Married to a firefly • Completed

(9) That would be my cue

dedicated to imabeezz6 for leaving the first comment and vote
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Poppy

I came back from the hospital sweating like a gypsy with a mortgage. Madame de Laval had been right. The temperatures had risen up to high 80's and I had taken the bus into town. The air conditioning must have been broken, but it didn't matter anyway.

I would go inside the Lawson's cooled down mansion, put the plastic around my new thinner bandages and take a cold shower.

When I walked inside, I saw Shirley standing in the kitchen. She was rummaging around in her cupboards.

"What are you looking for?", I asked in a way of greeting, realizing Levi was sitting across the kitchen island.

"Oh Poppy. You are back", she smiled at me. "Levi told me you were out. Which car did you chose today?"

"I...", I stuttered. What was I supposed to say? I didn't know which one I was allowed to use? Levi's apparently not. But how was I supposed to know which ones were his? "I took the bus."

Shirley stared at me in disbelief. "You took the bus?"

I shrugged. I had taken the bus. So what? Before I had a chance to say anything else, Kale walked in, patting my shoulder.

"You're giving her a heart attack, Poppy. Don't worry, Mom, she's kidding. We took the R8."

What the hell? We didn't. He wasn't even with me today. I wondered why he was lying to his mom. How was I supposed to keep my stories straight with everyone, when Kale continuously played me like this?

Shirley knew I'd never take anyone with me. And Kale knew we hadn't been shopping together. By the way he looked at me I knew he would demand answers later on. As if I owed him anything for saving me from his mother. I huffed.

Shirley looked confused. "He went with you? To the..."

"To the mall." I interrupted her almost rudely.

She nodded. "The mall. Right. Did you see anything you liked?", she asked faking interest, when we both knew this conversation wasn't going anywhere.

"Sure."

"Alright. You guys might want to get some rest and then change. Dinner is in two hours."

Now it was my turn to look confused. Ever since I stayed here we never had family dinner. But maybe this was because Kale was home now.
Shirley must have sensed my puzzlement, because she offered an explanation.

"Kale reminded me this morning, that a real wedding would have a rehearsal dinner, so I asked Alfredo to deliver a five course rehearsal dinner and the bakery to give us a few mini cakes to try. I know you said you don't care, Poppy, but maybe you do find something you want for your wedding cake."

I laughed. "Even if I did, how would they be able to use that information? I'd bet they are done by now."

"Oh no, Poppy, you didn't just say that", Kale said with a cheerful singsong voice. "Mom has a way to make everything happen in due time."

"Good to know. I'll try to watch my mouth tonight."

"Why would you say that?", Shirley asked.

"I don't want to cause them trouble. I'm sure whatever they prepared will be just fine."

Kale rolled his eyes. "You have so much to learn once you're a Lawson. You'll find out 'being sure something is fine' won't be an option anymore."

That dampened my mood immediately. While it was inevitable that I would be a Lawson in name by tommorow, it wasn't at all how I had pictured my wedding to be. My first wedding, I corrected myself. I could do everything differently with my next. Only I never imagined I would have to get married twice.