#chapter fifty-two

“She booted me out,” Peter said to Mattie as they drove toward town to pick up some paint. “She said she needed to finish sorting all the dresses and call about flowers or ribbons, or maybe it was the cake,” He explained.

“Wow, you really pay strict attention,” Mattie laughed.

“Hey, now, it’s a wedding? What do I know about weddings? I mean, come on, let’s be real. This is her ballgame. She loves t’is stuff.”

“Women,” Mattie said, smirking. “Hey, you got yourself into this, if I recall.”

“Yeah, well, you were pushing me along the plank, too, y’know.”

“Oh, you’re glad I did,” Mattie said.

“I am. And I’m glad I roped you into wearing the monkey suit with me,” he said with a grin.

“People should see us looking so fine every now and then,” Mattie said. “Just to remind them there is such a thing as perfection.”

“Too right,” Peter laughed. “It’s like glimpsing the gods on Mount Olympus.”

Mattie puffed out air in a chuckle, and then they were both quiet for a minute. Peter glanced over at Mattie, who looked like he was gazing out the window in thought. In a moment, he turned his head back in Peter’s direction.

“Are you ready?” he asked him seriously.

Peter nodded before answering, as if to make sure he knew he was before he said it out loud.

“I am, Xav. I’m really ready. She’s the one.”

“I know she is,” Mattie replied. “I’m really happy for you. I’m also happy for me, because I like your new ball and chain. A lot.”

“She loves you, too,” Peter said.

“Well, then, I guess I’ll marry you off next week, give you away to the best dame this side of the Atlantic. Probably both sides, to be honest. You found a real winner.”

“If only she didn’t snore and eat all the potato chips,” Peter said, and Mattie grinned, shaking his head.

“I don’t think those are deal-breakers, Buddy,” Mattie said.

“Yeah, yer probably right.”

Chloë kept Peter busy in the days leading up to the wedding. He painted the railing on the deck, he ran back and forth with errands, and he cleaned up the beach and the field above it for the party after the reception. For that, he brought Mattie in to keep him company.

“You realise I’m not going to be tons of help,” Mattie said. “I mean, we could call in Jonah or Tom. Where are all your other friends?”

“Anyone even close enough to be my friend has conveniently been busy this past week. Nope, sorry, old man, it’s you.”

He guided Mattie to the picnic table on the beach. He’d mowed the field above the day before, so they could put up a tent for the guests and the food and chairs the day before the wedding.

“What do you want me to do?” Mattie asked, feeling useless. “I’m such a lousy best man.”

“Stahp,” said Peter. “You’re the best best man. And you can help. I’m going to drag all the driftwood and crap over here, and you’re going to make it into a perfectly laid-out bonfire, the biggest one on this side of a deserted island.”

“Oh,” Mattie said. He could do that. “Where do you want it?”

“Just over from where we are now. I’ll start hauling and then I’ll set you up. Then I’m going to get you to help me drag down the wooden chairs from the shed. By drag, I mean we’ll put them in the truck and then drive down and take them out.”

“We’ll drag them from the truck to here,” Mattie surmised.

“Ah, this is true.”

When the bonfire was built tall and wide, and the beach was clean, they got back in the truck and drove up the dirt road to the shed. Mattie followed Peter’s voice, walking around the front of the truck and toward the sound of Peter sliding the doors open.

“There are eight. I don’t think we’ll get them all in one go,” Peter told him, coming back to touch Mattie’s hand and take him the few steps to a chair. Mattie reached down with Peter’s guidance and found the chair arm, then he folded his cane and stuck it down into the back pocket of his jeans. They manoeuvred the chair around and out the door to the truck, and with Peter’s direction for Mattie, the first four chairs were soon in the bed of the truck.

They made a second trip, and all the chairs were moved to the beach. Mattie loved the feeling he had in his chest, and realised it was pride. He was helping, just like he always had. And it wasn’t even a big effort or a big deal, because Peter didn’t make it be. It was an awesome feeling.

“They look good,” Peter said. “Thanks, Buddy.”

“You painted them, didn’t you?” Mattie asked.

“Yeah. How’d you guess?”

“They’re painted,” Mattie said, stating the obvious with a look that suggested Peter was a bit thick.

Peter opened his mouth, and then closed it again. He made a grunt of amusement. Then he spoke. “Okay, Smartass. Explain your deduction.”

“They still smell like fresh paint, and they are really smooth. Like, I can feel the paint on them. Wood feels much different. Outdoor paint is glossy, it feels kind of... plasticky. No splinters, no chips, no flakes. You painted them. It’s as clear as a bell.”

Peter grinned, nodding. “You got me there, Bud. It’s totally obvious. I don’t know why I even questioned it.”

“Just because you never had to think about it before,” Mattie said, shrugging. “But can’t you smell the paint still?”

Peter nodded again. He’d never given that habit up around his friend, though he usually vocalised it in a comment.

“Yeah, you’re right, you can smell paint for a long time.”

“It’s okay,” said Mattie with a smile. “You’re learning.”

They headed back to the truck and Peter drove back up to the house. They climbed out and were crossing the yard when Chloë appeared on the deck.

“Hey, Babe,” said Peter.

“Hi, Guys. Whatchya doing?”

“We got the beach ready for Saturday. Bonfire ready, chairs, lawn’s mowed, just a few things left to take down Friday and put up the tent and we’re ready to go.”

“Oh, sweet!” she said as they walked to the stairs. Peter placed Mattie’s hand on the railing and followed him up the steps. “Hey, Xav, Hun,” she said, putting her hands on his shoulders and giving him a peck on the cheek. “You want a Coke or a beer?”

