Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

But I tucked it away in my closet of little worries, promising to take it out soon and give it the time it needed to be understood.

Before it grew into something I would regret.

.

As funny as it seems, studying for my exams and then taking them was actually relaxing for me. I found myself under more pressure at home as Thatcher's and my wedding day drew closer and closer. College became my escape. Bunny and usually one or two of her friends were at Jaya del Mar so often, it almost didn't seem like she had moved away. She was planning the logistics, the scheduling of events, every single arrangement as if she really was staging a battle-- and then she added the most bizarre element of all by bringing in her feng shui master to evaluate everything.

Feng shui; an ancient Chinese discipline focusing on bringing everyday life into harmony with nature, was the flavor of the month in Palm Beach. and Bunny was always one to get on any bandwagon, no matter what, as long it was '"what everyone was doing." Time, space, and action, according to this practice, had to be coordinated to increase energy, harmony. healing.

When she introduced Master Tee to Mother and me, we had no idea what she was up to now.

"The wedding day is like the launching of a ship, the birth of your new life." Master Tee explained. "You want to begin with the most positive energy you can."

Then she and Bunny went out to review the locations of everything, Using Thatcher's and my astrological signs. Master Tee decided the flower altar had to face the direction opposite to the one that had been previously chosen, and we should have our backs to the setting sun when we sat to eat our wedding feast. This meant Bunny had to rearrange the dais as well. It put her into a frenzy. The caterers were called back to redesign their arrangements, and the decorator was informed that the chairs he had suggested were the wrong shape.

On her way out. Master Tee, who had been taken to look at what would become Thatcher's and my suite, told me to get rid of all the mirrors in the bedroom.

"Mirrors mean troubled sleep." she said. "And you must change the color of the ceiling. Just like the earth and the sky, it must be different from the walls."

When they left. Mother and I had a good time imitating both of them. Linden walked in on our hysterical laughter, and when he asked what was so funny, I broke into more laughter trying to explain.

"Poor Thatcher." Mother said, "She'll be on the phone with him warning him that he won't sleep well.'

Linden didn't understand yet, but our giggling brought a smile to his face.

"I don't know what it's all about, but whatever it is. I'm glad it's about that" he said, and left shaking his head.

And so it was easy for anyone to understand how locking myself away to study and then taking my exams was truly an escape.

That weekend at home. however, I received the most wonderful news of all. Just before Thatcher and I were going out to dinner with two of his associates and their wives. Jennings informed me there was a call for me from "some woman who calls herself Amou." and I squealed with delight and rushed to the phone.

"Amou, is it really you?"

"Sim, Willow. Como Sao?"

"How am I? How are you, Amou? When you didn't respond to my last letter. I was so worried."

"I was traveling with my sister. We went to Brazil. I have decided I will make the trip to Florida and be there for your wedding."

"Oh. Amou, that's wonderful. I'll have the guest room prepared."

"Don' t fuss over me."

"I will too fuss over you. I miss you."

"Yes, and I miss you I'm very happy for you. Willow. You deserve happiness after so much sorrow and hardship. I am looking forward to meeting your real mother. It will help me forget the other."

"I already have," I said.

"That's good. Tell me more about Thatcher," she said, and I described him with such hyperbole, she laughed and said, "Is he a man or a Greek god?"

"You will have to tell me. Amou."

"When you are in love, your eyes are full of roses," she reminded me. "But you are your father's daughter, too, and I am confident you have your feet on

solid ground."

"Send me the details of your flight, and I'll be sure to meet you at the airport. Amou."