Chapter 39
"You're having us do what?" Sandy asked the next morning when Paul went to visit her.
"I got the hospital chapel reserved for tomorrow," he replied, complete with the 'have I accomplished something or what?' grin.
"What gave you that idea?" she wondered.
"What else could I do? We would have lost all those deposits on stuff. And your mom and sister in law are arranging a little reception when you come home Sunday."
"I can't get married looking like this," Sandy complained. "Have you totally lost your mind?"
"I have that covered too. Tyler's bringing your dress and Winona is going to help get you together after she decorates the chapel."
"You are sure hell bent on this thing, aren't you?"
"Got to stay on schedule somehow, unless you want us to eat about three grand in deposits."
"Yeah, that is a lot of money to let go to pot," she agreed. "And everyone we invited are coming? I don't think that chapel down there is that big."
"Just a handful for the actual wedding. The rest of the goons will have to wait until Sunday. I think your mom said Dave won't be down until Sunday morning anyway. Edie's coming down with her, Andy, and your nephew. Spanky's still here, as you know. There's also the Sloanes, Winona, and Janice. My brother can't make it; he's got some project going on that he can't get out of. Dad won't be here until Sunday if he shows up at all, but Mamá will be in tonight."
"That should suffice," she nodded.
"Now the important question is how are you feeling?"
"I have to admit a little better than I was yesterday."
"That's a good sign. Tyler's been elected to give you away."
Sandy chuckled. "I certainly would hope so. I still can't believe you came up this wild idea. On the other hand, you can be capable of about anything."
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"Music on a boom box?" Tyler asked when he had come home later that day and found Paul tinkering around with a portable stereo. "Dude, that's pretty cheesy."
"Well, if you can find a decent musician who's willing to play at a hospital chapel wedding at the last minute, have at it."
"I doubt I could get one for the originally planned one."
"Exactly. That's why I had this shit ready for then. Fortunately, it will come in handy for tomorrow."
"So how did Mom react to your wild ass idea?"
"You were right; she actually thought I had 'lost it,' at least at first. Then when I explained about the deposit money that will be lost and that her family was still coming down, she came around."
"And she still thinks you have a screw loose," Tyler guessed.
Paul laughed. "That's a given."
"So when is everyone supposed to show up?"
"Your grandmother, Uncle Andy and Aunt Edie should be here sometime this evening, as my mother. Your Uncle Dave should be arriving on Sunday. Everyone else is either right down the road or already here."
"So far, so good," Tyler nodded. "You want me to do anything else?"
"I think you have the most important job of giving away Mom sewn up, Ty. Until tomorrow, you're pretty much done."