I clear my throat and cough into my hand, mentally going over all the words I handwrote last night and read to myself over and over. I practiced until three in the morning, wanting everything to go smooth and perfect.
But knowing my luck, and what amazing luck it is, I’ll forget some minor details, but I know my subject matter well enough to wing it.
We’re talking about my best friend, after all, and the family’s she’s adopted as her own.
“Good evening,” I say over the microphone I’ve been handed. I hope to the Virgin Mary that it doesn’t start shrieking and then everyone’s ears stop bleeding.
Focus.
“We’re all here today to celebrate Sera and Hunter’s wedding, their journey from a couple to a team bound by love and trust in front of all of us present here, and those of us who are watching from higher vantage points, as well.” I peek a look to my left and watch Dean’s head whip towards me.
Yeah, I know you’re watching old man Carter. Help us get through anything and everything. Help me love him like he deserves.
“I’ve known Sera since elementary school. We were both tomboys and loved playing soccer with the boys.” I watch Josh snort his rum and Coke but I just ignore him. “We went to the same high school, where we tried to navigate the waters, and I was left alone with my guy recon, ‘cause to this day, Sera doesn’t know what that is. We were close but not as close as we should have been.”
MacLaine coughs an “Amen” and everybody ends up laughing, and all of this seems easier somehow.
“Cool it, MacLaine, this is my time.” I take another deep breath and focus on delivering one of the most important speeches I’ll ever give.
“Cegep happened and we reconnected. And I saw Sera for what she is to me, and that she is my sister from another mister. And while I know Sera Delos is the best freaking person in the world, let me tell you why.
“She’s the kindest person you will ever meet.” I tick off with one finger.
“But fraking hell is the girl blind and oblivious. Ladies and gentlemen, this right here,” I point to them both, “this would not have happened if the nerd gods were not smiling down on my best friend. The girl always has a book in her hand, always. Her head is always somewhere else, and don’t get me started on the conversations constantly spoken in movie or book quotes.”
Everybody laughs again, and I sneak a look at Sera, who’s gone red. My heart beats harder and I have to pull in another deep breath. I make a smile stay put on my face. “But that’s all Hunter’s deal now.”
“When Sera smiles, there’s nothing like it in the entire world. Her eyes have fireworks in them and her cheeks look like they’re about to burst. You know you’ve seen something special when you get a Sera-smile. And now that’s Hunter’s responsibility, too.”
I turn to face MacLaine more completely now, ignoring the way the cameraman rushes to keep me in view.
“I hope you know what it means to take care of her, to cherish her. I hope you know what it took for her to let that happen, MacLaine. I hope you know that girls like this don’t come along even every hundred years. And no matter what happens between you two in the future, stupid fights, lame-ass excuses or whatever, come back to the day you told each other you loved each other, and what it felt like.
“Don’t let anyone come between your marriage. Love each other like you haven’t said those words to each other yet. Kiss each other like it’s the first time. Smile at each other like you know that by being in each other’s lives, the world is a better place. Hug each other like you’ll never let go, especially when you’re angry. Seriously, just hug it out.
“Raise your family the only way you know how. Matty is going to be a nerd, there’s nothing that can be done for that. He’s going to question life and how things work, and he’s going to get excited over a show, or a book, and sometimes you might even catch him crying about what happens to Harry Potter. But know that books are lessons and you’re teaching him to be a better person through them.
“Lastly, love each other, appreciate each other, take care of each other, make each other happy. Because as you now know MacLaine, and I’ve so recently come to discover… nerdy love is the best love. To Hunter and Sera MacLaine!”
I watch all my friends raise their glasses in unison and shout out Sera and Hunter’s names.
Russia looks a little worse for wear, Josh is trashed but he’s whooping and hollering, grabbing a linen napkin and swinging it around. Eli’s nursing his drink and smiling lazily at the pair of them, while Alex whispers something to which Teresa smiles at while they both raise their glasses to my best friend and the lucky bastard who gets to keep her.