Read What a Girl Wants Online

Authors: Kristin Billerbeck

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What a Girl Wants (34 page)

BOOK: What a Girl Wants
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I’m wearing a navy strapless Jessica McClintock gown. It’s off-the-rack, but the bride picked it, and I’m not looking like a stuffed eggplant, so I have no complaints. Mei Ling has good taste—well, maybe not in men or wedding chapels, but in fashion she’s quite adept.

The wedding march begins. There’s no piano, but it sounds like it’s live, and I find myself looking for the speakers. Mei Ling appears in the doorway. She’s absolutely beautiful in a gown she created herself—which she copied from a Vera Wang model with no pattern or anything. Who says that sewing is a lost art?

Mei Ling walks down the aisle. There’s no step, touch, step. She just clods down the aisle like the practical beauty she is. She stands next to my brother and smiles at him coolly. He, on the other hand, is now completely relaxed. He’s got that “I caught a butterfly” look that John always wears when looking at Brea.

The preacher has appeared out of nowhere, and I’m now wondering what he’s a preacher of, exactly? Meditative Realization? Yoga? One can be ordained in three minutes on the Internet and faster in Vegas. I got a spam once that said that.

“Dearly beloved,” the minister says in a deep, old-time-Baptist tone. “We are gathered here today to intertwine David Jeffrey Stockingdale and Mee Lingah Wah in holy matrimony.”
Maay Ling, I
want to correct him. And intertwine? That sounds a bit nasty to me, but I
look to my brother and he’s enraptured by his bride. Okay, intertwine it is.

“Marriage is a holy state. Intertwining the two as one.”
He’s
loving that word.

I look at Brea, and she’s covering her face. Now, anyone else might think she’s emotional, but I know better. I know she’s laughing immaturely at the use of
intertwine
by the preacher. This starts it. I look away from Brea, but it’s too late; we’ve seen each other.

That irrepressible giggle starts to bubble. The kind you can’t stop when it starts. The kind that becomes louder as you try to stifle it. I keep it under control for a few seconds, but then I just lose it. How can I be so immature? Intertwining is just a word, after all. Everyone is looking at me now, and Brea and I don’t dare meet each other’s eyes again. I bite down on my lips to halt the laughter.

Closing the Bible with a crack, the minister talks more about intertwining as one.
Enough already!
But my eyes must be deceiving me. Suddenly, out of the ceiling a great hole opens up and a man and a woman dressed in powder blue leotards descend, wrapping around each other like two snakes in heat. I look around to see if I’m really witnessing what I think I am. And since everyone’s eyes are on the ceiling, I have to assume it’s true. There are two people in skimpy clothing clawing each other from a swinging trapeze. Like that singing female bear at Country Bear Jamboree in Disneyland, only not so much.

Oh, I can’t take it. I just can’t take it.
My laughter is growing in intensity so it’s becoming obvious.
This is just so wrong!

The minister asks if I’d like to excuse myself and then moves on, with more intertwining talk, more slithering limbs in the sky. The preacher’s on the clock, and, judging by the sheer amount of white satin in that foyer, he’s got to get a move-on. Other brides await. My brother and Mei Ling are told to light their unity candle.

“As you light this candle to signify your unity, Junien and Patrice will perform an arial adagio symbolizing the unity of two souls.” Junien and Patrice, all limbs from the looks of them, jumble into one big human pretzel, with pained expressions on their overly made-up faces to emphasize the drama of the moment. I’m in awe.

What do you suppose Patrice says when asked about her job?
“Um, I wrap myself around a guy in tights while hanging from a ceiling.”
Does no one else see what I’m seeing? I’m struggling to keep my mouth quiet while my whole body shakes with laughter. I have to fan my face. My legs are weak, and I can barely stand. My aunts are staring at me as though they cannot understand what is so comical. There are two people in the air, hanging in a hypnotic porno-graphic pose, and
I’m
the one with the problem. Like I said, I know I’m adopted.

Before you know it, Patrice and Junien have ascended into the ceiling, ready to be dropped onto another unsuspecting congregation. But it’s of no use now, I’m still giggling like an overly enthusiastic sitcom fan.

The preacher does his best to stare me down, as does my brother. Mei Ling has started to giggle as well. And soon, my brother is joining her until we’re all practically slapping our knees.

