by Laine Watson
Max drops his head and purses his lips. “But not Ms. Vaughn?”
I gaze wistfully at Haru. His eyes are just as melancholy. “I don’t know.”
“Can you call her and ask her if she’ll come?”
I purse my lips, his little voice pulling on my heartstrings, saying words I have been keeping out of my mind. I cannot deny him nor myself anymore.
“Yeah.” I nod.
“Hey, buddy, can you go help Hayden and Darby with their things?”
“Are you going to call her now?” Max lights up.
“Yep.”
“Sure!” Max hops up and sprints outside as he swings the door open and closes it behind him.
Haru scoots over to me, my lips pursed, my shoulders tense.
“I know you wanted to, anyway.” He smirks sadly.
“When Max said it, I couldn’t keep it out anymore. Of course, I want my mom at my wedding. I don’t know my dad, and we never talk to my grandparents. Even if she is a manipulative bitch, she’s still my mom.” I sniffle as Haru holds me. “I said so many horrible things to her, Haru. What if, in her weird, twisted way, she was trying to help? She is an asshole, even when she’s doing good. Maybe I reacted the wrong way. She probably hates me now.”
“I don’t’ know. Maybe you needed to stand up to her. So she’ll know she can’t get to you. Maybe with you, she’s met her match.” Haru smirks. “Maybe you guys can call a truce or something.”
“I want her there, Haru.”
“Then call her and ask her to come. If she says yes, then okay. If she says no, we send her the ticket and info and see if she changes her mind.”
I nod.
“I’m going to see what’s going on outside. I’ll be back.”
“Haru,” I call as he’s heading out the door.
“Yeah?”
“I was trying to say the right words to Max. It’s hard being a parent, knowing what to say and what not to say. When I first started, I thought I had to tell him everything, the good and the bad. But all he needed to know was the truth.”
“Yeah, and that’s what you told him. You didn’t put any of your feelings or bias in what you said. You gave him the facts, and he formed his own opinion. That’s good parenting.”
I smile, my cheeks warming a little.
“I’m right outside, okay?”
I nod.
After Haru leaves, I take a few deep, cleansing breaths and let my anxiety run its course before picking up my phone. I dial my mother’s number.
After a few rings, she answers. “Summer, is the wedding off?” She chuckles mockingly.
I can’t let her asinine remarks get to me.
“Hey, Mom,” I say casually. “No, we’re headed to the airport in a few minutes.”
“And what, you call me to rub my face in it? I don’t care, Summer. If you want to go through with this clown show, then do it.”
“Not a clown show, Mom. I love Haru, and he loves me, and we both love Max.”
“Great. Is that what you called to tell me? Go on, have your lavish life at someone else’s expense.”
“It is pretty lavish.” I wonder what her next words will be. Let me go along with her accusations, see what happens then. I don’t get defensive, I accept it.
“What?”
“We’re getting married at this Japanese castle in Iroshima, Japan. Then Haru has some Tokyo honeymoon extravaganza planned.”
“You’re getting married in Japan?”
“Yep.” I pause. “School starts back in September. I got this paid internship. I’ll be training at the high school I was interning at last semester. It’s my last semester. I hope you can come to my graduation. It’s not until May, but it’d be nice to have you here. I miss you; Max misses you too.”
“Max?”
“Yeah, he asked about you this morning. He says he misses his other grandma.”
There is only silence between us. I barely hear her breathing. This is as good a time as any to say what I want to say.
“Mom, we want you to come to the wedding. You’re a part of our family too.”
I wait for her answer, impatiently. She says nothing for a while.
“Mom?” I call finally.
“No. If your life is so perfect and you have everything you need, then why do I need to come? You’ve got all that you want right there.”
“Mom!”
“Goodbye, Summer. Enjoy your perfect life.”
“MOM!” I call to her, but the call has ended.
I close my eyes, contorting my face and trying to squeeze out some of this pain—some of this sadness. Why does every call end like that? Why is she upset with me this time?
