Horizons of Heroes Page 11

  Let’s end racism like many educated souls are trying to end terrible diseases around the world. We need to put a full court educational press in every corner of the world to end racism. We are all one big family. We all are related to each other. As Rodney King once said, “Can’t we all get along?” We are all one family.

  Along with this huge education campaign, we need to insure all people have the resources for food and shelter. We need to teach people how to invest in the stock market. While the time line for various stocks differ from year to year, Cameron believed that there are several industries that will expand well into the twenty-second century. We need to feed our family. Education was the key.

  Cameron, having completed law school in three years and graduating with his class, would now have to pass the bar exam to become a lawyer.

  Chapter 7

  Cameron and Michelle’s Wedding

  Big El, Cam’s best man, and Susan flew in from Rhode Island for the June wedding.

  Michelle was so happy to meet Big El and Susan.

  Susan said, “wow Cameron, you really found a beautiful lady.”

  They stayed up late into the night at Cameron’s apartment talking about military days and life after the Air Force. Beautiful Susan had a heart of gold helping save people as a nurse in a large hospital. Big El had moved up the ranks and was now a sergeant. He looked great, no doubt from the physical conditioning he had received as a Rhode Island State Patrol.

  Jack and Johnny poured smoothly as the laughter grew louder. “You once said to me Cam, I wouldn’t miss your wedding for anything in the world,” said Big El.

  “I am so happy you came,” said Cameron. “Days of happiness and joy are here. Let’s get this party started.”

  “Michelle and I know this is your first trip to Washington State, so we have a lot of sightseeing events planned for you like the Farmer’s Market, the Space Needle, Mount Rainier, Snoqualmie Falls, a ferry ride through the San Juan Islands and a King Salmon fishing trip to Westport.”

  “I really like Snoqualmie Falls,” said Susan. “It is obviously not as big as Niagara Falls that we see on the east coast, but it is a lovely, enchanting, and a captivating scene of nature that speaks volumes on the lore of this natural site.”

  Past the high ocean bar at Westport, the fishing lines filled with silver and king Salmon flew around the boat. Michelle caught the first fish and would forever be know as a skilled fisher woman. Susan, Big El, then Cameron caught salmon and in record time everyone limited. As they were just about ready to head back to Seattle, Cameron asked Big El and Susan if they liked to eat crab.

  “Heck yes,” they said in unison. “We have blue crab on the east coast.”

  “I have never eaten a blue crab,” said Cameron, “but I am going to take you to catch Dungeness crab. They are so sweet and delicious. How many crabs can you eat?”

  “What do you mean?” asked Big El.

  “If you tell me how many crabs you can eat, I will tell you how long it will probably take us to catch them.”

  “Okay, how about twenty,” said Big El.

  “It should take us about twenty minutes,” said Cameron.

  “No way,” said Big El.

  Twenty minutes later, they had caught twenty-five crabs using nets with the salmon heads for bait that they had just caught.

  Back in Seattle Cameron’s mother, along with his father and step-mother, joined Big El and Susan at Michelle’s parent’s house for a feast of fresh caught salmon and 25 Dungeness crabs on a glorious sunny day.

  “What a wonderful party,” said Susan.

  The next day there was a multiracial wedding rehearsal dinner party filled with love, tears, to die for food, and partying to the music,” Got to Give it Up” by Marvin Gaye. Cameron pointed to the wedding party and said, “let’s dance.”

  The wedding party gathered on the center of the floor and began to dance with each other. Arguably, one of the best funk and party music of all times, the wedding party danced in perfect lockstep with each other to the soulful sound of Marvin Gaye. Friends and family snapped their fingers as the partiers grooved on the dance floor.

  After the song was over, by popular request they played the song again. Cameron’s father asked Michelle to dance. He pinned a $100 bill on her dress. Shortly thereafter more people asked Michelle to dance and pinned money on her dress. Cameron’s sisters would later call this the money dance as 30 minutes later Michelle gave Cameron $1250 from the dances. This, plus Cameron’s savings, helped to pay for a 17-day Honeymoon vacation in Hawaii.