Dave and Mei Ling are pronounced man and wife, and they both try to get a solemn look, but they’re still laughing. They do kiss each other warmly when asked to, though, and it’s official: They’re intertwined. They wait at the altar and are greeted by all the guests. All nine of them.

My brother’s best man, Chip, is beside me. “Nice wedding, huh? What was so funny?”

“I was just nervous, I guess.”

“I guess.”

“Please join Mee Linga and David for a reception in this room.” Reading the names off a clipboard—hey, another career for Kay—a middle-aged, redheaded woman ushers us into the next room. Before we’re out, I see the chapel doors open and a new groom ready to take his place. So much for formality.

Dave and Mei Ling walk over to me and, go figure, I’m choked up. “I’m sorry I laughed, I guess I was nervous.”

Dave starts to chuckle. “I thought you were laughing at the intertwining thing.”

I just shake my head. “How did you decide on that particular theme?”

Dave shrugs. “I just thought, I’m never going to have the chance again to pay two people to drop from the ceiling. That’s cool. Will anyone ever forget our wedding?”

“Not likely,” I admit.

Mei Ling laughs. “You should have warned me, Dave. I nearly had a heart attack. I thought we were being invaded or robbed. In my country, it’s not a good thing when people drop from the ceiling.” She takes my hand. “And your poor sister. I bet she’s never been to a wedding where there’s actual entertainment.”

“Can’t say I have, but it was a beautiful wedding.”

“Our second one,” Mei Ling whispers.

“What?” I look towards Dave.

“We had our pastor marry us before we came here. It was nice. Traditionally Chinese and actually in the language.”

I thrust a fist toward him. “And you didn’t invite me?”

“We had an older Christian couple who’s been mentoring us stand up with us.” Dave puts his arm around Mei Ling. “It was important to us to do this before God with the people who have taught us so much. I wanted it to be intimate so I could focus on what He has done for us.”

I shake my head. “Well, Dave, I didn’t think it was possible, but you surprised me again.”

“It’s just one of the many surprises I have lined up. Wait until you see the honeymoon suite, Mei Ling.” Dave kisses his bride, and then faces me. “So what are you doing with your night in Vegas?” He scans the room. “Our cousins aren’t here, so you’ve got no dance partners to fend off. Maybe you and Chip can gamble together.”

I look over at Chip who is sniffing nervously, like a pig looking for truffles. Most likely, he’s wondering where he can find marijuana to get through the night. “Not in this lifetime. Besides, Brea and John are here,” I say.

“Like they want you around,” Dave laughs.

My mother stands beside me. “Ashley, what was so funny?”

“I’m just happy for Dave, that’s all, Mom.”

“We all are.” My mom smiles. Dave takes Mei Ling out to the dance floor and the two of them have their first slow dance. Before the first toast. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she, Ashley?”

“She is,” I agree. My mom has a dreamy look on her face, and I can’t remember the last time I saw her this happy. “You’re happy for them, huh, Mom?”

She has tears in her gray eyes. “I’m always happy when my children are happy. That’s all I ever want.” She turns and faces me. “That’s why I worry so much about you in that job. I never know if it truly makes you happy or if it is just a way to buy more of those expensive clothes you wear.”

“I lost my job this week, Mom.” I’m waiting for the inevitable, her extreme disappointment at yet another of my failures. Never mind that she just said that she worried over me at—

“Good.”

“What?”

“I’m glad you lost that job. That’s no life, traipsing all over the world and racing to get gadgets on the store shelves. You’re too good for that kind of life, Ashley. If you enjoyed it, that would be one thing, but I think you were just too good at something you didn’t enjoy. That’s always the way it was with you. If you tried anything, you succeeded. You need to make sure the next thing you try is something you like.”

“You’re not worried about me? Financially or otherwise?”

She looks me square in the eye. “Did I ever tell you why I named you after Ashley Wilkes?”

“There’s a reason?”

“Of course there’s a reason,” my mother says. “Ashley Wilkes always did the right thing. When faced with temptation and trials, he always rose up and did the right thing. Not always the most successful thing, but always the best thing.” She fluffs her corsage a bit. “Some may see him as the weak character, but he was strong because he gave everything of himself for others. Even as a baby, you were so strong-willed. You came out of the womb barking orders, and I’ve always wanted to see that drive put to good use.”