“Oh, I’d love one, thanks. Your cheap fiancé hasn’t even offered.”

Peter laughed. He’d offered three times, but Mattie had kept saying later. “He’s such a liar,” he told Chloë and he guided Mattie’s hand to a deck chair while she went to get a couple of beers.

Mattie sat, leaning forward to find the circular table he knew was in front of him somewhere. Locating it, he put his folded cane on it and pushed it forward a little before settling back.

Chloë returned and tapped the beer bottle against his hand. “Here you go, Hun. Moosehead,” she said. “I opened it.”

“Oh, cheers, Clo.”

Peter sat down and had a drink of his beer. He turned to Chloë. “He still won’t tell me what he’s planning.”

“For your bachelor party?” She smiled at Mattie. “Good. I hope he gets you good. Just don’t kill him or lose him, Xav, and make sure he gets to the wedding, but other than that, go crazy.”

Mattie laughed, hearing Peter groan. He hadn’t told anyone his plan, and set everything up on his own. He was going to make Peter’s last day of bachelorhood as memorable and as celebratory as he could imagine. His best friend deserved the best send-off into marriage Mattie could come up with.

“He’ll come back to you a better man,” Mattie said to Chloë with a grin and a nod.

Peter’s parents arrived from Newfoundland, along with his sister and her husband. They had all been offered to be put up in Peter’s home, but instead they had booked a couple of rooms at a small hotel just in the outskirts of town. Peter met them in the morning, and that afternoon there was a rehearsal and a dinner for the families of the bride and groom. Mattie, as best man, attended, and dealt with food and meeting people and voices all around him as best he could. This was about Peter. He wasn’t about to seek attention in any way. Peter and Chloë both made sure he was set up, and sitting next to them at dinner was a great relief for him, because neither one of them made a big deal out of telling him where things were.

Peter’s family had met Mattie on many occasions, but every one of them had been when he could still see. Peter’s mother hugged Mattie, expressing her sincerest sadness over his loss. With anyone, this could have been uncomfortable, but Peter’s mother was a warm, caring, hugging soul, like so many Newfoundlanders, and Mattie felt the love of a mother instead of the pity of an onlooker. She took him to sit so they could catch up. Peter’s father, much quieter, but with Peter’s quick sense of humour, stood close by. He’d also expressed his condolences to Mattie about the loss of his sight, and Mattie had replied that it hadn’t been so bad, with Peter’s friendship. He told Pete’s parents that he was grateful they’d raised such a steadfast and loyal man, and that Chloë would be well looked out for, Mattie could guarantee it with personal experience.

They asked about Mattie’s plans for Peter’s send-off into marriage, but Mattie just grinned. They’d heard about many of the practical jokes and running gags between the two university roommates, and they knew that Mattie wouldn’t settle for giving Peter any lame bachelor party. It would be bigger than that, something between friends who had been through major life moments together.

Mattie didn’t tell Peter where they were going. Instead, he had Peter drive them into the city and park the truck at the university. He had arranged Peter’s co-worker, Art, to pick them up at two. From there, they would head to their destination and meet up with Chloë’s brother, Andrew.

They climbed into Art’s car, Peter in the front, Mattie in the back, and Peter begged Art to give it up and tell him where they were going.

“He’s sworn to secrecy,” said Mattie. “I debated on blindfolding you, but it would probably get pretty stressful for Art here, getting us both to the place without losing one of us. You’ll know soon enough, Old Man.” He reached up over the seat and patted his friend’s shoulder.

He knew when Peter realised where he was being taken.

“Oh no you don’t, MacTavish!”

“I take it we’re almost there,” Mattie said.

“I’m not dangling from some clothesline over a gorge,” Peter objected.

“You make it sound so well-designed,” Mattie said. “I don’t know what your problem is. You do the craziest shit I know...”

“No, you do the craziest shit you know, Xav. Oh-h-ho whyyy?”

“So much drama, don’t you think, Art?” Mattie said. “Why? Because you need it. You’re making that leap into marriage. That connection that you won’t have with anyone else. You’re hitting the road with a woman that deserves all your best and you have to be that guy. You need to face everything and step up. This is my figurative leap for you. An actual leap. Plus, this is about our friendship. You need this, Petey. You make me yell my lungs out in a pumpkin field, and sail a boat, and ride a bike and do the most ridiculous things a blind guy probably shouldn’t attempt. So, I’m just paying you back. You’ll thank me. Trust me.”

Peter looked back at his friend. That was one thing he didn’t question was the trust he had in Mattie. And Mattie gave it back to him completely. He would do this. And then, he would get married to the best woman in the world the following afternoon.

Mattie had already registered at the Woolston Canopy Zip Line Adventures, and Andrew was waiting for them at the office. They would have three guides, as opposed to the regular two. Mattie couldn’t remember the name of the guide he’d had before, but he figured if the man was here, he’d recognise Mattie, at least. Peter guided Mattie’s hand to sign the register and the required forms each person needed to fill out,

Their next step was to get into gear. Peter complained the whole way, as he guided Mattie through to the back.

“Yeah,” he said, mostly for Mattie’s benefit. “You guys can grin all you want at me, but you won’t be laughing when you’re up on that platform looking down at open water.”

“I’ve done it before,” said Andrew, still grinning.

“Aw, jeez, of course you have,” Peter groaned.

“Twice, actually,” added Andrew.

“Fuck off,” retorted Peter.

Mattie laughed out loud. “Burned!” he said to Peter.

“I will get you back for this, MacTavish,” Peter threatened.

