Never again

Well, time for another update for anyone who cares. The wedding was great my daughter was beautiful and I kept my promise of not consuming any adult beverages. It wasn’t hard to do but very puzzling to me and all came about on the ride to the rehearsal dinner. My daughter was very confused as to whether I would walk her down the isle and for all dads with daughters this was an honor that I look forward to, but alas it was not to be granted to me. I am still in the fog as to why but I will not dwell on it right now, anyway she and her mother’s family would not want me to imbibe in any alcoholic beverages and she would allow me the honor of escorting her down the isle. I agreed to this demand but 3 weeks later she informed my family it was her day and be walking alone. Now was I released from my bargain? I thought so till the ride down to the rehearsal, my son accompanied me. We arrived a little early and went to the local store for some beverages and of course I paid and flew but as I requested my drink of choice which was beer he retorted, “Oh you going to get loaded today?” Now this not only shocked me but insulted me, I have shared many a beer in my day and a few with my son and here he was implying one beer would affect me hmmmmmm. So I then made a different selection and we proceeded to the site. The wedding planner was late and we were all standing out in the parking lot and I was outnumbered 21 to 1 and it felt everyway like I was not welcomed. I held it together and we went inside; my back is still ailing me so couldn’t stand long and found a chair and sat down. My son gravitated over next me and we discussed the hall the reception was going to be in. A gentleman came out of the back with a beer (one of the groom’s father’s friend) and laughing said “Hey look what I got, a free beer the girl thought I was the father of the bride”. My sense of humor got the best of me and retorted back “Hey give me my beer”. A he and a few people laughed out loud and we proceeded to the rehearsal. All went well with few minor snags and again feeling like the only bacon eater at a Jewish breakfast I held in the emotions. My son and I returned to the car and I could see he was a lil distressed and wearing a somber face. I asked him what was wrong and said nothing until I pressed him and what he had to say just broke my heart and made me upset. He and his mother and sister were worried about me getting to inebriated and becoming to obnoxious. You could have blown me away with a feather. I was so upset I pulled into the next store and went inside just to come down, I gratuitously bought a soda and returned and I as we were leaving the parking lot I got a call on my cell phone and it was Ash, wondering if I would stop and pickup some champagne…………huh. Holding it all in I agreed and the pesto resistance was while my son and I were at the liquor store he wanted a bottle of Yagarmiester, foul liquor. We arrived at the dinner (that I paid for) at my old house, now Star’s. Being upset still and confused I refused to go inside, it was a good thing it was a barbeque. I sat on the outside corner of the deck I built all those years ago and sipped on my soda. The festivities went on and I was totally oblivious to them until I started to play games with the kids. Kids and I just hit it off don’t ask me why it just something that has been always true. The moms and dads would come over ask their child if they were having fun and they would always answer YES. They would say something cordial to me and were very surprised to find out I was Ashley’s dad, heh go figure. And when each child was leaving they would beg their parents to stay a little longer to play with Big Al. When the last child left I return to my spot on the porch and as I sat I decided I didn’t need to be here anymore and got up and left. The next day, wedding day, I didn’t drink one alcoholic beverage not even the toast champagne I paid $85 a bottle for this ceremony. At the end of the evening my son, daughter and ex were all inebriated and I made a promise to myself that was the first and last time I cow down to their wishes………….never again.