Shindig

The lake’s never seen a party like this before. It’s pure magic, plain and simple.

Penny’s zooming around like a whirlwind, orchestrating everything with the precision of a drill sergeant. She’s got a vision, and she’s making it happen. Ben’s just trailing behind, doing whatever she tells him without a peep—he learned quick that complaining’s not worth the trouble. John, bless him, looks a bit like a fish out of water in his tuxedo, but he’s grinning so wide you’d swear he could outshine the sun itself, even if an eclipse rolled in. Today’s Sally’s big day—her wedding day—and Pat’s right there with her, sharing the spotlight. Penny’s poured her heart into stitching up the dress Sally designed, and it’s a stunner. It hugs Sally just right, catching her glow like a chandelier scattering candlelight. The whole scene feels like something out of a dream.

John’s got Pat under his wing, keeping him out of the way and out of trouble. Weddings, as John sees it, are when the guys just need to foot the bill and stay clear of the chaos—otherwise, the women running the show will steamroll right over them. The lake’s bursting at the seams with over a thousand people who’ve come from who-knows-where to celebrate. Michael’s pulled out all the stops, bringing a feast from one of his fancy restaurants. There are a few unfamiliar faces in the crowd, but they seem harmless enough. Mike and Ben figure they’re probably old friends of Sally and Pat from some past adventure, so they just roll out the welcome mat and let them blend in.

“How you holding up, kid? Ready for this?” John asks Pat, clapping him on the shoulder.

Pat’s got a calm, happy vibe about him. “I’m feeling great, man. Honestly, I think I’ve been ready for this forever. Just had to wait for Sally to catch up and figure it out.”

John chuckles, shaking his head. “Alright, Pat, if that’s the story you’re sticking to, I won’t ruin it for you.” Pat gives him a curious side-eye but doesn’t press for details. Then, like a kid, Pat sneaks his pinky toward the wedding cake, trying to swipe some icing. John smacks his hand before it gets to his mouth, grinning. That cake’s a masterpiece—Penny had it special-ordered from some mysterious place she won’t spill about, just promising it’d be “heavenly.” And damn if it doesn’t look like it came straight from paradise.

The ceremony goes off like a charm. Everyone who’s supposed to cry does, especially John, who’s not even trying to hide it. Pat’s got that deer-in-headlights look every groom should, and Sally’s glowing like the sunrise, radiant and unstoppable. Ben, being the local justice of the peace, reads the classic vows, and Sally and Pat say their “I do’s” right on cue, like they’re following a script written in the stars. The reception stretches out along the lake for over half a mile, a sprawling, joyful mess of people popping in and out from all over. Sally and Pat have their own little cottage now, just down the road from John’s place, its front porch buried under a mountain of gifts. It’ll take them months to write all the thank-you notes. Pat tried to convince his parents to move to the lake, but they’re content where they are. They showed up for the wedding, though, and Sally got to reconnect with her other mom—now her mother-in-law. The moment Sally’s parents walked in, her face lit up like she’d been waiting years for that reunion. It was like a dam burst, washing away years of fog and letting love rush back in. They visit all the time now, and her mom’s already dropping not-so-subtle hints about grandkids. Sally just smiles that knowing smile of hers.

Things are gonna feel different at the lake from now on. Sally and Pat are the first young couple to settle here, and it’s shaking things up. John’s as happy as an old fisherman can be, ready for whatever changes come. His daily fishing trips are starting to feel a bit routine, so he’s thrilled about his new neighbors. He’s already looking forward to daily visits, swapping stories, and all the little moments that make life sweet. Things are definitely gonna be different—way more than John can even imagine right now.