FA+
Shop
"Return to New York": Part Six
8 years ago
Following our lavatorial duties, Glenn and I finally got dressed in our respective wedding formal wear. My brother also had a white button-down shirt with black pants, and was tempted to wear his cap with a pair of Oakley® shades (resting on the visor), but he decided not to get on Rhonda's bad side that morning - following the 'tongue-lashing' she gave me...
Sis had long since been dressed for the big event, finishing her attire with a special pair of dress shoes which made her look stylish. However, she would also carry a pair of 'flats' she would need to drive her car with.
She was in the kitchen, feeding the dogs before preparing a light breakfast for us (consisting of coffee, onion rolls, and desserts from a local bakery.
Going into my carry-on suitcase, I added the final enhancement to my own wedding wardrobe, three pieces of jewelry: my Elmont Memorial High School "Class of '72" graduation ring, a necklace with two fish on the pendent (signifying my zodiac sign Pisces), and a special ring (Mom had made for me back in the late 1960s - when she had a job at a jewelry store in the Bronx) that spelled out my first name in upper- and lower-case letters. I haven't worn them (for any occasion) in over a quarter of a century.
Erica, the sister of the bride, had to leave the house first, as she had to deliver a special centerpiece for the reception - that she had spent a whole month working on. It was a replica of a hot-air balloon (adorned with white and silver studs in an intricate design), suspended over a box with a slot on top (for the many envelopes the newlywed couple would receive from friends and family alike) - which doubled as the balloon's gondola.
Following breakfast (and one last opportunity for the Papillons to 'do their business'), the three siblings piled into the SUV and drove off for East Rockaway (and the home of future bride and groom Corynne and Hector). Taking a short cut through a variety of side streets, Rhonda was going to make sure not to make the same mistake she'd made the night before (and get blocked by the local police from getting to he destination), by going further west on Sunrise Highway.
Pulling up in front of the home, we left the envelopes (for the reception centerpiece) in the SUV, and entered through the front door. Climbing one flight of stairs to the living room, the three of us encountered family members (on both sides) - making their own last-minute preparations.
Among the attendees was Corynne's biological father (and my ex-brother-in-law) Paco, standing by a table in his formal wear, calmly sipping a cup of coffee.
Any other time, I'd avoid Paco like the plague - for leaving my sister and her family, so many years ago. But, for the sake of my niece (whose special day I'd promise not to ruin), I approached him in an attempt to 'make nice' with him...
"Hi," I said to Paco.
"Hey there!" he replied, reaching out to shake my hand.
"So, when did you arrive at JFK from Spain?"
"I didn't. I arrived at LaGuardia from Portugal."
"I see... Didn't they have a huge wildfire in that country?"
"Yep... The worst one in the country's history."
"I thought you were from Spain."
"I am from Spain. The flight to America costs less from Portugal."
"Oh."
Eventually, I'd focused my attention on Corynne, who was having her hair done on the other side of the room.
I then asked Paco, "Isn't it supposed to be 'bad luck' to see the bride before the wedding?"
"That only applies to the groom. It's OK for the rest of the family to see her."
"Uh-huh... I'll see you later."
Entering the kitchen, just to get a glass of water, I came across Rhonda, and before I had a chance to tell her about my first encounter with Paco in years, she interrupted me with a last-minute change of plans...
"We have too many guests and not enough cars," she explained. "You and Glenn will have to walk to the area where the wedding ceremony takes place."
"How far away is that?"
"Oh, it's only five blocks from here."
"FIVE BLOCKS?!"
"Hey, you two walked from Times Square to the Freedom Tower the other day. Another five blocks from here isn't going to kill you!"
After a moment of silence, I said "You're right, Sis. I'll get Glenn and tell him about it, while you drive the others to the wedding."
Luckily, Glenn was already outside, watching some of the other family members take pictures of one another - including one dude dressed up in blue… blue jacket, blue pants, blue hat, and even blue shoes...
It took me just a few seconds to suddenly realize that the 'blue boy' was the groom himself, Hector!
