by Jim Cangany
Annie's phone buzzed. "Randi's on the way. I need to get ready."
As soon as Annie was out the door, I called the wedding planner. She promised me she'd try to find us something, but, given the late notice, our options would be extremely limited. I thanked her and started making calls myself.
To my total lack of surprise, my efforts bore no fruit. Given my needs—seating for a hundred guests or so, on-site reception facilities including an alcohol permit, changing rooms for the wedding party, and a few other things—every place I contacted said they couldn't help me.
Feelings of utter ineptitude consumed me as I trudged to the bathroom to get ready for the rehearsal. When I got to the Art Center, the wedding planner flagged me over to a corner. She'd struck out as well. We were discussing the possibility of getting some tents brought in when Gloria joined us.
"Anything I can help with?"
"I wish G. We're screwed weather-wise. I don't know what we're going to do. We've called about every reception hall in town and nothing's available."
"Ah, I see." Gloria brushed something from her sleeve and looked at the wedding planner. "I might be able to help you out. May I have a word with E.J. and Annie alone?"
Gloria and I rounded up Annie and found a room to chat undisturbed. Once we were seated, Gloria focused her attention on Annie.
"Honey, I'm so, so sorry about the weather." Annie nodded but didn't say anything. "Lord knows if anybody deserves a special day for her wedding, it's you."
"Thank you, Gloria."
"I can help you, but it'll require you to be flexible about a few things to pull this off."
For the first time since we'd entered the room, Annie's eyes met Gloria's. "How so?"
"You won't be able to use all your decorations for the ceremony and your reception hall won't be terribly fancy."
"But we'd be indoors and have room for everybody?"
"Yes and yes."
Annie got up and wandered around the room. The way she nodded her head as she walked left me with the impression she was going through the pros and cons in her mind, weighing the plusses versus the minuses.
At this point, if Gloria could get us a place, I didn't see any cons or minuses, but this was Annie's call. I owed it to her to make the decision.
She returned to her seat and glanced at the ceiling for a moment. "If I've learned anything these past few months, it's that sometimes there are things you can't control and you simply have to go with the flow. All right, where are we moving?"
Gloria broke into an ear-to-ear smile. "You've been there before dear, well at least the reception hall part. We're moving to my church."
For a minute, I sat there with my mouth hanging open before my brain kicked into gear. "Your church? Don't you guys have some kind of function in the cafeteria on Saturdays?"
"Normally, yes. You're not the only ones who've been keeping an eye on the weather. When you decided on an outdoor wedding and reception, I booked the church and cafeteria as a backup."
Annie put her hands up. "Whoa, stop it. I'm lost. What place are you talking about?"
"My church, dear. You know, where we serve the Thanksgiving meals." When Annie's eyes grew wide, Gloria nodded. "Like I said, it's not fancy, but it'll suit your needs."
"Where we've served Thanksgiving meals." Annie chuckled. "I believe there may be a certain symmetry to this. But how can we ever repay you?"
"Let's just say it's my church's way to tell the Cassandra Lawrence Foundation thank you for its ongoing Thanksgiving support."
"Oh, E.J." Annie took my hand. "Given the circumstances, I like it. I like it a lot. What do you think?"
I was about to say something when a memory flashed before my eyes. It took me back to dancing with Annie at Ryan and Miranda's wedding. As we'd danced, I'd seen visions of us together in places all across the world. The last scene had been the two of us on the steps of a church.
"What do I think? It's perfect."
Twenty-Nine
After I gave Gloria a bear hug and a thank you for being there once again, I left her and Annie for a couple of quiet moments alone. While they chatted, I told everybody we were moving the wedding and the reception to Blessed Trinity, Gloria's church.
I gave the address to the wedding planner and asked her to contact the caterer immediately. Ira and Beth volunteered to make sure all of Annie's business and out of town guests were notified. Before I'd finished repeating the church's address to Ira, Miranda and Dave had started working their phones, no doubt starting a texting tree for all the local guests.
By the time Annie and Gloria emerged from the room, the wheels were rolling on getting everything moved. Gloria stepped to the head of the room and rubbed her hands together.
"Well then, for those I've not met, my name's Gloria Washington. Officially, I'm the pastor of the Blessed Trinity Church and have the pleasure of marrying this wonderful couple tomorrow. Unofficially, I've been trying to keep E.J. on the straight and narrow for the past few years, with admittedly, mixed results."
Laughter rippled through the gathering while my cheeks warmed to what had to be a bright crimson shade. Gloria took control and after getting a few things moved around ran us through the rehearsal with the skill of the seasoned veteran she was. Before I knew it, she clapped her hands once and told everybody she'd see us at the church the following day.
"You're not joining us for dinner?" Annie asked.
She shook her head. "I have a few ladies waiting for me. Need to make sure we're ready for tomorrow. Never had such a celebrity get married in our little church." Gloria gave Annie a hug and whispered something in her ear. With a wave, she was out the door.
