[Pinot Grij]

Ed would often hesitate about his wedding date. Thought he ought to give his head a shake or have a good friend set him straight. Dottie was as swell a dame as a fella could expect to date. He’d think, “Ed, you’re second rate! She’s the best you’ll do, for heaven’s sake! You should celebrate!” But Ed, he was a renegade, you can’t domesticate his restless state. At any time, he could hop on his motorbike with the Texas plates, and cruise the Western states. He could work, clearing breakfast plates. You can do that anyplace. But those feelings are ones better kept at bay. Like most men, he felt a woman could cover up his lesser traits. Thought she’d tame his wild horses and slow his life to a steady pace. Put out his fiery passion that was set ablaze by his yesterdays. “All that stuff ends the day you get engaged,” Ed would say. But the tension weighed, could not be swept away. It would resonate. He bowed his head to pray that God would remove these thoughts by His blessed grace. Ed couldn’t accept this fate. The little devil in his head would say, Marriage means your freedom’s been pledged away, Ed. Sure, she’s pretty but she’s got expensive tastes, Ed. Do you like your paycheck? She’ll whip through it at a pace that’s breakneck. Before you get a taste, Ed. Oh, and “I love you”… if you forget to say it, it wrecks her day, Ed. In fights, she’s blameless. No matter what you say, Ed. Face it. Is that worth giving up all the dames we could get to date, Ed? Is she that great, Ed? Do you want eight kids? What if they need braces? What if one’s gay, Ed? Could you take it? Whaddaya say, Ed? I’ll tell you what.. let’s go get some cocaine, Ed. You've had a long day, Ed. Let's hop on that motorbike and drive far, far away, Ed. Is that outrageous? It'll be painless. Whaddaya say, Ed?

All she saw was his Texas plates.
Where he’ll end up? That’s for Ed to say.