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11
September 2009
| "The I Do's of
March"
by M. Mitchell Marmel & E.O. Costello © 2007-9 by M. Mitchell Marmel and E.O. Costello Willow Fawnsworthy, Reggie Buckhorn, Franklin Stagg, Orrin Brush, Leslie duCleds, Kara Karoksdottir, Charles Foster Crane, Inocenta du Cleds (nee de Ciervos), Carlos de Ciervos, Senora de Ciervos © Eric Costello Rosie Baumgartner, © M. Mitchell Marmel Marryin’ Sam and Lulubelle Mae Brunswick © E.O Costello and M. Mitchell Marmel Brenda and Covina Johnson © Walter D. Reimer Part Seven
Reggie: Yes, it had been my idea. After all, you can’t run a restaurant without good food, can you? And I wouldn’t be a Buckhorn without doing my part to support the family firm, would I? I wasn’t quite prepared for Rosie’s reaction, though. She stood gaping at Willow and myself for several seconds, then burst into tears and grabbed me up in her arms. I gasped and immediately looked at Willow to make sure she wasn’t jealous. She actually looked quite relieved that it wasn’t *her* ribs cracking. Finally Rosie put me down and started wiping at her tears. “I – I – I don’t know what to say.” “How about ‘Thank You?’” Willow asked helpfully. “Thank you.” She turned to me. “And this was your idea?” “Errr, well, you see, I wanted to give you a better start at business than old Fred Buckhorn had.” “Why? What happened with him?” “Well, you see, he perfected his recipe for baked beans during the Civil War. On his regiment.” “Oh.” “Yes. Lucky for him, he was faster than most furs in the Army of the Potomac. It’s been said by some that when he set up shop in England it raised the standard of cooking in both countries.” Rosie laughed, even as she wiped more tears from her eyes. I offered her my pawkerchief, but she fished one from her back pocket. “So, you see, you being a friend and all, I decided to help you get your start.” “Ummm-hmmm,” my inamorata said as she tucked her arm around mine. “And you wanted to put one over on the Fenwick Foods salesfur before he showed up.” I tried and failed to keep my smile off my face. “Errr. Yes. As to those people, Rosie, I’m afraid you’ll have to get the carnivore goodies from them.” “I can manage,” Rosie said. ***
Crane: “I must say, Mr. Fawnsworthy, I’m impressed,” I said as I finished going over the last page of his report. “And I’m not easily impressed.” “So I’ve heard, Mr. Crane. You’ll note on that last page where I’ve determined the best sites for the transmitter and antenna.” I nodded. I was trying to get LYRC on its feet, basically on a wing (ha ha) and a prayer, while simultaneously fighting the Althing for a license and a zoning variance that would put an aerial up. It wasn’t right, in terms of healthy competition of course, that LONO should have a monopoly on the airwaves. I glanced up at the buck. Fawnsworthy sat absolutely still; it was a bit unnerving. “All these specifications are complete?” “Yes. I knew you’d want to see the complete list of materials, as well as an estimate of costs.” Smart, too. “Every bit helps, especially when dealing with the Althing. They could give pointers to some of my father’s competitors in the U.S.” “I wouldn’t know about that, sir. However, you can point out that another station would increase the ability of aircraft to home in on Spontoon.” “I’ll be certain to mention that.” I shuffled together the pages of the report and stuck out a paw. “Thank you, Mr. Fawnsworthy. I’ll naturally like you to stay here. If the Althing agrees, I’ll need an expert to get everything set up.” “Thank you, sir. I think you’ll find, however, that the local technicians are quite skilled. I’ve seen some of their work.” He paused at the door. “Pardon me, but have you heard the name Willow Fawnsworthy?” I grinned. “Yes. According to my sources she’s engaged to be married. Think she might be related?” The buck shrugged. “It’s possible.” ***
Les: It hadn’t been a happy family conference. Papi and Mami both insisted on having a full-on church wedding here, but were willing to concede another ceremony after I got Inocenta to Delahare. Inocenta took my side up to a point. “Please, Leslie-puppy? It will be the grande ceremony! And you will look the most handsomest!” As if anyone would be looking at me. Weddings are times for the bride to shine; any men in the area are reduced to Chinese stagepaws. Between me on one side and the de Ciervos family on the other, we managed to compromise. There would be a church wedding here, presided over by Father Merino, and I would foot the bill for the reception which would be catered by Rosie. Of course, it might have been Inocenta nuzzling me behind the ears that proved the most persuasive argument. And it means I need to ask around for volunteers to act as ushers. ***
Don Carlos: So! That is the settled. There will be the wedding, and the date fixed for the fifteenth day of the March. And with Senorita Baumgartner to make the after-wedding festivities. Just one matter remains. My daughter, my darling sweet flan Inocenta, she needs the special gift from her Papi on the occasion of her nuptial. It is, above all, right and proper. But what? I think back to the wedding that joined Consuela and I in bliss domestic, and I have idea. Consuela and I, when we leave the cathedral, received the shower of rose petals tossed by the young fawns of the families. It was a magical sight, the tasty petals fluttering down over the drawn sabers of the guardia del honor. Si, si! It will be wonderful for my Inocenta. next |