We were in high spirits as we drove to a nearby banquet hall for the rehearsal dinner. With the way folks laughed and hugged all evening long, you'd have never known the rain was coming down harder than ever. The champagne flowed as if it was water and it seemed like toasts were made every five minutes. Ira joked that with all the amazing deals he'd swung for Cassandra, it was the least she could do to let him walk her down the aisle. Once Annie had seen Aidan, she'd grabbed Ashley and made the introductions.
Before it got too late, she made her exit with Miranda and Ryan. She was staying at their place for the night, allegedly because they had an early appointment with the hair dresser. I sensed it was Annie showing a touch of traditionalism without wanting to admit it. That was okay. I'd return the tradition favor with my wedding ensemble.
And so it was that I spent my final night as a bachelor alone. Once I got back to the condo, I laid my outfit on the spare bed and made sure I had everything accounted for. After that, I took time to flip through the scrapbook I'd created from the keepsakes compiled during my letting-go exercise.
As I reflected on the winding road I'd traveled from the scruffy nine-year old with a buzz haircut and a bandage on his elbow to a man probably in need of a haircut about to marry the girl of his dreams, I couldn't help but smile.
Sure, there'd been times I'd ended up crashing out in the proverbial ditch. But over the years, I'd learned it was those low moments that made the high ones all the more sweet. I flipped the scrapbook closed and headed for bed, content with the knowledge the day ahead would be the sweetest of all.
* * * *
The clouds and raindrops barely registered as I sat in the passenger seat on the way to the church.
"Man, this is a sweet ride, E.J."
I glanced at Ryan perched behind the wheel of my BMW and smiled. "Least I could do since you're pulling chauffeur duty."
We listened to sports radio on the drive, but didn't talk much. Between Ryan's quiet nature and what I was about to do, words weren't necessary. We pulled up next to Paul's truck and headed for a side door. I had my hand on the door knob when Ryan cleared his throat.
"Hey, E.J.?"
I stopped and turned to him.
"I just wanted to say congratulations. It's been great getting to know you and Annie. I'm glad we're friends."
It took a couple of attempts to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat. I went back to him and gave him a hug.
"So am I, man. So am I."
Once inside, I shook Ryan's hand and made for the "groom's dressing room." On my way, Josh hurried past with a loop of speaker cable in one hand. He waved, but didn't stop.
I watched him until he arrived at an area to the right of the altar where the choir was usually situated. Today, the space was occupied by The Downtowners, who were busy tuning their instruments. Near the front the church, the wedding planner was giving two young men instructions on where to put the flowers while keeping an eye on a woman who was attaching decorative bows to the pews.
Located in an older part of town, the church had clearly been built with utilitarian function in mind. Instead of the intimidating, almost gothic stone grandeur of the church I had attended growing up, the interior of this one almost said, "Pull up a seat and let's visit for a while." The single bulb chandeliers cast a warm glow that gave the cream colored walls a homey feel. At its capacity, the place probably seated two hundred, max.
A quick glance at my watch told me I had about an hour left as a bachelor. With a little spring in my step, I finished the journey to my dressing room.
Paul and Dave had arrived before me and were already in their matching tuxedos. They'd scrounged up a couple of metal folding chairs and were watching a college football game on Dave's tablet.
"So who's winning?"
"It's tied, late in the third," Dave said. A split second later, they both turned toward me. I held out a suit bag.
"Let's do this."
I slipped behind a partition to change and was adjusting my bow tie when there was a knock on the door. Gloria stepped in, dressed in a gray suit with burgundy accents. The outfit went with Annie's colors to a T. Instrumental music from the Downtowners flowed in until she closed the door.
"You ready E.J.?"
"Never been more ready for anything in my life." I stepped from behind the partition.
She looked me over from head to toe, then brought her hands together. "I'll never understand you Irish people's fascination with kilts."
"At least he's got the legs for it," Paul said with his trademark deadpan delivery.
I looked down. My black dress shoes reflected the overhead light. The white of my kilt hose contrasted with the black of my Brian Boru jacket and vest. Together, they provided the perfect accent to the green and blue of my kilt and tie. The pattern was as close as I'd been able to get to an official McCarty clan tartan.
"Your words, not mine," Gloria said. Dave stifled a laugh while G checked her watch and stepped back out.
A few minutes later, she rejoined us. "Gentlemen, it's time." When she opened the door, the band stopped playing. The quiet caused a few butterflies to start flapping their wings in my stomach.
Gloria led our little procession to the front of the altar. Paul, the best boss in the world, followed her. Next in line was Dave, my best man, and a role model of a husband. A little murmur went through the crowd as I followed Dave, probably due to the kilt. I reveled in the moment.
When we were in position, Amy began playing the guitar introduction to "Amazing." My eyes got a little watery when Missy came in with the French Horn. Once Tish started singing the opening verse, doors opened at the other end of the sanctuary. Staci entered, wearing a smile that could have lit up the neighborhood. Annie's young friend was positively adorable in her formal, burgundy gown as she walked up the aisle at an almost leisurely pace. She stopped about halfway so her mom and dad could take a few pictures and reached her position to the right of Gloria just as the second verse began.
