Bob came in with a corsage for Hazel; I forgot as I slapped my forehead. Jean says. “Pay up, you two; I told you he slap his face. Man, it smells great, Dan; what’s on the menu for dinner.”
Hazel raises her head and sniffs, and says. “Green peppers and mushrooms with thin cooked beef with ginger and rice noodles. Hot and sour soup and rice biscuits.”
Hazel says. “No fricking way, Dude.”
Ellen says. “It’s clear he can damn do way anything.”
We had fun. I even bought a bag of fortune cookies. There is nothing but smiles around the table, three sets of lovers holding my glass up and tapping it to get everyone to look at me. I say. “A toast to lovers and the smiles they share.”
“Nice, you are expecting lots of smiles tonight?” Jean asked.
I say. “Yes, I’m watching Hazel do a Muppet’s Cheerleader Puppets. You should see where my hand goes on cheer number four.”
Hazel says. “You’re laughing, but if his hand is cold, let’s just say chills and leave it there.”
We laughed, but it’s where my hand goes, but they saw us practice. So we sat watching TV. My brain needs a few kisses, but Hazel is doing her make-up.
Ellen comes over and holds my hand, and says. “You two are so much in love; just trust your heart.”
We go in two cars to the stadium; nothing looks out of place when we get there. I go to Jean’s Car to help Hazel, kiss your neck, and say. “Don’t want to mess up your war paint.”
A slight chill in the air makes the sounds sharper as I roll Hazel into the football stadium. The pounding of the drum coup bounce off the walls changes as we step out of the tunnel, the drums making our chests bounce to the beat.
The smell of popcorn and cooking hot dogs float over the air. Hazel’s teammate’s excitement of the last season of their high school cheering the football team on made it hard for all to be still. The crowds in Texas get here early and are ready for a game.
I roll her to her team. “One song, ladies, now and another one later, no more than two. One on the kickoff and one at the start of halftime?”
Mae nods to me and winks, saying out of earshot of Hazel. “We all chipped in, and we have someone here, a professional photographer, and we got the flowers hidden all two hundred bucks worth. Hazel tells her friends all the time. Always trust your heart; it won’t lead us astray.”
The packed stadium was cheering for their team. Then, finally, the players came on the field. Hazel kissed her class ring and nodded. The band started playing the theme to Hawaii Five-o as I picked up Hazel and moved my feet for her, waiting for the teams to come on the field.
We got laughs at first, but I say. “Keep it together, ladies. I’m funny looking. They laugh at me. Let’s sell it!” So we did, and the team kicked off, and the cheerleaders got lots of noise from the crowd. I put her back in the chair but just off the sideline.
I had asked the team captain if they touched Hazel’s hand in high Fives for luck, and they did and first drive went forty yards run on the return of the kickoff. After that, the team kept the trend up; the score was twenty-nine to seven by halftime. But the teams hung back as we did one more cheer as I held her, and the laughter was gone now. It was non-stop cheering from the stadium.
Two cheerleaders bring Hazel over to me as the band plays “You Needed Me” by Anne Murray. I kneel on one knee as forty-three of our friends bring a dozen roses each and stack them around her. She was given two dozen red roses to hold as the song played softly.
I did not bring a mike I started to speak. Somebody yelled speak up, and I saw a TV guy bring a mike over and hook up to the sound systems.
I asked. “Hazel Ellen Campbell, You walked into my life a whirlwind of love. Our first seconds together were beyond what mere words can ever describe. You put me first over your friends, included me in your world, and within just hours of our first kiss, you defended me. I don’t see any life without you by my side. So Hazel Ellen Campbell, will you do me the honor of loving me the rest of our lives and be my wife.”
You stood in your chair and fell into my arms; your words could not come out. “Baby, say it. You’ll hear a pin drop.” I say.
You could finely nod and choke out a. “Yes.” I slipped our rings on, and we got off the field. The marching band and our friends were going nuts.
I saw a photographer, and Hazel and I kissed, holding our rings out. I say. “Baby, it’s on your timetable now, but I made our rings for you, Baby, but I made eight. They did not make me see you when I looked at them. I sold them for eighty thousand to start our life together, and they want more.”
I laughed out loud and say. “Oh, I ordered the Car. The Judge is getting a tune-up and repainted with new seats. But it’s your wedding gift. I want a truck to move things. John wants me to start a company to help upgrade houses to handicap access.” I say, running down.
Bob and Jean made their way down to kiss us Both. Bob says. “Hazel, are you staying with Dan tonight, baby?”
Jean says. “Yes tell us love you too are glowing.”
Bob says. “Jean and I talked. Start your life with him. He’s proven to us he loves you with all his heart.”
Well, I did it. I won, and Hazel held me and her two dozen roses as you trembled against me. Mae came over and kissed Hazel and then me.
Hazel asked Mae. “You helped?”
Mae says. “Nope, I asked my Dad. He took one look at his work. He could tell as the work improved, but your husband would have over eight hundred rings made by him. It’s just a start, but yours is a one of my Dad said yours would have sold for ten thousand for the pair.” Mae finished.
“Well, it just means to make designs that match what I did. So you believe in me now, Baby.” I smiled.
“I do; when did you first fall in love with me?” Hazel asked me.
I say. “At the Pizza joint, when you saw your friends taking all the seats, you came out anyway, got me, and kissed me. I knew then, and I been planning on this, but I thought it would be next spring or summer, but well, This fucking works too.” So I grinned like a cat who ate the canary.
Hazel asked. “Hey, Mister, where did the rest of my flowers go? So it was what thirty-five of them stacked deep, Baby?”
I say. “It was forty-three, oddly enough, but it’s the same number of teachers at our school. There being passed out if they’re not here; they get them Monday. So I thought a thank you for the get well card was in order.” I laughed high, and being happy was a damn fine way to be.
“You keep surprising me daily, baby; think we can leave yet?” Hazel asked.
I will answer you. “No baby, your folks said they wanted to take us out for snacks at Harrows afterward. But Baby, if they want to treat us well, you know we can move in together, but it will be over at John and Ellen’s until we get them settled. Then if you want law school, I got you, Baby. Your Dad said he has half saved, and with what I got, your dream is yours, Baby.” I beamed with love and pride.
Hazel shook, and I checked your temperature, but she felt fine; then she says. “I ate your whole damn gummy, Baby, not half like you said. I am high as hell. Snacks of my man’s sexy sacks, you giggled.” Hazel said, laughing at her joke.
We won the game time moved at a new pace; not like I could care. It was kind of like church to me. My Baby was flying, but I told Mae. “She tripping on the pot. She needs lemon juice added to lemonade and loads of cracked black pepper with some sugar. I cut the candies in half so this wont happen again.” So Mae comes back strong Hazel takes a big drink and then sips it helps.
Hazel laughed. “Baby, thank you. I won’t do it again.”
I asked. “When did you know you loved me?”
Hazel says. “When did I know I loved you? You held me on the way to the hospital and dozens of other times. I did not doubt that you misheard what I said—your sad face at the pizza place of seeing no place in my world. You had nowhere to sit as your face showed me all of you. I think we can kiss again. Nobody said anything the first time?”
I kiss her, and I see a teacher hold up her dozen roses but wags her fingers no, then bows and says. “Congratulations, you two, long life and love.” Or she said knock it off with the kissing, no Personal Display of Affection on campus thing.
Hazel asked. “What do you think? She said five hours detention next kiss, maybe?”
I say. “Ten hours. How are you feeling, dear wife-to-be?”
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