My wife, Toni, had three sisters. The older (BIG Sue) had gotten married the same year that we had and the younger (Jojo) was married 4 years later. Each of these were big Catholic weddings followed by a reception at her mother's house. Traditional family style receptions with a lot of food, punch and champagne... lots of people having a good time with each other, the food and the champagne.
Jojo's wedding was on a Saturday in June, beautiful weather so most of the party migrated out of doors. I had the bad fortune of having to work that evening but I was able to enjoy the party atmosphere and food until leaving at two. I was probably the only completely sober adult when I left for work but I had a wonderful time talking to everyone, flirting with the bridesmaids and even joining the dancing. Toni's face was a little flushed from the wine and from dancing with everyone from 4 years old to 70 years old. She broke away long enough to walk me out to the car. As I kissed her good-bye, I reminded her that I wouldn't be back until after 11:00 pm and to be especially careful of those old-timers on the dance floor. No kidding, she said with a wicked little grin. She said that Old Joe had a stiffy that he kept "bumping" her with while they were dancing.
Work kind of dragged that night. I would rather have still been at the party, but it was finally time to go. As I drove down the freeway, I wondered if anyone would still be there that late. As it turned out, much of her family was still there, playing cards, laughing and working on the leftover food and wine. Everyone welcomed me and Toni wrapped her arms around me and gave me a big, sloppy kiss to a lot of applause.
Toni: "You sure missed a good time"
Sue: "You'll never know how good of a time that you missed!!"
Mom: "Sue, HUSH!"
Me: "What did I miss"
Toni, Sue and others: "Nothing!"
Toni took me into the kitchen to get some food and I asked what that was all about. It seems that she had kissed one of the groom's brothers and one of our nieces ran around telling everyone that Auntie Toni was kissing Uncle Jim in the backyard. I said that I hoped that he was a good kisser (he was) and we returned to the family room to eat with everyone else. As we entered the room, people stopped talking and than after an awkward silence, they resumed. Were people really so uptight about a little champagne induced kissing? I toasted her with a glass of champagne.
After I finished my plate I took it back out to the kitchen. Sue followed me so I asked her why the sudden silence when Toni and I had returned.
Sue: "Well, Toni got a little drunk today and danced for hours with everyone... she was quite the life of the party. Some of the wives got a little upset that she was paying so much attention to their husbands."
Me: "Sounds like fun. A little dancing is nothing to get upset about."
Sue: "She was sort of draped over these guys, especially the older ones. Probably from the wine."
Me: "Was the guy she kissed married?"
Sue: "Oh my god! Who told you?... No, he is single."
Me: "Toni told me herself. I don't see that a little kissing at a party is such a big deal. But having that little girl run around telling everyone must have put some excitement into the party."
Sue: "It did that. Although, seriously making out on the side lawn is a bit more than a little kissing!"
