“Love Waits” Continued…
Chapter Five: The Rehearsal Dinner
The Crown family had chosen an expensive uptown eatery to host the rehearsal dinner. Missy new in-laws to be were wealthy. They drove expensive cars, lived in a red brick mansion complete with an inground swimming pool. Troy Crown was voted the most popular boy in high school. Missy with her sweet disposition, was always well liked and popular with everyone. Troy and Missy were an ideal match. They simply fit together like two pieces of a puzzle.
Missy’s folks were farmers and like Mary Jane’s, had fallen on hard luck the last couple of years. Beth, Missy’s mom, was thrilled Missy was marrying in to the Crown family. Beth was hoping by Missy marrying well, she wouldn’t have to endure the rough financial patches she and Wilford had experienced. Beth would never say out loud that she regretted marrying Wilford, but you were always painfully aware of how unhappy she was.
The Crown’s had generously offered to pay for half the wedding, which helped Beth and Wilford immensely. It allowed Missy to have the kind of wedding she had always dreamt of, without her parents going broke. Richard and Lena Crown were always generous with their money. In fact, they had even put a down payment on house for Troy and Missy, which was going to be a surprise wedding gift for the kids when they returned from their honeymoon.
“May I have your attention please…” Richard asked, as he stood up at his dinner table, tapping on his champagne glass with a knife. “I’d like to say a few words, before turning the mike over to Drake and Mary Jane, our best man and maid of honor for this memorable affair. Please, allow me just a few words while I’m still sober enough to think, then I’ll sit down and leave you to enjoy the evening.” A roar of laughter filled the room. Richard’s toast to his son and soon to be daughter in-law was as expected; loving, tender and heart warming.
As the room fell silent, all that could be heard was the faint rattling of ice filled glasses and the occassional cough. Everyone looked so beautiful, Mary Jane thought, as she slowly scanned the room. The dinner was eloquently hosted, with white linen table cloths, fresh flowers, servers dressed in black and white uniforms, not to mention the glistening brilliance of the six chandeliers that lit the room to perfection. It was truly a magical night.
After Richard’s and Drake’s speech, it was Mary Jane’s turn. This was the only part of the evening Mary Jane dreaded. She had written what she thought was the perfect heartfelt speech for Missy and Troy, but after listening to Richard and Drake, she realized her speech was totally inadequate. With the moment quickly approaching for Mary Jane to stand, she felt flushed and weak.
Walking across the floor with mike in hand, was Davy, Troy’s 9 year old cousin. As Mary Jane watched Davy make his way towards her, she could feel the blood rush from her head. For a brief moment, Mary Jane entertained the thought of running to the bathroom. The only thing that stopped her, was the fact that all eyes in the room had fallen upon her.
“Thank you, Davy” Mary Jane said, as she reached for the mike, standing to face the families and friends attending. After making eye contact with the room, Mary Jane slowly turned to Missy and Troy, who were sitting at the front table. Missy was smiling so brightly, that it warmed Mary Jane’s heart.
“Considering the best grade I ever received in speech was a C, we won’t hold out any great hope that my speech will be riveting and memorable tonight” Mary Jane began. Everyone laughed, which made Mary Jane feel a little more comfortable, although the blood hadn’t fully returned to her head.
“There are people in this world that are simply special. They have that certain quality about them that makes them unique. You can’t help but love them. They fill your world with sunshine, with hope, with joy. Missy and Troy are those kind of people. They possess that special quality that speaks to your heart.” Mary Jane’s voice lightly quivered, so she took a deep breath before continuing.
“Missy and I have been best friends since we were nine years old. When we first met, Missy thought I was cool; I thought she was funny and smart. Missy may not be the best judge of character, but I was certainly right with my first impression.” Again laughter filled the room and the warmth and love of those attending, finally put Mary Jane at ease.
