I’m ready

“Speak now or forever hold your peace”demanded the officiant standing in front of the young couple. His stern voice rattled Todd’s being as the words reverberated throughout the near empty chapel. The officiant meant business. His words passionately escaped his lips as he recited his wedding invocation . Wearing a formal black tuxedo, exquisite cuff links and meticulously polished leather dress shoes, he dressed the part of the significant event. Utter silence, No one spoke. The tiny chapel featured two rows of pews , and the altar. The audience was scattered about the pews. The scarce number of patrons were focused on their own agendas. The silence in the room was deafening. Eagerness consumed Todd. He was profusely sweating. His half wrinkled dress shirt was soiled with sweat stains under his arm pits. His left pant leg had a sharp crease the entire length of the leg. The right leg featured half a crease. Todd wore a pair of black sneakers, in lieu of his lost loafers. His feet were cold. He wanted to run. Nervously, he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. They were going numb. He looked anxiously around the chapel worried that the pounding of his heart could be heard throughout the room. Thump thump, as hard as his heart pounded, he felt his breathing did the opposite. Todd struggled to breathe. He fought to both catch his breath and keep his legs from locking. His light headedness was a sure sign that he was close to passing out. He unbuttoned his top button of his shirt and loosened his tie. Anything to make it easier to breathe. It did not help. He placed his hands in his pockets to hide his nervous fidgeting. The incidental jingle of his keys made an annoying sound that irritated both his bride and the officiant. His brides sharp eye contact told him to cut it out. He needed his fingers to stay busy to negate the tingling resonating in his fingertips. Maybe their parents were right. Maybe we are too young to get married, he thought. He just turned eighteen and she had several months before she reached adulthood. He hated to think that he agreed with his parents. He deeply loved the woman standing next to him at the altar. He could not imagine another woman standing in her place. She looked breathtaking standing next to him at the altar. She wore her lemon yellow prom dress. Her appearance was as welcoming as the sun after a cold dark night. The bright, fun, and full of personality dress was in perfect contrast to the mood of those in the room now. He was tantalized by the way her dress accentuated every curve of her body. The best feature was how the dress exaggerating his favorite features on her body. If marriage meant waking up every morning and looking at his lovely bride, sign him up. Unfortunately, Todd knew marriage encompasses more that the attraction he had for his future wife. Todd welcomed every adventure that awaited them in the future, but marriage was a huge step. He was about to be responsible for another person. Could he find a job that pays enough to keep a roof over their heads? Will they be able to love each other through sickness and in health? Will she love him through poorer? Could she be supportive of him as he strived for riches? What if she wants children? Is he ready for for diaper dooty dutie? He struggles to pick up after his schnauzers little accidents around the yard. Could he do this all with all without the help of his parents? He still had to ask his parents how he liked his meat cooked. Can his bride cook? The confusion of sorting cream, and yellow garments with lights, darks, or whites bewildered him. Does his bride know how to wash clothes? Gazing at his bride he could see the pain in her eyes behind the watery tears. He was certain her tears were not those of joy. They were tears of disappointment and pain. Was he depriving her from the dream wedding that she deserved? The couple were alone. No family, no friends, present to bare witness to the couple’s union was not the ideal wedded bliss either imagined. A faint cough from a homeless man seeking shelter from the cold filled the air. Was it a sign, wondered Todd. “Sir”, spoke the officiant. “Do you have the ring” he impatiently asked. Todd’s eyes grew wide. He was embarrassed. Fumbling through his pockets, Todd searched in vain for a ring he knew he didn’t have. “How could I forget something so important”, he asked. The officiant exaggeratedly rolled his eyes.“I”… started Todd. “I” he struggled to speak. He knew he, they, were making a huge mistake. “Todd”, started his bride, “Maybe we should wait to get married”, she stated. “I know I said I am saving myself for marriage, but I am not ready to get married today so we can finally have sex. “, she added. Todd was relieved to hear his bride’s declaration . Feigning disappointment, Todd was celebrating internally. “At least try to hide your disappointment” squawked Todd’s bride. Confused, Todd followed her gaze towards his midsection. The pilfered little blue pill from his father’s medicine cabinet was working to perfection. “Let’s just head back to prom” suggested the bride. “They should be serving dinner soon” she continued. “Sounds good to me” agreed Todd. “We have to stop by my house first”, declared Todd. “What for asked his bride”, in complete confusion. “I have a date with my moms Victoria Secret catalogs and my left hand, thought Todd. As the couple exited the chapel the officiant walked into the waiting room. The room was filled with horny teenager boys that had proposed marriage to their prom dates after she declared. “I am saving myself for marriage “ Starting a fresh pot of coffee the officiant was ready for a long evening of desperate attempts of adolescents trying to get laid.