Tuesday morning began with our usual coffee routine. Since I was meeting with Mrs. Worth today and tomorrow, Pam said she would go to the store and get some groceries. I suggested she would come with me, and that made her smile.
Pam and I did the surveys and then met with Mrs. Worth. Mrs. Worth had one of their engineers, Gary, meet with us. Gary had a few basic questions, nothing major. After he left, Mrs. Worth said that Dorrest wanted him to meet us because he would be working with us. That was the excitement there and our two surveys.
On Thursday, I stopped by Jack’s office. I was curious if they had anything going Cloverton as yet. Nothing. Jack and I shot the bull for a while, then I left.
I stopped at the drive-thru burger joint and got a takeaway for Pam and me, but when I got home, the house had an eerie quiet. I called for Pam, with no success. I frantically ran through the house and down the basement. Pam was nowhere to be found. SHIT!
My phone buzzed, and I answered it. I was still frantic. It was Allison.
“Allison, I don’t mean to be rude, but I am calling the cops. Pam is nowhere to be found. She didn’t say anything about,” Allison yelled through the phone.
“MARK, STOP! WAIT, CALM DOWN!” She got my attention. “We have kidnapped your bride-to-be. It is bad luck for you to see her before the wedding. Don’t be mad at anyone but me. This was my idea.” Allison was speaking in a calm voice.
I grabbed a support beer from the fridge and dropped onto the couch. The next call came from Mark T. He wanted to know if I still wanted to spend the night at his place. I thanked him, but I figured since Pam wasn’t here, I might as well stay here. I looked at the white sack of food; my appetite was gone. Time for a shower and another beer; at least one more beer.
After my shower, I got the sack of food and nuked it. I turned on the CD player. It played “Pam”. Not tonight, I was missing her like crazy and I did not need a CD to remind me. So I ate the burgers and most of the fries and drowned them and my emptiness with the cold beer. At some point, I fell asleep on the couch.
I jumped from the couch like I had been shocked. I looked around to get my bearings and locate the clock. Nine-twenty – I must have crashed. I didn’t know what time I had fallen asleep. I have four and a half hours before I get married to my Pamela. Come on, clock – get moving.
At noon, I got in the shower. A hot shower and shave, I have to look the best I can for my girl. I put on my briefs and then got the polish kit for my shoes. I wanted them to look like a mirror. Almost one, time to start to put on my suit.
At one- fifteen, I walked out the door for my drive to St. Ignatius. When I got there the parking lot was almost filled. I thought there must be another wedding before ours. A young man motioned for me to follow him. I followed him around the back of the Church.
When I walked in the back door, Father Ryan greeted me. He was all smiles.
“Mark keep in mind today, that He is as happy as you and Pam,” Father smiled and walked away. Now I’m confused.
At two o’clock on the dot, the organ music began, Father came and got me and we walked onto the altar. The Church was at least half-filled. What was going on? Father Ryan looked back at the altar and smiled.
“He also likes surprises,” then he turned to the congregation.
As the organ music played, Jack and Moan appeared in the doorway and slowly made their way to the altar. Then Mark T and Cynthia appeared and slowly walked to the altar. After them, Allison and Andrew, followed by Janet and Kathy, and then Stacey and Tommy.
There was a brief pause, then Mrs. Worth appeared carrying Diana with a basket of flower petals. Another brief pause and Miss Timbrook appeared carrying Jacquline with a basket of flower petals.
There was a longer pause before Nancy, carrying Jack, appeared with a pillow with our rings. When they were in place, the organist increased the volume of the organ with “Here Comes The Bride”, and everyone stood.
In the doorway appeared Mr. Lupton and Mr. Platt with my Pam, tears streaming down her face. They slowly made their way to the altar and stopped at the first step. Father Ryan stepped down to greet them.
“Who gives this woman in Matrimony?” Father asked in a stern voice.
“We do,” they responded. Mr. Lupton put Pam’s hand in mine. The organ went quiet.
I looked at Pam, our eyes locked, and I started to tear up.
Father Ryan began, “I would like to welcome you to witness the marriage of Pam and Mark. Please join us in this celebration.”
Father Ryan had a wonderful, heartwarming ceremony for us. He talked about being together and loving each other. When it came time for us to exchange vows, Pam’s tears flowed as her delicate voice recited her vows. My voice cracked several times as I pledged my life to her.
“All right, you two. Turn to face your friends,” Father Ryan smiled as he spoke to us.
Father Ryan’s strong voice echoed throughout the Church.
“Ladies and gentlemen. It is my honor and privilege to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Mark Compton. May they live a long and happy life.” The congregations stood whistling, clapping, and cheering.
