James Sr. was incensed; his boss, the future husband of his daughter Jenny was being hauled away from the church in handcuffs. The man in question; Dieter Whielhelm was kicking and screaming. Demanding to be let go and threating that he had friends; powerful friends. For the deputies their response was “Well this is Washington State. I highly doubt,” one deputy initiating a southern accent; “your friends in Alabama are going to have any sway in helping you here.”
Turning back after seeing Dieter shoved into the police car; James Sr. turns to look at the minister. Seeing the man wearing a simple outfit of black slacks and a black shirt with the standard white collar; John’s fists were starting to ball up ready to strike, yet a part of him hold back. Whether or not it is because James is a devote christian or not wanting to get arrested; James for the moment holds back striking the man in front of him.
“If you promise to remain quiet,” the minister seeing the senior man tensing up; “you can stay and observe your daughter exchange vows with Harry Jenkins.”
“Absolutely not,” James at full boil; “my daughter is not marrying anyone here. I forbid it!”
“You just don’t get it father,” James Jr. tired of his father’s bully and belligerence; “Jenny is her own woman. She doesn’t need your permission or approval. Just as I don’t need yours,” James staring down his father as he whipped around ready to knock James down.
“You shut your mouth,” James glaring at his son.
“NO,” James junior not backing down; “you think Dieter is the best thing since sliced bread; the one person that can lift you and this family from the squalor you claim the government put us in. Well guess what Dad; your meal ticket just got pinched. And I,” James continuing his rant; “not only do I have a job lined up for me once I graduate. I also have a woman who unlike you isn’t a racist white trailer trash bigot!”
James Senior clenches his teeth as he swings his arm back; determined to strike his son for daring to speak back to him. His attempt to strike is thwarted as a strong hand keeps him from doing what he feels is his parental right. Wheeling around to see who would dare; James pauses as the person who held him back was a woman. A woman in a white bridal gown, glaring at him.
“You are done laying a hand on us father,” the woman in the bridal gown speaking.
“Jenny,” Elizabeth being the first to react as she gazes upon how much her daughter has changed. Gone is the thin mousey girl that left for college; infront of her stood a voluptuous woman wearing a bridal gown that Elizabeth wished she had when she married James.
“Where is our daughter,” James senior snarling; “where is she so I can drag here home where she belongs.”
“I am home,” Jenny speaking; her father turning to look at her as he tries to recognize the woman in front of him. “And I am going to marry Harry Jenkins, whether you like it or not.”
“I could care less who you are going to marry woman,” James not realizing the woman in front of him is his daughter Jennifer; “I came here to collect my daughter and take her home.”
“Where were you expect to marry Dieter,” Jennifer snapping back; “how is that working out so far dad?”
“You look good Jenny,” James chuckling as he enjoys watching his father look on confused; “pity dad is unable to see that.”
“Or the forest for the trees,” Jenny nodding back; “how are you James?”
“Thanks to you in stopping dad from decking me,” James jr. chuckling; “great! And this is before I was able to add an exclamation point to my rant, by telling dad that the woman I’m seeing is a person of color.”
“Oh dear,” Elizabeth groaning as she lowers her head; embarrassed as to what is going to happen next at the church.
********
“Should we step in,” Samantha whispering to her life partner. She like everyone else at the church have laid witness to the whole exchange. Observing as Jennifer who everyone surrounded; acting as a human shield, cut through the barricade moments before James Senior was about to assault his own son.
“I think its best,” Frances whispering in return; “to let Jennifer say what she has to say. Confronting her family is the main goal in her therapy.”
“But what if her father continues his belligerence,” Samantha watching the verbal back and forth.
“Then the Tachibana’s will step in and separate the quarrelling family,” Frances answering.
“Hope they make it soon,” Samantha shaking her head; “because here come Harry Jenkins. How do you think James is going to react once he finds out that this second ceremony is just for show,” Samantha looking on worried; “that he married Jennifer just moments ago?”
Frances remained silent; unable to answer her lifer partner’s question. All she could do is look on silently like the rest of the congregation as Harry, a well fit and buff man thanks to becoming a were-fox begins to stare down his spouse’s father.