Mark My Words

by Addison Kline

  ***

  I always get so nervous coming here…” said Brant as he held the passenger side door open for Holly. She smirked as she stepped out of the car.

  “Why? This was like my second home growing up,” Holly admitted.

  “It’s just too upper crust for my liking. There are a million forks on the table, and I feel like I’m in prep school whenever I come here. Arthur is a bit intense.”

  “Prep school, huh? Relax. He likes you, whether he shows it or not. Besides, we’re not going for his benefit, are we? Luke’s the one who’s under the gun tonight.”

  “Poor sucker…” said Brant as he and Holly climbed the front steps to the grand town home that the Markowitz’s called home.

  “Who are the flowers for?” Brant asked as he nodded at the bouquet of red and white roses that Holly was carrying.

  “Artie and Philomena. I sent them a thank you note for the reception, but I want to make sure they know just how much we appreciated the gesture.”

  Brant smirked down at his wife and squeezed her tightly by his side. A bouquet of flowers could never express the amount of gratitude he had towards Sloane and her parents for their generosity. After all, they were the big reason why Holly and Brant were remarried so soon.

  “I wonder if Luke’s here yet…” remarked Holly.

  “I don’t see his bike anywhere…”

  “His bike?! Please tell me he’s not riding his Harley here.”

  “He rides it everywhere.”

  With wide eyes, Holly smirked as the mental picture of Mr. Markowitz berating Sloane’s biker fiance across the dining room table came to her mind.

  “Oh, boy,” quipped Holly as Brant knocked on the heavy door of the Markowitz Residence.

  This was going to be an interesting evening.

  ***

  “Holly! Brant! So good to see you, both!” squealed Philomena as she welcomed Sloane’s dearest friends into the foyer. “I hear congratulations are in order!”

  Brant smiled broadly at Philomena as Holly hugged Philomena and flipped a wink at Sloane.

  “Yes! Thank you so much for letting us use the ballroom. It was absolutely fabulous!” gushed Holly, still overwhelmed from their dream wedding and reunion.

  “These are for you,” said Brant as Holly handed over the bouquet of flowers.

  “Oh, what a lovely centerpiece!”

  “This is just a way to say thank you for all you, Arthur and Sloane have done for us.”

  “Oh! Nonsense. You’re like family to us! Now let me see that ring!” Philomena urged as she placed the bouquet of flowers in the middle of the dining room table.

  Philomena rushed back, trotting in her black high heels that clopped against the hardwood floor. Holly held out her hand to show off her beautiful diamond engagement ring.

  “Oh, Sloane! You’re right! It is exquisite. Good job, Brant.”

  Brant fixed his tie, nervously clearing his throat. He said, “Thank you,” bashfully.

  “Come now, Brant, don’t be shy… Come in and have a seat next to Arthur,” Philomena urged.

  Great. I get to sit next to the headmaster, thought Brant gruffly.

  “Philomena! Let them breathe!” urged Artie from the head of the dining room table. He had a look a pure perturbance written across his face.

  Holly gave Sloane a hug and whispered something in her ear that earned a chuckle from her good friend. Then she followed Brant into the living room and took her seat next to her husband. Sloane sat across from Holly at the table as she excitedly awaited for Luke’s arrival. Artie glanced at his gold rolex as his brow furrowed even further.

  “He’s late,” Artie said grouchily as he cast his daughter an annoyed look.”

  “Oh, Daddy… He’ll be here. Be nice!”

  “Can anyone tell me anything about this guy?! Brant, you know him, correct?”

  “Yes, Luke is a good friend of mine.”

  “What does he do?”

  “Luke is the Director of a Sales Department over at Saxman Tech.”

  This caught Artie’s attention.

  “A businessman, huh?”

  “Yes, Daddy…” Sloane chimed in, “A good one, too.”

  “Now, Brant… Would you say that Lucas is a smart man?”

  “Very. He and I both went to Drexel together.”

  “What about respectable?”

  Holly chimed in, “Luke has a heart of gold. He’s a real good guy…”

  “Okay. I must admit, I got a bit nervous when I heard about this guy. I guess we will see what happens when he arrives.”

