CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Bobby – Saturday, January 16, 1965

Barely arriving home, I find my two best friends waiting on me. Dawkmymy quickly pulls me into the bedroom, slamming the door and shouts, "We have a problem."

"Okay, what is it?"

"Our best man and one of the groomsmen had to withdraw. They have contracted the flu, and are confined to their apartments."

I calmly replied, "I will handle this. Give me a moment." To my friends, I made a plea, "We have a problem."

"Rusty and I heard you. We got you covered. Rusty is going to be best man and I will be one of a groomsmen."

"Thanks fellows, I owe you one."

"No problem."

It was great seeing my two best friends again. My emotions were frazzled, but them being here reassured me.

Dawkmymy told Rusty, "Sheri, my cousin. is the matron of honor. She is an engineer who works for me." I am part owner of this hotel/apartment complex, which is a family owned facility." Rusty responded, "That's nice."

I added, "My bride is a little bashful. She owns about one hundred eighty hotels, one hundred apartment buildings, fifty office centers and three dozen shopping plazas. Nonetheless, she does not want people to think she is bragging. Her cousin is the supervisor over the construction and renovation department, which consists of over one hundred employees. Yes, I am marrying her for her money." All three of them laughed. I was proud of her, and wanted everyone to know it.

Dawkmymy punched me on the shoulder saying, "What Bobby did not tell you is that he made half a million dollars last year showing off his abs. Women between sixteen and sixty, swoon over him. If he smiles at them, they pass out."

Rusty probed, "Are you two always like this? I can tell you love each other. You don't mind poking fun respectively. You support one another in a refreshing manner. Most people take life too seriously.

Dawkmymy confessed, "I used to be to gravely focused, but Bobby presented a better approach to our existence. I used to be the adult example of a spoilt brat. I almost lost him. He taught me to love the things I had that did not cost money.

My adopted daughter demonstrated by example what it meant to care about individuals. Between the two of them, I have learned to cherish people where they are, and not try to change them. My employees were afraid of me. At the present, they are delighted to see me." The more she said caused my satisfaction to escalate.

She added, "I am still tough minded, but tempered with tenderness and tranquility. I try to pay attention more and talk less." At this point she stated, "I am dominating this conversation." She rendered an apologetic look.

Linda chimed in, "That is a woman's prerogative. Tell us more about your daughter."

I jumped in by saying, "She is fifteen and more mature than women three times her age. A little over a year ago she was a recluse. She had been kidnapped, and beaten almost to the point of death. Likewise, she was abused physically, mentally, and sexually. Dawkmymy brought her home, took care of her and loved her.

She has blossomed under Dawkmymy's care. Malsa has helped hundreds of battered women to become whole again as well as self-sufficient. She works for the largest Wedding Dress factory in the world, which is employee owned. The workers respect her, as well as love her. Malsa was selected as second vice president a few months ago."

I further spoke, "Adding my name to this child's adoption papers, gave her my last name. Today, she called me Daddy. I cannot explain what I felt, but tears swelled up in my eyes. Rufus and Martha feel the same way. They are Grandma and Granddaddy to her." With happiness in my heart, I was glad to brag about my new daughter.

Linda articulated, "Do they not have child labor laws?" "Yes, they do, but the factory is a Non-Government Organization (NGO.) It was organized by a girl eighteen years old as an educational institution to recover abused women. Malsa is a student and their lead instructor."

Dawkmymy interjected, "Her heart is bigger than she is. There is wisdom greater than her years would signify. I am more than blessed by a wonderful bride and a brilliant daughter."

Dawkmymy helped to liberate Malsa from being withdrawn. It unleashed a gentle spirit and an intelligence from a depth of her being.

Linda understood, "It seems to me both of you love Malsa, and hold her in high esteem." Dawkmymy and I moved our heads up and down.

"We love all four of our children. They love us and one another. Seebhabe turned five recently, and reads like an adult. Bobby III is age four, Leanna is three. Both are beginning to read. All four are bilingual. My chest swelled, and I was as proud of my youngsters as if their accomplishments were contributed by me.

Then I understood that my children were bright, and Sy La Maaw was their real teacher.

Dawkmymy interjected, "Have you made any plans for housing?" Both of the men answered, "No." "Then you can stay at our house. The guest bedrooms have full bathrooms. You can refresh yourselves and nap. A car will pick you up about fifteen minutes before the rehearsal. Dress casually."

She continues, "The refrigerator has leftover fried chicken and baked ham in it. Several of my aunts, my mother, and Martha are cooking a supper for us while we are rehearsing. Some have already begun preparing parts of the meal at their homes, and will bring the aforesaid dinner to the church." My mouth was drooling in anticipation of the dinner already.

I probed, "Where is your luggage? George responded, "In the hall." Dawkmymy made two calls. A moment later a bellhop knocked on the door and asked which bags belonged to the lieutenant colonel. I explained that the bags would be placed in their bedrooms at our house. He shared that a car would be waiting for us in a few minutes in front of the building. As far as I can remember, I was independent and self-sufficient. I trembled at the thought of turning into a rich comfortable lazy slob?

