Page 87 of Pages of My Heart
For the umpteenth time today, he reaches into his pocket, takes out the ring box, and looks at the simple gold wedding band. The thought of sliding a ring onto Charlie’s finger sends a rush of warmth to his face. He’s so grateful Jonathan purchased rings for the occasion. They’ve considered buying rings overthe years but have always been content with their tattoos. Now he’s glad they didn’t, because getting to do this in front of their family and friends will make it that much more meaningful.
With his heart beating hard, he walks out the door and makes his way to the head of the aisle, greeting everyone as he passes them by. There is a sea of familiar faces, all the people he loves most in this world in one place.
And any moment now, the one he loves above all others.
Jonathan
When Jonathan opens the door, he almost crashes right into Pops and his mom bickering loudly. “What’s going on?” He pushes them back into the room and closes the door behind him.
Charlie’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline, his face comically frustrated. “Your mother keeps tellin’ me I can’t see Tommy before the ceremony cause it’s bad luck.”
“Well, it is,” he agrees. “Trust us, it will make it more special. Anyway, Dad is ready and waiting for you. Areyouready?”
“Been ready for forty fuckin’ years!” Charlie exclaims, throwing his arms up in exasperation.
Jonathan bursts into laughter, as does his mom. “Let’s get this show on the road, then. And in case I don’t remind you later, don’t forget you need to be at the airport by nine o’clock tomorrow morning for your flight.”
“Wait . . . you were serious about that?”
“Yes, Pops. You can’t get married without a honeymoon. And you didn’t have one last time, did you?”
“Last time our vows were said in the sitting room and the honeymoon was down the hall in the bedroom. Actually,” Charlie smirks, “from what I remember, we started the honeymoon right there on the sitting room floor.”
His mom slaps Charlie on the arm. “Charlie! Have some class. This is a fancy affair.”
“Let’s go then!” Charlie reaches for the doorknob. “I’m nervous and I wanna see Tommy.”
Jonathan rolls his eyes for the second time today. Pops has always had a tough exterior when he’s out in the world. As a respected and successful businessman, no one dares mess with him. But when he’s at home with Dad, he’s a teddy bear—all soft and gentle.
Jonathan grabs Charlie by the forearm to stop him, then pushes past and out the door. “Give me a ten second head start and then take your positions at the top of the aisle. Once the music begins, start walking.”
Back in the main room, he returns to the DJ. His dad has taken his place at the front and is conversing with the celebrant. Once his mom and pops are standing at the back, he tells the DJ to start the music once he’s seated, then he hurries down to the front row, slipping into the seat between Paula and Katie.
When the music begins, Thomas turns to look at Charlie—his eyes filling with tears. Johnathan follows Thomas’s eyeline to Charlie, who is walking down the aisle arm in arm with his mom. Charlie is a mess already, blinking back tears and walking too fast. Jonathan smiles, taking Paula’s hand in his own.
Charlie
Charlie’s legs barely hold him up as he walks toward Thomas. Without Evie by his side, he’s sure he’d crumble. Thomas is a sight to behold, dashing and distinguished in his forest green velvet suit. The song playing,their song, sends him back in time to his youth. He can clearly picture Thomas walking into that club, so young and innocent, and so frighteningly handsome. Charlie remembers the first time they danced together, and he looked up into those soulful eyes. Thomas has always been so beautiful. His hair is peppered with white now, and his face more distinguished and mature, and Charlie is still in awe, still wildly attracted to his sweetheart.
When they reach the top of the aisle, he kisses Evie on the cheek and then slips his hand into Thomas’s waiting one.
“I missed ya,” he whispers.
“Me too.” Thomas squeezes his hand and smiles.
“Welcome, family and friends,” the celebrant begins, “to a celebration of Thomas and Charlie’s love. These two men stand here today, ready to take vows, ready to declare their love and commitment to each other. You will all bear witness to this union, and may you always encourage and support it. Thomas and Charlie met in an illegal gay club in Chicago in the fall of 1937. They fell quickly and deeply in love, and they moved in together in 1940. They must have been masterful actors, as they fooled almost everyone around them about the true nature of their relationship for years.”
Everyone chuckles, and it helps Charlie relax. Thomas beams with pride and joy.
The celebrant continues. “Not long after, they took private vows in their home and had tattoos inked over their hearts inlieu of rings. In private, they referred to each other as husband from that day onwards. Then in 1943, Charlie was sent off to war and was reunited with Thomas a year later after being seriously wounded in action. I believe that was the last time these two gentlemen were ever separated.”
The celebrant looks at them to confirm, and they both nod in agreement. It’s true, they’ve never spent a night apart since 1944.
“In 1945, they settled here in San Francisco with Charlie’s sister, Evie, and her son, Jonathan”—the celebrate nods at the two of them sitting in the front row—“and they made a happy home together for many years, helping to raise Jonathan as if he were their own. And now they’re the proud grandparents of three little ones too.
“Their love has never waned in forty years, and today, they stand before us, declaring their love in front of family and friends—something that should never have been denied to them in the first place. While the laws of this country will not legalize this union, it is sanctioned by all those gathered here today to bear witness to its authenticity. Now to the vows.
“Charlie, do you take Thomas to be your husband, to live together in a committed union? Do you pledge to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him, for as long as you both shall live?”