“I know you will, Petey. I know.” Mattie patted Peter’s arm in a comforting manner.

“Fawwwk,” muttered Peter.

Once they were rigged up and ready to go, their guides, Ron, Nick, and Katie, introduced themselves and gave them a good lesson on how everything worked. Mattie listened carefully, not wanting to miss anything he wouldn’t be able to remember when they were all doing it by seeing the process. He was glad he’d gone once, and knew what was expected of him.

Their first climb was a wooden series of stairs and railings and decks. Mattie followed behind easily, once he had the distance and breadth of the stairs figured out.

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” Peter continued as they climbed.

Mattie was excited that Peter would know why he was making Pete do this very shortly. His friend would know the feeling of freedom and accomplishment, or at least he hoped so.

“You’re gonna thank me,” Mattie replied.

Their guides went over everything quickly again and prepared Andrew to make the first leap after Ron had gone. He had no trouble and Peter let Mattie know that he’d had a successful trip.

Mattie was next up. Katie and Nick fully prepared him, and his anticipation grew. He wasn’t afraid at all. He remembered exactly how this felt, and it hadn’t scared him before. He’d felt free. He couldn’t see down, so the height, the rocks, the trees, the water, none of it mattered, whether it was six metres below him or fifteen. He wasn’t scared of what was down there. He was more in tune with the movement through the air, and how the earth felt as it came back to him at the end of the line. He knew he missed a lot, but he put that out of his mind to exist in his own world. This way, his experience surrounded him and he took it in fully.

“Okay, you’re all set, Dude,” said Nick. “Here’s your handbrake... okay, you know the drill, right?”

“Completely.” Mattie was ready.

Peter watched Mattie touching the cable and the harness and the handbrake, finding positions and getting his bearings. He couldn’t imagine doing this blind. And yet, Mattie looked so excited, so happy, so much more like himself that it made Peter feel ashamed that he’d wanted no part of Mattie’s plan. If Xav could do this, if he could actually feel joy for his entire experience, than Peter was determined to do the same. He thought of it as healthy competition.

Mattie jumped away from the platform, sliding quickly and picking up speed. The first line wasn’t a great distance, and Mattie knew the view was of trees, the bay, and the registry office. He knew the views got better as they went, and he knew the lines got longer and steeper. He felt the air rushing past his face, along his legs, and his bare arms. He felt a thrill from his stomach up through his heart and back down again, and felt his body falling gently. He brought his attention to the voices reaching up to him from ahead, telling him when to start applying the brake and prepare for them to bring him in. He knew if he stopped too soon, he’d have to hand-over-hand to make the last few metres. But he didn’t want to slam into Katie and Nick, either, so he concentrated on figuring out how to know the speed he was travelling, and how much pressure to apply to the handbrake. He knew it probably wasn’t going to be any better than an educated guess every time, but it gave him something to centre on.

He felt his side and arm bounce against something both hard and soft, and realised it was a guide. He felt hands holding strongly onto various limbs and his feet landed squarely on a platform. They held him until he caught his balance, and it was clear that he’d enjoyed his trip over. They didn’t even need to ask. He was grinning from ear to ear.

Peter was next to make the leap. Mattie was at the other end, cheering him on.

“Damn it,” he said through gritted teeth before stepping off the platform. As soon as he felt his harness hold him, his fears just lifted. Mattie whooped with glee when Nick told him Peter was airborne, and continued to cheer Peter on. For Mattie’s benefit, he yelled a swear word for as long as he could sustain it.

Peter remembered at the last second to slow down, though he felt it seemed to slow on its own the closer he got to the platform. The guides pulled him in and up and Mattie was immediately grabbing onto his shoulders and giving them a thumping.

“You did it!” he said to Peter. “I knew you could do it.”

Peter smiled, thinking how great it was that Mattie was the one being the leader and coach in this one. He put his hand out on Mattie’s shoulder, too, and pretended to shake him.

“Jayzus,” he said. “The t’ings I do for you, Xav.”

“You loved it,” Mattie said seriously. “Just say it.”

“I’ll let you know after the next three,” bargained Peter.

Mattie just grinned, patting Peter’s arm again, and they turned to cheer on Art as Ron gave him his final instructions. Peter gave Mattie a play-by-play and then took his shoulders and backed him up when Art was nearly to their side. They gave high-fives and Peter raised Mattie’s hand up to get his share, and everyone slapped their palms against his. Peter watched him smile to himself, and then turned him around carefully and guided him to the next climb. This one was one of the rope net climbs that Mattie had found daunting, but not actually as difficult upon attempt as he felt it should be. The ropes were not too far apart, so he had no trouble locating the next one with his hands or his feet. Peter stayed on his right, slightly behind, keeping an eye on his progress without making it obvious. Mattie knew he was there, he knew Peter had his back, so he didn’t have to say anything, either. It just all was.

By the time they had reached the fourth platform, Peter was almost a pro. Mattie knew he had won Peter over when he heard Pete joking and laughing with the guides, his nervousness gone.

“Tell me the view,” he said as they climbed up another rope ladder.

“I can see the bay. Can you hear it? Or smell it? It’s almost under us. There’s a good rocky shoreline and then the trees where we are turning back inland. We’re kind of in the middle of the trees. You can probably tell that.”

“I can feel the trees. They muffle the sound when we’re under them. Or they’re all around us. I hear trees. I don’t know how. I can’t ever explain it, but even if there’s no wind, I can feel them somehow. It’s the canopy of leaves, I think. I don’t feel it so much in the winter, when the leaves are gone. It’s still there, just not as strong.”

