Companions All by Will B

Cousins All
by: Will B
(© 2007 by the Author)
Advisor: E Walk

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Jason and Nicky: You have found love with each other

and now together you soar on eagle’s wings in endless space.

We miss you, we miss your love and your wit

May peace and light fill your days.

From Chapter 10: Steve and Jim announce they are planning to commit themselves as life partners. Tony and Papa Luigi have two father and son talks.

It was 2:00 in the afternoon on June 15. It was hot and muggy, as only a Baltimore spell of hot and muggy weather could be. Mac and Buddy were in their apartment, dressed very casually. In fact they were dressed so casually, one might almost imagine they were not dressed at all. Each young man wore a pair of bikini briefs that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Each pair of briefs had an interestingly distended bulge in front; distended not because of arousal, but because even in a relaxed state, their respective bodies showed that they were each extremely well endowed.

“Mail’s here,” Buddy said. He had two envelopes in his hand, one addressed to Mr. Buddy Mason, and the other to Mr. Mac Williams. He handed Mac his envelope and sat down on the sofa to read his mail. It was a hand written invitation that read:

Hope you will honor us with your presence

“Hey, lover, we knew we were invited. It was nice of them to send us these invitations, but why are you beginning to water your cheeks, sweet cheeks?” Buddy asked.

“It’s because obviously the whole family supports them. That’s what so wonderful,” replied Mac.

“Yeah, I guess that is. . . (pause) Uhhhh, listen, Honey, speaking of the mail being in, this MALE thinks one of us should be getting in . . . something or other. I know it’s a little hot, but…”

Buddy was interrupted by a pair of lips meeting his. “Yes, I know all about being hot. And you have gotten me hotter than any Sun could do it. Go ahead, Buddy, have your wicked way with me! I guess I can put up with you putting it up . . .”

The morning dawned bright and fair. Caterers had set up two marquees – one for the ceremony and one for the reception. In the first marquee, chairs were set up facing the lake and facing a table covered with a white cloth. On the table were three bowls. On one side of the table were two chairs. On the other side of the table was a keyboard with a chair. The table was flanked by two tall flower holders on pedestals, filled with white and pink carnations with a red rose in the center of each arrangement. There was a central aisle leading from the back of the marquee to the open space in front of the table.

The guests began arriving at 12:30. At 1:15 Sarah Johnson, wearing a light blue summer dress and shoes to match, came and sat at the keyboard. She began to play Debussy’s Au Clair de Lune, Moon River, Hello, Young Lovers, and other melodies that were hauntingly beautiful.

Mac and Buddy, who had volunteered to help as ushers, were wearing white slacks, white shirts, and white shoes.

At 1:20, Sarah began to play “Hail the Conquering Hero Comes,” from Handel’s Judas Maccaebaeus. Mac and Buddy escorted Al Johnson and Steve Johnson, grandfathers of the two young men who were ready to commit their lives to each other, to their seats on the front row.

At 1:25, Sarah played If I Loved You, as Mac and Buddy escorted Peggy Johnson and Sally Smith, mothers of the two grooms, to their seats. After sitting with heads bowed in prayer for a few minutes, Peggy and Sally stood and walked behind the table. Each mother picked up one of the bowls on the outside of the three and poured the water from each bowl into the central bowl, signifying the uniting of two lives into one.

At 1:30, Pete and Joe, and Matt and Gary walked to the front of the marquee and stood while Mac and Buddy, with their guitars, took their places on the chairs in front of the quartet. The four men began to sing while Mac and Buddy played their guitars and Sarah played the keyboard:

At 1:35, Jack Johnson walked his son Steve, down the aisle, followed by Paul Smith, who walked his son Jim down the aisle. The men were all in white, down to white socks and shoes.

The two fathers hugged their sons, and sat down next to their wives. Steve and Jim went to the flower holders and each took out a red rose and handed the flower to his mother.

Tammy Heckman, a vision of loveliness, in pink and white, came to stand beside Sally, and sang “Climb Every Mountain,” from The Sound of Music.

Steve took Jim’s right hand in his right hand and said, “James Porter Smith, here in the presence of these witnesses, and in the presence of the Almighty God, I take you as my life partner. I promise to love you, cherish you, comfort you, and support you in good times and bad, in happy times and sad, in poverty or wealth, in sickness and health.”

