Chapter 18- Robustness
The morning of thewedding arrived with a robustness neither the bride nor the groom could get a grip on to process the speed at which everything moved.Micah’s hands shook as he attempted to get dressed in his suit and fasten his necktie.Yuñior, his eldest brother and best man, came into his room to lend a hand.
“You seem to be all thumbs, little brother,” he said, standing in front of him.
“Excited, I guess,” Micah said.“This is a big step, and Alita and I will get to live autonomously for the first time.Excited, might be the right word, I guess.”
“Does living on your own worry you?”
“Not really,” he said softly.“Tim the Johnson taught us how to shop for the groceries and make simple meals, and I even learned to wash the dishes.”
“You're looking forward to washing dishes?”
“Fuck no,” Micah said, looking Yuñior in the eyes.“In less than two weeks, I will more than likely hire a housekeeper.I mean, even if I have to come home and work a shift in the cocaine barns to pay for her but mopping floors...nada for this hombre.If things get desperate, I may take pictures of her feet to upload to one of those sites to make money.”
“When did you get to be so funny?”
“Life is teaching me the lighter side of existing,” he said.“I'm feeling lucky, Yuñior.I like my bride.She likes me and she has nice feet.”
“Do you love her?”
“Oh yeah,” Micah said, blushing.“She loves me too.Even as messed up as I can get in my head unscrambling molecules and formulas, when she sees me like that, she knows when to let it play out or bring me down.I love that about her, and that she has many great conversations with me.I like talking to her.She smells pretty too.Did I mention she has nice feet?”
“Do you have a thing for feet?”
“No, just don't want a big-footed woman with the bunions,” he said, looking at his watch.“Time to go get married.Shit.I'm getting married.Excited.”
“Okay, let's go and get you married,” Yuñior said, patting him on the shoulder.For good measure, he gave him a brotherly hug.If he needed to, he would supply Micah and Alita with a housekeeper.
Outside the door, Andres waited, also serving as a groomsman, along with Angel.He had overheard the conversation.He smiled at his younger brother, proud of him and looking forward to what was next in his life.
Andres looked at Yuñior.“I'll take care of the housekeeper for them.I have some trustworthy contacts in Bogotá.I got him.I will make sure she can cook too.”
“Thanks,” Yuñior said.
Micah heard none of it.He was focused on getting married.
****
ALITA SAT IN THE BACKroom of the church.She was dressed, but nervous.Her mother had to be sent out to the vestibule because the crying was getting on Alita's nerves.Luis, checking on her, came into the room and sat beside his sister.
“You look so pretty,” Luis said.
“Thanks, little brother,” she said, looking in the mirror.She wasn't sure about her hair, and she’d added no makeup, only a little mascara and eyeliner.
Luis stood behind her, admiring the reflection of her in the mirror.“Sis, do you think he groomed you?”
