Wedding Bell Blues
Chapter 13
June 6, 2007
When Brian and Justin arrived from the cottage for breakfast, everyone else was already assembled. Hunter, John, Bobby and Claire were seated around the big table in the kitchen.
"Why did you let us sleep so long?" Brian asked.
"Everyone knows that as you get older you need more time to replenish the body and reduce the wrinkles," Hunter said with a smirk.
"You little ass…"
"Brian," Claire reminded him. She didn't appreciate foul language in her kitchen.
Brian sat down in a chair and glared at Hunter. He didn't appreciate age jokes.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Bobby asked him trying to divert Brian's attention from Hunter.
"I'm fine."
"And you Justin?"
"The arm's a little better but still pretty stiff," Justin said with a sigh as he got coffee for himself and Brian. He carried a mug in each hand taking special care with the bad arm.
"He's not doing any physical labor with that arm," Brian declared. "He needs to rest it."
"I agree," John said quickly. "We have lots of time to get everything done. We can do it without Justin … or you, little brother."
"Fuck that!" Brian reacted ignoring Claire. "I came up here to work. I'm working."
"Not until Dad gives you the all clear tomorrow," Bobby stated.
Brian scowled but didn't argue any more. He remembered Dr. Morrison's words which had scared him more than he wanted to admit. He better get the fucking all clear the following day or there would be hell to pay.
"All we have to do is unload the benches and put them in the barn when the truck arrives. I might be able to get started clearing the area for the dance floor today as well," John explained.
"Well, I can carry a bench," Brian stated sipping his coffee.
"You'll do no such thing," Claire stated. "You and Justin are coming with me to scope out some wild flowers. I decided that I'm decorating the big rock with bouquets of flowers. It will look so pretty in the pictures of the wedding."
"Aren't wild flowers just weeds with flowers?" Brian asked.
"Yes, I guess you could say that. But many of them are very pretty and will look lovely for the wedding."
"I'll go with you, but Justin's allergies will flare up. He better stay here."
"Brian…" Justin objected.
"No whining. You stay here and I'll go with Claire."
Some time later Brian and Claire were walking through the meadow near the stream.
"I see these benches lined up over there and John and Bobby standing near the big rock … kind of like an altar," Claire said wistfully.
"Are you thinking about the wedding you never had?" Brian asked as he watched her face.
"You're too smart for your own good."
"For what it's worth, being married to Jack Kinney was no picnic."
"But it might not have been like that if we had married. He was a kind and loving man back when I knew him."
"Well, he turned into a bitter, mean, old shit!"
"Brian, he's dead. I prefer to remember him the way he is in my memories."
"Sure Claire, I can't seem to conjure up that image somehow," Brian said shaking his head.
"Oh, these are pretty," Claire exclaimed seeing some wild lilies of a beautiful yellow color.
"Those are wild?" Brian asked noting that they were quite lovely. "Should we pick them?"
"Oh no, I want fresh ones. I'll have to pick them the morning of the wedding."
"Won't you be too busy?"
"I'll be up at the crack of dawn," Claire laughed. "That's if I sleep at all."
"You're really excited about John and Bobby getting married, aren't you?"
"You bet your boots I am. I wish they could do it in my church, but having the minister come here and perform the ceremony in front of family and friends is almost as good."
Brian stepped close to Claire and pulled her into a long, warm hug. "If Justin and I ever decide to do something like this, I wish my mother could be even a tiny bit as pleased as you are."
"If you two decide to get hitched, I'll personally walk you down the aisle," Claire declared with a laugh.
"You'd do that for me?"
"Absolutely, just like I'll be doing for John."
"You might have to fight Debbie for that dubious honor," Brian smirked.
"Ah, I can take her," Claire giggled. "And if I can't you have two arms, don't you?"
"I certainly do," Brian replied giving his watery eyes a swipe. "What are those?" Brian asked spotting some more yellow flowers and conveniently changing the topic to something safer.
"Ooh good! The buttercups will be perfect for the wedding. "Let's see if you like butter, Brian."
"I stay away from butter," Brian declared.
Claire plucked a buttercup and held it under Brian's chin. "Aha! Your chin is yellow. You're a closet butter freak," Claire declared with a laugh.
Brian frowned. He always had butter in the fridge and sometimes, rarely, a sandwich with lots of butter did hit the spot. "Never!" he reacted.
"Buttercups don't lie. Look! There's lots of Queen Anne's Lace and bluebells and cornflowers. Oh, I can picture it now."
Brian was sure she could. He loved Claire's enthusiasm about life. He wondered if a little of it hadn't rubbed off on him since he had met Claire.
"Oh dear," Claire was saying.
"What?" Brian asked looking around and then noticing that Claire was looking at the sky.
"We better head back. It's going to rain."
With those words a drop of water hit Brian right in the eye. "Let's go," he said grabbing Claire's hand as they ran back towards the house.
As they came around the barn, Brian could see the truck delivering the benches pulled up by the barn. John, Bobby and Hunter were unloading them along with the man who must have driven the truck.
"Get them inside," the driver called. "This split wood absorbs water and your guests will have wet asses if we don't get them out of the rain."
Justin was dragging a bench into the barn, using his good hand. Brian ran over and picked up the other end.
"You're not supposed to be doing this," Brian said as they set the bench with the others that had already been brought inside.
"I was just watching, but when it started to rain, I thought I better help."
Claire and Hunter carried in another bench.
"How many more?" Brian asked.
"Quite a few," Hunter replied as he ran back outside.
