Always a Groomsman by Michel Prince

Author:Michel Prince [Prince, Michel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC

Although it would mean they wouldn’t currently be in the Dominican Republic, Conner wished the Isola’s had only had two children. Auntie Olivia was a lovely woman. Her brother and his father-in-law was a decent man. Auntie Louise was another story and he was glad once they were seated at dinner to be at the opposite end of the table from the woman. Not quite lucky enough to make it to the overflow table sadly, but that’s what family relations got you. A place at the main table.

Once Donald’s family arrived, their group of a little over a dozen had grown to nearly thirty between the arrival of Auntie Olivia’s family and Don’s. The group took over a whole section of the restaurant as the staff, Dominican, but dressed in Saris and tunic-like coats. Serena learned the proper names when they went on a temple tour in northern India, but Conner had little brain space for fashion knowledge. For his wife, it was learning a culture which he feared might be an addiction stronger than crack and considerably more expensive. At least she was smart enough to make a living at her passion.

With so many finger foods the communal feel of the meal was perfect as plates of samosas, naan, and kababs made their way to the table. When the main dishes of butter chicken, makhmali kofta, and a wide variety of curry infused dishes balancing vegetarian and meat perfectly. For a moment, Conner had to remember he wasn’t in Delhi. The mix of spices melding together as well as the family communing together brought the sounds and smells of peninsula country to life on an island a half a world away.

The only sour-faced one at any table was Auntie Louise. Conner wondered if it was because Donald’s family wasn’t having as big of an issue of the non-traditional nature of the wedding. Maybe they were enjoying not having to pay a bride price.

“What’s so funny?” Serena asked.

“Huh?” Conner replied, then realized he had been chuckling a bit. “Bride price, I was thinking about that again.”

“Really?” Serena shook her head. “Do you need me to call my father and get a dollar amount?”

“After all these years with the late fees and penalties, I’m afraid to ask. You think he compounds the interest daily?”

“He’d be a fool not to,” she said, dipping her naan in mint sauce before taking a bite. “Honestly, after all these years I’d hope you’d negotiate a discount.”

“You have taught me some mad bartering skills.”

“Never accept the first price,” Serena wisely advised. “Trust me, they want to sell more than I want to buy.”

“See, that’s where your father would have me trapped.” He nudged her with his shoulder. “I’d get stuck paying double.”

“How does all that work?” Katelyn, the redhead maid of honor asked. “Sorry to eavesdrop, but Bethany never really brought up her Nigerian side in college. I thought she was just another girl from Milwaukee.”

“My father wasn’t big into it either,” Serena said. “Letting this one off scott-free and all.

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