Love Is What Matters

Vince and Eve were married in a quiet ceremony at Vince’s parents’ home, the Shelter, in the San Bernardino mountains. Vince’s father, Mario, had installed a large tent to hold about 100 people. There was also a covered walkway leading up to the house. An air filtration system had been installed in the tent to provide clean air. Gina and Mario didn’t want to risk any chance of the celebration being ruined by the thick smog wafting up from the city. A small crowd had gathered for the celebration. They were mostly college professors and college students. Everyone arrived in their TranZips with no worries about the trip home. Designated drivers were not required. The GPS system in each TranZip had coordinates entered for their home addresses, so they could climb in and push ‘home,’ zip away, and be safely delivered.

Vince’s father and mother invited them all to enjoy a glass of wine as soon as each arrived. Inside the tent tables had been set up around the perimeter with chairs for seating. At the back of the tent a large table was laid out with fresh fruits cut up for hors d’oeuvres, along with freshly baked breads. The wine was set out on a separate table. Chairs and music stands were arranged for the jazz band. In the middle space, a dance floor had been constructed. Stands of beautiful flowers were arranged in the corners behind the food tables.

Vince’s mother announced, “We have a special treat today. We recently acquired some goats—yes, real goats—and we have fresh cheese, genuine goat cheese, to liven up your palettes. It’s really quite good. Please help yourselves.”

Vince’s father added, “The goats help keep the grass down on these hillsides—no mowing the slopes for me. Of course, I’m the chief ‘Old Goat’.”

Everyone got a good laugh out of that one. Some of the students began thanking the Origianis and commenting on the wines. “These are excellent.” “I love the Merlot best.” “My favorite is the Pinot Grigio.” “Where did you get wine this good?”

Mario Origiani, Vince’s father, explained, ”We planted some vineyards when we first moved here, about seventeen years ago. Then I built a small winery to process the grapes and make our own wines. Some of them turned out really good, don’t you think?”

He winked at the students and said, “I saved the best for you.”

Several of the students had taken classes with Dr. Mario Origiani, and they knew he had a good sense of humor. One of them, Sally from Minnesota, had noticed the landscape when she arrived.

“Dr. Origiani, did you request that earthquake that ruined your front yard?”

Mario answered with a sly little grin, “Yes, yes I did. Do you like it?” All the students laughed heartily.

“Did you see that slab sticking up on the right side over there? That proves ...”

Sally interrupted, “Oh, Dr. Origiani, we don’t want a lecture right now!” The students all laughed heartily again. Mario blushed.

Polly arrived with her new boyfriend. Another boyfriend thought Eve. But Eve was delighted to see Polly. She gave a yell .

“There’s my favorite cousin.”

Polly retorted, “That’s right. And you’d better be nice to me. I’ve got too much dirt on you—that would be Land dirt—I can spread around if you’re not!”

They hugged and kissed affectionately. Eve whispered, “That’s a good-looking guy you brought.”

Polly responded, “Isn’t he? Not much upstairs, but otherwise he’s dynamite!”

Eve said, “Oh, Polly, you’re terrible!”

The two cousins laughed and hugged some more.

Introductions were made all around. Polly introduced her boyfriend as Felix Higgenboten, one of her fellow actors in the theater company. Polly and Felix were very jovial. It seems that they laughed at everything, and everyone enjoyed their company. Mario Origiani kept the wine glasses filled, and this added to the gaiety.

Eve and Polly’s parents arrived soon after Polly and joined the gathering. Eve’s mother, Sarah, gave her a huge hug and said, “You look radiant!” Sarah glanced at Aaron and thought she saw a tear in his eye. Eve’s college friends had helped her prepare for the wedding, California style. She wore a strapless emerald green dress, the color of grass on a healthy Earth, as she liked to say. Her slippers were of the same color. The flowers in the headdress streaming down against her beautiful auburn hair was just gorgeous. Eve took Polly’s hand and dragged her into the house to look at her wedding ensemble and help her finish getting dressed. Her veil was a profusion of small flowers and ribbons, which would trail down her back. Her large bouquet was composed of many flowers of different colors all gathered from the Origiani’s gardens. Polly marveled at the bouquet. She asked, “Are you going to be able to carry that thing? It’s so huge!” Eve just laughed; she was so happy.

Polly looked absolutely radiant with her beautiful smile and her hair piled high on her head, with ringlets hanging down giving a soft appearance. She wore a dress of all colors, which sparkled brightly in the sunlight.

Eve said to Polly, “You look so bright and happy. I’m very glad you could come.”

Polly asked Eve, “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, absolutely” was the immediate answer, with a huge smile.

Vince wore a mint green suit with a crisp white shirt and a cute little bow tie. He laughed and announced that everyone should get a good look at him, because they wouldn’t see him very often either in the suit or the bow tie. He wore a Tight Skin bandage over the birth defect. This is the best I can do, he thought, but Eve wants to marry me anyway! His father served as his best man.

Vince said, “Dad, you got the ring?”

Mario grabbed at his pocket with a startled expression on his face. He felt the lump of the ring box and said, “Don’t scare me like that!” Vince laughed.

“Relax, Dad, and enjoy yourself.”

When Vince saw Eve, his heart jumped for joy. He loved her madly, and he couldn’t believe that she was going to marry someone who looked like him. He felt like an idiot next to this beautiful woman. She looked stunning with that emerald green dress against her creamy skin, with her beautiful smile and sweet dark chocolate eyes.

