But Andreas was from Athens and staying at Lila’s family home, so the only traditions for him to observe were to keep out of Lila’s way and make sure that he made it to the church ahead of her. Two hours before the ceremony Andreas told his mother and sister that he was leaving for the church and that they should come with Lila’s family.
His mother laughed, calling him a “nervous bridegroom.”
Tassos and Kouros left with him.
It was a fifteen-minute drive to Ano Mera, most of it over one-time donkey trails and the last few on the main highway between Ano Mera and Mykonos town. At a road next to a walled-in field running from the highway up to the rear wall of the monastery Tassos slowed to make a turn. Andreas noticed that the access gates to the field were closed and two marked police cars sat in the field.
Tassos jerked his head in the direction of the police cars. “I told them no one gets into that field, and they’re to stay put until the ceremony is over and everyone’s gone.”
Andreas nodded.
Tassos parked at the upper edge of the monastery wall, taking care to block the entrance to the narrow lane running along the front of the monastery.
“That shouldn’t be a problem for Lila,” said Tassos. “She’s coming in from the other side. Does she know what to expect?”
“I told her Spiros went crazy on security, that he insisted on a metal detector and military.”
“Did she believe you?” said Kouros.
“I think so. After all, Greek government ministers aren’t very popular these days and she knows what an ass-kisser Spiros can be.” Andreas waved in the direction of the entrance to the monastery. “Let’s see how things are going over there.”
The three walked past the monastery’s fenced-in garden. Its gates were locked and two uniformed cops stood inside.
“So far so good,” said Andreas.
The wedding was called for six-thirty. Guests had been drinking for hours, either at Lila’s home or in one of the dozen tavernas surrounding the town square. Cops had been standing in the sun for most of the early afternoon with nothing much more interesting to do than look at each other and hustle an occasional passing girl. They were all young, and Andreas knew they had to be wondering what bad luck had them here, instead of at home with their families or hanging out with friends.
Kouros nodded toward the archway in the monastery’s front wall. “I’ll check on how that guy’s coming along with setting up the metal detector.”
“Those kids across from the entrance, are they yours?” said Andreas.
“Yes, they’re a crew of homegrown Syros islanders,” said Tassos.
Andreas walked over to a half-dozen uniformed cops. “Welcome to my wedding.”
The cops straightened up and looked at Andreas.
“I appreciate what you’re doing for me. Thank you.”
A mixture of nods and “you’re welcome, sir” came back.
“Let me tell you what we’re dealing with here today. In about an hour this area will be filled with government ministers, members of parliament, business and civic leaders, and, most important to me, my family. To some, those are called ‘targets of opportunity.’ I don’t have to tell you what our country faces. Political assassins, bomb throwing revolutionaries, criminal kidnappers, and terrorists willing to die for their causes. In other words we face the same challenges as the rest of the world.”
Andreas cleared his throat. “But we are not like others. We are Greeks, and we will not allow them to shut down our lives, threaten our family traditions, and attack us in our churches during our most vulnerable moments. No, we will not permit that. Ever. ”
Andreas looked each cop in the eyes and repeated separately, “Do you understand what I’m saying?” Each nodded yes.
“Thank you,” said Andreas and he shook hands with each cop.
While Andreas was shaking hands, Tassos walked over to Kouros and listened to him arguing with the metal detector technician. When Andreas joined them Tassos said, “Good thing our prime minister didn’t hear you. He might think you’re running for his job.”
Andreas smiled. “No comment.”
Andreas looked at the metal detector positioned outside the archway. It was right where Andreas wanted it to be but Kouros didn’t seem pleased. To non-Greeks, Kouros and the technician sounded as if they were about to kill each other. To Greeks it was just business as usual.
“What’s wrong?” Andreas said to Tassos.
“Don’t worry,” said Tassos. “Yianni will straighten him out. The guy wants to leave so he can watch a soccer match.”
Andreas nodded. “Oh, that’s why I heard Yianni say, ‘Would you like your nuts to be my soccer balls?’”
Tassos smiled. “Yes, the boy does have a certain way with words. So, what do we do now?”
Andreas looked at his watch. “Is there anyone inside the monastery?”
“Other than the florist, no. No one’s allowed inside until the metal detector is up and running. Besides, most of the guests will wait outside with you until Lila arrives.”
That was Andreas’ biggest concern. It was where he, and everyone else, was most vulnerable to attack. Inside, the monastery was a fortress, successfully withstanding generations of marauders of all kinds. It still had the slot above the archway for raining boiling oil and molten metal down on old time bad guys.
But standing around outside the church for an hour or so waiting for his bride to arrive-and tradition always had the bride arriving late-made Andreas and everyone with him easy prey.
The worst thing about the situation was that there was absolutely nothing Andreas could do about it. It was one of the most symbolic moments of the wedding: the groom standing outside the church waiting for the father and mother of the bride to turn their daughter over to him so that the two could enter the church and move on into their new life together as one. That exchange always took place outside the archway. If Andreas suggested a change, even something as innocent as his waiting for her in the courtyard just beyond the archway, it would send a red flag to Lila that something was seriously wrong.
“I’d like to start drinking,” said Andreas.
“Me too,” nodded Tassos. “But not today.”
Andreas shrugged. “Getting married sober was not how I pictured this day.”
Tassos laughed. “Coffee?”
Andreas nodded.
Tassos put his arm around Andreas’ back and led him up the few steps to the first taverna. Everyone moved aside to make room for the groom, smacking him on the back and teasing him as they did. That was the predictable way for people to treat the groom on his wedding day. Andreas hoped all else remained that way. Predictable.
It was now six-thirty and Andreas had successfully resisted most of what seemed a thousand proffered drinks. He had a slight buzz, but nothing he couldn’t handle. Or so he hoped.
The metal detector was up and running, military were positioned on the far side of the square restricting access to any building with a line of sight at the monastery, and a mix of cops and soldiers prevented vehicles from entering an established perimeter around the area. Everyone entering the monastery had to be on the guest list, show proper ID, and pass through the metal detector. No exceptions. Andreas had done all that could be done, or so he hoped.
“Are you ready?” asked Tassos?
Andreas nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Good, your family just arrived and I think we should head down to the monastery entrance.”
“I’ll be right back.” Andreas stood and walked toward a door marked WC.