Page 130 of My Wife
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34
LIAM
Dadand a few other hockey greats who found their way to the wild north for the wedding, gather around discussing the upcoming finals.
Hendrix, never one to miss any sports talk, joins us. “The Titans are going to win.”
I shake my head because the Cup belongs to the Knights.
He continues, “And when we do, I’m going to Disneyland. Since you won’t be riding off into the sunset with the Stanley, where will you take your consolation prize trip?”
Dad asks, “You mean his honeymoon?”
I swallow thickly because everything has happened so fast, and because Jessica and I aren’t a real couple, we haven’t been planning our dream trip for months.
I blurt, “We’re going to Berlin to visit Oma and Opa. I’d like to do it for Christmas like we used to when we were kids, but I think those will be blackout dates for next year’s game schedule.”
Hendrix staggers backward. “You’re taking Jess to meet our other grandparents?”
It’s a big deal because even though I love Grannie Bell to death, the family king and queen are Dad’s parents.
Hendrix mutters, “Maybe I was wrong.”
Does that mean he knows this is all fake? Hendrix is the self-appointed family goof, but he’s observant. Must’ve inherited it from Mom.
Uneasiness slithers through me, but one of the guys shifts to the recent Generals’ scorching loss to the Titans and we’re back on track.
Dad pulls me aside and says a few words about loyalty and marriage, then gives me a long and searching look.
“Anything else on your mind?” I ask.
“There’s been something you’ve never been able to forget. If it means anything, I don’t hold it against you. No one does. I suggest you let it go, son. Leave it in the past.” He nods in Franklin’s direction.
“Easier said than done,” I mutter just as Jessica rushes over to us.
Saved by the belle of the ball. My bride.
Late that night, the family sends us to a nearby hotel.
Lights dim, we both crash onto the bed, still in our formal wear.
“We did it,” Jessica says, her voice small.
I find her hand and twine my fingers around hers.
“We did,” I say before we both promptly fall asleep.
The next day, Mom, Grannie Bell, Aunt Goldie, and Dolly prepare a big pancake brunch and send off.
Everyone thinks it’s disappointing that I have to jet to Pennsylvania for a game so soon after the big day. But I need a minute to think. To recuperate. To process what the ring on my finger means.
KJ and his cousins are obsessed with each other. Despite the communication differences, they figure out how to play which is pretty promising. Mom gets misty a few times, probably emotional over all three of her kids now married or in a serious relationship.
At one point last night, she said,I knew there was hope for you.
I grunted because that’s how she’d expect me to respond, but it’s all a lie. I think. I mean, Jessica did look beautiful. We exchanged vows. There was the kiss. Then dancing wasn’t the left-footed disaster I feared it would be.
