Chapter 8: Just Gotta Jump

Brian looked in the full-length mirror and gave a nod of his head. He looked good. It amazed him that this family was doing all this for them. This must be costing a small fortune to throw together, especially on such short notice. So, to say he was surprised when Zeke gave him these new clothes was an understatement. A new pair of black jeans, a maroon cowboy shirt with pearl snaps, black dress cowboy boots, and a black cowboy hat finished up the look. Shorty gave him a black leather belt with a large silver buckle, which looked rather good on him. He was impressed to realize he looked good in cowboy garb.

Justin was in another room looking at himself in the mirror. He wasn't so sure about all the cowboy gear. Martha had given him a pair of blue jeans that actually fit him in all the right places, a powder blue cowboy shirt with pearl snaps, brown dress cowboy boots, and a wheat colored cowboy hat. Shorty gave him a light brown leather belt with a pewter belt buckle. It wasn't that he looked bad or anything; it was just a very new look for him.

Brian walked into the kitchen and was immediately swamped by women oohing and aahing over him. Seconds later, Justin walked in and pulled half the attention away from Brian.

Junior gave them both the once over. "Well, you pretty boys won't embarrass the family too badly."

Harold slapped Junior's shoulders. "Embarrass the family my ass! I think the status of this family just jumped up about a hundred points on the hotness scale."

"Ain't that the truth, Sparky? Hell, I ain't even gay and they're enough to turn me on," Hammer said only to get a swift smack on the arm from his wife, Megan.

Doc just gave a very low wolf whistle and wiggled his eyebrows very suggestively, which earned him a slap from his wife, Heather. "Ow! What the hell is with all the hitting today?"

"It's them belts I gave 'em. Hell, they'd look like shit if it weren't for my great taste," Shorty stated. His wife Allison popped him on the back of the head. "Dang it, woman! Don't be hitting me on the head…especially when I'm telling the truth!" That got him another pop from his wife.

Brian had a huge grin on his face as he watched the women slapping their men around. "Seems you fellas got to watch what you say, huh? Looks to me like you're all pussy whipped, with the exception of Junior…guess he's dick whipped." That comment got him a very hard smack on the shoulder from Justin, and everyone in the room burst out laughing, with the exception of Brian. He was rubbing his shoulder and gaping at Justin like he couldn't believe he'd just been slapped.

Martha stepped in front of them with a tall man dressed like an American Indian Shaman. The only thing he was missing was the huge feather headdress. "Slick, Sunshine, I'd like you to meet Hawk. He's our spiritual leader and will be performing the ceremony."

Hawk extended his hand shaking first Brian's and then Justin's hand. "I have talked with Martha and decided on a very special ceremony for you two. Is there anything you wish to add?"

Brian looked at Justin and shrugged. "I trust Ma's judgment. Anything special you want, Sunshine?"

Justin gave Brian a huge smile and shook his head. "I'm good."

Zeke stepped forward and clapped Brian on the shoulder and announced, "Let's get this show on the road folks."

Everyone filed outside and Justin was completely awed by the sight. There were flowers decorating the trellis and the porch. Tables had been set up in the far corner of the yard with a huge barbeque. In the center of the yard a large circle was laid out with decorative stones and he was careful to step over them as he followed the tall Indian into the circle. He watched as all the other members of the family, and some new faces he'd never seen, formed a circle just outside the stones. They were completely surrounded by people.

Brian stood straight and tall as he watched all the people gather around them. He stretched his neck feeling as if he were wearing a tie, his neck suddenly feeling hot and itchy. It was never too late to back out of this. He looked down at Justin and saw the excitement shining in those blue eyes and forgot all about backing out of the ceremony. He'd never seen the blond look so happy.

Hawk stood in front of Brian and Justin holding an ancient looking wooden rattle. He chanted a few words that neither of them understood, and shook the rattle directly in front of him. He turned to the left, and repeated the chant giving the rattle another shake. He turned again to his left and repeated the process for a third time. Finally, he turned to the left, repeated the chant, and shook the rattle before turning back to face Brian and Justin. They were beginning to wonder if they were going to understand this ceremony at all.

Hawk took a deep breath and began. "Friends, Family, and Neighbors. I have invoked the four winds and asked their blessings upon this union."

Junior walked into the circle carrying a large ornate silver tray with four small crystal bowls, and stood off to the side. Brian noticed the smirk on his face and tried to catch a glimpse of what was in those bowls.

Hawk nodded at Junior before looking back at Brian and Justin. "As the grass of the fields and the trees of the woods bend together under the pressures of the storm, so, too, must you both bend when the wind blows strong. But know that as quickly as the storm comes, so equally quickly may it leave. Yet, will you both stand strong in each other's strength. As you give love, so you will receive it. As you give strength, so will you receive strength. Together you are one, apart you are as nothing. Know that no two people can be exactly alike. No more can two people fit together, perfect in every way. There will be times when it will be hard to give and to love. But see then your reflection as in a woodland pool, when the image you see looks sad and angered, and then know it is the time for you to smile and to love. It is not fire that puts out fire. In return will the image in the pool smile and love. So change your anger for love, tears for joy. It is no weakness to admit a wrong; more it is a strength, and a sign of eternal growth. Ever love, help, and respect each other."

Hawk motioned for Junior to step forward with the tray before beginning again. "Now we shall perform the Tasting of the Four Temperaments. This ritual shows how two people must be willing to endure all the ups and downs of a relationship…the sour, the bitter, the hot, and the sweet times. A union involves individual sacrifice so that two people can harmonize as one. Sacrifice can cause sour feelings," he continued as he picked up the first crystal bowl. "The lemon juice represents those sour feelings." He lifted the bowl in front of Brian. "Let each person taste the sourness."

