The Proposal

Chile skins clung to the sides of the double kitchen sink like little green leeches. Jacin and Jody stood over the sink, latex gloves protecting their hands from capsaicin (the chemical that gives chiles their intensity) as they skinned and seeded fire-roasted habenero, cayenne, anaheim and serrano peppers.
“This is always so time-consuming,” Jody commented as she wrestled with her twentieth pepper.
“I know,” agreed Jacin. “It’s a good thing we only make these enchiladas a couple times a year.”
“Sometimes I could kill Eddie’s mom for introducing us to the recipe.”
They both chuckled.
“I wish Eddie didn’t have to go to St. Paul and miss your anniversary,” said Jody.
“He’s the entertainment director, so now what are we going to do to keep ourselves entertained?” Jacin asked rhetorically.
“I don’t know,” replied Jody. “But let’s have a horp off the vodka bottle.”
“OK.”
Jacin pulled the Grey Goose from the freezer. “I don’t know why we use the word horp,” he commented. “I think it’s slang for shit, or something like that.”
“Really?” Jody asked as she flipped her twenty-first pepper into a bowl.
“I think so,” he replied.
Suddenly, Hansel and Gretel, the dachsunds, started yapping and pounced on the back of the living room couch, rustling the window blinds.
“Ah, our ruthless bodyguards have once again detected danger,” quipped Jacin. “It must be my parents.”
A knock at the front door sent the dogs into a tailspin. “Quiet,” Jacin shouted over the high-octave barking.
He opened the door to his parents. They hugged and exchanged the usual pleasantries — “You look tired honey, are you eating right?”, “You’re dogs are so obnoxious,” “I’m a little constipated today.”
Two hours later Jacin and George’s anniversary dinner was served: stacked green-chili chicken enchiladas with a fried egg on top.
“Here you go, Mom,” said Jacin as he set the hot plate in front of her. “You won’t be constipated much longer.”
“You’ll find out later tonight that ‘fire in the hole’ couldn’t be more accurate,” added George. The entire table roared with laughter.
After dinner, when everybody could once again feel their lips and tongue George made an announcement.
“I’m so glad all of you could join us to celebrate our eighth anniversary,” he started. “It means a great deal to both of us to have each of you in our lives ... to be our family.”
George looked lovingly at Jacin.
“But this is a very special anniversary. One I hope you never forget,” George directed to Jacin with a big smile.
“Jody and Kat,” George then turned to them. “Why don’t you go first.”
“OK,” replied Jody.
She slid a large white envelope out of her purse and handed it to Jacin.
He eagerly tore it open and found a brochure for a place called Grandma’s Cabin in Island Park, Idaho, and a confirmation of a four-night stay.
Astonished, Jacin asked, “You rented us a cabin?”
“Well actually it sleeps 13,” Kat answered. “We’re all going.”
“Wow, really.”
“Yeah, and it’s only about 30 miles outside of Yellowstone,” Kat continued.
“Oh my god, thank you so much,” Jacin said enthusiastically. He looked at George, “Did you know about this?”
“No, I had no idea,” George replied with a sly grin Jacin didn’t notice. “Josh, you’re next.”
Josh also handed Jacin an envelope, but smaller and blue, and said, “This is actually from me and Leticia.”
Jacin ripped into and it and extracted two tickets to the closing night performance of a national tour of Wicked at Capitol Theatre.
“These are for second-row seats,” Jacin said to no one in particular. “On the floor.”
“Leticia and I saw it last night,” Josh said. “It’s fabulous. We decided to get you guys tickets, you’re going to love it.”
“This is too much,” Jacin ordered.
“Trust me, someday we do expect reciprocation of the same caliber,” Leticia joked.
“OK,” George interrupted. “I think your parents have something for you, too.”
Another envelope was given to Jacin. Inside was a ‘Happy Anniversary’ card and inside that was a tailor’s business card. Jacin looked at the card, confusion set in his eyes. He then turned the card over and a handwritten date and time was scribbled on it.
“What is this?” He asked his parents.
“It’s an appointment,” said Jacin’s dad.
His mother added, “For a tux fitting.”
“A tux,” Jacin’s voice trailed off in uncertainty. “Why would you buy me a tuxedo?”
“We bought both of you tuxedos,” said his mother.
Jacin turned to look at George who was again sitting next to him. George’s right elbow was rested on the table and placed in his opened palm was a black velvet box. He slowly opened the box. Nestled in it was a platinum and white gold wedding band.
“Will you marry me?” George asked, a tear sliding down his cheek.
Jacin just stared at him in disbelief.
After a moment, George laughed and said, “Come on. Say yes. We’ve already paid for the cabin and we’re allowed to have the ceremony anywhere in Yellowstone we choose.”
Still no response.
George prodded, “And a honeymoon suite in Cancun.”
“I can’t. I’m sorry,” was all Jacin said before rushing from the room. 
To be continued ...