Phyllis was like a daughter to Jacob Stone. Only Rebecca understood that she was used to validate Ira to her husband. She loved her too, but was sure that marriage was not the best solution for her son. She knew he was special, and often told her husband that their son had the "Blue Gene." Whether he understood his wife or not, he simply ignored the comment and reveled in the battle won.
The Stones paid for a simple wedding and gave the young couple a small frame house in Rogers Park to start their future together. Although it needed a lot of work, Jacob and Ira transformed the fixer-upper into a perfect cottage for a young family.
Everything was picture perfect on the outside, but inside, Ira became anxious and distant. Phyllis was so happy planning the wedding, she was oblivious to Ira's anxiety.
The night before their wedding, Ira's friends gave him a bachelor party that he would never remember. It is hard to remember anything with three Long Island Ice Teas in your system. But everyone else would never forget the Groom's vulgar, drunken stupor. Comments that would never be repeated.
Phyllis spent the night at the Stone's home with an old fashion slumber party. Rebecca and the bridesmaids played parlor games till midnight. The next morning, hair, nails and dresses were on the agenda. When Phyllis was dressed, she was simply glowing. Rebecca got lost in the moment and began to think everything was going to be fine. But it wasn't really. November 4th arrived with a huge headache for Ira. It took 12 cups of coffee, his father, and the groomsmen to get him back together again. No one spoke of the night before, especially not Jacob.
When Ira saw his bride at Congregation Bnai Emmunah, all doubts and anxiety seemed to pass, if only for a while.
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