After a while, we turned to face each other. Father Ryan put his hands over us.
“You may now kiss your bride,” then he stepped back.
I lifted Pam’s white veil, held her face in my hands and gently kissed her. The congregations erupted again with cheers and clapping.
Father Ryan spoke again, “You are all invited to the school cafeteria for a little lunch and beverages.”
The organist started the Recessional composition. Pam and I walked through the congregation to a rain of confetti and flower petals. When we got outside, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. I stopped once more to kiss my bride, then we walked to the cafeteria.
The school cafeteria was another shock. There were tables set up, a cash bar, and three tables of food. Anything from hot wings, mostaccioli, roast beef, ham, you name it. The center table had a small sign: ‘Courtesy of the Kopper Kettle’. Even a DJ.
Pam and I stood in the doorway, stunned. We didn’t know what to say or do. Mr. Lupton and Mr. Dorrest walked to the DJ stand for an announcement.
Mr. Lupton bowed to Mr. Dorrest, “Ladies and gentlemen, we want to thank you for joining us in celebrating Mark and Pam’s wedding. The wedding party knows how long this union has been in the making.
When we were told of their plans, we decided to embellish them just a bit. To all of you who helped us to pull this off, we are deeply in your debt. As for Mr. Lupton and myself, we wanted to show our appreciation to the two people who have done so much for our companies.”
Mr. Lupton approached us with an envelope. “Open this later. You call us, we won’t call you because I know you won’t answer,” he laughed as did the crowd.
It didn’t take long for the bartenders to get very busy, and the DJ was getting people on the floor. After several tunes, he announced the dance for the bride and groom. Then the wedding party joined.
Emily, our favorite server from the Kopper Kettle, came over to us. She congratulated us and asked us to start the food line. The DJ played an upbeat tune and we started to circle the dance floor, gathering people along the way.
We sat at the head table with our wedding party. Jack stood up and tapped his glass for attention. He offered a toast to Pam and me and their best wishes. Glasses were raised and the champagne was sipped. Pam and I entwined our arms and enjoyed our first sip.
After we had a wonderful meal, the guys circled around me. Kathy handed me a plain brown wrapped package and told me to open it. It was a large bottle of energy pills, the kind you would find in a prank gift shop. We all had a good laugh.
The reception was rocking, everyone was having a grand time. The DJ dedicated a slow number for Pam and me. We danced close and held hands. The expression on Pam’s face was a happy woman. I knew she was delighted when she put her head on my chest.
The music started to rock again. Pam and I visited the people at the tables. When we finally got back to the head table, Andrew walked up to us and pointed to the back door.
“I’ve moved your car to the door, now get the hell out of here,” he grinned, shook my hand, and kissed Pam on her cheek. “Now, beat it!” He ordered.
We took one last look around and then headed for the back door. Andrew had the car there ready to go. I didn’t open the car door at first. Instead, I embraced Pam and kissed her softly. Then, she looked at me, her eyes were dreamy, her smile soft and seductive.
“Now I can call you my Lover, my Protector, My Husband. You have no idea how wonderful that feels to say, My Husband,” Pam sighed and kissed me.
She got into the car, and I ran to the other side and hopped in. We kissed quickly and I started the car. I drove to the front of the school, tin cans rattling behind us. All of our gang was standing in front of the school waving and cheering as we drove by. Pam had opened the window and waved back to them.
We didn’t plan on a two-night stay at the Royal Hotel Downtown, so we had to go home and pack. Pam wouldn’t let me see what she was packing other than her shorts, tee shirt, and everyday things.
When we had finished packing, I looked at Pam with a wide smile.
“But Mark, my dress!” A fair argument. She did bend over and showed off her white nylons, panties, and garter, but I would have to wait until after check-in.
I pulled under the canopy in front of the Royal Hotel. A uniformed gentleman met us, opened Pam’s door, smiled, bowed his head slightly, and gently closed the door behind her. I walked around to join them.
“Good evening, folks, and congratulations! My name is George and I will take care of your luggage and vehicle.” George held the door for us and then brought our luggage in.
The gentleman behind the desk was smartly uniformed as well and all smiles. We walked up to the front desk and were greeted by the desk clerk. I handed him the envelope from our bosses. He opened it and smiled at us.
“Welcome to the Royal Hotel. Thank you for choosing to stay with us. Your bridal suite is ready for you, Ed will escort you to your room and bring your luggage. Look over the suite and advise Ed if there is anything that we have missed.”
Ed put our luggage on the stands and then gave me the card key. He walked down the hall, and I looked at Pam. I bundled my new bride into my arms and carried her over the threshold. I closed the door with my foot and then kissed Pam.
Departed Soul
