The day my dad married Maxine in the church ~ they had already been married since New Year's Day 1970. Father Breen had seen Maxine through the conversion process, so my father could remain "holy" in his own eyes and I suppose the eyes of the church. For this reason they were then able to marry in the church.
Kathy and I were to be flower girls. I know Terry was there, but I don't remember what his role was.
There was a reception at our new apartment after the ceremony. Bruce and Max had already planned our next move out of Memphis. Maxine's brother, Charlie was so drunk. I know that my parents drank, but this was the first time, but not the last, that I would see my father and Maxine and their family and friends drunk. Far from the last time.
They had spiked the punch and laughed as my teetotalling grandmother lamented that she couldn't feel her arms and cried her eyes out saying that she would never see her babies again.
When my brother asked our dad if that was true, Bruce said, "She's just being dramatic."
But was she? We never saw her again.
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