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Judge Reynard was semi-retired, an old friend of the family, and was
happy to come into his office on a Saturday. His two-room office was
carpeted, and the forty-year-old leather chairs matched the drapes. The
receptionist had been with him for longer than the chairs, and she rattled
through her notary duties without distraction.
Judge Reynard came out in a cardigan and bow tie, big glasses that
made his eyes huge, and soft brown shoes. He patted down the few strands
of white hair he had left, made kind but perfunctory greetings, and ushered
us into his chambers.
I took out the rings. Ella and I made promises with our fingers crossed
behind our backs. The judge pronounced us man and wife with a yellowing
smile and cheerfully permitted me to kiss the bride.
I intended a short, symbolic peck on the mouth, but as soon as my lips
touched hers, they took the wheel, loosening instead of tightening, letting
my tongue through so it could taste her. Holding her face as if I didn’t want
her to move, I kissed her and I didn’t know why. Judge Reynard was
ancient and had seen it all. There was no one to convince, least of all Ella.
But she gripped my jacket lapels and gave me the kiss back so strongly, I
felt as if I was another man, living a strange life and doing things that made
sense to another man.
I pulled away. The curve of her breasts heaved at the edge of the low
neckline.
“Very nice,” Judge Reynard said. “I was worried about you two.”
“You shouldn’t be,” Ella said.
“Good, good.” Judge Reynard patted down his hair. “Well, I’m off to
lunch. If you two want to stay here and chat for a bit—”
“We’ve got to get going,” Ella said.
“There’s a couch right over there.”
“Thanks but—” She stopped herself when I sat down. “Okay, then.”
“The door will lock behind you. Good day.” He left, closing the door.
Ella stared at it with her jaw on the carpet. “Did he just leave us alone in
his office to consummate our marriage?”
“I think he did.”
She looked at the couch, then back at me in her revealing white dress
and little red boots. Was she willing?