by Pat Simmons
“You got it. I’ve already started.”
***
Planning a wedding was doing some serious damage on our dating schedule. With spring approaching, Mackenzie and I began to alternate between our Deaf and hearing activities. She attended Deaf Awareness Night at Busch Stadium with me to watch the St. Louis Cardinals.
A few times, I tagged along to some estate auctions with her. One time, we laughed through it and didn’t get a chance to bid on one item. She accompanied me to fundraiser events for PRESERVE-St. Louis in exchange for me going roller skating. After two falls, a shove to the side, and a crash into a wall, we both agreed the sport wasn’t for us.
While I practiced with the Deaf male softball team, she was elsewhere helping to design and construct stage backgrounds. Throw wedding plans into our mix, and we no longer had our usual laid back downtime.
I never realized there were so many “must dos” of picking dresses, tuxedos, guest list, banquet hall and other unnecessary stuff if we went to city hall.
After reading an email from my mother, I texted Mackenzie: Hi, baby. Momma wants us to stop by for dinner Friday, so you two can talk about the reception, invitations, yada yada yada.
Mackenzie: Hi yourself. I would love to, but we’re putting the finishing touches on The King and I set, which starts next week. I’ll be late. I’ll meet you there.
I’d rather pick you up.
Mackenzie: I’d rather already be your wife so… we have to give a little, Mackenzie typed back.
Okay, smart lips. I’ll see you about nine. Love you. Be careful, and be blessed.
Mackenzie: Need I remind u that u happen 2 love my smart, beautiful lips? Love u 2. Bye.
Friday night at my parents’ home, I alternated between watching a basketball game and peeking out for Mackenzie. The woman caused me more anxiety when I didn’t pick her up. Snatching my BlackBerry off my belt, I sent her an IM, Where r u, baby? It’s getting late.
Mackenzie: I’m around the corner. 2 minutes, tops, she sent back. I grimaced at her famous line. My mother tapped me on the shoulder.
“Where is she?”
“Oh, she says two minutes away, so basically ten minutes.” Retracing my steps to the couch, I slumped down.
Thirty-five minutes later, my father opened the door for Mackenzie. They exchanged hugs. Pierce stood at the same time I did. Caleb dozed in a corner chair.
As I hurried to Mackenzie, my mother cut me off, and embraced her before I could then scolded her for making us wait and me worry.
Momma ushered us to the table for a light dinner of baked chicken, brown rice, and salad. After eating, we cleared the table for Momma to dump a stack of catalogues with pages ripped out. Caleb made his escape, but Pierce and my dad stayed, so I wouldn’t be out numbered.
The planning meeting got off to a great start, but steadily went downhill. Momma was the loving mother most children would envy. Her only unmanageable habit was saying things without thinking. Mackenzie did think and still spoke her mind, regardless of the consequences.
“I think it’s so romantic that you want to be married on your one-year anniversary after you two first met. The weekend after Thanksgiving is perfect!”
“Thank you, Mrs. Norton,” Mackenzie replied and looked directly at me, and mouthed, I’ll never forget that day either.
I scooted closer to Mackenzie and rested my arm on the back of her chair. Reaching into her hair, Mackenzie relaxed as I massaged her scalp, snarling my fingers in her curls.
“For a long time, I worried about Noel living alone. I’m so glad now that he has someone who can look out for him. What he’s lacking, you can make up for.”
Mackenzie tensed as she balled her hand into a fist. Systematically she disengaged my hand from her hair, one finger at a time. She sucked in a deep breath. Probably to transform it to steam like a dragon.
“Mrs. Norton, you must have our relationship somewhat confused. I said yes to Noel because I expect him to take care of me, provide for me, be the head of our home, to establish the tone of holiness in our house, and to do whatever God instructs him. Noel is a man who doesn’t need a babysitter,” she stated then turned to me and signed what she had just said.
Gritting my teeth, I could feel an argument in the works. Dad looked at me, and I glanced at Pierce. Even Caleb re-entered the room with trepidation. Both had strong personalities, I knew it was a matter of time before they would clash.
