Summer 2004

‘The last we heard the Queen had been dethroned,” some whispered.

Other guests were leery as to the validity of her wedding-none more than the Queen herself.

Look at her. This hasty celebration seemed contrite in light of the poorly conceived courtship. Her “Bigger Better Deal” had fallen far short of what he had offered her, and the One she still loved had called her cheating bluff as soon as she strayed. Now she was had. Stuck with The BBD. Less than a summer earlier, she crossed the line, gleefully embracing him after trading in a couple of “Best Friends Forever”. The BFF’s were bitchy, but would be missed.

(A Good BFF status is maintained by proper allegiance to ‘The Code’.)

The Code, when abided, proved one’s allegiance over the years. The Code had gleamed and glistened through weather and elements, withstanding countless sub-par unions, pacts and dalliances. Many appeals argued on the basis that an “excusable example defining commitment” had been implied, resulting in overturned convictions and reinstatements.

(The Code affords many an out, I remind you. Look it up.)

Back to BBD, of which she was betrothed. They happened upon each other frequently over the decades. He was the first love of one of the departed BFFs. #1 BFF kept him close to her bosom over the last twenty years. This in spite of her having her own husband for the latter ten.

(Now you may refer to certain key dictates in the Code, primarily in regards to generating interests in BFF’S “Don’t Touch” list. Any deviance from Code is DEVIANCE FROM CODE. Admitted. Stay with me.)

BBD and #1 BFF had quite the teen love, well funded by his adolescent income source. Most fifteen-year-old boys actually rely upon the fast food industry to earn and learn themselves fiscally, at least in the 1980’s. Yet with BBD’s charisma and high dolla’ dreams, minimum wage was minimum RAGE. Geographical location aside, BBD had been reared well and had the taste of the upper class, due to the educated palate of his parents. Ghetto bred, BBD was not only lawless, but lucrative. His entry-level marijuana sales titillated the tame yet tawdry teenage girls of which compiled his first customers back in high school. They shared first love as most do, courting and carousing.

Hence, first love. First Love is torturous and heart wringing and rarely exclusive. It is First Love nevertheless. We may all hope that love manifests into an idyllic memory over time. This was no exception. BFF and BBD held each other close over the years, literally and figuratively. The Queen was privy to their history, as well as knee deep in her own faltering true love. Fuck The Code.

How DARE her.