Chapter 49 "Favors"
Day 130; Group A&B
Sunlight glistened brightly through the dew-tinted window, spreading rays of light across the bedroom. It was morning, and today was a day of romance. A wedding was planned for today, and nearly everyone was going to attend.
Robert rolled over in the bed, sunlight shining too brightly in his face. As he turned, his nose became buried in a familiar head of hair that smelled of coconut and pineapples. The younger boy inhaled deeply the scent of his unconscious boyfriend.
He gripped himself from the bed, not wanting to get up, but knowing today was going to be important. He had to convince Greyson that what they were doing would be a good idea, and that it would not hurt them or anyone else. It would improve their lives, and the lives of all of their friends.
Though he could not cook, Robert tried his best. He easily made eggs and pancakes, but struggled slightly with the biscuits and tofu bacon. Thankfully, Lyrik was there to help him.
"I don't know why you're so nervous," she laughed.
"Well, it's a really big deal," Robert smiled.
"It is. But I've seen the way you two are; you're soulmates."
"You think so?" the boy asked dumbfoundedly.
"Of course," Lyrik nodded. "I've known you for way too long to not know when you've got it — and you've got it. This guy, he's the one for you. Not like Michael, or Zach, or Brody. Those guys were bad from the beginning — and I told you so, too!"
"I know," Robert laughed, finding it amusing that she still strives to always be right. "You think we should get married first, though?"
Lyrik looked at the boy seriously. "It doesn't matter. It's the apocalypse. And marriage is just a word. You two can do whatever the hell you want now."
Robert shrugged and gave a nod. "Plus, I don't think Laura would want to marry us."
"Come here," the dark-skinned girl beckoned and pulled her friend into a hug, offering him her understanding. She stepped up on the tips of her toes and kissed his forehead, then they continued with Greyson's surprise breakfast.
It was half-past noon and everyone was in their fancy dress. Women wore gowns and dresses of all sorts, some tripping in their high heels that they likely hadn't put on in months. Some men were locked in arms with these women, their faces stone-cold or uncomfortable in their tuxedos or cheap suits. The children ran around in similar clothes, and the whole town looked like it was throwing a masquerade ball minus the masks.
The people of the community filed into the main administration building, and down the hall into a large room that was used as a sort of auditorium. The dark green rows of seats were dressed with white ribbons, which also lined the top of the walls.
On the far end of the room, on a slightly elevated platform, a large white arc of fake chrysanthemums stood powerfully. Before it, a cheap wooden podium stood, with a woman in a white and purple robe behind it. She was wrinkled and short, but stood as though she held utmost power, with a smile that seemed both friendly and occasionally condescending as she looked to certain people in the room.
When everyone was settled, the music began, bringing attention to an electronic piano that sat in the far corner of the room, out of the way of the stage. Runae sat on the seat, playing the traditional song for walking down the aisle.
Everyone turned their attention back to behind them as the entrance they had all used opened. Out bounced Mika's youngest friend, Julia, who began sprinkling rose petals down the aisle, adorable enough to get a few "aww"s out of the audience.
Not long after Julia entered, a gray-haired old woman walked out in a stunning white gown of made lace and satin. She looked overjoyed as she saw her fiance standing on the stage, and both appeared to be on the verge of crying.
It was then they notice the grom on the stage, who was large and robust, white hair lining his leathery head. He had an odd, almost unsightly tan on his face and body from too many years of spending too much time outdoors. Behind him stood a Boyd, Jim, and a man who appeared to be his son, as they looked almost like carbon copies, other than the tans and wrinkles. He stood in the best man's position, right beside his apparent father.
Opposite the man stood a middle-aged blonde woman who seemed a bit uncomfortable and occasionally gave a dirty look the the best man who was in her mirror position, as she was clearly the maid of honor, her dress much busier than that of the two women behind her. A blonde teenager stood next to her, and it seemed clear that she was the middle-aged woman's daughter. Behind her, stood a woman who looked to be near the same age as the bride, but she had more weight on her and was not as wrinkly.
The bride walked down the aisle slowly, her arm locked with a much younger man, who clearly was not her father, but instead looked to be her son.
"Is everybody related or something?" Shawn whispered to Seth, who shrugged with a confused expression.
The whole situation was very awkward for much of the group, who had no idea who any of the people involved were. Only Patricia, Beth, Mika, Lyrik, and Allan knew some of the people, and they informed some of the group that the man who walked with the bride was named Michael, sometimes called Junior by his mom. The blonde mother-daughter pair were named Alexandra and Sophie, respectively; the man behind the groom was named David, and Alexandra is his ex-wife, Sophie being their daughter. Alexandra has another son named John, whose dad died getting them to West Little Rock.
Before they could explain more, they were interrupted by the music coming to a halt and the ceremony beginning.
"Dear friends and family," Laura, the priest, began, "and all of the people of West Little Rock, we are gathered here today to honor and celebrate the union of Henry Keating and Betty Coleman in marriage. Through their time together, they have realized they are soulmates, and that their lives are most complete with each other in them. Their days are brighter, their dreams are lighter, and their goals seem nearer. The union of two people makes us aware of the changes wrought by time, but the future for love is still as luminent as it was before.
"What good would it do to shutter your windows, never dream of rainbows or find hope in promises? Why choose to walk away rather than hold your ground and fight for love? In this world, love can be be a burden; but it is also a blessing. It reminds you you are not alone. That you are alive, and can still feel. Never take it for granted, or overlook it. Do not undermine another person's love, because you believe it makes them weak. No, love does not make you weak. It makes you strong; stronger than anyone without it. Because it is you, who no matter what, will have someone by your side. You will have your significant other holding your hand into battle, or stitching your wounds after, or fighting to protect you."