  Suddenly the roar of a motorcycle sounded from outside and came to a resounding halt outside of the Markowitz residence. Sloane and Philomena scrambled to the front windows.

  “He’s here!” squealed Philomena as she parted the curtains to get a better look.

  “Oh! He drives a motorcycle! Oh, now I’m excited!” quipped Philomena looking more and more thrilled by the second.

  As soon as Artie heard the word motorcycle, he wanted to die on the spot. This was going to be a very long night.

  ***

  Luke brought his Harley to a stop at the mid-way point down Pine Street as he approached Sloane’s parents’ house. His stomach rumbled with anxiousness as he pulled off his helmet revealing his neatly combed black hair. He had used nearly half a can of hairspray on it to make sure it stayed in place under his chrome motorcycle helmet.

  Luke was nervous. He had met many girls’ parents before, but it was never this important before. He and Sloane had dated very casually for over seven years now. Before just recently, she was in no rush to introduce Luke to her parents, or them to him. She was happy with her compartmentalized life. But things were serious, now. They didn’t want to keep their love a secret anymore. Luke wanted Sloane to be his wife. That upped the ante for him a little bit.

  As Luke parked his motorcycle by the curb, he took one last deep breath before making his way to the house.

  ***

  “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Lucas!” Philomena gushed as she planted a big wet kiss on Luke’s face. She left behind a bright red lipstick stain on his cheek.

  “Very nice to meet you, Mrs. Markowitz,” Luke said with a pleasant smile on his face.

  Much to Holly’s delight, Luke had dressed well for the occasion. He had on a gray suit with a white dress shirt and a black long tie. He had even shaved for the occasion. When he saw Sloane, he gave her a kiss on the cheek, and when he looked up, Artie Markowitz was giving him the look of death.

  Great, he hates me already.

  “C’mon, I’ll introduce you to my Dad,” said Sloane as she led Luke to her father’s side.

  “Daddy, this is my fiance Luke. Luke, this is my father Arthur Markowitz.”

  “Pleasure to meet you,” said Luke happily as he held out his hand for Arthur to shake. Arthur took it, and grasped it firmly.

  Rather than exchanging pleasantries, Artie cut right to the chase. “What are your intentions with my daughter?”

  “Dad!”

  “Quiet, Sloane! I am talking to Mr. Casile.”

  Luke raised his eyebrow at Arthur. He didn’t like the tone he used when speaking to Sloane. Brant and Holly followed the conversation with baited breath.

  “Please do not speak to my fiance in that tone, Mr. Markowitz,” stated Luke firmly. He continued, “I intend to marry your daughter. I’ve loved her for years. We are planning a June wedding.”

  “And what kind of life do you plan to give her? I understand you are some sort of business man?”

  Luke puffed out his chest as Sloane squeezed his hand tight. It was a non-verbal cue to be brave, and not to back down from Mr. Markowitz’s brash exterior. Luke had been coached well in advance.

  “I am the Director of Sales at Saxman Technology, and I intend to give Sloane a good life. I may not be wealthy, but I make enough to give us a good and happy life together. I own the deed to a house that is being rebuilt in Conshohocken
, I have a cabin in upstate Pennsylvania and Sloane, though I offered, has no intention upon being a house wife.”

  “How did you become the director of Sales at Saxman…? You can’t be no more than thirty five years old.”

  “I’m thirty five, and I’m dedicated. I graduated on the Dean’s List from Drexel, the same year that Sloane did. I worked my way through the ranks.”

  Artie peered at Luke as he scratched the hair on his chin. He was running out of ammuniation.

  “Was that you who rode up on a motorcycle?”

  Luke smirked as a mischevious look crossed his face. Sloane’s heart rushed as she saw the expression she loved so much cross Luke’s face. There was the bad boy that her father was so paranoid about.

  “Sure is. Isn’t the purr of her engine a thing of beauty?”

  Artie wasn’t impressed.

  “Don’t you own a car?”

  “Of course I do. I just prefer to ride that around.”

  “You better not have my daughter on the back of it.”

  “Daddy, it is so much fun! I wear a helmet. It’s all cool.”

