NOT OVER

ONE AND ONLY

 

He stomps on the covered wine glass. His white yalmakuh falls off his head. The congregants laugh and applaud as he grabs Rachael tightly around her waist, bends her backwards and kisses her passionately. More applause and laughter when Allen takes a breath, recovers and the button on his tux coat catches onto Rachael's tiara and falls off. Her Maid of Honor rights it for her. The newlyweds look into each other's eyes and start the procession to the lobby.

 

The receiving line is much too long. Guests at the end of it, pull away, save their handshakes and congrats to the family, go into the beautifully decorated hall. Nibbling, drinking, eating, jabbering, they are in a very festive mood. Over the hall entrance the large antique clock strikes eight. The music begins. Ushers gather the few who remain engrossed in conversations to suggest they go inside, get their table numbers and be seated. Dinner is about to be served. They need no coaxing and settle in just as the band strikes up 'Here Comes the Bride.' Allen and Rachael glide in on air. Their faces are radiant. All eyes are on them as they dance the first dance as a couple. It's an oldie they still like, 'Dancing Cheek to Cheek'. The fathers dance with their own children and reverse . They dance with their own wives. The few small children who came, uninvited, run out on the dance floor and slide around on the slippery wax. It's all so warm, family-like. Champagne corks pop.

 

From the first delicious serving of chopped liver to the cutting of the eight tiered wedding cake there is non-stop music. The wild traditional horah dance begins. The whirling, twirling madness brings almost everyone into the center of the room. A few ancient aunts and uncles watch from their tables. Their hands clap. Their feet jump and kick. There is joy but a little sadness too.

 

Rachael's maid of honor has taken the bridal veil into the dressing room. Long white tapered candles grow shorter. Parents drag their youngsters out to the valet area. The bride's bouquet goes to Charlotte, one of the six bridesmaids.  Rachael is seated on a folding chair, lifts the bottom of her wedding gown so that Allen can remove her garter. He closes his eyes and lets the garter zing out to the single men. It is caught by a handsome non-tuxedoed young man who Allen doesn't recognize, nor do any of the other bachelors.

 

Rachael looks a little tipsy, over excited, tired. She falls to the floor in a dead faint. Her uncle Harry, MD, rushes to her side. He checks her pulse and announces, 'She will live.' As she slowly opens her eyes, gets to her feet, the bachelor who caught her garter throws her a kiss, turns abruptly and starts to leave. Rachael runs to him, throws her hands around him and starts to cry. No one hears what she whispers except the stranger and the Maid of Honor, who loses her honor when she repeats to Allen what his new wife said. Soon even the busboys know too,

 

'Why did you leave me, Tommy? You were my first love, my true love and I love you still. Goodbye, Louse.'