the food.
“You don’t have to Mom.” I was surprised.
“Nonsense you’re our only child, its done, No arguing Nora.” she was stern.
“Ok Mom, I love you.” I couldn’t help but smile.
“Love you too, Dad says he love you too.” she relayed the message my Dad was yelling in the back.
“Love you too daddy.” I chuckled and hung up.
I got back to the apartment, Matt was up watching tv, he looked better.
“Have fun today?” he asked.
“Busy, So, Matthew, the bachelor party? How did it go?” I sat next to him.
“Oh Geez, booze everywhere and everyone buying me drinks and yes there was a few strippers there, I refused to get a lap dance.” he glanced over at me, just to see my reaction.
“Really?” I asked him, “ according to Nikki, Kyle said you jumped on stage and did your own striptease.” Matt’s face dropped.
“I did?” he turned red, “Ugh! I’m serious, I’m never drinking again.”
“Babe, its ok last night was for you. I am glad you didn’t do anything stupid with another chick.” I looked down at my hands. Matt reached over took my hand and pulled me over to him.
“Never, that’s a promise, I am yours and you are mine.” I kissed him.
“I love the sound of that.” I laid my head on his chest.
A knock, I got up this time and got it. Nikki, Jane and Paula standing in the door, “Hey guys, what’s up?” they smiled, “What?”
“I got your jacket your coming with us.” she had this big smile on my face.
“Its your turn honey.” Matt said, smiling big.
“My turn?…. Oh! Do I have to?” I asked Nikki.
“Yes! Get moving missy!” she pointed out the door. I kissed Matt who was grinning ear to ear.
We arrived at the club, called Tomcats, Yeah that title wasn’t reassuring.
We walked in and the whole place was full of women, from my age to my Mom’s age. We joined a bunch of ladies, some where my friends from school and a few where the packs girlfriends. I sat down in the center of everyone.
“Can I take your drink order?” a man asked, he was wearing tight leather pants that showed the curve of everything and he was hot as hell. He smiled at me, oddly, more like he was checking me out.
Nikki pulled out a few bills and handed them to him, “Yes, beers as many as that will get us.” he looked at the stack of cash and smiled.
“Yes ma’am.” He turned and walked away all the ladies ooohed and ahhhed at him.
“Ladies! Welcome to Tomcats, for your viewing pleasure, please welcome, Jonnie Be Good!” the announcer said over the loud speakers. A well build man with amazing abs came out in a Zorro outfit and began dancing… well stripping, the ladies in my party where going nuts, accept me. I felt out of place, I couldn’t believe Nikki dragged me here.
After several hours, I was ready to go, I had only 2 beers and 2 jell-o shots. I wasn’t drunk or anything, I was feeling a little sick to my stomach.
2am, Nikki and everyone else were smashed. I made sure that Nikki and Jane got home, Kyle picked them up. I got a cab and headed home.
I walked into the apartment, Matt was sleeping on the couch. He woke up when he heard the door.
“Hey, how was the bachelorette party?” he asked stretching.
“Well… I felt out of place, seeing all those half naked men made me feel out of place.” I hung my coat up on the hook, Matt smiled.
“You don’t seem embarrassed when you see me naked.” he had this funny smile on his face.
“That’s different, I love you and your mine, they were strangers.” I sat next to him.
He leaned over and kissed me, “Wanna go into the bedroom and let me do my striptease for you?” he winked and raised his eyebrows. I started laughing
“Sorry babe, my tummy feels sick, the drinks made me sick.” I stood up and headed back to the bedroom, I looked back at Matt, he looked defeated. “I have singles.” I pulled out a wad of ones, he jumped up.
“Woohoo! Lets do it, I need some spending money.” he ran towards me, lifted me up and carried me into the bedroom.
We were sitting at the table getting our information together so we could file for a marriage license. That was my task, Matt and the guys went to go get fitted for their tuxes.
I walked into the court house, there must have been a big case going on, there was so many people there. I seen a bunch of orange color suits walk into the building, and then I seen Ken. I ducked into the clerks office just in time.
“Can I help you?” The woman behind the desk asked.
“Yes I would like to apply for a marriage license.” I handed her our birth certificates and drivers licenses. She typed in the info, “ that will be $65.” I counted out the cash, she handed me a receipt. “You can pick it up in 3 days.” I smiled at her and basically ran out of the building, to avoid seeing Ken.