Peter shook his head. “It’s really pretty amazing,” he said, “the stuff you’re tuning into.” He gave Mattie a hand to climb onto the next platform.

“I know,” Mattie said. “Who knew?”

It all seemed over too quickly. They were on the last platform getting ready to take the final zip across, and Peter turned to Mattie.

“Hey, Xav. You were right, this was pretty awesome. Thank you.”

Mattie smiled at Peter. He nodded, and lifted his hand up and patted Peter’s arm. “Now, I told you I’d bring you back in one piece, so make this one a good one.”

“You, too, Man.”

Mattie closed his eyes and leapt out from the platform, holding the harness with both hands. He breathed in deeply as he travelled, hearing the sound of his motion along the line, the cheers of his cohorts, and the air whistling past his ears. He knew he was heading downward, and he could soon feel nature envelope him as he journeyed down below the tree line. He heard Ron call to start slowing, and they’d bring him in. He slowed a little, until the voice was close and then he braked and let them all grab him and guide his feet to the ground. It was so fast, he didn’t even have time to question himself, but he knew the ground was getting closer as he descended, and again he marvelled at the things he couldn’t see.

“Good job, Man!” said Ron. “That was frigging awesome!”

Mattie broke out into a huge grin, and let Katie help him unhook and remove his harness. Then he turned to give his best friend a decent cheer for his last trip along the zip-line he’d refused to ever go on.

From their adventure through the trees, they headed back to the university. Mattie had arranged for a cab to take the four of them to Peter’s favourite pub, O’Reagan’s, where they would eat and drink and be merry along with a few of Peter’s other friends and co-workers.

“Whadja do, book the pub?” Peter asked, laughing.

“Actually, yeah, I did. Well, not the whole pub, you’re not that special, but I booked two tables. And I made sure we had at least two of the pool tables, too.”

“Are you gonna play pool?” Peter asked, ignoring the good-natured insult.

Mattie gave him a look, and then shook his head. “No, but I figured the guys would want to. And I also have a cab company ready to take everyone home.”

“Jeez, Xav, that’s a big expense. We can all chip in—”

“Nope, already handled. Besides, I’m your best man, and I wouldn’t be the best if I didn’t think of everything. No-one drives home drunk. End of story.”

Peter’s smile turned bittersweet. He patted his friend on the back. “Okay, Buddy. You definitely are the best man.”

They were taken to the back of the pub, where it was more secluded from the main section, but the music from the live band still reached them. Peter’s brother-in-law from Newfoundland was waiting there, along with two more of his coworkers and Tom Hanlon, Barb’s husband. Christopher Garnet soon joined them, and they ordered food and pitchers of beer.

Peter regaled them with stories of the zip-line. They toasted Mattie for a good send-off. Mattie toasted Peter’s leap into the future. Peter toasted to their friendship. Another pitcher arrived.

Peter and a few of the others got up to play a game of pool, and Mattie sat and talked to Christopher. Peter returned for his beer and tried to convince them both to join them in a game.

“You really that bad a player you can only beat a blind dude?” Mattie asked.

“Oh, you’re probably a pool savant, too,” Peter said.

“I probably would get a blue ribbon in scratching,” Peter said. “You go ahead, Garnet. I’ll hold down the table and keep the beer safe.”

“You sure?” Garnet asked.

“Yeah, and maybe let Peter win the first one.” Mattie was grinning and Peter groaned.

Mattie sipped his beer, listening to the music from around the corner and the laughter of Peter and his friends. He heard the roll of the heavy resin balls on the table and the snap as they made contact with the others. The guys chided and cheered each other, and Mattie smiled. Everyone was having a good time.

Soon, he was joined by Chloë’s brother, who poured himself another mug of beer and sat across from Mattie.

“Good party,” he said to Mattie. “I think Pete will remember this day for a long time.”

“Yeah, well, I wasn’t about to go half-assed on his bachelor party, the guy deserves everything I could ever come up with.”

“Yeah,” Andrew said. “I got the feeling from the first time Clo introduced him that he was a pretty good guy.”

“She got one of the best,” Mattie assured him. “I can vouch for him completely.”

The party went until eleven, and then Peter decided that he needed to head home if he was to get to his wedding the next day. They had the cab company called and cars were dispatched. Peter thanked everyone for making his last night of bachelordom memorable and told them all he’d see them the following afternoon before he and Mattie climbed into their own cab.

“Get a good sleep,” Mattie said to Peter as he was dropped off at his house. “I’ll see you in the morning. If your feet get cold, just put on some extra socks, okay?”

Peter smiled. “Right-o, Xav. You got it. See you in the a.m.”

Mattie opened his cane and Peter watched as his friend turned and found his way. Even intoxicated, Mattie had no trouble locating his walkway. Peter found it slightly amusing that most people became blind-drunk, but Mattie had the most composure because he could do everything with his eyes closed anyway. Peter sighed, thinking about how hard it must be sometimes, and yet his friend went on, as if it was nothing but a minor scratch on his life. He was still so alive, and Peter was grateful. He had drawn away from Mattie for a few weeks after he’d woken up from the coma, terrified that his friend was gone, the stress of the possibility that Mattie would die suddenly lifted. Peter had to get his head around what it all meant. But there was no way he would have given up on Mattie and moved on. There was absolutely no way in hell. He looked out the window and saw Mattie wave from his open door, and then he told the driver to go ahead. He watched the door close, and stared at the house which stayed completely dark, while Mattie moved inside of it, finding his way.

Amber made breakfast for Mattie and Peter. Mattie’s job for the morning was to distract Peter and keep him from being tempted to go check up on things.

