The Moon's Embrace

One

"Thank you for calling Wedded Bliss, where we make sure your wedding is a blissful experience. This is Malia, how can I help you?", Malia tried really hard not to roll her eyes every time she had to answer the phone. The line was cheesy as all hell and required by her boss. And as the secretary of this little wedding planner shop she had to say it a million times a day.

She had been at Wedded Bliss and subsequently in Bridleton for three months now, and she was still trying to convince herself that this was a good idea. On a whim she decided to leave her little home town of Apple Valley, Ohio and head out west, she made it as far as Bridleton Oregon. It was a quaint little town that reminded her of home, with just a little more rain at times. While here she had made a total of one friend and it was one of her coworkers Jenna.

Jenna was a little spit fire who loved her men almost as much as she loved her partying. It seemed like the girl went out every night and had a new man in her arm each time.  Which was fine, girl power and all, but this became a problem when she wanted to drag Malia along with her.  Malia liked to go out and have fun as much as the next girl, but Malia's idea of fun was mini golf or going to the movies.  Not getting squeezed into a barely there outfit, spending a crap-ton of money on watered down drinks and parading around in front of a bunch of men that didn't want her.  While Malia was happy in her body and didn't feel the need to change, that didn't mean that she wasn't aware of what people saw when they looked at her or that sometimes when she looked in the mirror she didn't wish her frame was a little smoother and slimmer. 

After hanging up the phone Malia went over to wake up the hung over Jenna, their boss would be in soon and she didn't want to lose the one friend she had managed to make. Gently shaking Jenna's shoulder she whispered, "Come one sweetie you have to wake up.  Ms. Gunther will be here soon, you know she doesn't like it when you come in like this"

"Just leave me here to die" Jenna grumbled. 

This caused Malia to let out a little giggle. "Sorry love can't do that.  You're the only one I've got in this town keeping me sane and I'm not about to lose you". This was met with an unlanded swat of Jenna's hand.  "Watch it there! How about this, if you get up now not only will I get you some coffee but I'll also buy you a nice greasy burger for lunch"

Jenna tilted her head slightly to peek up at Malia, "Can I get some fries too?"

Malia chuckled, "Anything for you love"

"Ugh! Fine, but only cause I love you and fries" Jenna picked her head up and tried not to squint her eyes in the bright bridal store.  "Where is that coffee you promised?" 

Malia just smiled to herself and walked away to get Jenna a strong cup of the sludge they called coffee in this office.  Unfortunately, this was pretty much a daily routine for the two friends.  Malia would keep her friend from getting fired, Jenna would promise to never do it again, Malia would smile and shake her head knowing this was a lie, and it would start all over again the next day.  

The bell above the door  jingled just as Malia was setting the coffee back on Jenna's desk, while Jenna hid her groan at the annoying sound and the person who caused it. 

"Good morning Ms. Gunther" Malia smiled at the older woman.  

"Good morning dears! How are we doing today? Any new weddings for us to work on?" Ms. Gunther asked.  Ms. Gunther was, a short slightly heavier set woman in her late 60's.  She used to be a coveted wedding planner back in the day until she decided to retire and move back to her home town with her husband.  He had made a lot of money over the years in some sort of business, she would never really explain what that was, and had opened Wedded Bliss for his wife so she could have a hobby.   They were never an insanely busy shop, only doing about three to six weddings a year, but it was enough to keep Ms. Gunther busy and happy which is all her husband wanted.  That and to keep her out of his no-longer-there hair.