  “Sloane!” Artie protested

  “Oh, can I try?!” asked Philomena as her excitement rose to a fever pitch.

  “Philomena!”

  “Oh, relax, Arthur. He is a fine young man and he loves our daughter. Weren’t you once the dare devil with a need for speed?”

  Arthur hated when Philomena decided to take him on a trip down memory lane in front of his children when he was trying to make a point. His memory soared back to a time when he was roaring his engine up Philomena’s street in his Mustang, just to get her attention.

  “Alright everyone, let’s sit down and eat. We have so much to discuss!” Philomena declared as she placed the last dish on the table.

  Philomena took her seat next to Arthur, and Sloane and Luke filed in next to her. Holly and Brant, who were still trying not to laugh from Luke’s exchange with Artie, stared down at their plates sheepishly.

  “So, how’s married life?” Artie asked Brant with an annoyed look on his face.

  “Great. We can’t thank you enough,” Brant replied.

  Artie shrugged his shoulders.

  “Are you going to keep him this time?” Artie asked Holly with a smirk finally emerging on his face.

  “I think I might,” said Holly facetiously as she winked at Brant.

  “How’s your old man doing? I haven’t seen him around lately,” Artie asked Holly as the conversation begin to fizzle.

  “Oh, he’s doing real good. Did you hear that Mom moved back?”

  “Gloria?! She’s back?!” gushed Philomena.

  “Are you kidding me?” Artie asked with a pained expression.

  “Nope, they are living together at his house,” Holly continued.

  “That’s an interesting turn of events,” Artie remarked.

  “It sure is…” Brant said, as he got a visual of Marv and Gloria dancing in the kitchen.

  “So speaking of interesting turn of events…” started Artie, “What made you two decide to get engaged?” Artie asked Luke and Sloane.

  “Daddy, we’ve been together for seven years…”

  “Why am I just now meeting him?!” Artie barked.

  “Well, Daddy… No offense, but look at you! You’re a bloody mess. You would have sent him runnin’ off on me!”

  Everyone at the table couldn’t help but laugh. Everyone, that is, except Arthur.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re giving him the third degree.”

  Luke shrugged, “It’s alright, Sloane. He just doesn’t want some bum coming in off the street and stealing his little girl away. I get it.”

  Sloane gave both Luke and Artie evil glares.

  “I’m not a little girl, and I will marry any damn man I choose!”

  “Baby, I love you… I don’t want to see you make a mistake,” Artie said.

  “I love you, too… But marrying Luke is not a mistake... I’m going to steal your slogan from you! Mark my words, Daddy. I will marry Luke Casile!”

  “That’s not what I meant…”

  “Simmer down, you two,” said Philomena to Sloane and Artie as she prepared to broach the all-important topic.

  “So, you two,” Philomena said talking to Sloane and Luke, “Tell me about your plans so far!”

  Holly stirred in her seat. This was the moment she was waiting for. Arthur’s face was turning red again as he glared at Sloane and Luke.

  “This is my vision,” began Sloane. “We want a June destination wedding, a very intimate but fun affair. I was thinking in St. Thomas. The beaches in Charlotte Amalie are beautiful that time of year.”

  “Oh! St. Thomas! I love it!” gushed Philomena as her mind started to piece what her daughter’s dream wedding would look like.

  “Wait a second…” said Artie as he began to rub his temples to ease his headache away, “I doubt that there are any synogauges in St. Thomas.”

  “Well, there are one or two, but we’re having a non-denominational wedding.”

  “What?!” Artie griped, his nerves fraying beyond repair.

  “It’s only fair. Luke’s Catholic. I’m non-practicing Jewish. Honestly, I don’t want a traditional wedding.”

  “Oh, no. No daughter of mine-“

  “Oh! Here he goes again!” Philomena protested.

  “Am I the only one who sees a problem with this?! She’s breaking tradition!”

  “Arthur, honestly… Welcome to the 21st century. Change isn’t always a bad thing! Anyway, honey. Continue,” Philomena urged.

  “Well, I don’t want a huge crowd. Just our basic family and friends. We have a lot to cover in just a few months.”

