On our way home from visiting Boise, Idaho, my hometown, Tammy suggested we stop by her office. It had been a long trip, but I knew she wanted me to meet the folks she worked with. When we walked into the office, I could tell right away she was well liked by her co-workers. Seven people, including Tammy, worked there, five women and two men. The women quickly got off their chairs and walked over to us. “This is Kurt, the guy I’ve been telling you about,” Tammy said. “We’re getting married next month.”

“Oh, how wonderful,” one of the ladies said. “I’m excited for you both.” The other ladies concurred. They were smiling and each one in turn gave us hugs. Another woman said, “You look positively radiant, Tammy. The way this man looks at you, it’s no wonder.” We all stood chatting for a while until phones started ringing and one by one the women had to get back to their desks.

Then one of the men put his phone down and stood up. He walked over and crouched to give Tammy a peck on the cheek. “Congratulations,” he said. He shook my hand, and gave me what felt like a sideways look. “You sure you know what you’re getting into?” he asked, a wide grin on his face. I realized he was trying to be funny, but for some reason, his words rubbed me the wrong way.

I stood a little straighter and without a trace of a smile, I asked, “What do you mean?”

Well I could see right away he never expected that. His face flushed. “I was just joshing with you. Tammy is a great gal. You’re a very lucky man.”

Tammy and I met at a convention. We both work in the construction trade. I work in concrete and she works in the wire and cable industry. We live about 80 miles apart. After we’re married, she’ll move to my town, which was her idea. We’ve both been married a couple of times and we’re not exactly kids. In fact, I’m about twelve years older than she is, but she tells me I look younger. I think we both fell in love, head over heels, right away. She is easily the kindest, most forgiving woman I’ve ever known. That was almost a year ago. I popped the question last week and she said yes.

I thought we were about to leave, but Tammy said, “Oh! We can’t leave yet, Kurt. I want you to meet my boss, Jimmy.” She took my hand and led me to his office. She opened the door a little and peeked in.

“Tammy! Is that you? What do you mean coming to work at this hour?”

“I’m on vacation until Monday, Jimmy. Did you forget?”

Jimmy, a heavyset man struggled to get out of his chair. “I didn’t forget. You know I love to tease you, precious.” He noticed me then, standing behind Tammy. “Is this the guy? He’s kinda short.”

“Yes, this is Kurt. We’re getting married.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that. You’re not going to leave me, are you? You know I can’t run this place without you.”

“I’m afraid I am. I’m sorry.”

Jimmy stepped out of his office and shook my hand. Then he said, “You sure you know what you’re getting into?”

It was the very same thing the other guy said. Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought he had the same look on his face too.  I pointed to the guy at the desk and said, “He said the same thing.” I’ve been told a few times that I don’t hide my feelings very well.  

“It’s just a question friend,” Jimmy said. “I like to make little jokes. Tammy didn’t tell you that?”

“He doesn’t mean anything by it, Kurt,” Tammy said.

“You ready to go?” I asked.

As we were driving to her house, I asked her why both men would ask me the same question.

“Are you worried about something?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you afraid I haven’t told you everything about myself, that maybe you missed something important and feel like you need to reconsider?’

I pulled my Jeep into a vacant parking lot. “Tammy, do you know why I didn’t like that question?”

“Not really.”

“I’ve never loved anyone this much before. Never been so sure of anyone before. They acted like I must be stupid to get tangled up with you, asking a question like that.”

“Oh.”

“They seem to be implying that you might have some kind of problem.”

“Maybe I do.”

“If you did, I think I’d know about it,” I said.

“You have me all figured out. Is that it?”

We sat in the Jeep, looking at each other, neither of us speaking for a while. It started raining, hard. I turned the wipers on and then turned them off. The mood had turned sour suddenly. “Is there anything you haven’t told me, Tammy?”

Her eyes were beginning to water a bit now. I’d seen it before. She was determined not to cry. “Two men make the same stupid joke and now you are having doubts. Is that all it takes, Kurt?’

I felt about as foolish as a man can feel. I was afraid my eyes were about to water. I’m not so good with words, but I knew if I said the wrong thing now, I might lose her. “I’m just tired from the trip I guess.” She squeezed my hand, a good sign. “You sure you know what you’re getting into?” I asked, attempting a smile.

“I do. I’m marrying a crazy man,” Tammy said.

“Crazy about you.”