Martha, Rufus and the kids came into the apartment. Martha embraced her son. Rufus shook his hand, and patted him on the back. Rufus said hi to George and Linda. Martha turned the oven on to preheat it. She explained she had several dishes to make for the rehearsal dinner. Rusty laughed, "Momma, you are always cooking for someone."

I was pleased Martha was preparing food for Dawkmymy and me. She and Rufus instilled a peace into the depth of my soul. The relaxation expanded from my toes to the top of my head. Rufus with Martha's support, and liberated the tenant farmers from being evicted.

The children appeared happy as they gave details of feeding the fish. Seebhabe, grinning from ear to ear, claimed, "Granddaddy Rufus let us throw corn and ground up stalks into the ponds. Maybe one hundred splashing catfish came to the top of the water to eat." Leanna quietly pronounced with a glow, "Granddaddy promised us we could go again, if it is okay with you and momma. Can we Daddy?"

I put my fingers to my head like it was pushing me to deep thought, and disclosed, "As long as Granddaddy, or one of us adults are with you, it would be good. Don't go to close to the water We would not want one of those big fish to eat you all up." Then I swooped her up and lifted her high above my head. She screeched with laughter.

Children are wonderful at make believe. They can take an ordinary cardboard appliance box and call it a fort, or claim it is a house and play with it all day. My thoughts floated back to my childhood in Illinois, we cut such a box into four panels.

Rusty, remember when we took the pieces to a small hill near our house. We called it Bunkers Hill, because Carl and Pat Bunkers lived next to it. It was a snowy day, and we used those fragments of cardboard as sleds to glide down the incline for hours until Mom called us for supper."

"My Momma was mad because I was muddy," Laughter engulfed us.

All of us made the transition to the house. Linda oohed and aahed, and declared that this is a mansion. We explained to her that it was recently renovated. It was originally five rooms, and then several rooms were added in addition to a front porch and columns. A warmth of satisfaction filled my limbs. My conviction was that I could remain in our house the rest of my life.

Dawkmymy gave the threesome a quick tour, pointing out where extra towels and wash cloths were kept. They were informed that if they needed anything, just yell and one of us would steer them in the right direction. Her face was glowing with a smile of effervescence. My composure was glimmering, because she looked happy.

We went to the master bedroom where we locked lips. I took a quick shower, put on a light peach sport shirt and casual pale tan slacks. Dawkmymy bathed, and dressed in a white blouse and black jeans. She was gorgeous in a simple outfit. The sight of her aroused a craving deeply within me.

I caught some zees on the divan. My dreams were concentrated on my bride. Abundant joy filled my brain. My wishes were to remain like this forever. Perhaps every groom encounters these thoughts. Mine are blissful and gratifying.

Dawkmymy awaken me with an enjoyable adoring kiss, informing me the three younger kids were at the apartment with Rufus and Malsa. I rendered a two-finger salute with a devious smile. My heart was overflowing with thoughts of tomorrow. My face was shining with the fervor of burning desire. The passion that I possessed for her produced dreams of yearning within the depth of my soul.

At the rehearsal George queried, "Where are you going on your honeymoon?" "We are spending two weeks at Cha-am Beach in Southern Thailand. Dawkmymy's company has recently completed an apartment compound facing the Gulf of Thailand. We will enjoy two weeks in wonderland. Cha-am is not a secret, but it is not advertised or commercialized. The fresh breeze from the gulf and Andaman Sea keeps it cooler than Chiang Mai. It is a hidden paradise that not many Americans have experienced."

After the rehearsal, the dinner was an elegant buffet of Thai and American cooking. Cousin Dok Mysoad and Rusty were submitting lingering looks and stares respectively. Martha asked me about her. I told her that Dok Mysoad is a highly educated single young woman, and that she lived with her grandmother in the village near my house. Additionally, she and Dawkmymy are cousins, and that my bride could share more with you.

Martha drifted over to Dawkmymy and bluntly began questioning her about Dok Mysoad. My betrothed explained that her cousin was an assistant supervising engineer at The Dragon Inn Corporation, and that Thai men avoided educated women. Consequently, these women gravitated to American, English and Canadian men. There is an abundance of all three in Thailand at present.

Martha meandered her way to Dok Mysoad. In a few moments, they were seated side by side, and were laughing like they were the best of friends. My thoughts comprised of the fact that poor Rusty is not aware that his mom has already selected his wife for him. He was happily oblivious of what she was planning for him to experience. He will think it is his own idea.

Friendships were made, and former relationships were strengthened. Joy was present throughout those gathered. Satisfaction and excitement flooded their conscious way of thinking. Cheerfulness was present all over the place. It is marvelous how a wedding brings out the pleasantness in people. I was elated and felt like I wanted to share my happiness with the whole world.

Reverend Goodman let me know that he had performed several weddings between American servicemen and upper-class Thai women. He claimed, "So far every marriage where I have officiated has withstood the test of time. A Thai woman always supports her man. She will defend her husband when everyone else has abandoned him. You will be blest by aligning yourself with a Thai wife."

Glancing at Dawkmymy with a gleam in my eyes was transforming and keeping me from the capability to function. My thoughts were swamped with exultations, excitement and expectancy.