I knew she wasn’t stupid. But I never knew just how intelligent she really was. Here is proof. There is a legitimate reason behind my ridiculous name. “I think you should have been named Ashley, Mom.” I kiss her on the cheek, and I see a single tear roll down her face.

“Bless your heart, dear. I was put on earth to raise two wonderful children who find their purpose. And look at you both!” She rubs my cheek with the back of her fingers. She used to do that when I was a child and it brings me immediate peace.

“Well, my purpose can’t be shopping at Bloomingdale’s, since I’m unemployed,” I joke.

“You’ll find another job. You’re too smart to do otherwise, but do me a favor and find your passion first.” She winks, and takes off to grab my father for the dance floor.

The DJ is playing a little swinging Glenn Miller from the ’40s, my absolute favorite. Is there anyone who can hear “In the Mood” and not get happy? I think I was born in the wrong era.

Suddenly, watching my parents and my brother, the music overtakes me. Remembering how much fun I had at karaoke, I head to the center of the dance floor a la carte and start to swing. “Na na-na, Na na-na, Na-na-nah, whap wha! Sing it with me now!” I’m all over the dance floor relishing in the happy notes, and I don’t care who’s watching. I can see Brea laughing and the DJ just assumes I’m drunk, as so many seem to do these days. I lift my hands high in the air, ’40s style, and grab people’s hands as I dance by.

This is better than any fantasy scene of my creation. This is living life the way God intended: without fear or trepidation.
Mental
note: I am Ashley Wilkes Stockingdale, single, unemployed patent
attorney, and Reason Extraordinaire!

“Ashley.”

I spin around and see Seth. My heart nearly stops. I blink my eyes several times, but the image doesn’t disappear. “Is that you, Seth?”

“It’s me.”

“What are you doing here?”

“You invited me. So did Brea. She said we had unfinished business.”

I look over to Brea and tear up immediately. “She said that?”

Seth looks around. “Is Kevin here?”

I shake my head. “In the Mood” ends, and “I Love You for Sentimental Reasons” begins. Seth takes me into his arms, and I cuddle into the curve of his neck, sniffing his cologne. Who would have guessed that Seth owned cologne?

Now I admit this song could make me get cozy with Chip Standish, but my head is happily resting on Seth’s shoulder.

“Was your layover longer than you expected?” I ask.

“Ashley, I’m tired of that. I’m not here because of my layover, or my cheap flight. Okay?”

I pull away. “Why then?”

“You have the nerve to call me clueless!” Seth says. And then he stops dancing and just stares at me with those brilliant eyes of his. My body is all aquiver, and I know now what John feels when he looks at Brea.

He reaches down, cupping my face into his hands, and kisses me full on the mouth. My toes curl up, and every part of me feels tingly and alive. “Do that again,” I say, and he presses his lips to mine and we kiss and we kiss and we kiss . . . Then, he looks up and sees my family staring at me like I’m Vegas’ main attraction.
I
am not Celine Dion. Don’t let the hair fool you.

Mental note: When four years of stored-up passion bursts forth,
make sure your family isn’t there to witness it.

He presses my head back to his shoulder and continues our dance. “You deserve the right words. The right emotions.”

You know, I just feel everything with Seth. The words suddenly are not as important to me as they once were. Being next to him is so natural, yet exhilarating, all at once. My heart is pounding in my ears to think what he might say. I look up at him expectantly.

“I adore you, Ashley Wilkes Stockingdale. When I think about going to Arizona without you, my chest hurts. It would be more than a desert for me.”

Be still my heart.
I’m shaking like a Chihuahua. He’s giving me the words! The Words!

“I’m staying in Silicon Valley to see where this leads.”

“Let’s hope it’s not the unemployment office, because right now, we both have a little job issue. A dry spell, if you will.”

“All the more time to explore what we really feel—and eat out on a coupon.” Seth laughs, then leans down and kisses me again. All is right with the world.

All is right?
I’m unemployed, a bridesmaid again, and in Las
Vegas, Nevada.
This is nothing like I wanted, and everything I needed. Who would have thought? It’s been right here in front of my nose all along.

What a girl wants is God’s will for her life.

Nothing else even compares.

BOOK: What a Girl Wants
11Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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