  “Doesn’t anyone want my opinion?!” Artie shouted.

  “Not right now, Arthur!” Philomena shouted across the table.

  Sloane continued, “Holly is my maid of honor… Brant is Luke’s best man… Marv and Gloria are going to attend, too.”

  “Wait! Old Marv McCresson knew my daughter was getting married before me?!”

  “He was sworn to secrecy…” Sloane said bashfully.

  “So that’s why I haven’t seen him much…”

  “Honestly, Daddy… the reason you haven’t seen Marv much is because he’s probably getting busy with Gloria…”

  Artie’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. Holly and Brant couldn’t contain their laughter any further.

  “I swear, I am surrounded by lunatics,” complained Arthur.

  As Philomena got up to clear the dinner dishes, Luke stood up and offered to help.

  “Here, Mrs. Markowitz. Let me help you…” said Luke as he picked up a stack of empty plates off of the dining room table.

  Arthur stared at his future son-in-law with a perplexed look.

  “See, Daddy… He’s the perfect gentleman,” insisted Sloane. Holly and Sloane followed behind Philomena to help her. That left Brant alone with Arthur at the table.

  “It will be alright, Arthur…” nudged Brant, trying to get the old guy to lighten up a tad. Brant tried to put on his most charming smile. It fell short when Brant realized Arthur was not smiling.

  “Oh, yes just perfect. My daughter is getting married like a heathen in the tropics to her motorcycle riding bad boy boyfriend and I’m about to have a stroke!”

  “You know Sloane. She likes to do things different.”

  “Different, indeed! She’ll be the death of me.”

  “Luke is a stand-up guy, though. He wants us all to get together for a weekend at his cabin to get to know each other better.”

  “What? Like male bonding…”

  “Yeah, basically. Just us guys, out in the woods. Ice fishing… camp fire… hunting…”

  “Roughing it?” Arthur said the words as if it was some sort of a disease. He began to laugh. “I don’t rough it.”

  “You do now!” smirked Brant as he slapped Artie on the back. “It was Luke’s idea, and I think it wi
ll make Sloane happy to see that you are going along for the adventure. Marv’s going, too.”

  “Great. I’ll stock up on bug spray.”

  ***

  “Okay, Sloane… We have to get going,” said Brant as he helped Holly into her coat.

  “Bye, guys. Thanks so much for coming. I’m so glad that’s over!” Sloane gushed happily.

  “Me, too!” said Holly as she gave her friend as tight squeeze. “I can’t wait! It’s going to be so much fun!”

  “Alright, Luke,” said Brant as he shook his hand.

  “Good luck…”

  “Thanks, man.”

  “Bye, Luke… Let us know if you need us to do anything,” said Holly, feeling horrible for leaving Luke in the lion’s den with Arthur. They needed to work this out amongst themselves, though.

  Holly was happy to support Sloane in any way she could, but she couldn’t be afraid to live her own life. Sloane had to be firm with her father, and go for the life that she wanted. Luke stood by Sloane one hundred percent, and now Sloane had to make it clear where she stood, too.

  Brant shut the door of the Markowitz town house with a wide-eyed look on his face. Holly couldn’t help but laugh on the spot.

  “That went well…”

  “Oh, my God… I never realized how lucky I am to have your Dad as my father-in-law.”

  “I’ll be sure to tell him you said that.”

  “C’mon, let’s go home and enjoy the rest of our night,” said Brant with a devilish smirk on his face.

  Chapter Three

  The Aftermath

  Brant and Holly lay fast asleep, wrapped within one another’s arms. Their limbs were pretzled together, her hair billowed around him casting a fragrant aroma that set him off to peaceful dreams. Holly’s Aunt Doris had taken the kids for the night and promised to get them off to school on time in the morning. So Brant and Holly enjoyed a quiet night together at home. After several glasses of wine, Brant swept Holly off to bed and into a state of erotic ecstasy that she had never experienced before. After their third round, they both fell asleep, their hearts beating faster; in tune with one another. Brant’s heart jumped when he heard Holly’s phone ring at 2:27 A.M.