“I’ll love and take care of him as a wife, not a caregiver,” Mackenzie told Momma.
Momma sat speechless. I don’t know what tone Mackenzie had used, but Momma’s shocked expression indicated Mackenzie had issued fighting words. And I thought Fred was dysfunctional. I forgot about Momma when she wanted the first and last word.
“Listen, young lady, you must’ve forgotten to whom you’re talking with and that you are a guest in my house. Yes, my son is a man, a very capable man. I’m confident he will make an excellent husband and father, but,” Momma leaned forward and continued, “I do expect you to accept the extra burden. There are some things Noel can’t do because he’s deaf.”
“Enough!” Dad intercepted and both women froze.
“Mackenzie, you’ll soon become our first daughter. We’ll love you. With that said, you’re expected to give Gina her honor, respect, and your love.” Dad waited for the words to sink into Mackenzie’s heart. Then he offered her a smile.
I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and squeezed. The last thing I wanted my woman to think was we had ganged up on her. I held my peace while Dad had the floor.
Facing each other, my parents shared a silent communication before he added, “Honey, Mackenzie loves our son, not as an invalid, but as a man. We will not interfere.”
Checkmate, Dad, I thought, containing my smile.
CHAPTER 30
The confrontation was short-lived. Thank God, because I wasn’t going to allow them to put me through any Momma-fiancée drama. Prayer changes things. After a few days, they reached out to each other. I was jealous because the closest I had gotten to Mackenzie’s dad was to call him Fred.
At church, I sat farther from the front in the Deaf section. Although Mackenzie was a feast for my eyes, she became a distraction for my soul. More than once, I had to ask her for the scriptures after service because I couldn’t concentrate. The other blessing was Valerie. We weren’t buddies, but thank God she stopped treating me as the adversary.
From my point of view, things didn’t seem to change for Nick. Valerie still didn’t seem interested in him beyond friendship. He had to either trim down and buff up some more or pray harder. At their snail’s pace, Mackenzie and I might be grandparents by the time they got engaged.
One morning, after I finished my jog and weight lifting regimen, I clicked on my television and requested a video relay to call Mackenzie. Although I used the service for business and a few personal calls, Mackenzie and I often didn’t use it because we didn’t feel comfortable having someone in the middle of our conversation.
“Wake up, my sleeping beauty fiancée,’ I signed to a female interpreter.
The interpreter advised me of Mackenzie’s yawning and stretching sound before Mackenzie responded, “Leave me alone, Noel. Sleeping is a beautiful thing.”
I chuckled at the interpreter’s interpretation of our conversation. “Come on, baby. It’s been a long time since we’ve spent an entire day together. Let’s take a walk through the park. You’ve got one hour and fifteen minutes to be ready,” I signed and waited.
“I don’t want to take a stroll. I want to eat. Bring a picnic basket and I’ll be ready in one hour and forty-five minutes. Goodbye.” The interpreter smiled and signed, “Call disconnected.”
Shaking my head, I thanked the woman and clicked off my television. “Always the negotiator.” While Mackenzie got up, dressed, and whatever else she did in the morning, I scanned through my Bible then turned on ESPN for the sports highlights until it was time for me to leave and get he
r.
Backing out the garage, I jammed on my brakes when I spied the bicycles, dangling from a loosened metal hook. Pierce never reclaimed his bike since my move into my house. Shifting my Cadillac into park, I walked around to the back of my car. Deciding to take them with me, I lifted them like a small dumbbell.
I secured them on my bike rack before heading to Dierbergs, a St. Louis family-owned chain of neighborhood grocery stores. Without a basket, I scanned through the plants section.
A perky woman kindly told me they weren’t for sale unless I also purchased flowers. I didn’t need convincing. After I paid the woman, I got busy, throwing stuff into the makeshift picnic basket.
Checking my watch, I groaned in defeat. Once again, Mackenzie had bent me to her will. I would arrive at Mackenzie’s house at exactly the time she wanted. I didn’t know how she did it, but Mackenzie secretly wound me up like her personal clock.