“I’m so honored to be here tonight, to be Missy’s maid of honor, my dearest and closest friend. The happiness I feel tonight is unmeasurable. With all my heart, I wish Missy and Troy an amazing life.” As Mary Jane raised her glass, everyone stood and raised their glasses as well, saluting the love and joy that had unified the guests at what Mary Jane felt, was the most exquisite dinner party she would ever attend in her life.
The evening air was unusually warm, but every so often a gentle breeze would blow through the open windows of the restaurant. The restaurant’s patio and court yard was lit with hundreds of twinkling lights, but none of the lights could compare with the radiant glow of the full moon. It seemed fitting, Mary Jane thought, that the moon would pay homage to Missy and Troy. Afterall, Missy and Troy were truly the golden couple.
Chapter Six: The Wedding Day Morning
Waking early, Mary Jane laid in her bed, staring at the photo of Billy on her night stand. Life never seemed to work out the way she hoped. Mary Jane felt so lucky to have found Billy. They were each other’s soul mate. Billy even asked Mary Jane to marry him, proudly presenting Mary Jane with a cheap gold ring he found at the drug store. It was an engagement ring to someday be
engaged. Billy was exceptionally funny, warm and kind. He was always there for Mary Jane. And today, Missy’s wedding day, Mary Jane couldn’t help but feel cheated out of a lifetime of memories with Billy. Slowly turning the gold ring that adorned her finger, the sadness Mary Jane had come to know so well, engulfed her. Sliding down underneath her covers, she closed her eyes and fell back to sleep.
A short time later, Margaret pushed open Mary Jane’s bedroom door, instructing her to “hop up and eat breakfast. You have to get ready for the wedding. And more importantly, you have to help Missy get ready for the wedding.” Margaret threw open the curtains, allowing sunlight to flood the room. Mary Jane had no choice but to crawl out of bed and start her day.
Margaret had hung Mary Jane’s dress on the door. Sitting on the floor next to her dresser, were the satin high heel shoes the brides maids were wearing that day. Missy had picked out the prettiest pair of high heels she could find for Mary Jane, and the shoes were stunning. They had a light sparkle that intensified whenever light fell upon them.
After showering, Mary Jane found herself staring in her mirror. Her mother was right. Her long brown hair looked limp and lacked style. So Mary Jane twisted her hair in to a French braid and used a fancy hair pin to hold it in place. Not a great fan of make up, Mary Jane decided today she would apply everything she had in her drawer.
From false eye lashes to red lip stick, Mary Jane went for broke. To her amazement, even Mary Jane loved the finished look.
“Mom, I’m heading over to Missy’s.” Mary Jane stood in the kitchen door, waiting for her mother’s approval. She was hoping the French braid would make her mother happy.
Turning to look at Mary Jane, Margaret was astounded at what she saw. “Oh, my God, you look gorgeous, dear. Are you wearing make up? And your hair…. it’s in a bun!” Margaret was incredibly pleased that Mary Jane took her advise and styled her hair.
Mary Jane laughed at her mother’s reaction to seeing her fixed up. “Mom, don’t go crazy on me. It’s just make up and a French braid.”
“Holly cow!” Dan exclaimed as he entered the kitchen. “Who’s that stunning beauty?”
“You guys are nuts” Mary Jane laughed.
“Oh… crap. You’re actually pretty” Anita blurted out. “I like your hair. Is that really a bun?”
“Alright. I’ve got to go. I’ll see you guys at the wedding.” Mary Jane grabbed her purse off the table along with her car keys. “And mom… don’t bring any food to the wedding. I mean it!” Mary Jane scolded.
Surprised by Mary Jane’s comment, Margaret quietly replied, “I only baked a small pie for Evelyn.” Margaret, turning to Dan for support, found none. Dan just shrugged his shoulders and walked away. Anita did a 180 and headed back to the family room, before her mother could corner her.
Mary Jane, with a quick, lively step, was out the front door and headed for the church. And for the first time that morning, Mary Jane actually felt excited and happy about the wedding.
