You Are On My Mind

You Listen To Too Much Music

"What's the matter?" Brie asked her friend as she plopped her bag onto her bed. "You were off your game today."
"Tonight I'm going to tell my parents I'm engaged to their least favorite person..." Linda walked to her dresser, pulling out her casual clothes. "It's not gonna be fun."
"Yeah, especially since you picked the week before your wedding to tell them.... who the hell's paying anyway?"
"The Reagans. We were going to be married last year, but Betty unfortunately died."
"Wouldn't it have been wiser to wait till you graduated?"
"Yes. But people always do crazy things when they're in love." She tugged an old T-shirt over her head.
Brie nodded, thinking that statement applied more to her than her friend. "I wish you luck."
"Thank you. I'm gonna need it!"
**********
Linda didn't realize she was scratching her arm until Danny's hand landed on hers. She looked guilty, "Sorry."
"Don't be. It's understandable that you're nervous." They had taken the subway because Linda's car was in the shop, and she felt it would be a bad idea to arrive on the back of Danny's motorcycle, hugging him tightly.
She swallowed and bounced her knee, probably a better idea than scratching yourself raw.
She held onto Danny's hand tightly as they walked up to the restaurant she had chosen. She thought that if she told her estranged parents in a public place, they'd make less of a scene.
Danny pulled her chair out for her, to which Linda's mother, Marni, said, "don't you find that annoying?"
"There's a shortage of perfect men in this world. Don't ruin this one." Linda aggressively unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap.
Danny smiled at the compliment and the reference to one of their favorite movies.
"I find it rather degrading.... shouldn't you agree, seeing as you're a feminist?"
Linda dug her nails into her thigh, be polite, be polite. "When are you going to learn feminism is a good thing? Maybe it was taboo in the stone ages, but we're in the nineties, Mother. Besides, chivalry doesn't go against feminism."
"Don't you think-"
"I think Linda's old enough to decide what she does and doesn't like." Danny butted in. "She likes it when I hold doors for her and shit. And if she likes it, then I'm gonna do it."
"Unlike some people," Linda's gaze shifted between her parents who sat as far away from each other as possible. "I still believe in romance.... which brings up why I asked you here."
"What? Your wedding's next Saturday?" Mr. O'Shea, Tony, snarked. He watched his daughter's gaze go to Danny's. Before he could say anything, the waitress came.
"Hi, welcome to Giovanni's Gourmet Gondola. May I take your order?"
"Are you kidding me?" Tony sneered through his teeth. "You can't marry that- that- that.... stronzo!" He stood up angrily.
"He is not a stronzo!" Linda argued, trying not to make a scene.
"I can come back...." the waitress tried, pointing her pencil over her shoulder.
"He's a Figlio di puttana!"
"He is not!" Linda was getting visibly upset.
"I'll come back." The waitress nodded and stepped to another table.
"Incazzato!" Tony spat.
"I'm pretty pissed too, Linda." Marni looked at her in disdain.
Danny's brow furrowed as Linda's parents spoke Italian to her. She must know enough to understand... or maybe she only knows the mean phrases. He watched as Linda bowed her head, running the back of her hand under her nose.
"I have something to say." Danny tried, only to be ignored by her parents who seemed to be fighting with each other. "I have something to say," he raised his voice a little bit. When that got him no where, he stood up and almost shouted, "I have something to say!"
"What?!" Marni and Tony yelled at him.
Danny looked at Linda, who was looking at him with sad blue eyes. He explained with determination, "I love your daughter. I love her. She's super great and kind and pure and... I don't know. I just really wanna marry her. And I'll do it. We don't need your blessing. We don't need your presence. We don't need a gift from you. All I know is I'm so in love with Linda, that I'd marry her on the back of a smelly, rickety, old tuna boat with rotting fish around."
Linda stood, her voice smaller but with matched determination. "I like shiny things, but I'd marry him in paper rings. He's the one that I want." She turned to Danny, "you're the one that I want." To her parents she said, "and if you have one shred of human decency in those stubborn Italian bones, then you'll come to my wedding. But I'm not going to fret if you don't come. All I know is I'm walkin' on sunshine, and I can't be happier." She grabbed her purse and Danny's hand. She walked away, then turned back. "Don't rain on my parade."
Once outside the restaurant, Linda broke down into tears. Danny held her tightly, leading her to a small somewhat secluded bench.
"I'm proud of you. I think you listen to too much music, though."
Linda laughed as she straightened and wiped her tears. "I really would marry you with paper rings. I'd marry you with no rings."
"And I'd honestly marry you in a tuna boat."
She leaned against him, "I don't think they'll come.... but I love you for trying."
He kissed her head, "I love you more."
"I love you most."