"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.