CHAPTER THIRTY
Rajesh was pleased that his new market spot was doing so well but truth be told, he missed his old truck. It had been a good truck and he needed it to bring things into town or take his wife places.
Suddenly, someone was honking very loudly. At first it was just a few honks, then there were several long ones in a row. All the vendors stepped out of their stalls and stared down between them. At the end of the rows of vendors, was a brand-new, shiny red truck with an enclosed flatbed.
“What on earth?” murmured Rajesh. Then he saw it. The large men, jumping from the truck and walking toward him.
“Hello, Rajesh,” smiled Moose.
“M-my truck. What happened to my truck?” he asked.
“Well, there was a bit of an issue with that truck that couldn’t be fixed. It was a piece of shit, forgive me,” said Logan. “This one is paid for and all yours.”
He dropped the keys in the old man’s hands and smiled. Rajesh looked from one face to another and then back at Moose.
“It’s true. Your old truck died, Rajesh. We told you we’d replace it and we have. And, your stall here is paid for another five years. They cannot make you leave for any reason. You were very helpful to us.”
“This cannot be,” he said shaking his head. From the back of the market, an older woman shuffled toward them. Her left side of her face seemed to droop, her eye seemingly not at the right level to the other. One arm was smaller than the other, her head concave on the right side.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“My darling. My love, these men brought me back a new truck to replace the one that broke down. They’ve done so much. Our stall is paid for many years!”
“It is a blessing,” she said smiling at him. He kissed his wife lovingly hugging her.
“This is my wife, Marak. She is the joy of my life,” he said smiling.
The men all stared at one another, grinning at the old man. He would never know how close he came to losing the joy of his life. How close a madman had been to seeing her imperfections and assuming that she had no purpose in this world.
“It is very nice to meet you, Marek,” said Logan. “I’m getting married when I go home, perhaps you could tell me what the secret to a happy marriage is.” She laughed and her husband kissed her cheek once again.
“That’s simple. Love.”
They left the keys with Rajesh and Marek and made their way toward home. Even with the jet capabilities of the Osprey, it would be a long journey. For the first few hours, the men were quiet, barely speaking to one another.
“Do you think they were?” asked Logan staring at Moose and then the other men.
“I don’t know brother and honestly, I don’t fucking care. Those people loved one another. He could have easily walked out on her decades ago and yet it was clear they were devoted. It’s not my fucking business if they were related before they got married,” said Moose.
“When did humans begin thinking they could judge the world on their own standard? When did we all think we have the right way or the wrong way fixed in our minds and the rest of the planet should follow our suggestions?” asked Sor.
“Dude, if I had the answer to that, I’d be the fucking leader of the free world,” said Saint.
“I think most humans are arrogant and believe that their God or gods are the only ones that should be prayed to. We believe that whatever rules or laws we were raised with, were the right ones. Whatever normals we live with, should be the normals for everyone. It’s not right but it’s the truth. ”
“How do we change that?” asked Logan. “How do we get people to become more tolerant of one another?” Moose laughed, slapping his back as he stood to get them all some food from the galley.
“Brother, I think we need to get the team back home, including your beautiful fiancée to start working on a serum for that problem.”
Three days later, beneath a canopy of white, with fans blowing a cool breeze and champagne fountains flowing, Logan and Blythe were married in front of their friends and family.
The reception lasted for hours, with food coming and going like a Michelin star restaurant. When the couple disappeared for their honeymoon, the party really started.
Dancing, games, laughter, and reminiscing. In the back of the room were familiar faces.
“Another success, my love,” said Matthew kissing his wife.
“I had help on this one,” she smiled. “Ruby and Nathan had an inkling this one would work. I was lucky we had an opening.”
“We always got an opening,” said Franklin. “Do they know you’ve bought more property?”
“No,” said Matthew. “I’ll tell Gaspar and Luke when it’s time. It’s just not time yet.”
“Who’s next?” asked Charity excitedly.
“Well, now,” smiled Irene. “I believe that’s him over there, dancing with a friend of Blythe’s.”
“Oh,” giggled Martha. “This one will be fun.”