  Cameron’s mother prepared a rehearsal dinner feast consisting of Cajun style New Orleans food from crayfish to jambalaya to Po boy sandwiches and red beans and rice. It was all absolutely delicious. All the guests smiled and licked their fingers and lips after tasting the fantastic food. Cameron’s mom also knew that Cameron’s favorite dessert was three-layer coconut cake and Michelle’s favorite dessert was Greek baklava, so she made plenty of both desserts. Champagne, beer, and wine flowed freely.

  The big day leading up to Michelle and Cameron’s wedding was nearly at hand. Michelle’s cousin from Idaho was the maid of honor. Michelle had six bridesmaids including two from her old college in Idaho. Kurt, Ray, Nelson, Cam’s step brother, and cousin were groomsmen.

  Laughter and happiness filled the large room in the Westin Hotel where Michelle had her bridal shower. Presents were opened containing sexy sleepwear, baby doll nightgowns so revealing the 24 ladies faces blushed red rose as they drank wine. “Cameron is the luckiest guy in the world,” uttered Susan. “What a catch you are Michelle.” The ladies drank to each toast. Michelle had a wonderful time with all of her friends and looked forward to her wedding.

  Cameron and his groomsmen gathered at Nelson’s home for the bachelor party to celebrate his last night of freedom. A large cold keg of beer, fine wines, and catered food got the party off to a great start even before evening’s entertainment begun.

  “We all really like Michelle so we are not going to hijack you and keep you from your wedding,” said Big El.

  Nelson said, “this party is missing something.” The doorbell rang. In through the door walked not one but three sizzling hot ladies wearing a fireman’s, policeman’s, and a doctor’s outfit. As the ladies started to rip off parts of their clothing, the doorbell rang again. It was Michelle and her friends. “Uh, Oh!” said Nelson to Big El.

  “Go ahead boys, we just want to watch too,” said Michelle!

  Cameron sat in the center of the room and Michelle and her friends sat near the back of the room. After several awkward moments, the party continued.

  The ladies danced and stripped and all the guys and gals cheered. Cameron wondered if he had started a brand-new style or trend for bachelor parties. Joint bachelor and bachelorette parties were a lot of fun.

  “Today is the wedding day,” said Cameron.

  “What’s that?” Cameron asked Big El.

  “I have two flasks, one filled with Jack and the other filled with Johnny,” said Big El. “It is not every day that the Camel team gets married so as your best man, I am coming prepared.”

  “Very nice,” said Cameron.

  “Here, buddy, is the ring. It may not be as stunning as the 2 carat highly shiny solitaire stone you gave Susan, but it is exactly what Michelle wanted and selected. It is an antique gold crafted ring with a 1/2 carat diamond.”

  “Not to worry, I won’t lose it and it looks beautiful.”

  Cameron drove with Big El to the church for the wedding.

  Nearly all of Michelle’s uncles were ministers. Michelle and Cameron had asked her uncle Lloyd if he would perform the wedding ceremony several months earlier. Uncle Lloyd said he would be honored to do so. Now at the church, Uncle Lloyd who stood approximately six feet two inches with sandy blond hair and blue eyes, wore a white robe with the most exquisite needle work of holy spiritual scenes on it. The church had filled up with over 300 guests. Each row of pews had bouquets of w
hite roses and lovely sprigs of baby breaths. Cameron admired the large colorful stained-glass windows that reflected beautiful warm colors into the church.

  Michelle’s neighbor started to sing. She played several wedding tunes on her guitar.

  Big El motioned with his hand, pointing to the inside of his jacket, “Do you need a stabilizer Cam?

  “I am fine. I just want to cherish these moments,” Cam said as he looked out over the crowd of family and friends. Cam thought to himself that he never thought he would ever find true love and get married. This moment was a dream come true.