What a touching ceremony it was. The couple had written their own vows, pledging to love and honor each other as much as they loved and cherished the natural Earth. They would love and respect each other as they loved and respected all the Divine Maker’s creations.

Eve vowed, “Vincent Georgio Origiani, you are the only man I have ever loved, and you are the only man I want to love. I pledge to love you and support you in all your endeavors with every ounce of my being. I look forward to joining with you in body and spirit and becoming as one.”

By this time, Vince had a tear running down his cheek. He composed himself and said, “Eve Serene Land, I am so lucky to have you in my life, and I want you in my life forever.”

They kissed to cheers and applause. At the end of the ceremony the bouquet was thrown. It was caught by two of the bridesmaids! As the crowd watched in fascination, the two girls had a real tussle until one of them yanked it hard. The bouquet was so large that it split in two! Each girl ended up with a fistful of flowers. The crowd laughed heartily and started chattering. Comments were heard such as ‘What does this mean?’ and ‘Is this good luck or bad luck?’ A photographer had been secured to capture the events of the day with his video camera, so the event could be enjoyed anytime in the future.

Vince’s mother, Gina Origiani, announced loudly, “Everyone come and enjoy the fruits of our labor. A feast has been prepared for you!”

Gina, along with the help of the college girls, had prepared a feast of good things from the gardens and orchards at the Shelter. The girls in the bridal party had come over the day before to help her prepare the food—and sample the wines! The buffet was really quite stunning, and Eve knew her dad and mother, and probably Polly’s parents, too, would be most interested in talking with Gina about her recipes. The climate was much the same in North Carolina as in Los Angeles, wasn’t it after all? At the end of the ceremony Eve’s and Polly’s mothers talked with Vince’s mother about exchanging some ideas. They talked for a good while about the North Carolina farm and how it could be improved, even arranging a visit for the two mothers to come back to California for more in-depth discussions.

Gina told the two mothers, “You can look at our website, ‘The Shelter’ to get an overview of our place.”

Sarah, Eve’s mother, said that they would do that and take the virtual tour. She also invited Gina to look at the Land Farms website. Aaron had brought a case of AppleLand apples and PeachLand peaches for the Origianis to enjoy. Paul expressed interest in Mario’s vineyards and winery. This was planting a seed in his head. When the toasts were made and most of the food was consumed, Vince got out his violin and played some tunes. He loved the old masters from centuries ago: Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Chopin. He had learned the instrument well. It was a beautiful set of music. This relaxing treat was followed by a one-woman act by Polly. She started off with another toast to the bride and groom, wishing them many years of happiness.

“Vince, you’d better be good to her, or you’ll have to contend with me.”

Vince and Eve smiled and there was general laughter. The wine was having its effect.

Polly asked, “Vince and Eve, do you know the secret to a happy marriage?”

She waited and waited, and the bridal couple blushed.

Polly went on, “Actually, there are several couples here who have been married many years. Let’s ask them. Mario and Gina, Can you tell me the secret to a happy marriage?”

Mario, relaxed and jovial from the effects of the wine, sat up suddenly, flung out his arms to get his balance and accidentally smacked Gina in the shoulder. Gina grabbed her shoulder and frowned at Mario who was blushing violently.

Polly said “Spousal abuse? I don’t think that’s the secret to a happy marriage!”

Mario looked at Polly and Gina and apologized profusely as the crowd roared with laughter.

“Aaron and Sarah. How about you? Do you know the secret to a happy marriage?”

Aaron, who was not a drinking man, was feeling the effects of the wine. Sarah, who was also a little inebriated, looked at Aaron and said, “Do you want to go first, Honey?”

Aaron, trying to get his mouth to work, only stared at her. So Polly said, “Maybe Aaron has the secret. Never talk back to your wife! “More laughter from the crowd.

Polly forged on, “Mom and Dad, what’s your secret to a long and happy marriage?”

Her dad reared back in his chair, crossed his arms in front of him and said, “Oh no, young lady! You’re not gonna catch me with a tricky question!”

Polly said, “Oh, so that’s your secret! Never give in to the tricks of another woman!”

Paul threw up his hands and looked at his wife in mock anguish. With a sly grin, Polly confided, “Actually, nobody knows the real secret to a long and happy marriage. THAT’S WHY IT’S A SECRET!!”

Mario got it first. “It’s a secret! It’s a secret!!” He doubled over in laughter. The light bulbs started going off around the table, and ‘It’s a secret! Oh, it’s a secret!’ The laughter became hysterical, while Polly stood looking on with her hand on her hip.

When the laughter died down, she said, “Sadly, I’m afraid it’s a secret that Felix Higgenbottom—his name was mispronounced for comic effect—and I will never share.”

She held out her left hand, palm down, to show there was no ring on her finger. Felix was sitting in an alcoholic haze, wearing a silly grin. When he heard his name, he jerked up his head and looked around. “Wha.. Wha..” he uttered. The crowd went crazy again. Polly just shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. Mario could not stop laughing. After a few minutes, Gina decided to poke at him a little bit.

Looking at Mario with her eyebrow cocked, she said, “Mario, you should know what the secret is. It’s been sitting right in front of you all these years.”

Mario gasped, “You’re right, dear. I’m sorry, I just can’t help it!”

He wiped the tears away from his eyes again. In just those few minutes Polly had the audience gasping for breath and laughing so hard. Someone said, “I think I wet my pants!” Eve thought, “Wow, isn’t she terrific? She sure knows how to play a crowd.”