The door opens, Haru and I lock eyes.
“What happened?” He runs to me, falling on his knee, wrapping his arms around me. In his arms, the true weight of everything falls. In the safety of his love, it’s okay to scream and cry. He holds me even closer.
“Why?” I ask him. “I wasn’t upset. I even agreed with her. She gave me the same response: hanging up in my face. Why doesn’t she want to be a part of our lives? I don’t understand. I’m her only child, and she’s all alone.”
Haru rises to his feet and picks me up; my head falls on his chest. My legs dangle off his forearm as his manly arms carry me into the bedroom. He lays me down on the bed as I cry like a little child. He kisses me on my cheek.
“Don’t leave me,” I whine, extending my hands.
“Aw, princess, don’t be like that. You’ll put my head in a totally different place.”
Surprisingly, that naughty little innuendo is something I needed. It makes me smile.
“I’ll tell Hayden and Darby we need a few hours.”
“Can you ask Darby to come here, please?”
“Yeah.” He nods and leaves the room.
I take a deep tired breath and sit up against the pillows.
I wish I didn’t care about what my mother thinks, since she doesn’t care about what I think, but in the back of my mind, I wonder if she’s still trying to put up a brave face. Why would she need to do that in this case?
A knock comes at the door.
“It’s open,” I say.
The door slowly opens, and Darby appears.
“So, we’re not leaving now?”
“I just need a moment. My mom really isn’t coming to the wedding.”
“Sounds about right.” Darby smiles sadly. “I don’t know how to help you. I don’t have the words to say to make it better. You have so many good things. I know it’s not like being with your mom, but can’t we be enough right now?”
“I want her to be around us and laugh and be happy. I’ve never seen my mom smile because she’s happy.”
“You can’t wish it on her. She’s got to do it herself.”
“I want to tell her Haru and I are trying to have a baby, but I can’t even get her to be happy about us being together.”
“Wait!” Darby arches her neck, “You guys are trying to have a baby?”
“Yeah.”
It looks like she might dance around the room but the excitement on her face turns into affection. “Good for you.”
“Thanks.” I sigh. “I want to tell my mom so much. I want Sunday brunches with her. If I’m being honest, I miss her dry and somewhat evil sarcasm and her materialistic mindset. I miss her jokes, and I don’t like her being angry with me all the time.”
“She’ll come around.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“You’re getting married in a Japanese historical castle, to a guy who looks like a superhero god from a planet of sexy gods, who has a wonder-kid... I think you’ll be fine.”
I giggle, and Max runs into the room without knocking.
“Mom!” he calls.
“Yeah?”
“Where’s Dad?”
Chapter Thirty-Three: Wedding
After all the craziness, a half of a week in Japan, it’s our wedding day. Okay, today is my weddin
g day. I can’t be sad. It’s her choice not to come.
I choose to be happy. I say to myself, getting ready.
There’s still a small void inside of me. I can’t pretend I don’t miss her. No matter what she’s done or said, I love her, and I want her to be in my life.
I sit on the white cushion stool in front of the vanity, where a beautiful woman is doing my hair, carefully making sure each strand is in place.
I sigh. Haru still hasn’t really talked about where he went that day, or why he left. All he said was, “I had some business to take care of.” I haven’t had time to ask him. Maybe it’s not important. Maybe he just needed a moment.
The woman leaves the room when Darby, in her cute little bridesmaid’s dress, enters.
“You look amazing.” I smile.
“Yeah, I don’t know how our dresses turned out okay—I mean it’s a little loose, but it’s good enough. The guys look great. I think Haru’s suit is tighter than he wants it to be, but I don’t think any of the women will be complaining.”
I giggle. “I don’t know how I feel about that.”
She smiles lovingly at me. “You also look so beautiful.”
“Thanks.” I sigh remorsefully, lowering my eyes.
