Halstead Street, Chapter 56
by Simahoyo
The Justice of Peace was ready. The groom, dressed in a neat and stylish suit without clashing patterns or colors (thanks to the brothers Munk) was ready. Attending the groom were Joseph, Emil, Franz Georg, Hans, and Pasquale as Best Man. Since Kate was the last of her friends to be married, all the bride's maids were bride's matrons, with Giovanna as Matron of Honor, and Bronia, Regina, Gerta and Senka, her old friends from her first day at Hull House. They were all waiting for Kate and Father to enter the hall. The Negro musician sat at the piano, and played what Hugh recognized as a spiritual. He grinned at the selection.
Father offered his arm and Kate took it as they walked up the aisle in front of a room so full of friends, family and neighbors there were people standing along the back.
Hugh feasted his eyes as Kate floated along in white, with a lovely lace veil, and her hair shining like gold. Those blue eyes shone lovingly, and her steps were confident. Kate was the throughly modern young woman who would walk by his side and not behind him. They stopped. Kate let go of Father's arm, and walked up to Hugh herself. She hadn't covered her face after telling Hugh a funny story about Thor veiled and in women's clothing pretending to be the Goddess of love to someone who stole his magic hammer. She had joked that if she wore the veil over her face, he had better check for a beard.
They took those vows seriously, except of course the part about Kate obeying him. He knew her too well. They exchanged rings, and his mother's ring was a perfect fit. Hugh glanced at his father, who wiped a tear from his eye.
When it was all over, the crowd erupted into a Vesuvius of applause–with hoorays from the newsboys. As chairs were moved to the edges of the room, and a big table carried in, food appeared as Mary reigned over her kitchen helpers. Chinese, Italian, Scottish, Menomniee, Norwegian, Polish, Bohemian, Russian, German...Kate's head spun with the amount and variety of food, not even counting the baking Mother had been doing for the past two weeks. All of Hull House's dished and silver wear were put to use, plus the coffee urn.
Hugh and Kate had seats reserved at the head table for them and all the attendants. But they were intercepted by Mother.
"Father and I have a surprise for you. Come with me."
They followed, looking at each other, wondering what on earth.
In a classroom stood a camera perched on a tripod. Its sides were pleated with an accordion, while a lens stuck out of the front. A black cloth was draped over the back while the photographer smiled up at them. "Have you ever been photographed before?"
They shook their heads. They did like new things, although photography had been around since before the war, they had never had a portrait done.
He fussed about, measuring where they should stand, how close together, figuring the length of time it would take and setting up the flash ribbon. Finally, he stuck his head under the cloth and looked into the back of the camera. "Please don't move, smile or blink. The flash is bright, but just look at the camera."
He held onto the little tubular item, signaled his assistant and the flash went off. The assistant re-ribboned the flash holder. The photographer placed a black cloth bag over the back of the camera, shook it down and felt with his fingers somehow keeping the plate covered and extracting it from the holder.
"You blinked.", he said to Kate. So they went through the whole rigamarole again. Now he nodded and smiled. "Don't leave. Mrs. Munk in bringing in another couple.
"Huh?", they said to each other.
Pasquale and Giovanna walked in and stared at the camera.
"You were recently married, and since we already hired this photographer for the wedding, we decided you deserve to have your portrait done too."
Giovanna teared up and Pasquale looked embarrassed. Hugh leaned over and clapped Pasquale on the shoulder.
"We didn't know about this, but I think they mean it as a late wedding present."
Pasquale's face smoothed as he relaxed. "Oh, that is something to treasure. My beautiful Giovanna, always a young bride."
Now both Kate and Mother teared up.
The photographer was all business. "Crying ruins the portrait."
Hankies were engaged, eyes dabbed and the elaborate process began again. With a final flash, the portrait was finished.
"Perfect. I have one more plate."
Mother looked at Hugh and Pasquale, and somehow they knew what she intended. The woman could speak volumes without saying a word.
"I believe the reporter, Kay Vann, ought to be commemorated."
The photographer looked around curiously.
"And of course I expect the utmost digression from our photographer.." Her look was pointed.
Kate and Giovanna stepped forward and the photographer's jaw dropped, while the assistant smothered a laugh.
The fussing began again. The flash caught the two best friends without smiles on their lips, but with them in their eyes. They heard Mother order two copies of each picture except the one where Kate had blinked, plus one extra of the Bride and groom, "For his father."
The food was delicious. The parents of the bride provided wine and beer of excellent quality and a smaller cake than most because there were sweets enough for an army. Even the newsboys stopped when they were filled up.
Now the floor was cleared for dancing, and their ragtime piano player surprised them by starting with a beautiful hesitation waltz. The exquisite dance showcased the new husband and wife who obviously danced together often.
When the dance was over applause broke out and Kate noticed Father talking to the piano player. They exchanged a smile as a German waltz began and Father and Mother took the spotlight in the complicated Landler waltz, with the dizzying turns and changes in positions that only an expert could even remember, let alone dance smoothly.
Now the music changed to ragtime and the popular Grizzly Bear Dance drew nearly all of the young people to the dance floor. Joseph walked up to Anna, who was holding Baby Ella, now sitting up and staring at the dancers. Her tiny fist moved with the rhythm. Anna noticed a lovely Native woman standing next to him, their bodies closer than mere friends.
"Anna, this is my fiancé, Mary Awonohopay. Mary, this is Anna Frechman, and this is Ella."
Anna noticed Mary read Ella, finding her spirit. Her smile spoke well of what she found.
"Oh, she is a good one. I like her very much. You asked if we would take her when you are gone. Now that you have met me, auntie, What do you think?"
Anna met eyes that spoke of kindness and patience and a willingness for people to grow into their best selves. Also a wicked sense of humor. "I think Ella is meant to be with you and Joseph. You have my blessing. I will write a will a will explaining this. We need to be sure the White man's law does not interfere."
Mary and Joseph nodded, then Joseph looked at the dancers and chuckled. "Looks familiar, 'eh?"
Mary gave him a wicked grin. "And to think, they invented it all by themselves–just like corn, beans and squash."
Joseph looked at her fondly. "Behave. Most of them are innocents, and won't understand you are joking."
As the dancing wound down, Kate walked straight up to Mary and handed her the bridal bouquet. "Since you are the only unmarried woman out here over the age of eight, there is no point in tossing this. Congratulations." Mary held it proudly.
There was a flurry of activity in the corner as Giovanna pinned something to the back of Kate's dress. Giovanna carefully walked behind her closest friend as she literally covered her back. The new couple joined hands and kissed, then turned to leave. Laughter rippled through the crowd as they saw the sign, "Votes for Women" pinned to Kate's back.
Mr. And Mrs. Hugh and Kate Martin were marching into the future, armed with goodwill, energy and intelligence. They were determined to leave behind them a better world for everyone.
And with then, an army formed of idealists like Pasquale and Giovanna, Jane Addams, Ellen Starr, Robert La Follette, Mother Jones, the Knights of Labor and others determined to get the governments into the hands of the people.
THE END
A/N This is the end of the actual story from the past. I really want to know what you think. Was it too long? Did you give up on the charactors? The present is in the epilogue.
