by Dan Sofer
Oh, God. Is this right?
The trumpet played a slow, calming tune. Tov Lehodot / It is good to give thanks.
As his bride approached, the veil melted away and Mandy held his gaze. She radiated happiness. The crowd, the music, the rabbi, the hotel, everything faded. All Dave saw, all that mattered, was the girl he had chosen. She rose before him. Her perfect auburn curls flowed over her shoulders. Her bright eyes drank him in. Her sweet perfume filled his head. She circled him. She stood beside him.
The ceremony flew by: the wine, the ring, the wedding contract, the Seven Blessings, more wine, Mishi’s short, cryptic speech in pseudo-English. They sang the sad Im eshkachekh Yerushalayim / If I forget thee, Jerusalem.
Then Dave crushed a glass cup wrapped in foil beneath the heel of his black dress shoe, and the band erupted in joyous sounds.
Dave hugged his wife. He hugged his family and friends. They walked the carpet, bride and groom hand-in-hand, and the sea of well-wishers parted for them. A wall of dancing men formed two steps ahead.
Dave waved at Ruchama, who stood beside a man with earlocks and a straggly beard, the mythical neighbor Mandy had invited for her flatmate. Dave nodded at Ornan and his entourage. They wore dark suits and glasses and inclined their heads. At the bar, Mike the eternal bachelor chatted with Shani, who curled a finger through her Marilyn Monroe hair.
The parade reached the bridal chamber, where the newlyweds would enjoy a moment of quiet and hors d’oeuvres before rejoining their guests in the banquet hall.
As the door closed behind them, one journey ended and another began. Dave didn’t know where this adventure would lead or how it would end. No matter. He and Mandy would figure it out. Together.
***
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~Dan Sofer