I managed to get all three kids to take a nap at the same time which means I too, can take a nap. Once I have a snack, of course. I've been so busy getting ready for Mom's visit that I had forgotten to eat anything yet. I met up with Gram in the dining room as she was just finishing up with a sandwich. "When does Mom's plane land?" I asked.
She looked at her watch before answering. "A couple of hours yet. I'll head out soon. Would you like to join me?"
"I'd like to, but I'd better not. I just the kids to sleep." I went into the kitchen to make a sandwich and get some juice. When I walked back into the dining room, I nearly dropped my plate at the sight of Jimmy Dad. He was dressed up in his Sunday best, complete with a tie and a clean cowboy hat. Gram and I both stared at him a little wide-eyed.
"What are you all gussied up for?" Gram asked with a snicker.
"Yeah, what's the occasion?" I asked as if I couldn't guess.
"I'm not all gussied up." he argued innocently to Gram before he answered me. "Just thought I'd run in a get your mom for ya."
Gram smiled. "You? You are going in to pick up Sarah Beth?"
"Yeah. Mack and Harold running the chores today. I figured you could use the break from all the running around you've had to do lately."
"Uh huh," Gram shot me a gleeful glance. I grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Purely out of the kindness of your heart…"
"Well, if you would rather…"
She raised her hands in the air. "No, no. You go right on ahead. I appreciate the consideration, son."
I laughed at her sarcasm, nearly choking on my food. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do," I added with a wink.
"Call if'n y'all will be late."
He huffed in frustration. "You guys are hopeless! You know that?" with that he stalked off towards the front door.
"Don't forget the ring, son!" Gram called after him. To me she said, "Ten bucks says they don't come home 'til morning."
"No way. I don't have ten bucks to lose."
"Hey," May said in greeting as she walked in. "Where's Jimmy going all dressed up?"
"Mom's plane lands in a couple of hours."
"I see." She smiled mischievously. "Ten bucks says they don't come home 'til morning."
"I already said that." Gram laughed.
"No way, I'm betting against that."
*
Good thing I didn't bet because Jimmy and Mom did not come back to the house until lunchtime. When they did come home, they brought Papi with them and announced they planned to get married that evening at the house. Papi was to perform the ceremony. Gram of course, went into high gear calling everyone and preparing everything she thought was needed. Meaning food. It amazes me how fast she and Melinda can whip up a feast.
By seven o'clock, Jimmy Dad and Mom had exchanged their vows in Gram's living room and dinner had been eaten. We sat around the room as sang along to the songs Jimmy played on his guitar. I could sing along to the songs I knew from our front porch concerts of gospel music. The old country stuff, I didn't know but I tapped my foot to the rhythm and enjoyed the show.
Papi took the guitar from Jimmy to play a song I hadn't ever heard of and I certainly didn't expect a preacher to sing such a song. "This is an old song by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band called Dance Little Jean. Tonight, Magpie; you are Jean."
'I played a wedding for the money, And I wished I could have told the bride and groom
Just what I think of marriage, And what's in store after their honeymoon
And I was grumbling to the dancers, About how men and women ought to live apart
And how a promise never made cannot be broken, And can never break a heart'
At this point, as if rehearsed, Bethany came run to the middle of the room to dance as best a three-year-old could dance. Fish Stick joined her as Mom and Jimmy began to dance with each other.
'Then suddenly, from out of nowhere, A little girl came dancing cross the floor
And all her crinolines were billowin', Beneath the skirt of calico that she wore
And oh, what a joy fell on the honored guests, As each one of them was drawn into her dream
And they laughed and stamped and clapped their hands, And hollered at her, dance little Jean'
Mom and Jimmy were dancing a funny kind of slow dance during the first part, then Mom moved on to Tuna and Jimmy came a dragged me off the floor. He held me close enough to sing along to the chorus in my ear as he led me around the floor in the same kind of funny slow dance.
And they said, dance little Jean. this day is for you
Two people you love stood up to say I do
Dance little Jean, a prayer that you had
Was answered today, your mama's marrying your dad
"Your mama married your dad." He repeated. He smiled so broadly, I couldn't help but smile along.
And we played dance little Jean, this day is for you
Two people you love stood up to say I do
Dance little Jean, a prayer that you had
Was answered today, your mama's marrying your dad
It was answered today, your mama's married your dad'
That song is going to be stuck in my head for a long time. As will all the hootin' and hollerin' that went on afterwards. Good Lord these people are crazy. Fun. But crazy. Never in a million years would have I thought I would have enjoyed a "hoe down" so stinking much! Beyonce concert, yes, but a country fried shin dig as Gram called it? Never.
Jimmy sang a song about fishing in the dark, and Gram sang something about dancing forever. The Mom started singing the broken road song. Holy crap! I didn't know she could sing!! Fold me up sideways, I'm flunk dusted! Just shocked. She could make bank doing this. Who the hell is this woman? She never sang around me! I have some questions for her now. Hmmm.
The night was finished off with Mack and Josh's dueling violins. I could listen to those guys forever. I caught myself staring at Josh more than once. The first time Gram nudged me and told me to wipe the drool off my chin. I wanted to die of embarrassment. Slap her first, but die, nonetheless. The second time, Bethany asked rather loudly who I was looking at. Gram laughed at that. The last time, Josh caught me by looking at me while it was Mack's turn to play in the song. He winked and began playing again. Just kill me. Thankfully, I was rescued by Mars who had come to let me know one or both of the twins were awake.
It wasn't much later that everyone had gone home so I was saved from the embarrassment of seeing Josh again. Just as I was about to turn my light off and join the twins in blissful sleep, I heard a slight knock at my door. I knew it Mom. Gram never knocks. I went through the door quietly, turning off the light as I left. "What's up?" I whispered.
"Got a minute?" She asked, then turned to leave. Guess that means follow her. She led me back to the living room where Jimmy and Gram were still up and waiting for us. "What was the bet?" She asked once we were in the room.
"Bet?" I asked innocently.
"Don't play innocent with me, young lady. I know you and Gram have a bet going on about me and Jimmy. So, what is it? Who won?"
"Well," Gram began.
"Did you bet we'd be married?"
"Sorta," I admitted. "Gram said engaged."
"And you said?"
"Pregnant," I said under my breath fearing she'd be annoyed with me thinking like that about her. Apparently, I spoke louder than I thought because Mom gasped as Gram smiled. Jimmy coughed trying to stifle his laughter. His eyes widened when Mom shot him an apologetic stare.
"Wait! Are you?" Jimmy demanded. She nodded sheepishly. "Oh. Em. Goodness. Me." He stood frozen like a deer in the headlights for a moment with one hand on his mouth, the other on his head, as he let the realization of what was just said sink in. When he came back to himself, he picked Mom up and swung her around gushing over how awesome that was. To say he was excited would be the mother of all understatements. He finally married the love of his life and he was going to have the privilege of raising this new baby from the get go.
Gram handed me a ten-dollar bill with a smile. I replied with a high-five and fist bump.