“Clo’s parents and my parents are finishing everything up. My dad drove me in to get the truck. Clo has her girls coming to her apartment, I think they’re meeting there at ten. Oh, you’re going, Amber, what time are you supposed to be there?”

“Yeah, she said around ten. We have to do our hair and stuff. Chloe’s maid-of-honour is doing our hair and makeup. What are you guys gonna do?”

“I suggested golf,” Peter said.

Mattie shook his head. “I vetoed that one.”

“So then I suggested getting drunk and crying,” Peter noted.

“I’m vetoing that one,” Amber said. “You’re a lucky man, this is the best decision you’ve ever made and you know it.”

“I know,” Peter replied.

“Nah, we’re going out back,” Mattie said. “Try our luck at the brook.”

Amber smiled at them. “You guys are awesome, you know that?”

“Yeah,” they both said, deadpan, and in unison, and Amber shook her head, laughing.

They took their gear and walked out behind Mattie’s house. Mattie had the bait and hooks in an old canvas army bag, Peter had the poles and a bucket. Mattie kept the back of his left hand in contact with the rope guide, and they talked about times they’d shared at university, times they’d shared when Peter had decided to move to the neighbourhood, and what things lay ahead for Peter and Chloë.

They crossed the brook to get to the better spot along it, and Peter, as always, followed behind, watching him, knowing Mattie never had made a wrong move on this log bridge. They went along the road and cut back through a path on the left. They were on the south side of the brook now, and Mattie located the rope guide that took them to their fishing spot. Peter guided him toward the end, where the ground was uneven, and set him up alongside the deep curve in the brook. They talked easily as Peter baited up their hooks. He let Mattie drop his line in first and then dropped his own downstream, and for a while, they were silent.

“This isn’t going to change, you know,” said Peter, as if to assure Mattie from whatever he was thinking.

“I know,” Mattie replied. “But you’ll have someone at home all the time now, and I won’t expect you to be dropping in as much. And that’s all right, Man.”

“Well, maybe it’ll mean I’ll drop in more. I haven’t lived with anyone since you, and it’s gonna be strange.”

“Well, Clo’s been staying with you more than she’s not there, Pete. You’ll be fine. You’ll adapt.”

Mattie caught the first brook trout. Peter caught one right afterward, and then a second. Then they just fished in silence, without anymore bites. Peter checked his watch and suggested they pack it up and head back. Chloë was in the city getting ready, and Peter and Mattie were going to get ready at Peter’s place and go in together. The wedding was to be at Chloë’s church, near her parents’ house, at two. The reception was at four-thirty in the rec-centre next door, and the party would be back at Peter’s beach.

“Weather couldn’t be better,” Mattie said as they walked back along the road. “I think you have the wedding gods smiling down on you.”

“That’s all Clo’s doing. The wedding gods are rewarding her for being perfect. I’m just lucky to be allowed to share in it.” He walked a few steps in silence and then he turned to Mattie again. “Why do I feel like things are over? I mean, I’m glad I’m doing this, and I’m not going anywhere, I’m just gonna be getting up and driving us to work like always. But it feels like everything is for the last time.”

“Well, it’s kind of the same as when the new year hits, and you think, this is the first time I’ve walked over here in two-thousand-and-such-and-such, and you think it’s all different but it’s not. You’re just thinking too hard on it. I mean, it’s not a huge transition, you guys have been working towards this slowly and there are gonna be new things, sure, but it’s not like you’re moving in with her family in a new city and never allowed to think of the life you had. It’s not exile, Dude.”

“True.”

“I think you’re just starting to do the last minute panic. But you just have to get through the day. Remember, it’s for her. You just gotta make it through without coming off like a moron. It’s like a show we get to put on and everyone has a part. Then we all just go back to normal tonight. Right?”

“That actually makes me feel better.”

“Just gotta get through the day, my man, then you’ll be okay. Oh, we’re here? So, I guess I should get a shower and shave. I think everything is at your place already?”

“Yeah, it’s all lined up like we’re going into battle. Andrew is coming out, do you want me to text him to pick you up?”

Mattie agreed that sounded good. Peter took the trout home. He’d cook it up for brunch for his new wife whenever they woke up the next day. Their honeymoon was to happen the following day after that. Mattie knew that Peter was taking his bride to Newfoundland, which would start a cross-Canada train adventure, which Chloë had often expressed a dreamy interest in. They would end in the Yukon, and Mattie was envious of the things they would see and experience. He knew they both would describe everything to him in pictures he could see in his mind, so he looked forward to that.

Showered and shaved, Mattie was ready to go when Andrew drove up the driveway slowly. He went out and waved, letting Andrew know he had the right place, and was answered with a cheerful toot of the horn. He locked the front door and made his way toward the sound of the car. The engine was loudest near him, and when he touched the car, he figured he was at the front working back. Sometimes he was right. Sometimes he was wrong. This time, he was right, and he found the door and the handle without trouble. He touched the roof to find out whether he was climbing up or in or down, and then slid his other hand down to the seat.

“It’s all clear, you all right?” Andrew asked.

Mattie kept his fingers on the edge of the roof so he didn’t hit his head as he got in. “All good. You?”

“Oh, pretty good, considering I’ll be wearing a monkey suit on a sunny day like this.”

“Yeah, I hear you. The things we do for the love of our lives. And our best friends. And our sisters,” Mattie added with a chuckle.

