Chapter 13 #2
“I wanted our weddin’ to be different. Well, I wanted to speak differently, King. I’m a nervous mess, right nih,” I stammered, stepping into my place, not too far from the officiant but not deathly close to him.
Confused, King asked, “Why do you want to talk differently?”
“To let her know it’s okay to outgrow what you’ve been through, and to become the beautiful butterfly she’s determined to be,” I spoke plainly, looking at him.
His smile was massive while nodding. “Then, tune everybody out. Focus on her eyes and speak from the heart. If you want to speak proper English, handle that shit. You got this. Now look at the first row and see who is sitting by TT.”
I closed my eyes and turned my head to the position of the number eleven on a clock. Opening my eyes, I saw Momma smiling. Next to her was a pouting Syrah. A scared Ms. Dorothy sat next to her granddaughter and a crossed leg Momma Thea, who had belts in her lap.
I laughed hard. “Guhs, y’all showed out in this venue. Momma Thea, you brought allaour belts?”
“I sure the fuck did. Bet not one of you mess up my day,” she sassed, winking.
“Understood.” I chuckled, nodding.
“Now, you should know and feel confident in how you are going to speak,” King whispered as the instrumental of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” coasted from the speakers. It was time for our guests and wedding party to witness Mona and me sealing the deal on our love forever.
Dapper than a motherfucka, Kingdon walked down the aisle, arm-in-arm with his beautifully smiling sister-in-law. I grinned at the duo who had to be paired together. Min requested it because she knew her husband wouldn’t act right.
“That motherfucka know she is cutting up in that slitted up dress. Oooh, Jesus, please keep this thang from growing. If she weren’t pregnant, she would’ve been after we did a few two-step dances at the reception.
She slapped that bottom grill in. My gawd,” King held out as I locked eyes with a proud Min.
Winking at me, Min mouthed, ‘I love you, cousin-in-law.’
Nodding, I mouthed, ‘I love you mo’’.
While Kingdon and Min split off, my glowing cousin and an overly happy Ryan smiled at me. I dropped my head at the couple who brought forth true love and marriage into the twins’ and my lives. We adored them. Even through their little hiccup, we needed the love that they had.
Walking by us, Ryan quickly said, “You see who is sitting in between Momma Orthella and Momma Thea?”
“Hell yeah.” We chuckled lightly as I wondered if Mona would show her ass by seeing the bitches she beat up in the front row to see our nuptials all the way through.
Nasi Wonder her lip never quivered, nor did she draw in the left corner of her bottom lip.
Satisfied with her mouth reaction, I smiled, nodded, and looked at the officiant.
Once Mona looked at the average-height man with a horrible hairline, the medium-pitch man confidently and enthusiastically said, “Welcome, family and friends. It’s my pleasure to stand here today to celebrate the union of August Abbott Senior and Mona Averhart.
They have invited you to witness and support their decision to enter a loving, high-energy level marriage. ”
“Real heavy on the high-energy level.” Thiago laughed loudly, causing many to chuckle.
Nodding, the officiant simmered his laughter and smiled. “As the person officiating their ceremony, I declare that I’m authorized to formalize marriages in the State of Alabama.”
“If you wasn’t, you wouldn’t be present,” Thiago admitted goofily, causing another wave of laughter to storm through the venue.
The officiant shockingly looked at the silly nigga who had crossed his legs. Momma Thea sternly looked at Thiago and held up his belt. King and I laughed as she hissed, “Say one more fucking word, Thiago. Just … one … fucking … more.”
As he nodded and looked at us, fingers moving fast, the timid officiant stuttered, “Um, a personal reflection from the couple’s son, August Abbott Junior.”
My eyebrows were off my face as I looked at my smiling woman, winking.
“Last-minute addition?” I grinned as my son took the floor, looking at Mona and me.
“Nope. Something hidden from you,” she whispered as we faced our son.