One Rainy Day

I've been stood up on my wedding day...

I've been stood up on my wedding day! Have you thought of anything more tragic than that? Here comes the bride, all dressed in white!" - - but where is the groom? My Jonathan?

Father's eyes were apprehensive - - "Madeline - - this is preposterous! - - - Didn't I warn you? Is this what you call maturity and independence at eighteen? I guess we better hurry home!"

But this is not how playwrights picture love. Romeo died for Juliet, Pyramus for Thisbe, Han Suyen called it a many splendored thing!" - - - And Princess Margaret gave up the crown for love!

Jonathan - - - wait till I get you. I am determined to pursue an unceasing justification of my plight! I remember how I fought Father and Mother when first they refused our young engagement. But how we talked to them about independence and youth's self-reliance - - - of the new breed, ready, willing and able not only to vote at eighteen but also get married at eighteen.

I imagine what my gang mates would say - - - "Poor Madeline, she was almost a bride - - -!" "Jonathan must have found out that she's a square!" And all Mother can say is - - "This is most embarrassing!"

Indeed, it is. I should have joined the crusaders for blessed singleness. I should have noted what my father confessor, Fr. Martin, said when I talked about Jonathan and marriage. "Madeline, you're not ready for it. I guess you have to listen to your parents this time!" But I didn't!" I was like a spoiled and stubborn child immensely carried away by the now-generations' indefatigable cry for self-assertion! I was like Jane Fonda speaking for the women's lib movement.

That phone keeps on ringing. Alright, Mother, alright, I'm answering it. Hello - - - Hello - - - Hello!! Don't you darling me Mr. Jonathan Anderson - - - may I be privileged to know where were you at nine o'clock sharp this morning? What? Do you know what you did? Well - - - if you don't - - - then, you'll never knew!!!

I've been stood up on my wedding day because my groom forgot and fell asleep. Marriage at eighteen - - - how do you like that?