Page 90 of Rio's Release

“It is.”

Zig approaches. “And to think the whole place almost went up in flames.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, frowning.

He lifts a finger off his glass to point at Rio. “We were riding past and Prez signaled for us all to pull over. We all pitched in to help put out two trees that had been set on fire by some vandals. If we hadn’t been able to stop it there, all the trees for as far as you can see would have gone up.”

I look at Rio. “You did that? I didn’t know.”

He shrugs. “You see something like that, you help. It’s no big deal.”

“It was a big deal to Eduardo,” Zig adds.

A man rings a small service bell. “If you will all make your way to the ceremony space, please.”

We finish our glasses and a server comes by and collects them.

I take Rio’s arm and follow the rest of the crowd. A woman holding a basket passes out a wedding program. She’s an older Spanish woman, and she smiles at Rio and me with a twinkle in her eye. “You two make a lovely couple.”

I smile. “Thank you.”

We sit in the very last row, with Rio and I in the seats next to the aisle, and the rest of the boys next to us.

Soon, everyone is seated, and the groom and his groomsmen file in to stand at the altar next to the priest.

I lean over and whisper to Rio. “I’ve never seen a priest perform an outdoor wedding before. I thought they always had to be done in the church.”

A woman sitting in front of us turns and smiles. “The Sanchez family has had their weddings in these groves since the turn of the century when Eduardo’s great grandfather helped build the new church. They have always gotten special permission to do the ceremony on their land, like all their forefathers have done.” She winks. “It helps that they are very big donors to the church.”

“I see.”

Soon, the music starts, and several bridesmaids walk down the aisle. And then the music changes, and we all stand.

Turning, I see the bride escorted by Eduardo. She looks beautiful in a lace dress with several tiers of flounces and a long veil.

After a very long ceremony which includes full mass and communion, the couple are presented, and after kissing their parents, they walk down the aisle, looking so very happy.

At that moment, the woman in front leans back to touch my arm. “Now comes the fun part. The La Callejoneada.”

“What is that?” I ask.

“A parade similar to a Second Line that might take place in New Orleans. It takes us from here to the reception site across the grove.”

The mariachis start up and a group of six women in traditional Mexican garb with full colorful skirts, spin and dance, and escort the couple and wedding party, with all the guests following along.

Rio and I exit the row, and the rest of the club follows.

“Well, I’m in the mood to party all night,” Zig says behind us, clapping his hands and dancing along.

When we make it to the tent, an incredible party has already started.

Rio leads us over to an open bar that’s serving everything from traditional Mexican beer and tequila to margaritas.

I get a margarita, and the guys all get beer or tequila.

“You hungry?” Rio asks, leading me over to the long buffet. White-clothed tables are laden with food, including tacos, tamales, pork carnitas, chiles rellenos, enchiladas mole, and more.

“Look at all this,” I say, grabbing a plate, and passing my drink to Rio to hold.

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