  Cameron did not know it, but at the time, this was perhaps the largest interracial marriage in Tacoma. Interracial marriages were not an everyday occurrence in the Seattle Tacoma area. In fact, several states had recently legalized interracial marriages. Loving v. Virginia was a landmark civil rights case in 1967 where the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

  Looking at the guests, he noticed several of his great service buddies from the Philippines and Italy. They had made the long journey to support Cameron. That is what great friends do. They beamed big smiles towards Cameron.

  Cameron laughed as he recalled the letter that he had received from his Mississippi service friend in yesterday’s mail. “Cam, congrats on your upcoming wedding. Wish I could be there, but I can’t. I just want you to know that if you or your kids ever need a job picking tobacco, I’ll always have a job for you on my plantation here.”

  The church music began. The maid of honor and bridesmaids began to line up near the minister. Then Big El walked towards the minister followed by the groomsmen. Cameron walked and stood next to the minister and Big El. Lovely flower girls walked down the aisle tossing petals.

  Then, the bridal march began, with the music that played in Cameron’s mind when he first saw Michelle. He was so in love with Michelle. Michelle stood next to her father. She looked like the most beautiful woman in all the world. Her beautiful white satin gown with the long train was adorned with rich appliqués and brocades. Not only did she look stunningly beautiful, but the stained-glass windows sent warm rays of light on her. Cameron thought this had to be a sign from heaven. Michelle’s eyes raced to Cameron’s eyes. This was their special moment. They loved each other so much.

  Michelle’s father with tears in his eyes transferred Michelle’s hand to Cameron,

  The minister began the wedding ceremony.

  Michelle and Cameron read love promises to each other. Michelle promised Cameron she would always love him but might not necessarily obey him 100%. Cameron laughed and said he would love her until the end of time, and then he would figure out a way to extend the end of time, as his love for her was forever.

  The minister asked, if there is anyone who objected to this marriage to raise your objection now, or forever hold your peace. Big El with his pulsating hairy eyeball stared and glared at the guests. He would later say, who in the world, would make some public objection to a fourth-degree black belt.

  Hearing no objections, the minister asked Cameron if he had a ring.

  Big El handed Cameron the wedding ring. Cameron placed it on Michelle’s finger and then she placed a gold band on Cameron’s finger.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

  The church bells rang loudly as Michelle and Cameron kissed. “I love you,” said Michelle. “I love you,” said Cameron.

  The receiving line was a precious time to briefly thank friends and family and listen to the many words of wisdom.

  Michelle’s mother and father had a wonderful reception for the many guests. When they cut the cake, Cameron took a piece and fed it to Michelle, but teased her by smearing a little bit of the cake over her beautiful lips. She laughed so heartily.

  Later at the hotel where they would spend the night before traveling to Hawaii, Big El posed with Michelle in the hotel’s honeymoon bed. Inside the covers were Big El and Michelle with a huge shocked expression over their faces as Cameron took their picture.

  “Thank you Big El and Susan for being a part of our wedding,” said Cameron.

  “We love you,” said Michelle.

  Cameron laughed every time he looked at the photo.

  Every day in Hawaii was exciting and romantic. The orchids had such a fragrant smell. Each island was a paradise. They strolled on the white sandy beaches, ate at fabulous restaurants, and drank many exotic drinks. The pineapple fields smelled sweet. Michelle told Cameron, the highlight for her was when he carried her over the threshold on their first night at the Kaanapali Hotel in Maui.

  Cameron asked Michelle if she would go deep-sea fishing with him in Kona. Michelle had gotten a little sea-sick when she went fishing with Big El and Susan just a few days ago in Westport and was rather reluctant to say yes. But this was her husband’s first request, so she said agreed to go.

  Cameron found a charter boat that would take them out deep sea fishing in the morning.

