When A Man Really Loves A Woman

The long train of Cynthia’s wedding dress slithered behind her as she paced back and forward across the marbled floor of the sitting room.

“Damn it, Rudy-Ann I swear if you weren’t my sister I’d kill you right now.” shouted Cythnia through the receiver of her cell phone.

“Get your ass here now. It’s my wedding day for Christ’s sake.” she cried.

“I’m depending on you.”

“I know.” snuck a voice from behind her. Cynthia froze in her tracks as her sisters voice crept through the slightly cracked door.

“Is it safe Bridezilla?” she joked opening the door a little wider to wave a white cloth napkin.

“It won’t be if you don’t get yourself in here Ruby-Ann.” Cynthia giggled stretching the door opened further as she pulled her sister through the doorway.

“Don’t tell me you have cold feet?” asked Ruby.

“Ruby-Ann, I’m as nervous as a worm crossing a powerline during a lightning storm.” said Cynthia as she snatched the white handkerchief from her sister’s hand.

“It’s hot in here….is it hot in here?” She asked her sister nervously. Cynthia stroked the cloth under her armpit then raised it to her nose.

“Man this is as bad as I thought it was.”

“You did not just smell your armpit Cynthia Darlene.” Questioned Ruby Ann.

Cynthia nodded then choked on her laugh. “Yeah I did.” Cynthia chuckled. “Didn’t momma always tell us you’ll never know how much shit really stinks until you’ve had it in your face. And I smell like a pig.” She frowned.

“This isn't me, Ruby. This dress isn't me. I'm here playin Princess and I never asked to be one.”

“Girl quit your blubbering about not being a princess with your smelly ass and go out there and make that man a proud one.” Demanded Ruby as she stood in front of her sister and took her sister’s face into her hands.

“And I’ll be damned if I let this ugly ass dress go to waste. I look and feel damn good though. Besides you’re the first one of us to get married baby sister. So get your ass up and go marry that hunk of a city man you have out there waiting for you.” Ruby smiled.

“You're right, but I'm not wearing this ridiculous dress.” Cynthia Darlene stated picking up the fluffy dress and then dropping it back to the floor. Ruby shook her head and asked. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Well you can’t do something that’s already done.” Cynthia mumbled in returned then they both broke out in laughter.

“Well, what do you want to wear?” Asked Rudy-Ann taking a deep breath and rolling her eyes.

“Can you ladies excuse us? We will be out momentarily. I’m going to have the wedding I’ve been wanting since I was 8 years old.” Laughed Cynthia as she scooted her bridesmaids into the hallway.

“Oh hell no, Cynthia Darlene. I said I didn’t want to waste the dress.” Chuckled Rudy-Ann.

“You wouldn’t be my crazy ass sister if you didn’t get what you wanted on your special day. Hell, let’s do it. You’d better hope God forgives us.” Rudy bursted out with laughter.

“I’ll go talk to the Deejay. You get yourself ready quickly.” Rudy said as she kissed her sisters cheek before leaving the room.

“You ladies come with me…I’m going to teach you how to dance.” Giggled Ruby-Ann.

Ruby found her way to the Deejay and passed along a cassette tape. “Now you pop that into your thinga-mabob and once you see those beautiful brides maids and my fine ass standing at the end of that rug. Push that play button. Ya hear me?” Demanded Ruby-Ann with a huge grin.

“I’m counting on you to make this wedding the best day of my sister’s life. So, you get this right or Imma have to shoot ya.” She assured clicking her tongue as she imitated pointing a gun and shooting the Deejay.

The Deejay raised his eyebrows in concern.

“Don’t let this dress fool you Earl. I’m always packing.” Nodded Ruby before leaving the Deejay booth.

“My name’s Sam.” Mumbled the Deejay as she walked off.

A few moments later, the girls began to line up at the doors to walk down the aisle. Once once those doors opened there was no turning back.

“Lord, I’m only doing this because I love my sister. So, I’m asking for your forgiveness because you know my heart and bless these beautiful girls too as they shake what their mommas gave them in your place of holiness. Amen.” Praised Rudy-Ann as the doors opened wide to the chapel.

The music starts on queue as the girls began to dance down the aisle to their places. You keep sayin' you've got somethin' for me. Somethin' you call love but confess. You've been a'messin' where you shouldn't 've been a'messin'. And now someone else is getting all your best.

The wedding party watched in awe…some in disgust or confusion…other’s joined in happily dancing. Either way, Rudy was determined to give her sister the wedding of her dreams. Finally reaching the alter, where the groom and groomsmen waited patiently with excitement in their eyes. The groom stood speechless as he his bride burst through the chapel doors singing her heart out just as the other ladies stood in their places.

These boots are made for walkin'. And that's just what they'll do. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you. Ya

Cynthia’s groom eyes pieced into hers blazing with sexual tension and an uncontrollable happiness as she walked down the aisle wearing a pair of dark blue pair of Daisy Dukes jean shorts, a black and white plaid shirt with cut off sleeves, black cow girl boots, and a vail. She was also holding a six pack of beers in one hand and a bouquet of tulip-lillies in the other.

“Lord help us.” Prayed the minister as Cynthia stood at the stoop of the alter.

“Hey baby.” Laughed Cynthia slightly winded.

“Hey beautiful. That was one hell of a dance.” Admired her groom as he lead her to the Minister. The groom, overwhelmed by his breathtaking bride, the world muted around him as the Minister began to speak.

"Derrick, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?" Asked the Minister.

Derrick stood like a deer in headlights. Mesmerized as his graze seeped through and into Cynthia’s warm heart.

“Derrick.” Called the Minister clearing his throat.

Derrick returned to reality as a stinging pain burned his forehead.

“Well are you going to answer the man?” Asked Cynthia Darlene as she held her limped flowers back out in front of her.

“Damn baby!” Reacted Derrick as he fully came to.

The congregation gasped.

“Well ain’t you gonna answer the man? He’s asked you a question and you’re drooling down my shirt like a starving stray at a barbecue. You ain’t getting none of this until you tell God, my momma and daddy and whoever sitting out there. That you do! So, do you or do you not?” Asked Cynthia with her eyes stretched as wide as the room.

“I do, baby.” Chuckled Derrick wanting to kiss his bride in that moment.

“Cynthia Darlene,” started the Minister.

“You damn right I do, I didn’t do all the dancing for nothing. Mr. Minister.” Hollered Cynthia as she jumped into her grooms arms and kissed him deeply.

“You may kiss your bride…” murmured the minister as the bride and groom feasted on each other’s lips.

The minister quietly crossed his heart. Those in the pews cheered with laughter and thunderous clapping. Whistles here and there. Rudy-Ann tapped her sister on the shoulder as her favorite song began to play again.

“I love you with my whole heart baby sister. Congratulations.” Confessed Ruby-Ann. Handing 2 of the beers to her sister.

The wedding party popped open their beers and shout, “Cheers to years. To the bride, to the groom.” Then chugged their beers before leaving the alter paired man to woman.

“You all can’t drink in here.” Mumbled the minister frustrated with the entire ceremony.

Before taking the best man’s arm Ruby-Ann placed a hand on the minister’s shoulder and whispered, “You did a great job today, Edgar. I finally know what I want to do for our wedding.”