Into the Garden (Wildflowers 5)

Finally, it was Saturday, Misty's father's wedding day. Jade had her limousine pick us up. Misty said her mother was furious about it because we were making it into such a big event by buying new clothes. She had no idea what the rest of us were wearing. If she had seen us all together, she might have reversed her opinion. The moment the four of us entered the church, the entire wedding party spun their heads around. Jade was carrying a magic wand that worked on batteries and lit up a light at the end. She had bought a sequin laden headband for Misty to wear and gave Star very ostentatious costume jewelry. She gave me a large, ruby colored glass necklace on a thick silver chain.

Misty's father looked confused as we marched down the aisle to take our seats up front. I was sure Misty hadn't told him she was bringing us. Our dramatic entrance was followed with a wave of murmurs from the guests. Her father's friends and Ariel's family and friends didn't know whether to laugh or cry out in protest. We could see it in their faces, but we didn't stare or smile at anyone.

Jade had given us our marching orders before we had arrived.

"Don't look at anyone. Keep your face forward, your eyes fixed on the bride and groom, and look very serious. We're there to cast a spell for Misty."

"What spell?" Star asked. "What crazy thing are you talking about now?"

"A spell to protect her from any further unhappiness," Jade replied.

"I love it," Misty cried. The fantasizing kept her from letting sadness and pain into her heart.

"And just how are we supposed to cast a spell?" Star asked.

"As soon as the minister begins, I'll lift my magic wand and move it first to the right and then to the left. When I do that, everyone move with it shoulder to shoulder, understand?"

"Where do you get all of this stuff?" Star asked. "A dream vision I had last night," Jade said.

"I love it," Misty repeated.

My heart was pounding because I couldn't believe Jade would go through with it, but she did, even lighting up the bulb, and we all did what she had asked. Then she lowered the wand. The minister had paused to watch us, and Misty's father and Ariel turned to us, too. Misty's father's smile disappeared, but he turned back to the minister and the wedding ceremony was performed.

Almost as soon as he could, her father approached us.

"What is this, Misty? Who are these girls? Why did you all come dressed like this? And what were you all doing? Ariel is upset. Did your mother put you up to this?"

"No, Daddy. These are my friends and we wanted to bless your new marriage so it doesn't fall apart like your first marriage and make everyone unhappy," Misty recited as if she was reading from a children's storybook.

He turned so red, I thought we'd see steam come out of his ears. Then he nodded.

"I thought you would act a lot more maturely about this, Misty. I'm disappointed."

"Me too, Daddy," she said. "It doesn't look like our magic is working."

"Okay. All right. I see what you're up to. We'll talk about it later," he told her, giving us a plastic, cold smile, before leaving us to greet his other guests.

"I don't think your father appreciates us, Misty," Jade declared. "Let's skip the wedding reception and go dancing at the Kit Kat Rave Club on Melrose instead."

"Good idea," Misty said. She looked after her father for a moment, her eyes filling with tears, and then she marched ahead of us up the aisle. We followed, Jade dipping her wand at people like some bishop imparting blessings. When she lit the bulb, they either flinched or gasped. I hurried along behind them as quickly as I could, eager to get out of the church.

In the limousine, Jade revealed that she had snuck a bottle of vodka and some orange juice out of her house.

"A little of this will put us all in the right frame of mind," she announced.

"It don't always work that way," Star said. We knew she was referring to her mother.

"It will for us because we're not going overboard, Star. We need to have a good time," she added pointedly, nodding slightly at Misty who was looking small and very sad as she watched the wedding party departing.

Star's eyes darkened with understanding and Jade fixed the drinks. She turned the music up too, so by the time we reached the dance club, we were all feeling happy. I had never been to anything like the club before, but it seemed to me that we weren't dressed too differently from most of the other girls who were there. Everyone looked like they were wearing costumes.

As soon as we arrived, they immersed themselves in the lights and the music. I understood why Jade called it a rave club. Everyone seemed worked up into a frenzy. I could feel it even sitting at the table and watching. Jade made me get up with my crutches and do what I could with one good leg. Everyone around us thought it was amusing. It was as if we had jumped into the ocean and we were being carried out to sea in a wave of hysterical pleasure. Soon we were all screaming and laughing.

Sometimes, I was dancing with a strange boy, sometimes with one of the girls. It was the same for all of us, but we never really got to meet anyone. The music was too loud to hear anyone speak. We danced for an hour without stopping until Jade decided she was thirsty. We returned to our table and ordered soft drinks.

"How do you like your father's wedding reception?" Jade shouted to Misty. It was the only way to be heard, even away from the dance floor.

"I love it. Can't wait until they cut the cake!"