23 The First Wedding Rehearsal

The rehearsal is in the afternoon second Friday of May there will be tea and pastries, I wrote down

the note passed on to the guests of Uncle Edds house.

My parents arrive in the morning they brought their palmiest beach dresses and shirts and their smiling faces to the big living room. As if my Dad never saw a pool before, he asked my Mom if we could see it later in the evening for a cooling down session. "If you know what I mean, he said to my Mother".

Behave yourself or you will get uninvited, Luis, my mother scolded him.

"Amore don't worry about me", Lisa my Love my daughter is getting married tomorrow, I'm allowed to be happy, my proud father said.

He is right my future In-laws said Carl to my parents. Welcome to San Antonio Mother, Father, he kissed them on the cheeks, and hugged them too.

Off course my Son In-law be a little more kinder to your silly In-laws this is our first time being here in this majestic place. I felt like being in a hotel.

Very sorry for hearing about your mother, I hope she is looking down upon us and be happy for her son is getting married.

Thank you for your sympathy Mother, I know she gave me her blessing already in heaven.

The other guests arrive with the small entourage crowding. Carl's best friend, Mike is here, he will be the best man. My sister is here, from abroad and brothers who came also from another continent to be with me on my special day. My best friend Cherry is the maid of honor, carrying her son with her, he just turned 2 months, "He is very heavy now", she said.

Nice of everyone to be here today, Carl's father finally arrived. Dad, you're here, Carl said tearfully.

My son, I won't miss it for the world. Uncle Carlo patted Carl's back. So where is the bride?, my Daughter-in law, I hope she is still here not running away. He joked.

I'm here father, I said emerging from my room, all glamed up, in my peach colored dress.

Oh, there you are, I was suddenly pulled into his arms, "If only Mother could see you", he wept like a baby for Momma Yoli.

We both were in tears now, as we are met by Carl's Aunts and Uncles.

Very nice to finally meet you Jill. We are hoping to help out in anything you might need help with.

His cousins are also in the house, and they changed the mood from sad, to cheery.

"Hey you all, we brought a whole roasted pig, anyone hungry?" They brought lots and lots of food with them, as they come in, they even have 10 batches of 3 liter ice cream brought in the kitchen for tomorrow's wedding reception.

The rest of the day is filled with singing and laughter, the boys were lounging by the pool, sipping their brandy. The women exchanging thoughts on the decorations, and food to be served, and who will cook later.

My heart was filled with joy, as the afternoon rolled by so fast. We were in the middle of the rehearsal, the sky gave in, and late summer rain started to pour down on us.

I hope tomorrow's weather will be slightly better, I told Carl, and he squeezed my hand for reassurance.

He told me Sweetness, come rain or shine, not even hail, the wedding will proceed as planned.

I love you my Sweet, sweet Jill.

We gathered by the fire pit outside the house, when the rain stopped. The clouds cleared up and the party began.