Page 21 of Fathers of the Bride

Kelly’s desire to have a minimal impact on the planet went back to grade school, so her father and I were already accustomed to it. Honestly, it would be concerning if she didn’t ask for these things.

We stopped and waited for Miles. Clearly exhausted, he carefully placed one foot in front of the other. It was going to take him awhile.

“So, have you decided on the wedding party?”

“Pretty much. Avery is having a fraternity brother as best man.”

“And you?”

“Oh, I’ve been calling friends. Nothing so far. Avery’s cousin has volunteered to be maid of honor.”

“What?”

“Hawwwwwwww.” Miles had caught up with us. He gasped again, sounding like a creature who needed a blow hole. “The two of you… you walk… so fast.”

“Oh, we do not,” I said.

“It’s just because you’re wearing the wrong shoes, Daddy. That’s all.”

“Really? That’s… all?”

“Absolutely.”

“So, I just have to buy different shoes and I can… keep up.”

“Uh-huh.”

She glanced at me and almost broke out laughing. She’d been able to fake her father out since she was in sixth grade.

He pulled in another lungful of air. “What have the two of you been talking about?”

“This and that,” Kelly said.

“More of that than this,” I added.

Miles gave me a death glare.

“We’ll go slower on the way down,” I promised.

“You wouldn’t consider an airlift, would you?”

“You’ll do fine.”

“It’s just that I’m not dressed appropriately. Certain people didn’t tell me where we were going.”

Kelly had a broad, happy smile on her face.

“What?” Miles asked.

“You two. That’s all.” Then she turned and began down the hill, “Last one to the Observatory is a rotten egg.” And she was off.

Miles looked at me and said, “Go ahead. I’m used to being a rotten egg.”

“I can walk with you. I’m going to have to do it with you down the aisle.”

“Yes, but Kelly will be between us. Which will make it harder for you to stick a knife in my back.”

He really was a mess, sweat everywhere, still huffing a bit, dust clinging to his cheeks. It should have been repulsive but somehow it wasn’t. Still, it was an opportunity.