Passionate and uninterrupted, Laura carried on with her monologue for nearly thirty minutes. She took her job very seriously, and found a true calling as a wedding officiator.
"Betty Coleman. Henry Keating. Your love is beautiful, and your union is inspirational. I, along with every single person in this room, wish you two wise, amazing souls nothing but the best, most blessed harmony and future. Is there anything you would like to say to each other?"
The large man smiled and appeared to become nervous as he cleared his throat. The woman holding his hands grinned and wiped sweat off of his brow, encouraging him with her eyes. "I, um," he began, "Betty. In the relatively short time I have known you, one thing has been absolutely apparent to me: your unrelenting love and commitment. Your compassion for all other lives, and your ambition to make the world a better place. You are the change we need in the world. You are the light of not only my, but so many people's lives here. Everything about you makes me feel like I have found the one; that now I can die happy, so long as you are by my side. All I want is you, forever. I love you."
People in the crowd were now audibly crying, including the two blonde bridesmaids.
Betty was blushing a bright tomato color, trying to recall her speech. When she was ready, she looked dead into Henry's eyes and poured out a heart. "Henry," she paused, giving him a very loving look, "you are my everything. Echoing your sentiment, though our time together has been short, I have loved every moment of it. You're supportive and kind, assisting or cheering me on in everything I do. When Michael died, you were there for me. You showed me that there was still beauty in the world; that there was still hope, and joy, and happiness. Without you, I'm not sure I'd be who I am now. With you, I am a better person than I have ever been. You are strong, and smart, and kind. You always know exactly what to say to me, and how to keep my spirits up even when the darkness comes back into my world. The type of man I need to keep me happy, to keep me sane, is you. I could not ask for anything more, and I want to spend every moment I can until it's my last wrapped in your arms."
People were weeping with joy as the couple stood there, radiating their love and glowing with hope. Even the minister was beginning to tear up as she tried to move on.
"Henry," Laura's voice slightly wavered. "do you take Betty to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love and to cherish, through joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, and whatever challenges you may face, as long as you both shall live?"
As a tear rolled down his face, Henry nodded and slipped a ring onto Betty's finger tenderly. "I do."
"Betty," the pastor turned, "do you take Henry to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love and to cherish, through joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, and whatever challenges you may face, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," she replied, putting a ring onto Henry's finger.
"And now, by the power invested in me by the state of Arkansas, and the new town of West Little Rock, I hereby pronounce you man and wife," Laura declared proudly to the room. "You may now kiss the bride."
Henry ran his hands up his bride's arms and they pulled each other into a passionate kiss, resulting in an uproaring of applause and cheers.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Laura yelled through the roar of the crowd, "I now present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Henry and Betty Keating."
Patricia exited the large room and sighed. She leaned against the wall behind a large plant, hoping no one would notice her. Her breath was trembling, and she was unsure why this was affecting her so much. The happy older couple reminded her of Otis, and her heart felt heavy. Something had happened to him, and she knew it.
A tear fell and she couldn't help herself any longer. She was sobbing, and in her gut, she just knew something awful had happened to Otis. What is was, she wasn't sure, but she knew it was not good.
"You awright?" a slurry southern accent asked.
Patricia jumped slightly, quickly wiping the tears from her face. "Oh, I'm sorry, yeah. I am. I'm sorry."
Mike smiled as kindly as his odd face would allow, but Patricia understood. "Don' be sorry, ma'am. Ever'body gotta cry sometime." She smiled, and he glowed. He reached out a hand, offering her help to get her footing.
"Thank you," she said shyly. Suddenly, she had forgotten about Otis. His memory was pushed back in her mind as this kind man assisted her and showed her such kindness.
The plump man led her to the bathroom and politely waited outside for the elder woman to collect herself. After taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she looked into the mirror, splashed a handful of water into her face, and smiled.
She exited the bathroom and thanked the man for his kindness once again.
"O' course," he replied.
Patricia understood the silence and modesty of southern men. "Let's go home," she said, attempting to be flirty, but unable to hide her slight hesitation. Mike nodded and held his arm out, which Patricia locked hers in.
The sun began to set and Robert grinned out the window as the sun set. He looked down at his watch and his smile flashed into a frown. "Grey!" he called upstairs, "we're going to be late."
"Coming!" Greyson's voice returned from the upstairs bathroom.
Robert set to packing half of the food he and Greyson had just cooked away in a tupperware container, leaving the rest for Lyrik and themselves later. He let out a chuckle as he realized how much they had been using their containers; he had never transported so much food in his life.
Thuds on the stairs alerted Robert that Greyson was ready. He turned around and gave the freshly-groomed boy a kiss. "You look great," Robert complimented, giving his boyfriend a container of the food they had made and quickly setting out the door.
They walked about two blocks from their home until they arrived at their intended destination. Greyson knocked on the door as Robert ruffled his own hair one last time before he entered.
A beautiful woman opened the door, her bright eyes dazzling in the twilight as she eyed her two guests. "Hey, guys!" she laughed, giving them a hug over the food they carried, nearly making for a food-spilling disaster.
"Hey, Olga!" the boyfriends said in unison as they struggled to balance their food and return a hug.
"Sorry," she laughed, grabbing what she could from the couple and heading into the kitchen. The two gave each other an awkward smile before she came back into the living room. "I'm so glad you two came."
"I'm so glad you invited us," Greyson politely retorted.
"Why wouldn't I?" she said as Doctor Carson entered from the hallway, having just washed his hands. He pulled a cup from his bag and inspected it. "It's your baby, too!"
