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Daddy’s Wedding

Written and Illustrated by Micheal Willhoite

Nick is like any 10-year-old boy. He loves baseball, summer camp, and his mom’s strawberry punch. But when Daddy and Daddy’s roommate Frank decide to get married, Nick gets to do something extra special: play best man. And while everybody celebrates the big wedding day, the dog Clancy is working on a big surprise for all of them!

Dedication: To Nellie and Johnny Perry, loving partners in a wonderful marriage.

One day Mommy and Steven and I had a picnic in our back yard. Steven is my new stepfather. He can play the guitar and loves baseball as much as I do!

“Hey, Nick,” Steven said, “Why don’t you go play. I’ll barbecue the chicken.”

My friends wanted to play volleyball. Soon we were thirst, so Mommy served us her special strawberry punch.

Daddy and his roommate Frank were the last to arrive. Clancy came, too.

Clancy’s a great dog, but he sure can get in the way.

When the picnic was almost over, Daddy and Frank took me to the garden swing to talk. Daddy said, “Nick, we want to invite you a special occasion next month. We’re going to get married.”

“Can men get married to each other?” I asked.

“We call it commitment ceremony, Nick,” said Frank. “That’s like a wedding.” Mommy and Steven jointed us, and Daddy and Frank told them about it. “We want you all to come,” Daddy said.

Mommy hugged Daddy and said, “We’d love to, Daniel! It sounds like a lot of fun. Nothing’s better than a wedding in June.”

Daddy turned and said, “Nick, would you do me the honor of being my best man? We want you to be an important part of our big day.” And Frank said, “You’re the first one we thought of.”

This was terrific! “I’d love to, Dad,” I said. “I’ll be the best man you’ve ever seen!”

On the day of the wedding, we drove to Daddy and Frank’s house on the other side of town.

The yard was filled with people. There were flowers everywhere. Balloons and flags hung from the trees.

My Grandma and Grandpa were already there. A lot of Daddy and Frank’s friends came, too.

Mommy and Steven sat together in the front row. I stood beside Reverend Powell, waiting for Daddy and Frank to come out of the house.

Music started playing, and Daddy and Frank appeared, looking very happy. When the music ended, Reverend Powell said, “Daniel and Frank have written vows they’d like to read.

First, Daddy told us how he met Frank. Then Daddy turned to Frank and said, “I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you.”

Then Frank spoke. He vowed to Daddy, and take care of him in sickness and in health. Frank turned to me. “And we already have a son to share.” That was my favorite part of wedding.

Revered Powell turned to me. “Nick, I believe you have the rings.”

First, Daddy put a gold ring on Frank’s finger. Then Frank slipped a ring on Daddy’s finger.

After that, Reverend Powell said they were married. And suddenly hundreds of balloons fell down all over the place!

Reverend Powell said, “Daniel and Frank’s friends have prepared a love reception. Let’s enjoy ourselves!”

Everyone turned to the tables at the side of the yard, where there were plates of sandwiches, bowls of punch, and a huge white wedding cake…

And Clancy!

“You bad dog!” Grandma said. “Ruining that lovely cake…” But Daddy and Frank just laughed.

“It’s just a little messed up, and only on this side,” I said. “And look, it still tastes good!”

The cake really was good. We all drank punch and ate until we almost busted—although Clancy managed to get into the sandwiches, too.