  The charter boat was very modern and it made them feel like they were about to be on an adventure of a life time, that is until they were introduced to another fisherman on the boat. Apparently, the other fisherman was a famous world class fisherman having caught every species of big fish except a marlin. He had booked the charter boat for a week and was now down to his last day. He had never even gotten one bite. The previous day the Skipper convinced him that if he opened up the boat to other fishermen, it might bring him good luck. He reluctantly agreed. Cameron and Michelle just happened to be the next people to call to schedule a fishing trip.

  The rules were fairly simple when fishing for big marlin with a group. Each person takes 15 minute turns sitting in the big fishing chair, or the hot seat as it is called. Whoever is seated in the hot seat when a marlin strikes, even with ten seconds remaining, it is that person’s fish. It was agreed that ladies, Michelle, would go first, and after flipping a coin, Cameron would go second.

  Approximately 20 miles down the shoreline of the turquoise ocean, the Skipper put out fishing lures. Five minutes into Michelle’s turn, the fishing reel buzzed. “Fish on” yelled the captain. Michelle was strapped into a harness and began to rock up and down as she reeled in the line.

  “You look like a natural,” said the captain.

  “Oh my god, this fish is so heavy.”

  “Keep it up you’re doing great,” said Cameron. A short time later, Michelle had caught her first fish in Hawaii. It turned out to be a sixty five-pound ono fish, a prized high quality delicious game fish. Michelle did not get sea-sick and felt proud that she was able to bring in the fish all by herself.

  The world class fisherman began to get excited as the fish appeared to be biting today.

  Next up in captain’s hot seat was Cameron. Five minutes with the lures in the water, a fish struck. It wasn’t tugging like Michelle’s ono fish tugged but it was a fish. Moments later, Cameron reeled in a ten-pound yellow fin tuna.

  The world class fisherman could hardly contain himself as he was next up in the hot seat.

  “Captain what are you doing with my fish,?” asked Cameron?

  “I am sewing it to a large hook and I am going to use it for live bait,” he said.

  The captain tossed the live bait into the water.

  Cameron sat in the hot seat with just one minute remaining on his turn. Then it happened, the marlin hit hard. Cameron’s reel screamed louder than he had ever heard a reel scream before. The reel took line at such momentous speed that it started smoking. The captain threw water over the reel and said, “when I tell you to set the hook, arch your body from below your knees back over your head in one powerful motion. Are you ready Cameron?”

  “Yes!”

  “Set it now!”

  Pow! Cameron had set the hook hard. The huge marlin jumped high into the air and raced away from the boat.

  The captain followed the marlin as Cameron began the up and down pumping action to try to reel in the fish.

  The sea was so colorful and the marlin
was so beautiful that Cameron thought of the most fantastic marlin fishing movie he had ever seen. The 1958 film, The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway. Dreams often are made in minutes and Cameron was living a dream. Approximately 45 minutes later Cameron had caught a 245-pound marlin. Interestingly when marlins are fighting in the ocean they are vivid blue, but once they die they turn silver gray.

  The less than patient world class fisherman turn was at hand. Nothing! Fifteen minutes had passed and not a bite.

  Michelle was up next. Her luck continued as she proceeded to catch another sixty-five-pound ono fish.

  The bite was now totally over and the world class fisherman was dejected.

  Michelle and Cameron asked him if he would like to join them for dinner to share eating some of the fish. He agreed and had his family join them.

  Eating the ono fish, prepared by a local restaurant, was one of the very best meals that they enjoyed on their honey moon.

  With the tropical sun setting over the bay, Michelle and Cameron walked through the airport for their return flight home. Michelle stopped, put her arms around Cameron and said, “honey will you promise to bring me back to Hawaii?”

  “I promise,” said Cameron, as they kissed lovingly.

  Michelle’s parents’ large living room was totally filled with wedding gifts. Michelle and Cameron were really overwhelmed by their families and friends’ generosity. From complete china serving sets, silver ware, kitchen ware, sheets and towels to an ostrich egg, and even the solid gold Camel lighter from Big El and Susan. They were all heartfelt gifts.