Read Online Separating Riches by Mairsile Leabhair - Free Book Online

commissioner five hundred dollars to stall the proceedings, when I pushed her hand away.
    “Melinda, do you want to get married from jail?” I asked. “You can’t bribe a city official.”
    “Sure you can, if you have enough money,” she stated.
    I am always amazed by the way Melinda thinks. She has no barriers to tell her whether she should do a thing or not. I found that as intriguing as I did scary.
    “Let the couple behind us go first,” I said. “That will give us—”
    “There they are!” George shouted, waving as Charles and Norma walked up beside us. “And Charlotte’s with them.”
    “Kate, would you take pictures for us?” Melinda asked, handing her the camera and showing her how to work it.
    With the tension removed, the excitement became even more intoxicating. The deputy commissioner called for the next in line, which was us, and we practically skipped like schoolgirls over to her. Most of the couples being married today were like us, a spur of the moment decision with no time to prepare. There were one or two couples who were wearing wedding gowns and carrying flowers. I had a twinge of envy.
    Melinda handed our license to the deputy commissioner, and then took my hand. I also held Norma’s hand. Charlotte took my phone and turned it on us so that Mom and Dad could watch the wedding.
    “Thank you for allowing me to officiate over your wedding today,” the Deputy Commissioner said happily.
    Charlotte turned the phone toward the commissioner, who waved to my parents. I couldn’t see them, but I knew that my mother would have waved back.
    “I’m so glad to see that your family and friends are with you on such an auspicious occasion,” the commissioner said.
    “Thank you. We are truly blessed,” I said, my heart so full I thought it would burst.
    “We meet here today for the purpose of joining this loving couple,” she paused and looked at the license, “Melinda Kay Blackstone and Christine Dolores Livingston, in matrimony.” She lowered the paper and looked at both of us. “Will you be exchanging rings today?”
    I looked at Melinda, who shook her head. We didn’t even think about getting a ring.
    “No problem,” she said. “Would you like to exchange vows?”
    I knew this commissioner was different from the others because she refused to rush through the ceremony, but unfortunately, we were not prepared for any of it. Sadly, I shook my head.
    “Mom.” Melinda looked straight at the cellphone. “Please make a note for the next wedding.”
    Mom laughed, as did I, and we looked back at the commissioner.
    “All right then. By virtue of the authority—”
    “May I say a word?” Norma asked, stepping forward.
    “Yes, ma’am, if you can make it quick, please,” the commissioner replied.
    Norma nodded and looked over at us, taking both our hands in hers. “Children, I want you to remember, especially after the euphoria wears off, that marriage is about love, trust, and understanding. It’s about accepting and listening to one another. You are merging your two lives into one, and will be responsible for each other. It’s not about being who you think your spouse wants you to be. It’s about being true to yourself, so that you can be true to your wife.”
    Norma looked at Melinda, but I knew her advice was for me also. I took it to heart.
    “Well said, Norma!” Mom shouted over the phone, and I laughed.
    Norma stepped back and I hugged her, tears welling up in my eyes. The commissioner handed me a tissue.
    “By virtue of the authority vested in me as deputy commissioner of civil marriages, for the city of San Francisco and the state of California, I am pleased to announce that you are spouses now. Love has bound you together, and may you defy anyone who comes between you. You may kiss your bride.”
    Melinda and I turned to each other, and as she so tenderly wiped a joyful tear from my eye, the commissioner threw confetti over us as our friends applauded and shouted