At her house, she still wasn’t ready, so I engaged in a strained conversation with Fred. Today, he wasn’t in a mood to sign. No surprise there. Mackenzie didn’t make her appearance until another fifteen minutes.
My jaw slackened, and my hands went numb. Thanks to the warm weather and shorter skirts, I’d seen even more of Mackenzie’s great legs. Thank God she didn’t wear those skirts to church. Her legs and signing would surely be a distraction to any man.
The skirt was long, but I still stared. She seemed to float, stopping in front of me, enjoying her dominating stance as I sat perched on the sofa. Mackenzie broke the spell when she brushed a kiss on my forehead. Blood rushed to strengthen my legs as I stood, towering over her, switching the dominant role.
She wrinkled her nose. “Hello.”
The first words out my mouth were, “Let’s move the wedding day up to tomorrow?” I wasn’t joking either and I didn’t care what Fred said as he watched our interaction.
She laughed and swatted my arm. “And end your torture? Never.”
No way was I going to confirm that she was right. She may count the months, but I was counting down the days, and that was torture. I examined her attire again.
Her heeled sandals and a long skirt weren’t bike-riding friendly. A matching scarf somewhat tamed her curls. I liked the way she looked. I didn’t dare ask that she consider changing for a bike ride. I would be satisfied with a picnic. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I steered her to the front door. Fred also stood. He did a poor job of hiding his amusement of our exchange.
I dropped my arm from Mackenzie’s waist when Fred extended his hand. His gripping handshake was a reminder that Mackenzie was still his baby, and that he was still in control. Holding my own, I met his stare and nodded. Fred Norton wasn’t going to let me soon forget.
Inside the car, I handed Mackenzie the flowers the woman at Dierbergs talked me into buying. Mackenzie’s smile was worth it. Less than fifteen minutes later, we arrived at Heman Park in University, minutes from the city limits. Parking, I helped Mackenzie out then grabbed the basket from the backseat. I pushed the remote until I saw my headlights flashed.
When I turned to Mackenzie, she watched me with amusement. “What?”
“Locking your car once is enough, you know.”
“True, but how was I to know? If it takes ten times for my lights to flash, then ten times it is.”
Mackenzie agreed, “Good point.”
Hand in hand, we began a search for the right picnic table under the right tree. Mackenzie tugged on my hand and pointed. I was about to walk off the narrow trail onto the grass when Mackenzie stopped me to rummage through her shoulder bag. The prize was her well-worn flats.
I shook my head and laughed. Mackenzie dropped the raggedy things to the ground and reached for my arm. Balancing herself, she changed shoes. I reached for her scandals.
She shook her head. “I can carry them.”
“You could, but I can carry our basket, your shoes, and still hold your hand.”
The perfect spot was near a playground. University City was nicknamed the city of trees and Heman Park didn’t disappoint as a tower of Babel tree sheltered a lone picnic table. I placed the traditional brown Wizard of Oz basket on the table as Mackenzie was about to sit. “Wait.”
“Why?”
I unlatched the basket and whipped out an oversized cloth napkin. It was wide enough to cover a baby’s bottom for a diaper change.
“What are you doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Protecting your skirt.”
She accepted my answer with those worshipping eyes. “Thank you.”
After unloading the basket, I checked the bench to be sure a bird didn’t beat me to it and left his evidence. I sat across from Mackenzie and reached for her hands to pray, but she stopped me. “Let me.”
I obliged without blinking as her hands danced.
“Lord Jesus, I’m in awe of Your power and divine will. In the midst of this world, You gave me happiness with Noel, and I thank You. I also thank You for allowing me to share a meal with him. Please bless it... Amen.” Smiling, she rested her hands on her lap.
Meeting each other halfway, our lips touched. When I wanted more, Mackenzie teased me with a shake of her head, laughing at my disappointing expression.