Brian raised the bowl to his lips and took a sip. His face screwed up at the sour taste and passed it to Justin who did the same thing.

Hawk took the bowl from Justin and placed it back on the tray before continuing. "Those sour feelings can often turn to bitterness." He picked up the next bowl. "The vinegar represents the bitterness." He gave the bowl to Brian. "Let each person taste the bitterness."

Brian took a sip and almost gagged passing the bowl over to Justin who had a very similar reaction.

Hawk replaced the bowl and picked up the next one. "That bitterness can eventually lead to a very heated explosion which is represented by the cayenne." He gave the bowl to Brian and repeated, "Let each person taste the heat of the bitter explosion."

Brian closed his eyes tightly and took a very tiny taste immediately feeling his mouth explode with heat. He sucked in sharp breath panting heavily trying to cool off his mouth before passing the bowl to Justin.

Justin's eyes got really large as he watched Brian's reaction to tasting what was in that bowl. He swallowed hard before bringing the bowl to his lips. He took a quick taste and felt the tears streaming down his cheeks as the heat overtook his senses. He shoved the bowl back into Hawk's hands and started fanning mouth as the guest laughed softly.

Hawk replaced the pepper juice on the tray and picked up the last bowl. "Now I say to you, if you can weather all that, all the difficult times and still be friends and lovers, then you shall come to know the sweetness that's in all the previous three flavors. That sweetness is represented by honey." He raised the bowl in front of Brian.

Brian took the bowl and quickly brought it to his lips. He needed something to deaden the fire that was continuning to assault his mouth. He gulped a huge swallow before passing the bowl to Justin, who almost inhaled the remaining honey in the bowl. The guests gave another little chuckle.

Hawk put the last bowl bank on the tray and Junior walked away. "Now that the couple has shown their dedication to weathering the trials of their union, let them now join hands as the four ribbon bearers step forward."

Justin smiled brightly as Martha, Zeke, Junior, and Doc stepped into the circle, each holding a beautiful length of ribbon. Martha walked in front of them and smiled. "I'm here representing Sunshine's family. In a very short amount of time, he's come to mean the world me, and to our whole clan. I offer the green ribbon, which represents the earth, the foundation of your union and also the wealth. My wish for you boys is that you always have solid ground beneath your feet and the wealth of love, happiness, and health." She quickly tied the ribbon around their clasped hands and stepped off to the side.

Zeke stepped in front of them and placed a hand on Brian's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm here representing Slick's family. I declare now before all who are present, that Slick is my son. I carry the red ribbon, which represents fire." He tied the ribbon around the boy's hands. "With this ribbon I wish you both much passion and fire in your lives together."

Junior snickered, "Yeah, like they need help in that department." Martha smacked him hard on the shoulder, but he didn't make a sound, he just smirked at Brian.

Doc stepped forward and tied a blue ribbon around their wrists. "I offer the blue ribbon which represents water. May all the tears you shed together be those of happiness and joy, and should you shed tears of sorrow, let that sorrow be shared equally."

Finally, Junior stepped forward and tied a white ribbon around their wrists. He cleared his throat and mumbled, "I offer the white ribbon which represents the wind and air. May the wind be always upon your backs aiding you on your journeys and cool any conflict before it becomes a crisis." He quickly turned and headed back to his place in the circle mumbling, "May the winds hurry you on your way and blow you nuts away from this insane family."

Brian, Justin, and the entire group said simultaneously, "I heard that."

Hawk motioned with his hands. "Let the circle part and the Besom placed to bridge the gap."

A gap was made as people shifted to the side and Hammer placed a very lavishly decorated broom on the ground.

Hawk looked at Brian and Justin. "The Besom represents a threshold. While you are both still individuals, you are embarking on a new life together. Jumping over the Besom symbolizes the crossing over the threshold into new territory, a life that is vitally connected to another's. The leap that you are about to take is symbolic. Starting a new life with another person requires a 'leap of faith'. By taking this leap, you both show your dedication to working together through all the tough times ahead. The Besom is also a symbol of the hearth, the center of the new family being created." He led Brian and Justin over to the broom. "Make your leap."

Brian looked down at Justin and nodded. The both jumped over the broom to loud cheers from all the guests. Zeke picked up the broom and handed it to Brian as he begins to untie the ribbons from around their wrists and retie to them handle of the Besom. "You are the first of my sons to forgo the traditional wedding ceremony in favor of a hand fasting ritual. Ma and I did both to satisfy our families. However, as the first of my sons, you get my family Besom. It's been passed down from father to son for generations. You see all the ribbons? Those are all from unions of our family members. Now the Besom is in your hands and you're responsible to look after it until you pass it on to your son."

Brian felt his eyes sting for a moment and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He'd never felt so close to a group of people as he felt towards this family. He looked at the broom and nodded his head. Yes, he'd pass this on to Gus and he'd be sure to tell his son about the rich family history behind it too.

Martha clapped her hands. "Well come on Slick, give Sunshine a kiss so we can all go eat!"

Brian bent his head and captured Justin's lip in a very emotional kiss that seemed to go on and on.

"Holy shit, they are gonna do it right here in front of everyone," groused Junior.

Brian broke the kiss, winked at Justin, and they both turned to look at Junior stating together, "I heard that."



Elyxer's Stories