Chapter 5: The Second Wedding

The doctor’s prediction was accurate. In less than a month, Eddie was back to full strength and had the full use of both his legs. The mood was festive and everyone was in high spirits. Everyone but Thomas. Inwardly, he was a wreck. He was waiting for the third consequence. The third orb to explode. It was wearing on him heavily as the holiday approached.

“Just in time for Christmas,” Eddie said with a laugh as he took the last slice of pizza from the box.

Around the table sat Sandy, Thomas, Denise, Tammy, and Billie. It was Sunday afternoon and they had started having dinner together on Sundays the week after Eddie returned home. At first it was to get updates on Eddie, and also Tammy, but then everyone realized they liked seeing the family together on a weekly cadence.

“Eddie,” chastised Sandy. “You didn’t ask if anyone wanted the last slice!”

“I know,” said Eddie with a mouthful. “Because I wanted it!” He started to choke for a second as he laughed while swallowing a bite of crust.

“Speaking of Christmas, Denise do you know your plans yet? I can’t believe you have wedding plans starting on Christmas day,” said Sandy.

Denise was caught in web of three interconnecting desires for the Yuletide season. Her family tradition was to awake early on Christmas Day, open gifts, and then share a huge breakfast. Thomas’s family did not have any traditions, but Eddie’s did and Sandy wanted to have their Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve like Eddie’s family. The third factor was Denise’s roommate’s wedding. Cindi was going to have her bachelorette party on Christmas night, then the rehearsal the night after, and then the wedding on Saturday.

“It’s going to be a tight schedule, and very busy, but I think I’ll be able to come here on the 24th, my house the next morning, leave by early afternoon of Christmas Day to get to Cindi’s party, then the rehearsal and wedding.”

“I don’t envy you,” said Tammy. Billie was nodding her head in agreement with Tammy.

Eddie said to Thomas, “And you’re OK with staying on the 26th? I can probably get some others to help with the installation.”

“No, I’m good. Matt wants to help, too. He’ll take any odd jobs he can get to have extra spending money. Plus, neither Matt nor I are in the wedding party. We’ll have plenty of time to get there on Saturday before the wedding.”

“If anything changes,” Eddie started to say.

“I promise that I would tell you if there are any problems, but I’m sure we’re good,” Thomas said. “Really, we only know Cindi, the bride, so we’ll probably end up hanging out together most of the night.”

Denise gave him a sideways glance. “Or maybe you’ll mingle and get to know some of her family and friends?”

Thomas dutifully answered, “Or, on second thought, maybe we’ll mingle and get to know some of Cindi’s family and friends.”

There was a round of laughter around the table. Denise pouted and shook her head at a grinning Thomas.

The holiday schedule unfolded just as Denise described to Sandy. On Christmas Eve she was with Thomas for their first annual Christmas Eve celebration. Billie also attended their meal since her family didn’t do anything until the evening of Christmas Day. Tammy planned on returning the favor and crashing Billie’s family dinner.

Sandy baked a ham with scalloped potatoes. Several other side dishes filled the spaces between the plates on the dinner table. Along with the abundance of excellent food, there were a great many laughs and plenty of drinks. Before dessert was served, Eddie rose and lifted a glass.

“There have been some tough times the past month, but we’ve come through them together. I would like to say I am so proud of all of you. In thick or thin, whatever we face, we can overcome anything as a family.”

There were cheers followed by raised glasses and clinks around the table. After dinner Sandy pulled out a small bowl and scraps of paper. It took no small amount of cajoling, and another round of drinks, before everyone agreed to play charades before the night ended.

After charades, where the women easily won fourteen-to-six even though there were four of them and only two men, Denise stayed with Thomas in his twin bed. It was easier than going home alone, or worse, bringing Thomas to her mom’s and getting dirty looks from her parents.

On Christmas Day, Denise and Thomas were at her mom’s house by 7:00 AM. Her family showered Thomas with several gifts. They were overcome when he pulled out a gift bag of his own and distributed something for all her family members. Denise was not kidding when she said big breakfast. It was almost eleven before food had been prepared, eaten, and everything cleaned up.

By mid-afternoon, Denise and Thomas said good bye to her family. Denise drove Thomas back to his mom’s house and dropped him off. He rounded the car and leaned into the driver’s side window.

“Be careful on the drive,” he said. “You should get there before nightfall.”

“Of course, I’m always careful.”

“Call me from the hotel. Matt and I should arrive on Saturday morning.”

“Yep. I’ll tell reception that you’re coming and to have a key ready. Hope the job with Eddie goes smoothly.”

They kissed through the open car window, then Thomas tapped the rooftop and watched as Denise headed off for the two-hour drive to Cindi’s hometown.

Inside, Thomas found that only his mom was at home.

“Where is everybody?” he asked.

“Eddie got a call. Parts that were supposed to arrive earlier in the week were delayed. The shipping company is making an emergency delivery so he’s meeting them at the shop. Tammy is with Billie and her family.”

Thomas sat at the kitchen table. “How’s Tammy doing?”

Sandy took two sodas from the fridge and sat down next to her son.

“She’s getting better. I think she’s in a pretty good place right now. It was a rough week or two, but the more we talked, the more she opened up which helped a lot.”

“The father?”

Sandy snorted. “He’s a senior from across town. Billie and Tammy met him and his brother when they were on a field trip of all things. They agreed to meet them the following Saturday night and, well, the rest is history. Tammy said she wasn’t a virgin, but it was the first time she had sex without a condom. Last week I took her to the doctor and got her on the pill.”

“That’s good,” said Thomas.

“Once the kid heard Tammy was pregnant he freaked out. He didn’t tell his mom and dad because he was afraid he’d be kicked out of the house. When Tammy lost baby he was so relieved. He hasn’t returned her calls since he got the news.”

Sandy took a long drink.