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It’s enough that the photographer has to take a few steps back to get us all in the frame and he looked a bit exasperated when he first saw the amount of people he had to fit into one photo.
A few attempts due to some unruly children running off and we have our massive family photo. It’s something I’ll frame and hang somewhere in our home, something to enjoy for years to come.
With that done, the reception to the wedding begins, but June and I have other ideas. We start to sneak out but there are a few obstacles in our way.
We run into Cash and Cassidy. They are looking after their nieces and nephews, and it looks like Cassidy has a bun of her own in the oven.
“You’re finally getting tied down, eh?” Cash says as we approach.
“I’d like to think we’re just getting started,” June replies.
“Still going to keep touring?”
“Yep,” I add. “We’ve been together on tour for the last year. We have the time of our lives doing so. So we may as well keep going as long as we can.”
“Are you going to be able to keep going if you have kids?” Cassidy says as she hoists up a nephew.
“We’ll make that decision when we get there, I think.” I smile toward June. “Maybe we’ll settle down. Maybe we’ll stay with the traveling rodeo. If everyone’s happy, I don’t think it matters too much.”
Cassidy nods. “Well, if you ever need babysitting down the line, you know who to talk to.”
We bullshit a little longer but leave them soon enough. Not to say that I dislike their company, but there are other things, and other people, I would rather be doing.
There’s live music, a wedding singer and band playing us through the reception, but then someone steps up to the microphone, taking it over before June and I can make our getaway.
My brother Carter takes it off the stand. “Well, well... all five of Mama’s boys are finally hitched and starting families of their own.”
I cross my arms as I look up at him. “What are you up to, Carter?”
“Nothing, nothing. I just want to celebrate. Sing something for Dad. Remember Mom.”
I let out a long sigh. I know he’d been a fixture at the local church, developing a bit of a following for his surprising pipes. Right at this moment, though, I’m preoccupied with fantasies of what I could be doing to my new bride.
He starts to sing one that Mom used to really like. ‘Mamas, Don’t Let Your Boys Grow Up to Be Cowboys’ by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Two of our namesakes. Music was her life, and Carter is carrying on that legacy.
As he sings, he waves my father toward the stage. He’s looked old and haggard before his time ever since Mom passed. It’s all been so rough for him. But I see a slight smile forming on his face.
He’s done it. He’s managed to raise these five Rowdy kids and put them on good paths. He’s done what Mom entrusted him to do, and lived up to her memory. It wasn’t easy. Nothing ever is. But today, he can take solace in the fact that he did her proud.
Seeing June? I can begin to understand what Dad felt about Mom. And see how powerful that love really is.
June and I enjoy the show, but we’ve got other places to be. Like somewhere alone to really celebrate this wedding night together.
We head toward our car, only to be stopped by the scowling visage of an angry old man. Benjamin McCormick, an old family rival I’ve been seeing a lot more of recently because my brother Nelson married into the family. I have to say I’m surprised he’s here.
“You Rowdy boys are quite the menaces.”
“Daddy!” From behind him storms his daughter Nicole, and not far behind her is Nelson.
“But I like you all the same.” the angry old man’s face softens to a grin.
“Don’t mind him,” Nicole says. “He thinks it’s hilarious that he’s invited to things like this now.”
The old man wanders off, cackling evilly, and I guess he’s about to pull the same gag on somebody else. Incredibly weird, but I guess overall pretty harmless.
“You sure you got that hatchet buried, Nelson?” I say as he catches up.
He shrugs. “The heart wants what the heart wants. And if the heart wants to bury a pointless hundred-year-old grudge, then that’s what it’s going to do.”
“Nothing’s gained from old venom being tossed around,” June says. “It’s really best to put things behind us and look to the future.”
“It’s a pretty bright future,” Nelson nods along. “We’re all making our own way. I think that’s what Mama would have wanted. I think that’s what all of our parents want.”
“Amen to that,” I add.
Nicole and Nelson run off to go chase down the McCormick patriarch before he causes more trouble, and we head out to the parking lot.