Peter fed them with the chicken salad sandwiches his mother had left for him, and then they reluctantly changed into their wedding finery. Peter brought Mattie’s tuxedo over and laid it on the bed, and showed Mattie where everything was, telling him to give a shout if Mattie needed anything. Mattie had no trouble getting dressed, though it took him several minutes to figure out the cummerbund. The tie was going to cause problems. He left it hanging around his neck and tied on his shoes. He felt his hair, hoping it wasn’t the main attraction of the day. It seemed under control, so he made his way to the door.

There were wolf whistles as he entered the kitchen where the other two were.

“Well, I’d say we all clean up pretty nice,” Peter said. “We shouldn’t embarrass anyone. Need help wit’ dat tie, Old Man?”

Mattie nodded. “Yeah. Please. Bow ties are not my best craft.” He stood still as Peter took the two ends of the tie in his hands. It took him three tries to do it, he wasn’t used to tying anyone else’s tie, but when he finished, it was straight and centred. He brushed Mattie’s lapel.

“You’ll do,” he said, smiling at his friend. Mattie’s mouth quirked up at both sides. Peter moved away for a moment and then returned, taking Mattie’s hand and laying it flat. He placed an object on it.

Mattie felt it with his other hand, knowing immediately that he was holding the ring box.

“An important part of your job,” Peter said.

Mattie tucked it into the pocket inside his jacket. “I take it very seriously.”

The time came to head into the city, and Andrew was taking them in his car. Peter had joked that he would drive Chloë off from the church in his truck festooned in wedding fancies, and she surprised him by saying she’d be proud to be carried off in her husband’s other favourite girl. Peter’s father had driven it in to the city, where the family members cleaned and vacuumed it out, and washed and waxed it. Then they tied cans to the hitch and covered the top of the bed as well as the hood with tissue flowers. Peter’s sister wrote Just Married on the tailgate in wash-away foam, and drew a heart for good measure. Peter’s old truck had never looked more jovial and loved. They couldn’t wait for the newly-married couple to see it.

Mattie could tell Peter was nervous on the drive in, and he tried to keep his friend’s mood light and his mind slightly distracted. They arrived at the church ahead of most of the guests, and they stood outside with Art and Peter’s brother-in-law, who were ushers. The day was a bright, clear, and warm one, and Peter was glad for that, it made everything seem much more relaxed.

“I guess we should head inside,” Andrew said, seeing the minister moving toward the doors.

Mattie heard Peter take a deep breath, and then he felt Pete’s hand brush his. He slid his hand up to Peter’s elbow and they moved toward the church.

“Three steps, Xav,” said Peter, and they went in through the big wooden doors and were ushered to the back room.

Mattie kept checking his pocket, making sure the ring box hadn’t vanished. Peter took him over to a worn chair and Mattie sat, listening to his friend pace in front of him. He reached to his right and located a table, and he put his cane there.

“Oh, sorry, Man, uh, there’s a table on your right if you wanna put your stuff there,” Peter said, distracted.

“Thanks,” Mattie said with a smile. “You all right?”

“Yeah. I just want to get this over with.”

“It’ll be over soon,” Mattie said. “And she’ll be your wife.” Mattie chuckled a little. “That’s gonna take some getting used to.”

Andrew came over to join them, standing next to Peter. “I think the bridal party is all in,” he informed them, setting his water bottle on the table beside Mattie. He put his phone and keys there, too.

“How do the crowds look?” Peter asked.

“Bride’s side filling up. Your side’s rather Spartan, Pete.”

“Yeah, well, I have the important ones.”

“I’m just kidding you, Pete. Your side is filling up. How’s he doing, Matt?”

“Typical bridegroom jitters,” Mattie replied.

It felt like ages and mere seconds, and Art was coming to get them. Mattie stood, and once again put his hand to his breast pocket.

“Ready?” Pete asked him, holding his elbow out.

“I should be asking you that,” Mattie said, reaching up and finding Pete’s arm waiting.

“You taking your cane?” Peter asked Mattie, looking at their stuff on the table.

“No. I don’t want anything distracting eyes from the bride,” Mattie replied. “I’ll get Christine to swing back this way on the way out and grab it.” He would be walking the aisle on the way out with Chloë’s best friend and roommate, Christine. He’d met her several times, and found her to be logical and intelligent, so he knew she wouldn’t lead him into a pew or anything.

“I’m leaving my stuff here, Matt. I’m coming back down after the reception line, I can grab it for you,” Andrew offered.

“Oh, yeah, that’d be great.”

“Here we go,” Peter said.

“The greatest walk of your life,” Mattie replied. “You lucky bastard.”

Murmurs of excitement as the groomsmen came out and stood at the front of the church. Peter situated Mattie easily and quietly gave him the scene in front of them.

“I’m so glad you’re up here with me,” Peter whispered to Mattie.

“Wouldn’t be anywhere else,” Mattie said softly.

The quiet organ music that had been playing changed, and Mattie heard the crowd turn in their seats en masse as The Wedding March began. He and Peter both straightened up on cue.

The bridal party moved one by one up the aisle and stood to the right of Peter, Mattie, and Andrew. Andrew’s wife was the first to walk up, followed by Christine.

Mattie heard the entire congregation rise from their seats, and he knew that Chloë had begun her step-by-step up the aisle toward them. He felt Peter beside him taking a deep breath, his aura almost increasing in the space he was taking up. Mattie smiled, knowing Chloë would be coming close, gazing at Peter with the love she had for him.

“Yeah?” Mattie asked, in response to Peter’s physical reaction.

“Gad, yeah,” said Peter.

Mattie dropped his head, a great smile crossing his face. He knew that Pete would be okay now. He felt Peter move away from him, joining Chloë in front of the minister. He turned toward them and closed his eyes as the minister began to speak.