Oh well. The next best thing to a woman was food. I dug in. Ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, and tomato were stacked between two slices of wheat bread. After they disappeared, we dipped celery, carrots, and cucumbers in Ranch dressing then drained our bottles of fruit drinks.
At times, the tree swayed its leaves for the sun to peep through as the wind stirred. We closed the empty basket and I discarded our trash as I stood. After stretching, I joined Mackenzie on her bench.
With our backs resting against the table, I put my arm around her shoulder and she snuggled. For uncounted minutes, we stayed that way until Mackenzie broke free.
“When was the last time you were on a jungle gym or slide?”
Shrugging, I lifted my brow. I know she wasn’t suggesting what I thought. I scanned her attire. “Don’t even think about it, Mackenzie. You’re not dressed for horsing around.”
“I know I’m supposed to be this refined teacher, but when I’m with you, the carefree teenage girl comes out, and I let her.” Mackenzie pouted. “Okay. I just thought I was marrying a young man. Maybe your mother’s right. You are marrying me to push your wheelchair and give you your medicine.”
She took off running. I glanced around to make sure a dog wasn’t chasing her. By the time I turned back, Mackenzie had made it to the playground and was climbing to the top of a slide.
She waved, tucked her skirt under her legs and began her descent. When her shoes kicked dust in the sand, I was there waiting. Lifting her in the air, I blessed her lips with the kiss I wanted earlier before planting her back on the ground. “Okay, Miss Norton, since you want to play, how about the swings? Hopefully, you won’t hurt yourself on those.”
Mackenzie grinned as she wrapped her arms around my waist. With synchronized steps, we strolled to the swings. “You know I love you, don’t you?”
Nodding, she kicked off her shoes as soon as I gave her swing a slight nudge. I scanned the park. Kids were playing baseball, a young man was throwing a Frisbee to his dog, and then there was us. I sighed, somewhat content.
“I wish I could hear the music to dance. I want to be your partner on Dancing with the Stars, and not miss a step. I want to sweep you off your feet and do a tango, salsa, or any dance no one could duplicate. I want to be your choreographer.”
Once before, Mackenzie had consoled me when I spoke my insecurities, she had said, “The soul of a man is through his mouth.” Since then, I never tried to hold back my thoughts from her. Sometimes my heart’s emotions spilled just for Mackenzie’s ears, especially when signing wouldn’t do. This was one of those times.
As her swing descended from the air, Mackenzie dug her heels into the sand. Twisting her body, Mackenzie’s soft hands touched my face. Her fingers massaged the coarse hairs on my chin that my electri
c shaver missed.
“If you want to dance again, we’ll dance. I promise. I promise you. I love you, and I can’t change that ever, even if I wanted to. There’ll never be a Donna Summer’s last dance for us.”
Then she turned around and wiggled, signaling like an impatient child, she was ready for me to push her again. Instead, I bent and nestled my chin into her shoulder and gently swayed the swing. “And I…” when she jumped, I paused, thinking I was speaking too loud.
Twisting her body, Mackenzie stood on one leg and used the seat to steady her other one. I grabbed her waist to support her. She released the swing chains to free her hands to cup my face. She inched closer until I almost couldn’t see her lips. “There is nothing to be sorry about.”
“Baby, I didn’t mean to hurt your ear.”
“Noel, you didn’t hurt me. It’s your tenderness that makes me shudder. You’re never too loud, never when you’re around me.”
Lord, I love this woman. My heart spoke to my God. “I want to bless you.” I prayed a short prayer for God to keep her safe, give her wisdom, and be in good health.
Mackenzie’s hands began to fan the air. “Noel, I pray that God will bless you, your heart, mind, livelihood, and most of all, your hearing. God will restore as a testimony of His miraculous works in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
CHAPTER 31
Women, I can’t live without them, and I wouldn’t want to. Mackenzie was determined to shop, and shop, and shop until she had chosen the perfect Mother’s Day gift from the both of us.
“Personally, a gift card to Macy’s would’ve worked for me,” I said more to myself, but Mackenzie’s bionic ears heard me.
