Everybody at Bud’s Geauga Corners was in
a very upbeat mood. Bud’s is an old white clapboard tavern at a crossroads out
in far eastern Geauga County.
News travels fast in Geauga Corners. It seemed like the whole town knew that Amanda and Randy were out working at the cemetery a couple of times a week cleaning it up and restoring the little flags on Veterans’ graves. Folks were speculating, but not in a gossipy way. Rather they were hoping that these two had found a partnership in each other. They knew that Randy was nearly 70 and Amanda was in her mid 60s. Folks were happy for them and hoped that they would be happy together.
Their bond of friendship, companionship and eventually love grew strong. A cemetery certainly seemed a strange place for a courtship, but not when you understood the reason they were there.
One day as they were finishing their
work, Randy pulled an old yellow envelope out of his shirt pocket. He slowly took out a faded photograph. It was
a picture of his comrades from Vietnam. He handed the photo to Amanda. He said,
“I guess that’s why I’m here working at the cemetery.”
He said, “They’re all dead. They never made it back.” Randy turned away to hide his tears. In all the years since Vietnam he had shown that photo to only one other person, that was Bud. Amanda knew this was a very special moment. She touched his arm and gently turned him around. She kissed him and said “I think I’m in love with you.” Randy kissed her and said “I’m in love with you too.”
A wedding announcement was bound to come
and it was bound to come right there inside Bud’s. I was there when the two of
them walked in together holding hands. Randy spoke up and said, “I have an
announcement to make. Amanda and I are going to get married.”
A collective yes resounded through the bar.
Bud handed Randy and Amanda diet colas with a slice of lemon and said, “I propose a toast to
the lucky couple.” A toast was made. Then
Bud said quietly, “Randy, I want you to wear your uniform at the wedding.” The room became completely silent. Amanda
turned to Randy and said, “Yes, please wear it.” Randy paused for a long moment,
then slowly nodded his head yes. Everyone in the room applauded.
Then Harold in an attempt at humor made another of his giant faux pas.
He piped up and said, “Hey maybe we could get that judge to perform the ceremony.”
Amanda was immediately angry. She grabbed
the sausage stick that Harold had been munching on and shoved it into his ear.
Amanda glared at Harold and said, “Amazing, I thought it would go right on through and come out the other side you brain dead moron!” Randy just chuckled. He was taking it surprisingly well. He seemed to be getting over his intense dislike for that judge just because he had been a ‘desk jockey’ JAG officer.
“No Harold, we won’t have that judge,” said Randy, “but you can be the bridesmaid.” The bar erupted in laughter. “Harold you’ll look great in pink chiffon. Don’t worry Harold I’ll see that you get a fancy hairdo at the beauty shop.” Harold, who was now on the receiving end of the jokes was taking it pretty well. “OK, OK” he said, “but isn’t it time for someone to buy the bridesmaid a beer. Then we can have another toast to the lucky couple.” Bud handed Harold a beer and held out his hand for payment. Harold said, “Put it on my bill.”
Bud said, “Harold you’re not a duck.”
Harold raised his bottle for a toast and for once he became serious. He said “To the lucky couple who have found love late in life and to those who have left us. May we continue to honor and remember them just like these two do.” Glasses clinked all around.
NEXT TIME: The Placemat
The opinions expressed are solely those of Dave Partington and of course Bud, Randy, Harold, Larry and the rest of the guys sitting at the bar at Bud’s. Bud’s Geauga Corners is a work of fiction. Bud’s Geauga Corners is paid for solely by Dave Partington.
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