Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't anything here. The characters, the lyrics, the names…anything. Please, don't credit me with anything except the idea and the plot. Now…ONWARD!
Clementine "Castaways and Cutouts"January 1985:
Sandy stood fidgeting in front of a mirror making ever so subtle adjustments to his tux. Today was to be the perfect day. The weather was perfect, the building was perfect, the fact that his soon-to-be-father-in-law was not present was perfect, so he had to be. While fixing the faux tie that he was wearing, memories of the previous night came floating back to his head: her attempting to cook for him, which didn't turn out well, the strawberries and champagne that was resorted to, her fixing and removing his tie, and him rushing at a frantic pace to escape the confides of his office. Needless to say, the ride home was a quick one all while she sucked his ear lobe building the anticipation. He laughed at the state of their home this morning after last night's events.
you slept in your overalls
after the wrecking ball
bereft you of house and home
and left you with sweet fuck-all
so we got in your car
with our kickabout hearts
and we hollered out 'sweet clementine'
"Sandy," his mother scolded. "You're not helping your appearance by all these adjustments. Let me help you fix them."
He was dazed, lost in thought. The response to his mother was a nod, and not fighting back when she approached him and combed his hair, fixed his vest, and tightened his tie.
"Too tight 'Ma," he complained in a flat tone. He was still lost. His thoughts were only on her, and the fact that she was about to become his wife.
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Kirsten sat in one of the back rooms of the building, waiting to get this wedding started. She was ready to have it over with. If it would have been her was, they would have eloped to Las Vegas and not dealt with this whole ceremony. It didn't matter where they got married, how they did it, what they were wearing, or anything like that. She just wanted him and him alone, which she proved last night. A smile crept to her lips as she thought of the look on his face when she showed up at his office, suggesting the spend some quality time together before the state went and interfered with everything. The ceremony thing was a joke to her, but not her parents. They were the only reason she was doing this was them, and her father wasn't even there. She sighed thinking about it.
"What's wrong dear?" her mother questioned.
"It's Dad, why isn't he here again? I mean, I know Sandy doesn't mind that he's not here, but he was one of the only reason why I agreed to go through this whole traditional ceremony thing…"
"You know as well as I know where your father is. He's in Japan, on business, where he has spent most of his time lately."
Kirsten sighed again. He dad meant the world to her, and he wasn't going to be there when another man took over the role of protector for her.
"Come on dear," her mother ushered with a concerned look for her daughter. "They're ready for us."
tell your mom to marry us
a candle to carry us
with cans on our bicycle fenders
so sweet and hilarious
and we'll find us a home
built of packaging foam
that will be there 'til after we die
Kirsten walked with her mother, who quickly left her standing in the back to take the trip up the aisle by herself. This part is what she feared. For the past 22 years she has had someone looking out for her, walking by her side. But when it was the most important day of her life. She was walking alone, in the beginning anyways. 'I had better not be walking alone on the way out.' She thought.
The music started so did the bridesmaids. It was her turn. Now's the time.
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The people in the large hall clapped and cheered as the happy couple made their way inside. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Cohen walked to the head table all smiles, mostly because in their minds, the worst part was over. It would be just another day to remember. Hopefully. The decision was still out about that and was influenced by a few factors…the moods of the people around them, the music that was played, if Sandy sand, and most of all, the amount of alcohol the duo consumed.
They took their seats at the front of the room and waited for the meal to begin and the music to start to play. After seeing some plates, Sandy decided it was time to say something. He stood up.
"Can I have everyone's attention please," he spoke on the microphone while the room quieted.
"I would just like to thank all of you for sharing this wonderful day with us. Honestly and hopefully, it is the happiest day of my life, I'm not so sure about Kirsten up here though," the crowd laughed a bit. "Seriously though, thank you all so much for being here, and I know that she'll remember this forever, as will I."
The crowd clapped as Sandy sat down and Kirsten gave her new husband a kiss on the cheek. The meals came out, the food was consumed, the music started, and so did the dancing. Kirsten and Sandy made their way out to the floor. He wrapped her small body in his arms and began swaying to the music.
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Soon, but not soon enough, the night was over. It was nearly three thirty in the morning and all of those attending had left. Sandy and Kirsten were the only ones left out there dancing. After two more songs by themselves, they too decided to call it a night.
The pair drove back to their small apartment, all the while Sandy speeding to hurry what he considered the inedible. He carried her over the threshold of both the doors of the apartment and of the bedroom. He gently set her down on the bed with a mischievous look in his eye. She only giggled at the man in half of a tux making suggestive actions towards her. She stood up off the bed and went to him, taking his face in her hands to stop the motions. They fell into the bed and she more that willingly helped him out of the rest of his tux.
He laid next to his new wife in their wedding bed, watching her sleep next to him, no different from any other night. He draped his arm over her waist, to which she responded by rolling over and placing her head on his chest.
"I love you Mrs. Cohen," he whispered into her hair.
"I love you too handsome."
and, I'll play the clarinet
use clamshells for castanets
we play with our bags on our shoulders
my sweet lady lioness
and I watch as you sleep
so indelibly deep
an I hum to you sweet clementine
What did you think? Was it good? Let me know! Review! The first in a series, so stay tuned for the next chapter!