Today, I had to take a September wedding job from my calendar. As I've stated many times, I no longer do weddings unless both the bride and groom are over 55 years of age. Still, with this criteria, I manage to do a half-dozen weddings every year.
The September wedding was to be between two very old friends, people whom I've known since age 12. We've always kept in contact over these many years, and the bride, Beverly, lived just a block away from where I grew up. I was a pretty bashful kid back then, scared to death to ask her out on a date and never did. She was drop-dead gorgeous, and every guy in the neighborhood had an eye on Bev, but they, like me, kept away because her dad was a really big guy, and her mom was a Baltimore County cop and crossing guard. Scarey!
Bev ended up marrying a guy that lived across the street from me, Larry, a country boy that only had one thing on his mind at the time, and at 16 she found herself pregnant and unmarried. They married a few months prior to their son's birth, I joined the Navy and life went on.
Larry decided he was gonna be a star, walked out on Bev and drove to Nashville. He managed to cut one record, changed his name to his stage name, then like many wannabe stars, got hooked up on drugs, hookers, and died at a very young age.
Bev, re-married, had a couple more children, and her second husband suddenly passed away from an undiagnosed heart problem. She became a widow for the second time before she turned 60.
Over the years, many of the kids from Harford Park, which was the neighborhood where we grew up, managed to stay in touch, and for the past decade, another friend, George, put together a neighborhood reunion. George is one of the nicest people on the planet, and a great organizer. He managed to find just about everyone we went to school with, and then located an inexpensive hall to hold the reunion. I provided the music at no cost, and even donated several bottles of homemade Kahlua.
George and Bev were like two peas in a pod. They loved to dance and party, and George being a widower of more than 10 years, quickly fell in love with Bev. One evening, we had them over for supper, I broiled some of my famous fillet mignon ka-bobs, and they announced their wedding would take place in September and asked if I would be willing to provide the music. Of course I accepted and was honored that they asked for me instead of hiring a DJ.
They were both very excited about the upcoming nuptials, and for the most part, when they were together, they were like a couple teenagers contemplating marriage. They went on a cruise together, then to Disney World, Mystic Seaport, and attended many events locally. At tall times, George was a perfect gentleman, and Bev, the most elegant, beautiful lady you could ever hope to meet.
On Saint Patrick's Day, George cooked up a big pot of corned beef and cabbage, a tradition handed down to him from his Irish family. He loaded the food into his car and drove the 15 miles to Bev's home to surprise her with his Irish gift. When he arrived, no one answered the door, and having a key, he let himself in, only to discover that Bev had quietly passed away during the night.
Today, I must go to Bev's viewing and try to console my old friend George as best I can. I'm hoping I can hold back my tears as well, but I'm not sure this will be possible.
Gary
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