He continued, “I promise to love you and only you as long as we both shall live. In token of my love and faith, I give you this symbol of my love.” Steve put a gold bracelet on Jim’s left wrist. It was inscribed ‘S. to J.: All My Love,’ and the date, 20 June 1985.

Jim took Steve’s right hand in his right hand, and said, “Steven Johnson, here before these friends, and before God, I take you as my partner for life. I swear I will love you with all of my heart and soul, as long as we both shall live. I will cherish you, take care of you, share my life and my worldly goods with you, and be by your side, no matter what happens.”

Jim went on, “I promise to love you and only you as long as both shall live. In token of my love and faith, I give you this symbol of my love.” Jim put a gold bracelet on Steve’s left wrist. It had a similar inscription ‘J. to S. All My Love,’ and again, the date.

The audience sat spellbound as these two young men pledged their lives to each other.

Steve looked at Jim and Jim looked at Steve, and . . . they . . . took each other in their arms, and . . . they kissed - a light butterfly kiss that was so tender, so loving. No one could hear as Steve whispered to Jim, “I love you, Babe,” or Jim’s reply, “Now and forever, Sweetheart.”

Then they turned and faced the audience, and held hands and smiled at their friends. This ceremony had put a seal on their love. For a moment there was silence, and then the audience stood and clapped loudly, to salute the happy couple.

Pete and Joe looked at each other and each saw the other was smiling through the tears,

Al, Jr., and Mark just held hands, grinned at each other, and mouthed a kiss.

Tammy and Sally blew their noses. Neither tears or sniffles could hide their beauty nor their happiness.

Peggy and Jack hugged each other and kissed. Paul and Sally kissed and hugged each other.

Gradually the entire group moved into the marquee where the reception was to be held. There waiting were steaming chafing dishes filled with chicken wings, spare ribs, roast beef, mashed potatoes, potato salad, potato chips, cole slaw, Caesar salad, tomatoes, pickles, olives, lettuce (for those who wanted to make their own salads), and strawberries, watermelon, and honeydew melon balls, not to mention ice cream and sherbet. There was quite a selection of beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, including some very fine champagne.

On a table to one side, there was a large cake, baked like an open book with two pages. One page in colored icing was a scrolled document (for history). On the other page was depicted a microscope (for science). One partner was a history teacher and the other taught science.

Before everyone began to go through the line Tim Heckman, a student in seminary, asked everyone to bow their heads while he asked the blessing. “Oh, Heavenly Father, we thank you for your bountiful goodness. We thank you for these two young men who have pledged their lives and love to each other, and we thank you for all of these friends who have come to share in this happy occasion. We pray this in His Name. Amen.”

Steve and Jim were too happy and excited to eat. They just visited with the guests. They thanked Sally, Pete, Joe, Matt, Gary, Mac and Buddy for the beautiful music.

They spoke to Judge Jones and told him they had each signed documents making each other the next of kin and beneficiaries on their insurance policies. They had executed durable medical powers of attorney so that if either one had to be rushed to the hospital the other could make decisions.

They spent time with their parents. They talked to each of the guests, and the guest chatted with each other.

At one point Matt and Gary were talking to Steve and Jim. We couldn’t hear all of the conversation, but we did hear Gary ask Steve, “Where did you get them?”

Elsewhere, Pete and Joe were deep in conversation with Judge Jones and Adele Pritchett. Every once in a while one of the four would glance over at Mac and Buddy, and smile. I could just hear Adele say, “They couldn’t ask for better . . . .” Judge Jones murmured, “You know, it depends on how they feel . . .”

Finally it was time to cut the cake. Steve and Jim moved to the table and picked up the large knife and cut themselves each a slice. Then each delicately fed the other a forkful of cake! There was no “smooshing” the cake in each other’s face—no-sir-ee! not at this wonderful reception.

Matt and Gary then took over the task of cutting the cake into slices and putting them onto plates. Al and Mark and Mac and Buddy took the plates to the guests.

Finally, it was time for the newly committed couple to disappear into the cabin while they changed into casual clothes. They reappeared wearing colorful Hawaiian shirts and blue Bermuda shorts.

The crowd gathered around and clapped as Steve and Jim got into Steve’s car and drive off for a honeymoon trip.

