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"A Nervous Groom To Be"

Short story of the night in the grooms eyes.

July 3 was just like any other day. The night before was Mandy's wedding. I had a little too much to drink at the reception. After a couple hours of sleep I got up and went to work. Yes, to everyone ones amazement I was able to go to work. After working a couple hours I left to go home and get ready for Red, White and BOOM! We go every year and for the last 2 years we have had a private spot on top of the old Lazarus parking garage. My boss gets permission for us to use it so we can put the Swan Cleaners hot air balloon up for advertisement. After rushing home I ran to the hiding spot and put it in my pocket. It has been in my pocket constantly except for when I went to work. We got everything ready for the big night and headed to my grandmas to pick up the Fooze. That's my little brother Matthew. I called Susie and Jake and told them what time to meet us at the house. I also called Jason to see if he was going to come this year. He said he was not; a decision that he now regrets. After picking up Matthew we headed home. I received a phone call from my Dad telling us to turn on 610. I turned to the radio station only to hear non-stop thunderstorm talk. A major storm was heading for downtown. Their was talk of Red, White and Boom being canceled. The whole way home I was considering not going this year. We got home and loaded the truck up. I could see the Dark clouds rolling in. As we drove downtown the radio still had the tornado warning beeps in the background. Callers were calling in and saying that it was hailing and storming very bad. There was talk of 60 mph winds and power outages. We made it to the Swan parking lot right behind the parking garage. We rushed our gear up the stairs and set it up. I pulled the grill out to start cooking and then the wind started. The wind was so strong I could not keep the grill going. As we looked over the edge we could see fences being blown down and canopies blowing over. The rain began to fall so we went down a level and waited it out. People were running for cover everywhere but we were nice and dry. Just before the parade started we went down and met with Nicci's friend Al, we don't get to see him much because he is a marine. We watched the parade from the first level of the parking garage. It was nice because it is a couple feet above the sidewalk so we could see over everyone's head. I got to yell at a couple hippies walking for the Strickland campaign. After the parade we came back and set up the hot air balloon. We settled in and got our seats ready for the fireworks. I told Jake just before they started to have the camera ready that I was going to do it. Up until that point I wasn't sure if I was going to do it then or not. The fireworks started. We were sitting in chairs next to each other. I kept my hand in my pocket the whole time holding on to the ring. About half way through the fireworks I leaned over to her and said "My legs hurt do you want to stand up with me?”. Of course she said no. So I thought about it and asked if she wanted to sit on my lap. She said yes and got up and sat down. I reached into my pocket and opened the ring box. I slide the ring out of the box and it got stuck on my pinky finger. As I tried to get it off the box slammed closed and made a loud noise. Nicci looked down and I thought for sure that she knew what it was. Later I found out that she didn't even hear anything. I continued to fumble with the ring trying to get it off my finger. Finally it came off and I held it tight in my hand for a couple minutes. I took a deep breath and pulled it out. I looked at Nicci and Said "It's almost Tuesday". Now to most of you, you have know idea what that means. The night before when I was slightly intoxicated she asked me when I was going to propose. I jokingly said "Tuesday". So back to Monday night. I pulled the ring out and said "It's almost Tuesday.....Will you marry me?" I could see the tears start to swell in her eyes and all she said was "oh no" I didn't know if that meant No as in no I wont, or no as in I cant believe this is happening. I put it on her finger and she gave me a hug and a kiss. I grabbed the chair next to me and Jake realized I did it and started taking pictures. After a couple of minutes and a couple photos I said, "You still haven't said yes" She looked at me and said, "YES, YES, YES" The word slowly traveled around people started congratulating us. All the hoopla ended just in time to watch the grand finally. Once the smoke cleared Nicci and I were engaged. It has been almost a month since it happened and I am still as happy about it as I was then.

Tony Walker (The Groom)