“You still being all pouty about your mom?” she says, sitting across from me in the Victorian style chair.
“I guess.”
“Don’t think about her not being here. This is a whole new chapter. I don’t know what’ll happen with Hayden and me, but I’ll always be here for you.”
“This might be a blessing in disguise. Would she ruin my perfect wedding day? Would she still try to twist things and say everything I have worked hard for was given to me by Haru? I can’t lie and say he hasn’t helped me. If it weren’t for him and Max and their love, I don’t think I would have been able to finish school and wake up every day happy. I’d never be sitting here in this beautiful room, within this beautiful castle. I don’t think I’d ever have done anything other than stay at home.”
“That’s probably true, but it doesn’t matter now. You’re here.”
A lady from the staff opens my door. “Okay, Miss. The ceremony is starting.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
Rising to my feet, I stare at Darby.
“Okay, see you at the altar.” She pauses. “I love you.”
My jaw quivers. “Not going to cry. My make-up is pristine.”
“Don’t.” She hugs me and leaves the room.
Alone, in the silence of a once royal room, the golden embroidered flowers on the walls and the heavy curtains that cover the tall windows, makes me smile. I stare at myself in my white wedding dress and a face full of make-up, dangling earrings, and a plunging neckline. I smile, allowing myself to be happy, whether or not my mother is here.
An usher comes to get me and leads me out. As I round the beautifully decorated winding staircase, I can’t help but take in the charming ambiance and overall feel of the wedding Darby created. It feels like a heavenly garden.
The pillared room is just as breathtaking as the staircase with cream, white, and champagne-colored decorations. Golden wreaths have been spun around the pillars with blooming flowers everywhere. Sheer, long elegant curtains hang around the room to create a heavenly fortress and shields our perfect ambiance from the rest of the castle.
I stand on the landing as the goddess of Summer, a wreath of olive and golden leaves, sprigs and flowers about my head. My veil complemented with soft white flowers, and my flowing gown that goes on forever, soon to be spread down the aisle over golden and white rose petals. I wait for the small orchestra in the gazebo-like corner of the room to play my entrance music. They are dressed in togas with golden-leafed headwear. In front of two handfuls of people, Haru and I will stand and pledge our love and life to one another for time and all eternity.
I stare down at Haru in his white suit, a champagne-colored ruffled tie, and fancy vest—a suit inspired by the gods.
He’s so handsome. I can’t wait to see Max in his little suit, carrying the rings.
As the flower girls slowly make their way down the aisle, I glance around the room.
Who are they? Did she hire them? I giggle and shrug. It doesn’t matter. I only have a few more minutes to be Summer Vaughn. When I leave here today, I’ll be Summer Arima. I sigh happily.
Darby is wearing a wreath of flowers and olive branches around her head, her flowing long toga-like bridesmaid dress with the braided champagne color belt, her soft neutral color make-up, the braid down her back. I look to Mira dressed the same, in the same hairstyle.
I’m so grateful for her. They stand next to the groomsmen who wear a sheath of armor on one arm, partially covering a creamy off-white modern style. All of us wait to walk in. I can see them through the organza curtains canopied over the landing of the stairs. I don’t know if they can see me.
A sad, gloomy feeling fills me, stealing my smile. I wonder if Mom threw away our invitation? I knew she wouldn’t come; why would she? I wonder if we can get a refund on the plane ticket—what a silly thing to think right now. I laugh sadly to myself.
I keep myself out of sight behind the curtains along the winding staircase. The wedding party starts their walk down the aisle. I take a deep breath. The toga-wearing buff men holding large leaves at the door, who haven’t moved until this very moment, slide to the left and open the flowing curtains more.
Everyone has walked with someone down the aisle, even Haru, who walked with his mother. His father walked with Miako.
I will walk alone until I get to Haru.
I’ll give myself to him.
The secondary music plays—the music right before I’m supposed to come down those winding stairs as the goddess, stepping into my future. A sudden longing fills me and calls forth the void my mother caused.
