My buddy Jarvis is always wanting me to come over and hang out. Remember I told y’all his dad is the prosecuting attorney for Hopinatta County? Well Dr. Smith got elected to District Court Judge recently, and as a result seemed to have a little more free time. Anyhow Jarvis got a grin on his face and told me he wanted to take me to Mexican and eat some good food, just to celebrate us going to the 9th grade. But something about it seemed weird; he wanted me to dress up real fancy.

He also told me to bring Jewel which is not something he does regularly; so I got permission from her folks to bring her. Dr. Smith said later when we talked to him he would send a car by to each of our houses and pick us up, if that was OK with my grandmother. OK? Heck Mamaw was so excited she made sure I had the finest suit of clothes I own all pressed and looking spiffy. I think she knew what was up; I didn’t but that was OK too.

Turns out Jasper’s mother and dad have some attorney friends, Pedro and Donna Sanchez who wanted to get married, and they were having the wedding at a local country club. The day the car came to get Jewel and me, we were both excited as we knew there was something up and it would be a special day for both of us.

When we got to the air conditioned pavilion, the place had more than 50 guests present and lively fiesta music like you hear in the restaurant was playing, but it was a LIVE band. I think its called mariachi band, and they had on big sombreros, colorful clothes and they sounded really really good.

The wedding commenced, and it was a regular outdoor wedding with all the usual wedding things. Servants walking around with champagne for the adults, and little champagne style glasses that were green for the non-drinkers and the kids. They had some sort of fizzy stuff like ginger ale that was sweet with fruit added to it, kind of like a fizzy punch that tickled your nose. Once they got done with that wedding business, we all went over to the part where we got to eat. Jasper was grinning at us, “Pete I know you said you had Mexican food before but I bet you ain’t never had it like this.

There was an entire motor coach like a big RV that all the cooks had propped up and slid out, like a big kitchen on wheels and the smells from that mobile kitchen were divine. There was a long table spread out under the glass enclosed pavilion on the other side, and you could see chairs set up in the courtyard. Banners were everywhere, and I was glad Jasper “tricked” me into coming to Mexican. I have had Mexican food before, but like he said not like this. I had to get one of Jarvis’ friends, who also sat with us and brought his lady friend to point out everything to us.

This guy was named Carlos, and Juanita was his girlfriend. Carlos told us what each dish was, which ones were spicy and which ones were crazy hot. We all sat down to eat when it was time. Dr. Smith apparently hosted this dinner; he spoke a small prayer before we all sat down to eat. Jewel got some taco salad, that was easy enough. I had the mole chicken, which was generally a festival dish and the chicken was spicy but wonderful.

Jewel just kept smiling and being her usual sweet self, and she asked, “Why do you think Dr. Smith wanted us to come? I bet it was because you and Jasper are such good friends, and perhaps he wanted to celebrate with us going to high school next year?” I told her I didn’t know, but Jasper does stuff like this for us sometimes. He must get his odd notions of what folks like from his dad. They both have excellent taste. Jasper did call us a “rent a crowd” just to be silly, but being able to attend a young couple’s wedding we didn’t even know was a real first for me and Jewel.

We held hands the whole time, and I could tell she and I were both thinking of the future. Weddings will do that too, make you think. I could just see us up there maybe one day walking the aisle, all beautiful and happy and then some fat dude farts in the back row. But I have to tell my mind to shut up. If that did happen though, Jewel would laugh out loud and would not be able to keep a straight face during our vows. I guess she read my mind, so I told her what I was thinking.

We were in the back of the fancy car, the driver was up front. I leaned over and gave Jewel a soft kiss. She leaned back over and laid her beautiful head against my shoulder and I have never felt more happy than I ever have at that moment. And I am not sure if it was Jewel or the wedding or all the nice spicy food. But I was really content at that moment. I said a silent prayer, “God, if I ever do get married, please let it be to Jewel, and let the day be sweet like this one.”