Chapter 20
AJ
AJ was so happy she was almost bouncing off the wall. She had been invited to a very important grown-ups only banquet for the campaign. She was the only junior campaigner invited. She needed a very formal dress. Her hair would have to be done. She might even have another makeup consultation like she had had before school was out last year. And, as good as that was, one thing made it even better. It was on the day Mal was getting married. So of course there was no way she could go to that stupid wedding in an office anyway. It really was embarrassing to have such an idiot for a brother.
AJ was particularly mad at Mal because he had told her flat out he would never vote for Mitch Farmer. Mal had said he was a conservative before he became a Christian, so that meant a radical liberal would never get his vote.
"I wonder why Mal's lack of intelligence never showed up before?" she wondered to herself.
Shelly was really in a quandary. She couldn't believe she would have ever considered ignoring Mal under any circumstances, much less on his wedding day. But there was AJ's big event on the same day. It was such an honor to be asked to the banquet. The senator had said that AJ had been a real asset in the campaign and that she was a very remarkable young lady. Shelly was delighted to see AJ so happy. Especially after what had happened last spring with the year book.
Plus, Frederick had noticed that Shelly was becoming more of an assertive person. He had even given her several compliments. And he had suggested they not involve themselves in Mal's mistakes. "Just be there for him when he realizes his mistake. He will need us then to help him out of the mess."
"Frederick is probably right." Shelly thought. "Of course I would never say 'I told you so' to Mal. But maybe the best thing is to just ignore the entire situation. Let him get in and out of the situation all by himself, and then we will just act like nothing ever happened. I wouldn't want to make him feel bad or anything."
With her mind definitely made up to skip Mal’s wedding Shelly went on about her business for the day. She was taking AJ shopping. That had been a surprise indeed. Frederick was usually so determined that she didn't know how to do anything. But he had suggested it.
"Maybe I will get a makeover too when AJ gets hers," Shelly thought. "And maybe Frederick and I could actually go out to dinner.
Malachi
Mal was a nervous wreck. Getting married was a much bigger deal than he had ever imagined. He was sure he was doing the right thing. He was sure. He was sure. But, boy, did his stomach ache. And his head. And all of him.
"I must be coming down with the flu or something," Mal thought to himself. "Oh well, things are bound to settle down as soon as the wedding is over. What else could happen?"
Belle and Amelia were having one of those sister chats. As usual, Amelia was telling Belle all sorts of things that she wasn't really supposed to know in the first place, but had managed to find out anyway.
"Belle, mom isn't here to give you the birds and bees talk, so I guess I better do it for her."
"What could you possible know that I don't know?" Belle asked.
"Well, everything you can know without experience. It's all in the books at the library. Besides, you know I had sex education at school."
"Yes and so did I. Remember? There was a big deal about whether Christian schools should teach sex education or not. Then we went through all that over and over with the "True Love Waits" program. Then they covered it in Sunday school once a year. The only thing left is actual experience."
"Yes well, I may have paid more attention to details than you did. If you have any questions, just ask me. If I don't know I will ask my sources for the answers," Amelia said jokingly.
"Amelia, you can either change the subject or this conversation is over. Now, we have managed to run this house ok without mom and dad. But we will have to make a few changes since I'm getting married. For instance, you can't run through the house in your pajamas anymore. You will have to wear your bathrobe. Of course, you have your own bathroom, so that is good. Laundry shouldn't be much more of a problem. But I am a little concerned about meals. Mal might not like our cooking."
"What do you mean 'Our Cooking'?" Amelia laughed. You are the one getting the husband. I guess you will have to cook for him. And by the way, I gave up running through the house in my pajamas after the accident. It takes me too long to get a robe if the door bell rings. "
"This is the right thing to do isn't it Amelia? I am so sure of it, but why am I so scared? Do you think it is because of the reaction of Mal's family?"
"According to my sources, if you weren't scared you would not be normal. And I don't know anything about Mal's family. And at this rate I don't want too. You will just have to deal with them when you have to. Don't worry about it in the meantime."
"Ok Amelia, now let’s get something done around here. If Mal is moving in, we have to move some stuff out to make room for him."
"I can't Belle," Amelia said jokingly. "My legs hurt. But there is one more thing."
"What is that honey?" Belle asked absentmindedly.
"Well, it's Huey of course. I want him to come to the wedding."
"You can't ask your physical therapist to the wedding. We aren't asking anyone to the wedding except family, Remember? That was your idea."
"I was afraid you would say that, but I thought I would give it a try anyway," Amelia said in an exaggerated sad voice.
Angels of Darkness
Zisa had been with AJ Shelly in the Salon as they got their makeovers. She had whispered in Shelly’s ears about how young and beautiful she really was. Shelly’s ego grew almost visibly as the makeup artist put the finishing touches on her makeup. Zisa had watched with glee and thought gleefully, "The only thing that could be better with this situation is if Mal had been disowned. I had no idea Shelly would so easily fall for a little flattery and acceptance from AJ and Frederick. At this rate she will be ours forever."
Angels of Light
Raphael was sad. He thought, "How can Shelly decide that getting her daughter ready for a political campaign banquet is more important than attending her son's wedding?" He shook his head. Over the ages he had seen enough to know that foolish decisions, while so easily made, were very hard to change later. The damage done might not be repairable.
Choosing Soul Wars Trilogy Book One Page 27