As if they'd rehearsed for weeks instead of doing this on the fly, Miranda began her walk up the aisle just as Staci's ended. If Staci was adorable in her gown, Miranda was stunning in hers. It took a few seconds of searching the crowd, but when I found Ryan, his cheeks were red, but his smile reached from ear to ear. He was a lucky man, because as beautiful as his wife was on the outside, she was a hundred times more beautiful on the inside.
As the Matron of Honor, Miranda took her place between Staci and Gloria after mouthing "Nice kilt" to me.
The bridge of the song began. I shifted my attention from Miranda to the back of the church. What I saw took my breath away. Annie was a vision of ethereal beauty. As she began the walk toward me, with a grinning Ira at her side, the words to the song The Downtowners were playing lifted me up and took me to a place beyond my imagination.
My North Star was perfection in pearl white. Her veil featured a simple band of lace that accented her cheekbones. Her ear lobes sparkled with a new pair of diamond earrings. But her gown...oh, her gown. The photo I'd seen months ago was nothing compared to what was before me.
The dress had a high neckline of lace that left no hint whatsoever of what she'd been through these last few months. On the contrary, it gave off a vibe of old-time Hollywood class. The rest of the long-sleeved gown looked like it was the finest silk. The bodice was adorned with tiny sequins that glittered with each step she took. Her hands were wrapped around a small bouquet of white roses.
Our eyes met. She gave me her heart-melting smile. My knees grew weak at her unmatched beauty. With each step, memories flooded my mind: Union Station in Chicago, Times Square in New York, the Monon Trail here in Indy.
Annie and Ira arrived to stand before me as the song ended. He shook my hand and patted me on the back. "You've got a real jewel here, E.J. Take care of her."
I looked him in the eye. "It will be my honor, sir."
He kissed Annie on the cheek and went to his seat next to Samantha. I took Annie's hand in mine. It was soft and warm and was the best feeling in the world. We turned to face Gloria. As the crowd settled into their seats, Annie leaned into me.
"Cute skirt, McCarty," she said in a low voice.
While I tried to hide a snort, Gloria gave us a stern look. "We're in the House of the Lord, young lady. Behave yourself," she said out of the corner of her mouth. Then she winked.
With nervous tension evaporated, Gloria raised her voice. "Welcome friends, to this most joyous of occasions, the wedding of Annie and E.J." She said a few more words then read a Bible passage about love being kind and something. I'll admit it. I wasn't paying attention. I was too busy gazing upon the most amazing woman in the world, who was minutes from becoming my wife.
When the reading was finished, Gloria picked up a microphone.
"We've never done this, but the bride-to-be has asked permission to sing a song to her betrothed. And who am I to argue with a best-selling pop singer?"
The crowd laughed as Annie took the microphone and nodded to Beth. A quiet melody of keyboards and drums began. She took a breath and began to sing.
I was lost in the valley
Scared and alone.
You appeared from nowhere
Who would have known?
From one act of kindness
The greatest of loves has grown.
Will you be mine?
Take your time
I know we'll be fine
Just say you'll be mine.
When the winds blew so strong
You stood straight and tall
And held fast to what's right
When backed to the wall.
You gave up the gold
To answer the call
And taught us a lesson
About doing right for all
So will you be mine
Please take your time
Please trust we'll be fine
Just say you'll be mine
Now here we stand
The undiscovered country awaits
The worst is behind us
Let's swing open these gates
As we take the next step
And let the past fall away
I'm yours if you'll have me
By your side, I will stay
So will you be mine?
And cro
ss that line
Let our lives intertwine
Please say you'll be mine
She kept her eyes locked on mine throughout the song. As the last note faded to the heavens, she raised her eyebrows and handed the microphone to Gloria.
My mentor stood for a moment, her head bowed while Annie's song sank in. She lifted her head and asked Annie and me to join hands.
"May we have the rings, please?" Dave and Miranda placed our wedding bands on a small red velvet pillow.
After blessing the rings, Gloria offered the pillow to Annie, who picked up the wider band of gold.
She slipped the ring on my finger as she spoke to me the most magical words I'd ever heard.
"I, Annette Suzanne Wilson, take you, Eamon Joseph McCarty to be my husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God and our friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
My fingers trembled as I lifted Annie's ring from the pillow and looked into those dark brown eyes that had pierced my heart all those years ago. I stroked her hand before slipping the matching Celtic knot band over her delicate ring finger.
When the ring passed her first knuckle, I spoke the most important words I had ever, or would ever, speak.
"I, Eamon Joseph McCarty, take you, Annette Suzanne Wilson, to be my wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God and our friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, in joy and in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
With the rings in place, Gloria took over. "E.J., Annie has spoken of her true love to you. And I don't doubt it for a minute. Do you, E.J,. take Annie to be your lawfully-wedded wife?"