Things were falling into perfect place. I was glad to be getting away from Donna for a little while, not because I didn't love her, but because I felt I could come back rejuvenated and be better for her. This was my new plan: get better myself, so I could be better for other people.

The wedding date was creeping up and some decisions would have to be made. Conflicts arose when I didn't want to have a best man. I wanted to have one of my old friends, but since Donna refused them as guests, one of them being best man was out of the question.

I felt I was compromising, but she thought I was looking for trouble, looking for things to go wrong or to have a bad vibe.
I didn't "think" I was doing that.

"What about Dr. Mince? Ask him." She suggested.

"No way, it's too weird."

"Then you should ask your father." She said while looking down at one of her many lists for the wedding.

"Considering those are the only two people I know coming to the wedding, I guess it's between them."

"Don't make this difficult, too." She said it like a threat.

I shrugged and left the room.

*****

My father drove me to the airport to meet Dr. Mince and Father Feenan. We were leaving for San Francisco, our first stop on the lecture circuit. My father looked proud as his hands didn't veer from ten and two on the Cadillac's steering wheel. He smiled as he asked me if I needed anything. "Money, you need any money?" I said no. This was the right answer. After all, I was a grown man and I couldn't accept money from my dad. Not in his world; it wasn't manly.

It's a nice thing to make people happy, people whom you love, and who you love in return.

"Dad...?" His profile reminded me of a historic hero, like Abe Lincoln or somebody.

"Yeah buddy," He looked straight ahead, smiling.

"You want to be my best man?" I watched his face redden and his smile broaden.

"You bet I would. Nothing would make me happier, nothing." And it was true. He beamed with a father's pride, something I never thought I would see.

Dr. Mince and Father Feenan were checking in their bags when we drove up. Dr. Mince and my father shook hands as if they were partners solidifying a deal.

"Looks like I'll be planning a bachelor party." My father said like the coach of a football team announcing the strategy for his winning team. I'd never seen him happier and I liked it. Dr. Mince congratulated him and yelled to Father Feenan what they were talking about.

"Turn up your hearing aid Father." He yelled at Father Feenan.

"No, no, not at an airport." He mumbled. "It could kill me."

I hoped Father Feenan would make it the rest of the trip. The last thing I wanted to deal with was a dead priest.