It was a much shorter service than Mattie had expected, but he knew Peter and Chloë wanted it to be more about the result than the production. Christine did a short reading, and then the vows were begun. Mattie listened to the emotion behind the couple’s voices, and he felt like he might tear up himself.

“Who has the ring?” asked the minister, and Mattie stepped one step toward the couple, sliding his hand into his breast pocket. He brought out the ring box and opened it for Peter, and felt him take the ring from the slot. He closed the box as Pete thanked him, and put it back into his pocket, stepping back exactly where he’d been before.

They moved off to sign the register, and then Christine came over to guide Mattie, and the two of them also moved over to the registry to sign as witnesses. Christine laid her finger on the line for Mattie, and he did his best not to ruin the certificate and then they all returned for the final blessing. Mattie stood next to Andrew, who told him every now and then what was going in. He was glad he had someone to stand next to. He realised that without his cane, he didn’t know what to do with his hands. He’d forgotten what it was he used to do, other than sticking them in his pockets, so he clutched his fingers in the other hand in front of him and when that felt old, he did the same behind his back. He wondered where Amber was in the pews in front of him and as he was trying to pinpoint where she would be sitting, he heard the minister pronounce Peter and Chloë husband and wife, and clapping and happy cheers broke out as the minister gave them the blessing and the final instruction to kiss as a married couple. Mattie clapped along with everyone else, a huge smile breaking out onto his face.

“Okay, Matt,” Andrew said, “we’re stepping forward. Christine is...”

Mattie had stepped forward and before Andrew had finished his sentence, Christine had reached out and took Mattie’s arm.

“Hi, Xav,” she said softly. “It’s Christine again; we’re going to follow the marrieds down the aisle now.”

Mattie nodded, letting her link her arm through his. He became uncertain about his choice to not carry his cane, but he knew he wouldn’t want to be sweeping his cane in front of him in a wedding party as they paraded back down the aisle. He wanted the only white thing attracting attention to be the bride’s dress. He didn’t realise he was holding tightly to Christine’s arm that was linked around his other arm.

“I won’t drop you,” Christine assured him quietly, and Mattie nodded with a quick smile, feeling slightly better. As they walked out of the church, Mattie heard cheers and Christine told him people were blowing bubbles into the air. He laughed, hearing Peter’s and Chloë’s happy voices ahead of him.

“Some steps, Xav,” Christine said, and Mattie remembered the three steps he’d climbed on the way in. “Three.”

He nodded. “Thanks.”

“We’re going to go over and stand with Clo and Pete. Get ready to be kissed by old ladies.”

Mattie chuckled, and hoped this went smoothly. He kept forcing himself to remember it wasn’t about him at all. He knew his blindness often made him become too self-absorbed, and he worked hard to appreciate everything going on around him.

Voices, people saying his name, telling him it all was so beautiful, hands taking his, pulling him close to embrace, voices telling him how handsome he looked. He kept his right hand held out in invitation to shake it, and then let the guests do with that as they would. Amber’s voice was on his right, hugging the bride and groom. She reached over and took his shoulder as she greeted him.

“You look pretty good,” she admitted. “That was a really nice ceremony, wasn’t it?”

He nodded, and she leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I’ll come find you after.” She patted his arm and moved down the line and Mattie turned to the next voice.

The next ordeal was having the wedding photos taken. This was to be done in front of Waterlily Lake, which was a short drive from the church. Andrew returned Mattie’s cane to him and they were shunted off in a car, Mattie was not sure to whom it belonged, and taken to the lake. He was led and placed and turned and posed. Sometimes he was next to Peter and Andrew, sometimes he was standing with Christine. And just when he was ready to groan out loud at another shot, the photographer was done, and Christine ran over and collected his cane from a nearby bench. The group walked slowly back to their vehicles, which would take them to the reception hall.

Mattie undid his tie and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt when they were back in the car. He knew his biggest challenge of the day was still ahead of him. He wasn’t worried about the speech he had prepared, he was used to standing in front of people and talking, although it was surely different doing it amongst family and friends. He knew he could always picture whoever he wanted to be out there. It was being sat at the head table, with all the guests keeping attention there, and having to eat. He was hungry, and that was going to ruin his plan to not eat until later, when he would scoff down snacks and barbecue food at Peter’s beach. He figured he could manage cake, but reception food was always uncertain, placement, possibility of a mess, and empty forks were a hazard to get around.

He was grateful when he was led to the chair next to Peter at the bridal table. He folded his cane and placed it next to the leg of his chair.

“Check out your place card,” Peter said, putting a piece of stiff folded paper into his fingers. Under them, he felt the recognisable bumps of Braille, and he smiled.

“Didn’t want you to sit anywhere but here,” Peter said. “Y’okay?” Peter always checked in with Mattie to make sure he didn’t need anything, without it feeling like he was helping Mattie all the time.

“Yeah. You?”

“I’m glad that part was over. I’ll be glad when this part is over. Champagne?”

“Please,” said Mattie.

“Hey, Honey,” Chloë’s voice appeared. “Hey, Xav.” Both men stood up.

Mattie grinned, knowing she’d leaned up and kissed her new husband. “Hey, Clo. You look beautiful.”

“Aw, thanks, Xav, that means a lot, coming from you,” she touched both his shoulders and leaned in to kiss his cheek.

Chloë’s cousin, James, was their emcee, and dictated that anyone who stood up and sang a song with the word love in it would see the couple stand and kiss. Thusly, their meal was often interrupted after someone stood and sang a stanza from a song. The best one had been Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which had everyone puzzled until well into the song: “Then all the reindeer loved him.”

