Not On My Watch!

Then the whispering started, which filled Jenna with a sense of foreboding. She turned around and saw the mother of the bride, smiling smugly. Which would not be an unusual sight really, if it not for one thing...

Maxim Trevelyan
Writer, Ravenclaw

Jenna stood still at the entrance of the venue, carefully observing the arriving guests, ready to move at any hint of trouble. She took her duties as a Maid of Honor very seriously. Jenna promised Marianne that nothing would ruin her wedding day and by everything holy and unholy, she would make it so. Her best friend was hurt enough in her life, especially by those that called themselves her family, she did not need them to ruin what was supposed to be the best day of her life as well.

A girl dressed in a dark green dress approached her and said, “They’re not here yet.” Jenna nodded, frowning. The parents of the bride were supposed to be here before all the other guests to help with details or prevent mishaps, but Jenna had a feeling that the lateness was deliberate. A few weeks ago, Marianne warned her that her mother might try something at the wedding, to make the day all about her and not her daughter. Over my dead body, Jenna snarled to her. Later, she managed to recruit a couple of the groom’s cousins and nieces to help her keep the peace and so far, it was working.

“The calm before the storm,” Jenna said to the girl. “Make sure that all American guests are situated in the hall with appetizers,” she instructed, glancing again at the entryway. “Listen for any grumbling and report back to me,” Jenna added, watching the girl almost float away. At fifteen years old, she had incredible people skills. Jenna swore that the girl could charm a leprechaun to part with his gold. A born politician.

Jenna kept on smiling and mingled with the guests, interchangeably speaking German and English, and at one point, even French. However, after twenty minutes, a sudden silence fell over the hall, making her grind to a halt. Then the whispering started, which filled Jenna with a sense of foreboding. She turned around and saw the mother of the bride, smiling smugly. Which would not be an unusual sight really, if it not for one thing.

A sparkling white gown with a sweetheart neckline and a train. Clearly meant to be a wedding dress.

“Oh, that does it,” Jenna snarled and hurried to the open bar, where she kept her weapon that she purchased just for this occasion. She pointed at the bartender, whispering, “You saw nothing,” and opened the bottle. Jenna took a wine glass and filled it to the brink, taking two deep gulp of the red antique grape juice for courage. She left the bottle at the bar and started moving to the target. For deniability, Jenna took out her phone and started diddling on it, when she accidentally walked right into the mother of the bride, spilling red wine all over the white dress.

Jenna jumped back and gasped, trying to keep a straight face as the woman’s shrieking could definitely be heard by the dogs 100 miles away.

“Oh, don’t fret Anna May, ya did bring that extra purple gown like Ah told ya ta, right?” Jenna could almost hear the smirk in the bride’s aunt’s voice.

“Shut up, Bonnie!” Anna May shrieked and after a few choice words for Jenna, she stomped off to the car to get the spare.

Jenna was glad that she could finally stop pretending to not find the whole situation funny and darted off to the upper floors where the bridal party was preparing for the ceremony.

Mission accomplished.