Bride & Groom

exceptionality had been recognized and rewarded by numerous American Kennel Club conformation and obedience judges as well as by her doting owner. At the moment, her exceptionality was evident in her response to the officious man, whose plastic badge identified him as an assistant manager. Ignoring him, my lovely Kimi turned her attention to the only person occupying any of the nine chairs, a long-haired guy in jeans who obligingly grasped her head in his hands and let her lick his face. The dignity of Kimi’s response reminded me of Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous statement that no one can make you feel small without your permission, not that Mrs. Roosevelt translated her belief into action by lapping the countenances of strangers... so far as I know, anyway. But in her own way, of course, Mrs. Roosevelt, too, was exceptional.
    In any case, instead of delivering a tirade to the dog cop, I introduced myself and went on say, “I’m here to sign books. My dog has permission to be here. Her name is Kimi.” Nodding toward Steve, I added, “Kimi has brought along her own personal veterinarian just in case anyone decides to bite her. Steve Delaney.”
    The assistant manager apparently decided that I was joking. He gave Steve a nod of acknowledgment and was beginning to speak to me when Mac approached, smiled at everyone, and said, “We’re early. Steve, good to see you.” He kissed my cheek. After glancing at the assistant manager’s badge, he said, “Sidney, Mac McCloud. And the literary figure in the family, my wife, Judith Esterhazy."
    Sidney’s expression made an abrupt shift from bored condescension to awed shyness. “This is truly an honor,” he told Judith, who wore black and looked even slimmer and more awe-inspiring than usual.
    Judith thanked him modestly and said, “Holly, I don’t think you’ve met Ian. Our son.”
    The object of Kimi’s affection rose to his feet. I had the puzzling sense that Ian McCloud looked damp. Kimi had, in fact, licked Ian’s face, but he was otherwise perfectly dry; his forehead wasn’t beaded in sweat, and his long brown ponytail, brown cotton sweater, faded jeans, and well-worn hiking boots showed no signs of moisture. In trying to figure out how a dry person can somehow look as if he’s just emerged fully clothed from a lake, I discounted the dog saliva, which I saw so often that I took it for granted. I finally settled on the watery blueness of Ian’s eyes. In any case, far from holding Ian’s slightly peculiar appearance against him, I felt prepared to like him, not only because Kimi did, but because he’d returned her exuberant affection with warmth and good humor. “I’m happy to meet you,” I said. “You’re a musician, aren’t you?” His sister, Olivia, had said that he played a variety of instruments. She’d suggested that her brother might do the music for our wedding, but it would’ve sounded brash and opportunistic to try to hire Ian within seconds of meeting him. Furthermore, for all I knew, Steve and I would hate every note that Ian played.
    “Ian went to Berklee,” Judith said.
    “The Berklee College of Music,” Mac added. “Not UC Berkeley.”
    “Bruce,” Judith said, “in Boston, Berklee means Berklee.” Mac’s wife was the only person I’d ever heard call Mac by his real first name. Neither Mac nor anyone else ever called Judith anything except Judith. “Ian,” she went on, “plays in an early-music group and a jazz band, and he’s the best country fiddler in the world.”
    Steve looked as interested as I felt. Before Steve had the chance to say anything, Sidney, the assistant manager, announced that it was time to begin. Four strangers had taken seats. Ian sat down, as did Steve, with Kimi next to him, but before Judith could join the audience, Sidney beckoned to her and drew her ¿side. He didn’t bother to introduce Mac and me, but led Judith away. She held Uli’s leash, and the old dog followed her. Neither Sidney’s rudeness nor the sparse attendance fazed Mac, who looked so healthy and vigorous that he could easily have been mistaken for the author of an exercise book or a how-to book about the secrets for staying young forever. Taking my arm and escorting me to the podium, he faced our little audience and self-confidently presented himself and me. To my relief, he said, “And since we’re a small group tonight, we’ll keep things informal. I’ll read a little from Ask Dr. Mac, and then Holly will tell us