Sunshine Valley

Easter

     Easter was here. Dinner was in the park so more people would attend. Pastor Sam and Sara both were going to have an active roll in the religious ceremony part before dinner. This would be the first year communion had been offered. Then the evening would end in a surprise Easter egg hunt. 

     As Dillon and Evie sat down to eat, he leaned over whispering in her ear, “let’s get married now?” They had gotten the license on Valentine’s Day. Now all that was left was the act itself. “Look around, all the people we care about are here.”

     She did look around. Patty and Bradley were talkin’ and laughing with Pastor Sam. Her dad was chewin’ the fat with Widow Blake. Everyone seemed in great spirits. There were a few children at this dinner. Though they were playin’, they were well behaved. Simon and Rebecca seemed to be havin’ a good time.  Even the weather was beautiful. “Ask Sara and Pastor Sam if they will each read a piece of the ceremony? You know one of them has a Bible.” Dillon ‘bout broke his neck as he got up from the table. Evie caught her dad’s eye and winked. Sara and Pastor Sam both looked at Evie and smiled. 

     Della scooped up the children that was there, gave each of them a lid and a wooden spoon. She started the parade. From behind the food line, ‘round the tables, toward the seated citizens of Sunshine Valley, she and the children marched, banging their lids. 

     Della ushered her grandson to her side. He took a deep breath, “hear ye! Hear ye! We call,” he glanced at his grandma. She knelt by his side, whispering in his ear. He finished, “we call Pastor Sam and Miss Sara to the front.” The children hit their lids once as Sam and Sara came forward holding their Bibles. They stood off to the side of the parade staring toward the eating – bewildered crowd. 

     Della motioned for the next child in line to come to her. She whispered in the little girls ear. The child took a deep breath before shouting, “hear ye! Hear ye! We call Bradley Raymond Smith to the front.” Bradley stood close to Sara. 

     This little girl moved and the next child in line stood beside Della. Again, she whispered in the child’s ear. The little boy nervously stammered, “hear ye! Hear ye! We call Tammy Savanna Blake to the front.” The children hit their lids once. Widow Blake stood close to Pastor Sam. 

     In as unison as you can get an impromptu group of children, everyone shouted, “hear ye! Hear ye! We call Dillon Jackson Pace to the front.” The children hit their lids once. Dillon was about to die inside as he stood between Bradley and Sara. His heart was on fire. This was really going to happen. The woman of his dreams was about to become his wife. 

     Danny had spent every dime his youthful self could get turning his truck into a rollin’ jukebox. This was the one time he wouldn’t get a ticket for blarin’ his truck. At last by Etta James filled the park. Dillon was a little shocked that Evie hadn’t picked a more traditional wedding march but honestly; nothing about them had been traditional. The music became a blur in his mind as she and Jack walked toward him. Somewhere she had found some Easter flowers for a bouquet. The most beautiful woman in the world was walking toward him.