Where did they go? Dear readers, I don’t think that’s any of our business. Needless to say, Steve and Jim were happy and they were together. Wherever they were going, they arrived safely, and had a wonderful time. OK? ‘Nuff said!’

There is a funny thing, though. Pete could have sworn that he saw two eagles flying over the car, as if escorting it to its destination, but that’s ridiculous, isn’t it? I mean, eagles aren’t found in this part of the United States, are they?

It was 2:00 in the afternoon and Matt and Gary arrived to visit with Jake. With them was Joan Dixon, Gary’s mother.

When they entered Jake’s room they found him in his wheelchair, watching television. When they came in, Jake switched off the t.v., and greeted them with a smile.

“Hello, Matt and Gary, and it’s nice to see you, Joan. How have you been?”

“I’m fine, Jake. How have you been keeping yourself?” she asked. “You haven’t been chasing the nurses in your wheelchair, have you?”

Jake smiled and said, “Please give both of those fine young men my very best wishes for a long and happy life.”

Matt cleared his throat, and said, “Jake and Joan, you are two of the dearest people we know. You have accepted Gary and me as we are, and you have made us each feel as if we were both your sons.”

“Well, you are. Sorry, Joan, I know Tom was a loving father to Gary, but both Sarah and I came to regard him as much a son as Matt is,” Jake said.

“Don’t apologize, Jake. I have come to feel the same way about Matt. He and Gary, these two ‘dufuses,’ as they used to call each other, have grown in my heart, too.”

Gary spoke. “Mom and Dad, Matt and I have something for each of you. We have been a couple for many years, and we wanted to reaffirm our commitment in some tangible way. We didn’t want to have a ceremony the same as Steve and Jim’s, but this is what we have decided.”

Matt took Gary’s hand, and said, “We have named each other as ‘next of kin,’ on several documents so that if either of us is ever taken to hospital, the other can make any necessary decisions.”

“Jake and Sarah gave us our house jointly, and our cars are in both our names,” Gary said.

Gary took out two packages and handed one to Matt. Matt opened his and took out a gold bracelet, inscribed ‘To Mom from her two sons.’ He put it on Joan’s wrist and gave her a kiss.

Gary opened his package and took out a similar gold bracelet inscribed ‘To Dad from his two sons.’ He put it on Jake’s wrist and gave him a hug.

Joan gave each of her sons a loving embrace and a kiss. “My dear ‘dufuses,’ I love you both very much. Thank you.” She had to stop and wipe her eyes and blow her nose.

Jake smiled and said, “ It’s a little hard for me to get out of this chair, but if you will each bend down, I’ll give you each a hug, too.”

As they did so, Jake smiled and said, “Sarah and I both love you—both of you. God bless you both.”

Matt and Gary could see that Jake was getting tired, so they and Joan said their goodbyes. Before they left, Joan gave Jake a hug and said, “If Gary doesn’t treat Matt well, I’ll give him what for!”

Jake said, “And if Matt doesn’t treat Gary like he should, I’ll tan his hide. He he he. Goodbye, my dear.”

As they walked to their car, Joan took Matt and Gary by the arms and said, “I’m glad we came to see Jake, I think he is as happy for you two as I am—but I know he misses Sarah. I think he is getting more and more tired.”

Later that night, about 2;00 am, Jake was sleeping comfortably, when he was awakened by a light coming from the open door.

“Who’s there?” he asked. Suddenly a wide smile lit up his face, and he got out of bed and went to the door. “Sarah, is that you?”

“Yes, my dear Jake. It’s time for us to be together again. Come.”

Jake took Sarah in his arms, and the two vanished into the golden light, reunited at last.

When the orderly came to bring Jake his breakfast the next morning, he found the still body, lying in the bed, with a smile on his face.

Author’s comments: As I write this the General Assembly of the State of Maryland is discussing the issue of civil marriage. It is not known if a bill to allow to people of the same sex to marry will pass this year or not, but as a sign I saw in a store window the other day read, “Civil Marriage is a Civil Right.” Amen and amen!

Editor’s comments: I am not sure why Mr. B. wants me to be an editor. I had very few suggestions and a couple of questions about this chapter. Everyone yells because I pack a lot in chapters. I have decided that Will is the champion of packing drama into a chapter.