Mattie burst out laughing, as did everyone else. He was enjoying his second glass of champagne. Peter had given him the layout of his plate upon its arrival, and Mattie navigated it quite well, though he didn’t finish everything.

Speeches were made, Chloe’s father and mother spoke, then Peter’s parents. Andrew had a few things to say about his sister, and then it was Mattie’s turn. He stood, pushing his chair back. Talking quieted, and he put a smile on his face. This was for Peter and Chloë, he thought to himself. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the few little cards he’d written parts of his speech on, and placed them in front of him, scanning his fingers across the Braille, though he knew what it said.

“I met Pete on my first day at university,” Mattie began. “The computer matchmaking system, as we called it, had put us in a room together. It was totally love at first sight,” he added, getting a laugh.

“This guy never let me down, whether it was picking me up at two in the morning, or giving me the razzing I deserved for whatever I’d done to him. We were constantly one-upping each other.” He turned toward Chloë. “But he really one-upped me this time, Clo. He found his perfect match with a girl this time.” He chuckled. “And I can only say I am extremely happy he did.” He heard her click her tongue and say aww. “You’ve given Pete a piece of mind. Someone to come home to. Someone to be home for. Someone to make a home for. I know he pretended not to want the married life to many people, but he really did. He wanted to settle down and I’m so glad that you found him before he got too maudlin about the whole thing.” He heard her giggle. “He’s a good guy, Clo. You know that, I don’t have to tell you. But he always goes above what most do, when someone needs him. And just when things get too heavy, he lightens the load. I can’t even list the things he’s done for me and people I know over the years. So I know you’re in good hands, Clo. And I know, Petey, that you’re in good hands, because this woman has guided me down ski hills at speeds I probably don’t want to know, and I’m still standing here in one piece. I think she’ll steer you as well as that as your wife. I definitely know this is the perfect step ahead.

“And you, Chloë, well, he might miss supper because he’s towing out a stranger from a ditch, or taking a lost stuffed animal back to some kid, and you might get frustrated when he comes home smelling like gasoline or chainsaw oil, but it’s only because his heart is bigger than the hours on a clock. He is loyal as anyone I know. As we all know, I have personal reference to this. When things looked pretty grim for me, he was there. And he walked with me the whole way back on that journey, and never looked away or gave up on me. He’s pretty adaptable, when it means a lot to him, and you, Clo, mean the world to him. I’ve never seen him so drawn into a relationship, and so happy to be there. Well, I guess I didn’t technically see it this time, either, but...” he tilted his head to one side as if to throw off the comment. There were some chuckles in the group. Whenever he made a casual joke about not being able to see, he got the same reaction from anyone not closely attached to him. Some awkward laughter, as if they were unsure whether it was okay to laugh or not at something so, as they felt, negative.

“When he told me he was going to do it, and ask you to marry him, he was not the Pete I know. He was humble and nervous and afraid that you might say no, and I knew that he was all in, and that you had him so discombobulated that I actually enjoyed his discomfort, personally, but only because I knew you wouldn’t turn him down. He’s too right for you. You guys really work. There’s a love you share and it’s so obvious, even a blind guy can pretty much see the big heart around you.”

Peter and Chloë smiled at him and laughed, holding hands.

“I won’t embarrass you Peter, because I know you’re perfectly capable of doing that yourself, later, on the dance floor. But I want to wish you both the most beautiful and amazing lives together, congratulations to you both, I’m thrilled this day has come, and I’ll be really happy if you’ll still let me tag along sometimes. I love you both, congratulations.”

He heard both chairs slide back as the newlyweds stood to hug him.

“We love you, too,” Chloë said, her voice muffled into his shirt.

“We love you, too, Man,” Peter said. “You’re always welcome to tag along, anytime, Man.”

There was applause, and Mattie took his seat, relieved.

Peter stayed on his feet. “I’m glad you decided not to tell any of those tales you were t’reatenin’ to tell, Xav. Best keep those for later, when she’s worn down from the newness of this.”

Mattie laughed, raising his glass to that, and heard Peter chuckle.

“Well,” Peter said. “What can I say about my wife?” He looked at Chloë with love. “She’s made my life go from the black and white farm town of Kansas to the Technicolour awesomeness that is Oz. Without the flying monkeys. Maybe the witch. Well, some days, anyway,” he said, looking back at her. She gave him a look, laughing.

“Don’t push it, Buster,” she said, and he leaned down and gave her a kiss.

Mattie smiled, his eyes closing while he listened to Peter talk about meeting Chloë, and how he knew when he wanted to spend his life with her. He wished he could be on a journey like this, but he knew he had his own journey to make, and that it may never include a day like this one.

He heard the sound of something being wheeled along the floor and he was sure he smelled sugar nearby. He grinned, his assumption that it was the cake being confirmed with the guests’ comments. He listened as the excitement grew for the bride and groom to cut the cake, and he smiled and laughed along with everyone else, not knowing exactly what was happening, but getting the idea and going with it.

He didn’t mind giving cake a go. As Chloë brought him a piece, she told him exactly what the cake looked like. It sounded delicious, but when he tasted it, the picture blew right out of his mind. It couldn’t look half as good as it tasted. He was glad at the moment that it was vision he lacked and not taste buds.

“Thank Gahd dat’s over,” said Peter, leaning back. “Now we party. I’m wayyy better at that portion of the entertainment. Let’s get out of these monkey suits, too. I’ll take Chloë in the bridal wagon, and we’ll meet you back at the beach. Ready to get funky, Xav?”

Mattie only laughed, and shook his head. The three glasses of champagne had made him feel quite ready to make merry.