"I'll just use my good hand, Brian. I promise. You can help me. I need to do this."
"Come on."
Working together the group soon had all the benches safely in the barn. Claire grabbed some rags and wiped off any that had gotten rained on. The truck pulled away and they all stood in the barn doorway watching the rain cascade down.
"Fuck!" Brian reacted.
"How was the meadow when you were down there, Mom?" John asked.
"It was all nice and dry, but it won't be tomorrow."
"I guess I better call Smittie's and make sure I can keep the grass removal machine for a couple more days. Everything will have to dry out before we make the dance area, or it'll just turn into a mud patch."
"The weather didn't say anything about rain today," Bobby observed.
"They never get it right," John sighed.
"Just think positive," Justin laughed. "By the time it dries up, Brian and I will be bad as new, so you'll have more help to do everything."
"And less time to do it," John said staring at the rain.
John called Smittie's. He had the equipment in the barn and would have had the grass remover returned later that afternoon except for the rain. But John was one of Smittie's best customers so he didn't charge him for the rain delay. Besides, Smittie and the missus were invited to the wedding!
With nothing to do, the family decided to hang out in Claire's living room. Hunter pulled out the albums of the guys' trip to South and Central America and began to flip through them admiring the scenery and the stories John, Bobby and Justin were telling about each leg of their journey. Claire joined them and soon they were all laughing and joking, all except for Brian. This lack of doing something, anything was driving him crazy. He still was experiencing some dizziness and now the humidity was affecting his sinuses. He feared he was becoming a crotchety old queen. With John's permission, Brian squirreled himself away in John's study to check on Kinnetik and on Edna.
"Debbie, can you hear me?"
"Brian, that you?"
"Yes."
"I can barely hear you. Where are you?"
"At Claire's. I can't talk too loud. I don't want them to know about 'you know who'. Everything okay?"
"It's fucking fantastic. Edna's one hell of a lady."
"That she is. You all set for next week?"
"Yup, right as rain. Speaking of which, is it raining by you? It's teeming here."
"Yeah, we got it up here too. Put a monkey wrench in our work plan. I just hope it clears up soon before John and Bobby go ballistic. I gotta go. I'll talk to you soon. Give my love to, you know."
"I know. I will. Bye, kiddo."
"Bye, Deb."
******************************************************************
"Kinnetik."
"Cyn, it's Brian."
"Hi, you bored up there already."
"You could say that. Aside from the rain putting a damper on the preparations, no pun intended, Justin and I had a little accident as we drove up."
"Oh my God, Brian, are you two okay?"
"We're fine except for a minor concussion and Justin re-injured his arm. I feel useless."
"So you decided to call me and boss me around."
"Something like that. You, you don't mind, do you?"
"No, of course not. I was beginning to wonder why I hadn't heard from you. Only a concussion could stop you from working. Old Broad is selling like hot cakes. The client couldn't be happier. Ted's keeping an eye on Babylon and I got everything under control here. So relax and have fun."
"You sound like you don't need me."
"That's far from the truth, Brian. Kinnetik is your baby. I can't help it if you were a great teacher. I've worked with you too long not to have picked up a few tricks, so to speak. Now go and bother someone else and let me get back to work. Better yet, go put your feet up. You'll have a lot to do as it gets closer to D-day."
"Okay, if you're sure. I can be back there in a few hours."
"Don't you dare, Brian Kinney. Your brother needs you. You're not coming back until after the wedding and after your little trip. Do I make myself clear?!"
"As a crystal dick. Later, Cyn."
The rest of the day remained quiet. They continued to look at the hundreds of photos taken on the trip, watched a little TV and Brian finally got to teach Justin the rudimentaries of chess. Brian's head felt a little better and so did Justin's arm. After dinner, John drove them over to the cottage for the night.
"Brian, please tell me this rain will stop soon so we can do the yard work," John pleaded.
"I honestly don't know. What I do know is that this storm was rather unexpected. The long range forecast predicted dry, sunny days."
"Are you bullshitting me?"
"Yeah, I am. Did it work?" Brian smirked.
"Yeah, it did. Okay, I get the hint. I'll stop worrying about the weather if you stop brooding about your contribution to the wedding preparations. You've done more than your fair share. Both of you have. Now get some rest and I'll be back in the morning to get you for breakfast. And I know, not too early. Night, guys."
"Goodnight, John."
******************************************************************
June 7, 2007
"Shit, it hasn't stopped." This time it was Brian with his aquiline nose pressed against the window.
"I bet John is having a cow," Justin remarked as he crossed the room to look outside with Brian. "Bri, it isn't raining as heavy as yesterday. Maybe it'll clear up later."
"I hope so. I wonder if we can pick up the Cherokee today. I hate that John has to drive us back and forth."
"Brian, he's your brother; he doesn't mind."
"I know but I don't like it." Justin let it drop. When Brian was in a pissy mood it was best to let him grumble and get it all over with. The partners showered then dressed and waited for John.
After a leisurely breakfast, Bobby called his mechanic and the Cherokee was ready for pick up. It had a tune up, a wheel alignment and was declared roadworthy. Much to Brian and Justin's relief. Bobby drove Brian into town and by the time he got back to the farm with the Cherokee, the sun was beginning to peak through the clouds. Much to everyone's relief.
Even though the rain stopped the ground was too wet to shift. It would have to wait for yet another day. Ten more days to go and the boys were no closer to a dance floor. It was only a matter of time before Bridgeton would see a full fledged Anderson-Kinney queen out.