Sunday morning, I snuck out of bed.  I made a quick but necessary stop in the bathroom, then tiptoed to the kitchen to start the coffee.  Oops, we forgot to make the coffee.  Hmm, how could we forget to do that? I smiled, remembering my beautiful woman’s love.

I had just closed the top and pressed the button when Pam walked in, yawning.

“We didn’t make the – oh, oh,” Pam giggled.  What you did to me last night, who gave a damn about coffee.”  She stood next to me, and we wrapped our arms around each other.

“Baby, I’m excited about talking to Father this morning.  What do you think he’ll say?”  I asked Pam.

“I’m concerned about one thing.  We have been married before, so he may not be able to marry us.  I will be disappointed, but I would understand,”  she put her head on my side.

“I thought about that, too.  But I hope some things have changed.  May I pour?”  I asked in a regal voice.

“Please do, sir,”  Pam responded in the same tone.

With coffee mugs in hand, I escorted her Ladyship to our den of inequity.  I held her “challis” as she royally sat on the bed and held mine while I slid in next to her.  Our morning ritual begins with the clinking of mugs or cups and then the first sip or two of the dark brew.

“Sire!  Your culinary expertise with the coffee bean is exceptional.  I do believe it the best in the kingdom,”  Pam announced.

“I prefer your hot liquid, My Dear,”  I licked my lips.

“You got some last night.  Wasn’t that enough?”  Pam questioned me.

“That was last night.  Don’t live in the past, Baby,” I growled at her, and Pam laughed.

“You are so crazy.  But seriously, what do we do if Father can’t marry us?”  She was very worried.

“Honey, I guess we’ll have to ask around.  I don’t have an answer right now,”  I was concerned.

Our morning coffee time had to be shortened.  Pam wanted to make breakfast for us, and the service was at ten.  We had a little scurrying to do after breakfast.  Pam went to the bathroom to get ready, I did the morning dishes and straightened the bed.  When she finished, I jumped in the bathroom for a quick shower and shave.

Pam set out a pair of black slacks, socks, and boxer shorts.  A white shirt with a button-down collar, black tie, and black sports coat.  Is this asking about a wedding or a funeral?

At nine-forty, we pulled into the Church’s parking lot.  There were quite a few following us in.  As I helped Pam out of the car, people smiled and waved, but had a look of surprise more than anything.  I didn’t care.

Pam and I sat toward the back of the Church.  Father Ryan was in good form.  Just the right amount of fire and brimstone with a touch of more money mixed in for good measure.  Pam and I did enjoy his sermon.

After service, we held back and tried to be the last to leave.  Father was outside exchanging pleasantries with his flock, and he had quite a flock.  St. Ignatius is much larger than when I played football for them. 

The Rough Riders of St. Ignatius.  We went to State my senior year and won, that was our best season.  We went eleven for twelve, then won the chance for State after the regular season.  We beat Chesterfield for the Championship.

“My Heavens,” Father began.  “I see He had to send one of His pretty Angels for the lost sheep.  Good morning, Pamela and Mark.  How have you been?”  He has a way of smiling and letting you know you’ve been bad.

I thought I’d try for an easy lean into our past.  “I moved away for several years and have just moved back.  I happened to meet Pam at the grocers, and we started seeing each other.”  The best shot I had.

“Well, Father, I well, you see, I ran into a little rough patch.  I’ve just started seeing well, Mark and, oh, I’m sorry,”  Pam was falling apart.

“That’s okay, Pam.  Don’t worry.  I’m guessing returning to Church isn’t the only reason for your visit,”  Father smiled.  See, He has you by the ear, and you never see it coming.

“Well, no.  We would like to talk with you whenever you have time.  We want to make an appointment.”  I’m looking for a place to hide.

“Well, step into my office.  He and I always have time to listen,”  Father motioned to the Church.  I swallowed hard.

He sat in the front pew, we sat behind him.  He turned to us and said, “How can I help you?  Even though I think I have an idea.”  His smile was softer.

“Father,” I started, “Pam and I would like for you to marry us.  Our problem is that we have been married before and have divorce papers to show we are no longer married.  Can you help us?”  Pam and I held hands; hers were cold, but mine were sweating.

“Hmm, being married before is a concern.  Pam, where were you married?”  He asked gently.

“Charlie and I married at the City Hall.  We divorced when he went to prison,”  Pam held her head like she was ashamed.

“Now Mark.  What about you?”  Father asked.

“Sissy and I were married by a lay priest.  At least, that’s what she called him.  It was at a mission or something of that sort.  All I can say is we had the proper paperwork from the State, and I have the divorce papers.”  I let that sink in.

“Neither of you were married in the Church, right?”  We nodded our heads.  Father had his hand on the pew.

Father Ryan sat back in the pew, smiling.  “Well, I am happy to say that as far as Mother Church is concerned, you two have never been married.  If you want to be married at St. Ignatius and me, all is well.” 

Pam cried, “Oh, Father.  That’s wonderful!” Pam started to cry with joy and put her hand on Father Ryan’s.  When she realized it, she almost jumped out of the pew.

“Oh Father, I am so sorry. I apologize.” Pam looked up at the Altar and crossed herself.

“You’re fine, Pamela,” he said as he patted her hand.  “Will you two be available Tuesday, say around five-thirty?  I have nothing planned and will give you as much time as you need.  You will have a beautiful wedding, Pamela,”  Father assured her.

