At the church, she is the most beautiful person in the world. The billowing white dress made of lace and chiffon that she borrowed from her sister insists that she is very special. She wears blue suede high heels that make her almost six feet tall. Her long golden hair weaves into a bun, and her grey eyes and smile make her groom feel like he is worth a million dollars. Dressed in a black tuxedo, dark, shiny, and new, the groom has a ring and nothing else except a lifelong promise. The Catholic Church in a wealthy section of Encino is chosen by the groom’s mother; a woman of many talents and accomplishments, and the guild of her friends who live on the west side of town. Full of figurines and stained glass windows that let colored light into the room, this church with many brown pews and polished marble floors, exudes the essence of a wealthy Christian heritage. As the bride ascends the stairs to the alter where the groom awaits with hope and high expectations, the black-bearded Latino priest, dressed in a green gilded vestment, proclaims a union of families and a marriage between two, young people. After a lifelong promise, the small gold ring goes on her finger, and then a kiss on her lips, and then the two begin their life together. A huge black, Cadillac, limousine awaits them at the stone-stepped entrance to the cathedral. Then off to the airport, with their nylon luggage, the two begin their honeymoon at Aunt Della’s timeshare in a tropical place
The parents subsidize most of the elegant marriage ceremonies and exotic tropical destinations. Roc notes that economy seats on an airline are small and confining, and when the person in front reclines his chair, a passenger must recline to remain comfortable. The cabin reveals rows of chairs, canted back, like an open can of sardines. The meal consists of a hot, meat sandwich and a cold soft drink, but most passengers buy the little bottles of hard liquor, drink them down, and get drunk. The morning wedding turns into afternoon, and the afternoon darkens to night and the plane arrives at the tropical place. Palm trees sway in the light sea breeze, the nylon luggage is light, and the two-engine transit plane waits for people to embark, to go to an upper-class place, that only the upper class frequent. Flying in this light plane feels like your feet are hanging into open space as the hand of God wafts the children of the covenant to a new place.
Hundreds of Portuguese man of war litter the tropical beach, and the water is warm, and the sun shines intently upon humanity. A Cuban man with long black hair says “good morning” as he fishes for his daily meal from the beach. He fondles a six-inch long stiletto, that is sharp, and cuts bait gingerly.
“There is no rest,” he confides to the new couple. “Good luck” he says as he makes another long cast and the life ahead begins.
The players in their brightly colored uniforms and special hats play Jai-lei in the coliseum, and their scores post on the electronic board overhead. Roc goes and bets on the games. He never wins and the old man with long white hair and a brief smile sits in a chair away from the action, knowingly. The Roc buys a rum and frascadito and throws them down his throat. This is how they live he says to himself.
“This is how they live”, and I am different and he gives his bride a hug.