Just another day in July

Well, of course, it was a Sunday and the Fourth. Just before the fireworks, in fact. It was a lovely day for a wedding. Not quite summer hot, but almost. Yes, spring came late, summer was a humid mess. Still, it could be worse, thought Bom as she tied the knot with Brian.

He was being his quirky self. A little quiet. Some might have thought his smile was ill, but in the vows, he told everyone. "Thanks for making my life so worthwhile. You've raised me and taught me so much about myself and what could happen in this ordinary life of ours. I will love you, always. You are the best part of me."

She wanted to laugh, but she kept it in. Yes, it might have been the best day ever. There were friends all around. She was grateful they would share this memory with them. The ceremony was short and sweet. Little Keanu, all masked up, was the best man. 

Soon there was food and fun, thanks to Omaha coming to the rescue. After all, it was his birthday too. And then the dancing commenced just before the fireworks. Oh, it was simple and yet the joy of the best kind.

Everyone was happy for once. Bom hadn't seen such a thing in a very long time.

Omaha didn't really care for presents on his birthday. Besides he'd rather be with his closest friends, Josh and Slater. And to smoke meat, well that was truly one of his favorite past-times. Sit around with the guys, drink a few beers although they were all drinking more water these days than alcoholic beverages. After all, they were dads now and they had to make time for the kids.

Because a good part of the day was devoted to playing with them, talking to them, and just being with them. Honestly, Omaha didn't know he'd changed so much. There was a time, he thought he wouldn't be one of those family guys. It just didn't seem possible and here he was with one almost four and another on the way.

"Yeah, you really fooled me?" Josh teased with a smile as he and Slater stood around the fire and watch Omaha check the steaks, and chicken tenders.

"What are you talking about?" Omaha winced as he sliced off another piece of brisket to see what his friend might think.

"You know, settling down having kids," he nodded. Of course, he looked over to Slater and said that's what he needed to do. Of course, all he got was a grin out of Slater.

"What did you think I'd be doing?" Omaha looked at him as if he was in no way perfect.

"I dunno," Josh chuckled. "Racecar driver?" He winced harder.

"Yeah, and you'd have your own karate school." He remembered those dreams, but Josh was back in school again working on his degree in nursing. His medic days had come to an end. He coughed then and Omaha noticed he was breathing kind of funny. 

"Are you OK, man?" He knew Josh didn't want him to dare say COVID. At times, he did have some fatigue, but he said it was getting better.

Soon enough, the kids came to play. They wanted fireworks, but actually, it was Glow in the Dark rings from the Dollar Tree. That was the only kind of fireworks they were interested in.