Staring at the ground, so not to soil her white stain high heels by stepping in mud, Mary Jane only looked up when she reached her car. Behind her car, standing at the field’s edge was Billy. He was wearing a blue plaid shirt, jeans and work boots. The same outfit Billy was wearing the day he died.
As if she had hit a brick wall, Mary Jane stopped. Her keys fell to the ground and her heart stopped beating. Mary Jane was frozen, unable to move. She wasn’t even sure if she was still breathing.
“Sort of a surprised to see me?” Billy asked. “I bet you thought I died”, to which he chuckled. “Well, you would be correct about that fact.”
The last morning Mary Jane saw Billy, played back through her mind in slow motion. Margaret had invited Billy to have breakfast with them. Billy, as usual, was making jokes and teasing Mary Jane mercilessly. That morning, Billy was particularly upbeat and happy. When he drove away, Billy put his arm out the window to waive good-bye to Mary Jane. Ten minutes later Billy was gone. For the past year, that image of Billy waiving good bye had played over in her mind a million times. It was the last image she had of him. That image brought Mary Jane both peace and agony.
“Okay… don’t freak out on me” Billy said, as he slowly approached Mary Jane. “I just wanted to let you know I’m all right. I really am.” Mary Jane tried to nod, to let him know she had heard him, but she couldn’t move.
“I’m a little worried about you, MJ, which is why I’m here” Billy said. “You’re not really doing too, great, which isn’t good.”
Considering Billy was standing in front of her, a year after he died, Mary Jane couldn’t help but agree that she wasn’t doing very well at all. In fact, she was sure she had lost her mind.
“Here’s the deal. I’m dead… but I’m okay. You’re a live… but you’re suffering. I don’t want you to suffer.” Billy lightly touched Mary Jane’s hand with his, which to her amazement, she could feel. Billy’s hand felt warm against hers.
“Death, Mary Jane is not the end.” Still holding Mary Jane’s hand, Billy looked deep in to her eyes. “Please, don’t mourn me anymore, okay?”
Hearing Billy’s voice felt wonderful to Mary Jane. She never thought she’d hear him speak her name again. If this were a dream or a nervous breakdown, Mary Jane didn’t care. Billy
was back.
As Margaret went to close the front door, she was supprised to see Mary Jane standing in the front yard. She almost shut the door, but then something didn’t seem quite right. Looking more closely, Margaret realized Mary Jane was speaking to someone. Margaret tilted her head to see who it was.
Billy looked over at Margaret and waived. Margaret raised her hand to waive at Billy, then stood frozen in the doorway, realizing who she was waiving to. Mary Jane turned to see her mother standing in the doorway, arm raised in the air with a blank expression on her face. When Mary Jane looked back, Billy was gone.
Both Margaret and Mary Jane stood motionless for what seemed an eternity. Finally, Margaret found the strength to opened the screen door and walk down the front steps to Mary Jane, who still hadn’t moved.
“Did you see him, mom?” Mary Jane quietly whispered. Unsure if what had just happened, really happened at all.
“Yes, I did” Margaret replied. “I saw Billy, just like I’m seeing you now.”
Margaret smiled at Mary Jane and held her tightly. Mary Jane softly cried in her mother’s arms. Margaret new the gift that Billy had given Mary Jane would change her life forever. He had released her from her pain, her sorrow and her despair. Billy had given Mary Jane the ultimate gift of love.
After reapplying her make up and regaining her composure, Dan and Margaret drove Mary Jane to Missy’s wedding. Mary Jane was filled with such an array of emotions, she didn’t know how she’d get through the day.
As they drove past the intersection where Billy had died, Mary Jane no longer visualized Billy crushed and mangled inside his old, beat up truck. Or the image of his casket being dropped in to the cold, hard ground. Instead, Mary Jane pictured Billy standing in the open, sunny field, smiling and waiving at her. Happy, joyful and at peace. Mary Jane couldn’t help but smile. But then again, Billy always did make her laugh.
