INT. LESTER NERO'S APARTMENT - DAY
Lester wakes up in his bed. He struggles to get up, but eventually does. He's nearly hungover. He walks from his room into his living room. There are men passed out on the couch and floor, including Terrence and Carlos. Demicko stares of the window. He turns to see Lester, but then goes back to staring out of the window. Lester approaches him.
LESTER NERO
(Whispering) You good?
DEMICKO JACKSON
Yeah... (Thinks about it) no.
LESTER NERO
What’s up? Today’s the big day.
DEMICKO JACKSON
Exactly... I’m nervous. The rest of my life starts today.
LESTER NERO
Yeah. And you’re prepared for it.
DEMICKO JACKSON
(Faint smiles) I hope you’re right.
LESTER NERO
I know I'm right! (Checks on the others around them) You've been preparing yourself for this day for a long time. I never felt this confident about it ever. Not even when you were with Elizabeth.
DEMICKO JACKSON
Really?
LESTER NERO
Yeah. You’ve been all business. You haven't made excuses, and you put in a lot more work from what I could tell.
DEMICKO JACKSON
Hmm. I guess.
LESTER NERO
You guess?
DEMICKO JACKSON
I mean I prayed about it, and everything is right, but I don’t know. It feels off. Could be just nerves.
LESTER NERO
Bro? (Thinks). You want me to pray for you?
DEMICKO JACKSON
...Yeah. I’d appreciate that.
Lester and Demicko hold hands and bow their heads.
LESTER NERO
Dear Lord, thank You for waking us up on this great day to celebrate the wedding of my dear friend, Demicko. I come to You this day for my best friend. He's nervous, Lord, afraid even, of the decision he has to make today. We know that You placed him here for a reason. We know that You surround him with Your angels daily. We are grateful for all the experiences You've given us over the years. But Lord, if it is in Your will, and I believe it is, give him peace as he goes to his wife today. Give him confidence and peace. Let him know that this marriage is in Your will. Let there be no doubt left in him, only courage and determination. May Your joy pour over him this day. Let Your peace be a soothing breeze. With each step, remind him that his steps are ordered. When he sees his wife, may he be completely overwhelmed by Your goodness. I pray all these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
DEMICKO JACKSON
Amen. Thanks, bro.
They hug.
LESTER NERO
Of course. Now let's get these other ones up so we can get to this venue and get you settled in... And I need to order something because I feel nauseous. I gotta stop drinkin like that. Ugh, my stomach and my head.
Demicko laughs. They wake the other men up and start their day.