here is a section from my book talking about a wedding. I can imagine wanting to be married if I were a character in this book, if I could have a wedding like this, and wear a yellow dress and be barefoot.
Henry Hamilton gave Louise away. They walked together down the aisle of the church. He had a bad hip and she had small shoes, so they moved at a slow and stately pace. Henry wore a handsome, deep blue wool sit. It is an unnoted fact of Midwestern life that the older farmer rummaging through pocket T-shirts at Ben Franklin might have a wardrobe like Cary Grant’s at home in the attic. The suit smelled like a trunk with faded steamship stickers.
“You look beautiful,” said Henry.
“No, you do,” said Louise.
The church was plain, but light streamed through the stained glass. Cheryl had done a good job on the flowers, and Louise felt as if she were approaching the edge of a jungle. Pastor Matthews was flanked by the leaves of large plants. Dan and his best man, Deputy Ed Aiken, edged toward the altar as if making their way along a narrow ledge. Dan’s tie was crooked and he had a kind of careless happiness on his face. This is the way of men.
“Dearly beloved,” said Pastor Matthews. “We are here to unite Louise Montrose Darling and Daniel John Norman in the blessings of matrimony. First I have a few announcements I did not get to last Sunday. Shirley Baker is still in the hospital, as are Andy Reichardt and Bill Wheeler. Bill continues to be troubled by that nasty cough but wanted to thank you for your prayers. Marvin and Candace Ross have a new baby, Bethany; mother and daughter are doing fine. And a note comes from Delia Kessler thanking everyone for the kindness extended to her following the death of her grandfather Mort…”
The announcements went on for a while longer, but eventually Louise and Dan got to speak their vows. The pastor raised his hands and Louise felt his palm brush her hair. “With this ring,” said Dan, “I thee wed, and pledge my abiding love.” They kissed. Louise closed her eyes. She could not define what she was feeling but knew no other way to express it than to say that she loved him. So that’s what she said. It occurred to her that you only get glimpses of love, your whole life, just bits and pieces. They kissed again, deeply, unrehearsed. Farina sang a hymn – “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.”
Afterward, everyone went outside. Cheryl and Laszlo walked beneath the poplar trees while poor Jean waited, counting the fingers of her white gloves. Across the lawn, Louise and Dan stood on the sidewalk, receiving the wishes of the people. It was cool in the shade, and wind moved the branches of the trees.
this is from end of vandalism, one of my top books of all time. I am reading it again for the nth time. I take something new from it each read. You just can’t beat a book like this.