I look down at my dress, wondering what it would have been like to prepare all of this with my mother by my side. Though I had tried to put the thought of her out of my mind and convince myself I wouldn’t cry, the tears fill my eyes, threatening to ruin my expensive make-up.
A sound stirs me, my thoughts halting abruptly as the tall fancy doors at the top of the steps open. For a few seconds, I stare at the opened doors, and nothing happens.
A few more seconds, my mother appears standing at the top of the second row of stairs, teary-eyed and dressed in a flowing blue dress.
My lips quiver. I can feel the cascade of water threatening to wash my face away.
Mom, I whimper as my hands cover my mouth.
“Don’t cry, dear. You’ll ruin your make-up. Only I can cry. You don’t get to,” she says, as she slowly makes her way down the stairs. Her chest puffs up. “I had to see this myself.” Her frown lines disappear as an unknown expression appears on her face. “Look how beautiful you are.”
“You think I look beautiful?”
An anxious sigh seeps out of her. “I will only say this once. I was wrong—you were right. I was jealous. That’s a horrible thing for a mother to be of her daughter. I was also afraid of losing you.” She sniffles, eyes batting with precision as she stares at me. “It doesn’t matter now, though. What matters now is you get down there and marry the man who had the balls to call me out on my bullshit.”
“What?”
“He paid me a little visit and reminded me of what was important. It began with a call; of course, my smug attitude was not well received. The day you called me, he came by after I hung up.” She sighs. “We both know he is a beautiful man.”
“Mom, you can’t say that anymore.”
She laughs. “Both inside and out. He did not advocate for you, dear, not at first. It was for Max. Max wants you to be his mother, and from what I hear, you’re pretty good at it. I don’t want to hurt you or Max... anymore.”
We watch Max go in with the pillowed rings.
“He’s going to freak out when he finds out you’re here.” I smile.
My mother sniffles. “Your soon-to-b
e-husband is quite a man, as is your son. Yes, I am a little jealous you have them, but I couldn’t be prouder of you. I never thought you’d achieve these things. I never wanted you to. It seemed much easier to keep you safe right there with me, but you are an adult. Haruki reminded me of that.”
Haru. She didn’t call him Mr. Arima. My heart becomes so warm.
“Thank you for inviting me. I’m a stubborn old mule, but even I know when I’m beaten.”
“Mom, it’s not a competition.”
“I had to learn that the hard way.”
I’m about to speak, but the music for the bride begins to play, and two ushers fall behind me.
“They’re ready for you,” an usher says.
My mother hugs me, and I take her embrace as I give her mine.
“Wipe those tears away. You’re my daughter, and I’ll give you away. Tell Haruki he’d better take good care of you, or he’ll have me to face.”
I nod with pursed lips and wet eyes.
“I love you,” my mother admits.
“I love you too, Mom,” I whimper.
“No crying,” she says, raising her chin and staring forward.
The usher takes my train. As we walk, my mother takes my hand and leads me down the stairs toward the pillared room. The men who had been standing there with the large stalk leaves put them in vases and pull the golden ropes attached to the sheer, flowing curtains, opening them wider, giving me everyone’s attention. I notice everyone has risen to welcome me.
There I stand, the goddess of Haru’s heart. Our friends, colleagues, associates, family, and wedding party are staring at me, and my beloved Haru is also staring right at me. Max waves to me; I wave back with a sweet smile. And his eyes get so big when they see my mother. He waves at her too. She smiles and waves back. As soon as she does in the middle of the ceremony Max drops the rings and the pillow and runs straight for my mom.”
“Max,” Darby calls, reaching out her hand, but she can’t stop him. I glance at her with a smile. I hope she knows I don’t want her to stop him. The crowd is silent.
“Grandma!” Max cries into her dress as he hugs her.
My mother’s eyes water.
“I thought you weren’t coming.”
