His Hunch.

The weeks had galloped by until Brandon's older sister was married. She made a beautiful bride, the church was awash with white flowers, and blessings of good wishes. His family held the front pews, appearing in force, in all their very best clothes. Perfume filled the air, as his eyes gazed across the aisles to spot a chick he slightly knew. Her name was Shania ,her face was smiling and beautiful, lit by the happy candles shining on such a lucky day. Brandon was instantly in love, but he had this would not be an easy path.

The reception was full on, Brandon Romero's kin knew how to party. One side of the room was all theirs, the other tables of guests were soon enjoying the delicious meals and flowing bottles of best wines. Unfortunately, Shania's family were invited only on a whim of Brandon's mother, to show off how well her husband was doing. Brandon was aware that his father and Shania's grandfather had been subdued by their wives for quite some time. Their family feud was legendary.

Apparently, this longstanding dispute had all begun way back in time, as these males had been united and divided by a bitter quarrel in their first jobs in their new country. Harsh words had been spoken, fists were thrown , and petty insults had split up former friends over an issue over salaries and overtime. As Brandon's father and Shania's grandfather had married later, their wives and descendants knew well enough to avoid each other.

"Time we all moved on, built bridges......." Brandon told himself, as the meal concluded, and the speeches ensued. He was bored right then, smiled at all the usual wedding jokes. Shania's grandfather stood up at one stage, and politely raised a glass of bubbly to toast the beautiful bride. All held their breath, in case he was offensive, but he was still on the merry side of being drunk. Fake smiles emerged from Brandon's parents, and it was time for dancing.

After the bridal waltz, things seemed to relax, so Brandon took a glass of courage, and wandered over to sit next to Shania. Her smile was slightly puzzled, she was very shy. "Do I know you?" she asked. This was an innate taboo in her family. Talking to the Romero's was usually forbidden. Especially for her. She was an exception in more ways than one. As well as being a clever lass, she was also a blonde, with gleaming pale hair, curling round her like a halo.

Brandon was getting nowhere fast, his hunch was accurate. His attempts to have a conversation with Shania, let alone ask her for a dance, were futile. The back of his neck was pricking, he could feel his father's eyes upon him.

Suddenly, Brandon said, "Hey, this is my best tune, nice and slow. Let's have a dance, and show 'em we don't care. They don't really care about us!"

Shania flushed and giggled, then put her hand over her mouth. "What's your phone number? I'm not getting into any trouble here..." She knew she had to obey all those oldies. "Now go back to you own tribe. Only good vibes from me, don't make a scene."

As Brandon was walking back to his own family of cross seniors, a heavy hand was clamped on his shoulder.

"What are you up to, young Romero?"

It was Shania's uncle, with her father by her side, menacing and furious. Brandon held his hands up.

"Nothing, all good. It was only about an assignment at school."

Just then, Brandon's father bowled up, and waved his fists at Shania's relatives.

"You keep your hands off my boy. He's good!"

"Or what?" Shania's father wanted to know. Brandon backed away tentatively, but he could not leave his father by himself here. Soon, one insult let to another, and punches were thrown. Glassware was smashed, chairs were hurled, the police were summoned by the caterers. Really, nothing too bad had happened. All those juvenile boxing lessons were put to good use. It was the old ways, but Brandon held his own. He did have a minor bruise on his cheek, those older guys could hit hard.

Yes, the family feud was on again in earnest, between the men. Funnily enough, at the end of the brawl, the bride and groom left on their honeymoon. It was all part of the tradition. Then Brandon's mother and Shania's mum sat down together and enjoyed their cake an coffee. Even then, they were shaking their heads over their knucklehead husbands and families. They were all the outlaws anyway,.

Brandon sat down with his own kin, and felt his phone vibrating. He dared to glance, to read a message.

"Great wedding. Maybe catch up on Monday at lunch."

This was followed by a thumbs up. Brandon sent back a good vibes emoji. None of his attraction to Shania was going to be easy. He wondered about their mothers, would they be allies or hold the feuding party line? He was definitely not going to ruin this evening, or the funny glow he had.

By that stage, most of the young guests were staring at their phones. It was one way of communicating, even in the same room. He hoped Shania's father would not check her lovely agenda. The wedding celebration was winding down, empty bottles were being collected by the waitresses. The bar called for last drinks. At last, the host Romero family left the reception centre, after his dad had to sort the extra bill for damages.

Brandon told himself there was a big battle ahead. Shania was whisked off home with her hostile, watchful parents. But still, Brandon and Shania were the young ones, she was worth his best. His mother was nagging his father about brawling at the wedding. He just told her to shut up, so she did.

Brandon was sitting in the back seat, trying not to offend his father, when he had so much to drink. His father caught his eye in the mirror, to say, "You did well. Nice right hook, chip off the old block. Great wedding, the best!"

Brandon right then and there decided he would endeavour to raise his sons differently. Hunches can be good premonitions.