ROCKETEER

Chapter 6: Wet Birds

"The world is filled with hidden love." - Daniella Kessler

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The next morning, I sat at the Mondelli kitchen table across from Beanie. Several arrangements of invitation cards were messily spread across the table. A book with printed pictures of flower arrangements sat in the middle, and both Beanie and I held our heads in frustration. 

I had woken up to several (several) texts from Marina to come over Beanie's house by nine that morning for a short visit about the wedding. That was at eight-thirty. 

A "short visit" turned into a two hour planning session. We discussed guests, reserved the venue (an outside vineyard setting with a water feature one city over), and started on color schemes. 

Of course Marina wanted a say in everything, and I let her. Wedding planning wasn't (obviously) my thing, so I let her have control over most of it. She wanted to plan all of it by herself, but Beanie insisted the bride-to-be should be somewhat involved too. 

Yay for me. Thanks, Beanie. 

"The colors should be bright, but not flashy. You don't want people being blinded as soon as they walk in the venue." Marina drawled from the bar, apparently finished with planning the seating arrangements. 

I withdrew from my defensive position, grabbing a random set of color cards and holding them up. "Like these?"

Marina clapped her hands together. "Yes! Exactly! You're finally starting to get the hang of this, Emma." I was surprised that my random selection pleased her, and looked at the cards. They were pastel with an ugly brown tint to them. Definitely something I wouldn't choose for my own wedding. 

Oh, wait, it is my own wedding. Yay for me. Again. 

Beanie came up from his own protective position, eyeing the card selection in my hand. He raised his perfectly arched eyebrow at me, and I gave him a look that said "say a word, and I'll kill you". He gave me a two finger salute and got up from his seat. 

"Well, since that's been decided, I'm gonna go back to the shop. Call if you need anything, Mom." He walked to me and gave me a peck on the cheek, which I knew was just for show for Marina. We were supposed to be "in love", remember?

"Shindo, be back by two. Your father is coming to visit you later and you don't want to be covered in tea stains this time, would you?" Marina scoffed as Shindo ignored her and headed straight out the back door to his car. 

"I'm assuming you're leaving too, little girl?" I flinched at the nickname, turning to look at her. She was dressed casually, in a tee and expensive jeans. It hurt me to see her so comfortable. She didn't deserve it. 

Well, maybe that's just spite talking. But she really was a devil-spawn of a woman. Even Beanie would agree with me on that. 

I simply nodded, before gathering my mini backpack and notepad and heading towards the door. 

"Oh, and Emma?" I sighed silently, turning back towards her. 

"Yes, Marina?" I said with fake respect. She noticed it, of course. 

"Don't "Yes, Marina?" me, little girl. I'm still your superior, whether you marry my son or not." I mentally rolled my eyes. She had always felt like she had to remind me of her power over me. 

"Yes, Ms. Mondelli?" I corrected, latching my hand on the door knob. 

"That's better. You have another assignment, starting Monday morning. You are to go to the Danza Studios by eight, ask for Charnell. She'll show you what to do. Don't be late." By the end of her short instructions, Marina had hopped off her stool and started making a cup of coffee, not looking at me.