Pam and I walked out of Church hand in hand.  Two happier people you wouldn’t be able to find.  I opened Pam’s car door when she sat down and started crying like a baby.  I knelt on the ground and held her.

“Baby, what’s wrong?  Why are you crying so hard?”  I was puzzled.  Pam couldn’t stop crying.  I didn’t know what to do.

“Baby, please tell me what’s wrong,”  I begged her.

“Mark,”  Pam sobbed, “there’s nothing wrong,” her breathing was staggered.  “Nothing.  You came into my life, saved my house so I had a place to live,” Pam was still sobbing.  “You brought me on as your assistant, you gave me a ring showing me you want only me, you hold me when I’m worried or sad, you make wonderful love to me, OH MY GOD! 

Now you want to marry me and we may have a baby and everything is so wonderful, Mark my God you saved my life and gave me love and hope.  Nothing is wrong.  I’m the luckiest woman on earth,” Pam’s sobbing and tears started up again.  I wrapped my arms around her and held her close to me.

After several minutes, Pam started to settle down.  Her breathing was still staccato, her bright blue eyes were red from crying, and her cheeks were red from wiping tears away.  She looked up at me and put her head on my chest, still sobbing slightly.  Her special place to go when she is happy.

“Where would you like to go to celebrate?  Isabella’s, the Kopper Kettle, where?”  My happiness was hard to contain.

“My whole world has been put into a spin.  My God what a wonderful life I have had since you came into it.  This may sound silly but, how about the Brat Bar?   For some unknown reason, I want to be on Main Street,”  Pam grinned.

“The Brat Bar on Main Street it is, my Lady,”  I held Pam’s face and kissed her softly.  She held my hands against her face and signed.

The Brat Bar was busy for a Sunday afternoon.  We found a table by the wall when a familiar voice called us.  It was Kathy.  She and Janet were waving to us to join them, which we did.

We were talking about Cloverton and what they had been doing for the weekend.  The conversation was light and lively.  Janet kept looking at Pam, not in a mean way.  Pam caught her and smiled.

“Janet, have no fear, I am not going to faint and fall face first into your lap,” they laughed at the memory.

“No, it’s not that.  Kathy, look at Pam, the look in her eyes.  Look closely.”  Kathy looked into Pam’s eyes – nothing.  She looked back at Janet, puzzled.

“She has blue eyes?”  Kathy said.  Janet exhaled with exasperation.

“No.  It’s something else.  I swear, you guys,” Janet shook her head.  “There is something, I don’t know what, but I’ll figure it out,”  Janet stated. 

The conversation went on, we ordered another round.  Pam and I ordered food and asked Janet and Kathy to join us.  Kathy said they had already eaten, and suddenly Janet burst out.

‘YOU WENT TO SEE THE PRIEST, DIDN’T YOU?” The whole place turned to look at Janet.  You are getting married, aren’t you?  Don’t try to lie to me; I can see it in Pam’s eyes.

 Pam turned bright, fire engine red.  I tried not to grin, but that was useless.  Janet was jumping for joy.  She let our secret out of the bag.

Janet continued, “Is it a big wedding, when is it, are we invited,” she went on and on.

“Janet, let Pam answer it if she wants to,” Kathy said to her.  “Don’t you say a word to a living soul Janet Forest, do you understand me?”  Kathy was grinning during her entire threat.

Pam was blushing so much, so I stepped in.  “We talked to Father Ryan after service this morning.  We are meeting with him on Tuesday to iron out the details.  Pam can make up her mind to the size of the wedding between now and then, and yes you will be invited,”  I sat back in my chair.

“Is there going to be THE party after the ceremony?” Kathy asked with a sly grin.

“Kathleen, behave yourself.  Is that all you guys think about is sex?”  Kathy tried to pinch Janet’s tit but Janet slapped Kathy’s arm.  “Kathleen!”  I was rolling with laughter, Pam slapped my arm.

“Seriously,” Pam added, “it’s going to be a couple of months away.  Mark and I have a few things finished first.  We will let everyone know at a monthly meeting when our plans are finalized,   Fair enough?” 

“Yes,” Janet and Kathy agreed.

We said our goodbyes and paid our tab.  As we walked to the car, I asked Pam, “How did Janet figure it out?”  Pam just grinned.

“It’s a girl thing,”  and she kept on walking.  Silly me.

When we got home, I got our drinks and Pam met me in the living room.  She sat down next to me wrapped her arms around my arm and squeezed it.  “I love you so Mark,”

“I love you, too Pam.  You’re happy, aren’t you?  You have a smile on your face like I have never seen before.  It warms my heart to see that smile, your blue eyes are just shimmering.”

“Like I said earlier.  My life has been a whirlwind since you came into it.  Just everything.  There isn’t anything else I want in life.  I have it all with you.”  Pam reached across my body, hugged me, and kissed me.

She finished her drink, kissed me, and left.  My little lady has something up her sleeve.  I went to the fridge for another beer, I could hear Pam in the bathroom;  the shower was running.  I was ready for a shower as well, but Pam’s demeanor since we talked to the priest has been a giddy little girl.

I closed the living room curtains and put on relaxing music on the CD player.  I stopped and thought I might as well light our candles.  I was feeling relaxed inside, comfortable.  I went to the couch and sat in the corner and sipped my beer.

Departed Soul