"Oh, this is going to be one helluva wedding!" I'd thought to myself, as I'd approached Glenn - to relay the message Rhonda passed along to me...
(To be continued...)
Sis had long since been dressed for the big event, finishing her attire with a special pair of dress shoes which made her look stylish. However, she would also carry a pair of 'flats' she would need to drive her car with.
She was in the kitchen, feeding the dogs before preparing a light breakfast for us (consisting of coffee, onion rolls, and desserts from a local bakery.
Going into my carry-on suitcase, I added the final enhancement to my own wedding wardrobe, three pieces of jewelry: my Elmont Memorial High School "Class of '72" graduation ring, a necklace with two fish on the pendent (signifying my zodiac sign Pisces), and a special ring (Mom had made for me back in the late 1960s - when she had a job at a jewelry store in the Bronx) that spelled out my first name in upper- and lower-case letters. I haven't worn them (for any occasion) in over a quarter of a century.
Erica, the sister of the bride, had to leave the house first, as she had to deliver a special centerpiece for the reception - that she had spent a whole month working on. It was a replica of a hot-air balloon (adorned with white and silver studs in an intricate design), suspended over a box with a slot on top (for the many envelopes the newlywed couple would receive from friends and family alike) - which doubled as the balloon's gondola.
Following breakfast (and one last opportunity for the Papillons to 'do their business'), the three siblings piled into the SUV and drove off for East Rockaway (and the home of future bride and groom Corynne and Hector). Taking a short cut through a variety of side streets, Rhonda was going to make sure not to make the same mistake she'd made the night before (and get blocked by the local police from getting to he destination), by going further west on Sunrise Highway.
Pulling up in front of the home, we left the envelopes (for the reception centerpiece) in the SUV, and entered through the front door. Climbing one flight of stairs to the living room, the three of us encountered family members (on both sides) - making their own last-minute preparations.
Among the attendees was Corynne's biological father (and my ex-brother-in-law) Paco, standing by a table in his formal wear, calmly sipping a cup of coffee.
Any other time, I'd avoid Paco like the plague - for leaving my sister and her family, so many years ago. But, for the sake of my niece (whose special day I'd promise not to ruin), I approached him in an attempt to 'make nice' with him...
"Hi," I said to Paco.
"Hey there!" he replied, reaching out to shake my hand.
"So, when did you arrive at JFK from Spain?"
"I didn't. I arrived at LaGuardia from Portugal."
"I see... Didn't they have a huge wildfire in that country?"
"Yep... The worst one in the country's history."
"I thought you were from Spain."
"I am from Spain. The flight to America costs less from Portugal."
"Oh."
Eventually, I'd focused my attention on Corynne, who was having her hair done on the other side of the room.
I then asked Paco, "Isn't it supposed to be 'bad luck' to see the bride before the wedding?"
"That only applies to the groom. It's OK for the rest of the family to see her."
"Uh-huh... I'll see you later."
Entering the kitchen, just to get a glass of water, I came across Rhonda, and before I had a chance to tell her about my first encounter with Paco in years, she interrupted me with a last-minute change of plans...
"We have too many guests and not enough cars," she explained. "You and Glenn will have to walk to the area where the wedding ceremony takes place."
"How far away is that?"
"Oh, it's only five blocks from here."
"FIVE BLOCKS?!"
"Hey, you two walked from Times Square to the Freedom Tower the other day. Another five blocks from here isn't going to kill you!"
After a moment of silence, I said "You're right, Sis. I'll get Glenn and tell him about it, while you drive the others to the wedding."
Luckily, Glenn was already outside, watching some of the other family members take pictures of one another - including one dude dressed up in blue… blue jacket, blue pants, blue hat, and even blue shoes...
It took me just a few seconds to suddenly realize that the 'blue boy' was the groom himself, Hector!
"Oh, this is going to be one helluva wedding!" I'd thought to myself, as I'd approached Glenn - to relay the message Rhonda passed along to me...
(To be continued...)
Neon_Glow_Husky
~neonglowhusky
have fun and be safe on all these trips
