- This feels really weird, Gwen.
Mindy looked at herself in the mirror as Gwen zipped her up in a lacy white cocktail dress. She held tight to her crutches and examined her body, which looked rather awesome but still oh so frail. She was happy she had been able to start walking on her own, even if it was slow and a little sad and bumpy. The first steps she had been able to give without the crutches had occurred last night, when Danny's call had stunned her into action. Gwen placed the headband with the short veil on Mindy's head and her gaze was clouded by the white fabric. Alex and Maggie entered the room right then.
- Everyone's waiting for you sweety. You ready? – asked Alex.
- Uhm…
- Just give her a moment guys. She's taking it in. – warned Gwen
- Taking what in? Is she high? – asked Maggie
- What? No! – cried Mindy
- Cause if you are feeling cold feet I might have a little somethin' somethin' for 'ya. – winked Maggie at her
- Maggie, stop it! – Said Alex – She is trying to get everyone as high as her for the last half hour!
- Okay, girl circle. Now! – Shouted Mindy
The four ladies gathered then: Alex sat on the floor while Mindy and Gwen sat on the edge of the bed and Maggie approached them in the wheelchair. They all stared at her with preoccupation.
- What's going on Min? – Alex dared to ask
- I need your honest to God opinion about this wedding. I am sensing something is off, but I can't pin point it. So I need your help. – said Mindy in a low voice
- What do you mean? I think it's great you are marrying him – answered an uneasy Alex – I mean of course it's a bit hasty and all but… if it's right it's right, no?
- Right, sure – said Mindy unconvinced.
- I got a question for you actually – said Maggie. The other two girls shot her a warning look – Don't stare at me like that! It's just a simple question – she stated calmly.
- Okay, what? – hissed Mindy
- What makes you so batshit crazy? – asked Maggie with a wide, silly grin. – I mean why are you even considering this?! – She started to raise her voice.
- Ooookay Maggie, sober up time! – whispered Alex and started to pull the wheelchair away from Mindy.
- Oh my god Maggie! – Said Mindy indignantly – Get a grip! … Alex, take her to the bathroom and waterboard her to sobriety if necessary!
Alex rolled Maggie out of Mindy's room and then closed the double doors behind her. When she turned around she stumbled onto Danny. They looked at each other awkwardly.
- Oh. Hi – said Alex dryly.
- Hi. Uhm, Casey says he is running out of time, and the ice cream cake is starting to melt… Do you know if it will take much longer?
- I don't know. Ask her yourself. Or have your ex-wife come over. – She shot him a dark glance and pushed Maggie to the bathroom.
- Okay… Guess I had that one coming… - whispered Danny.
He had just cracked open the door when he heard Mindy sobbing a little. He wanted to back away but he couldn't. He could not move forward either, so he just stood there in the hall, stuck, listening to the conversation taking place in Mindy's bedroom.
- I know Maggie was out of line but… Honestly, why are you hurrying this? – said Gwen as she caressed her best friend's shoulder.
- Well… Gwen… if you think about it, I have spent most of my adult life believing that if a person stares at me it's either because A – I have something on my face B – It's a pervert runaway waiting to attack me. - Gwen nodded, a little amused - With Casey… I think he just wants the best for me, always.
- I think so too. But is he the best for you?
- How could he not be? – Mindy replied drying some tears from her eyes.
- He can be an amazing person and love you and still he might not be what you want. Or what you need. You know that honey. I know I always tell you life isn't a romantic comedy. But that doesn't mean you have to settle… there's someone out there for you who's going to make your stomach churn with butterflies and the one you can't even bare to be without. I know I have that, and I'm absolutely sure you will have that too.
Mindy looked down, helpless.
- Yeah, maybe – she sighed
Danny's throat felt suddenly dry and soared as he heard these last few words. The truth was he felt a mixture of sadness and relief. He was beginning to feel weird standing there though, and just when he was about to go in someone tapped his shoulder. Danny jumped back, terrified. It was Casey.
- What are you doing man? – Casey inquired.
- N-Nothing – Danny stuttered.
- Is she okay? Were you listening?
Gwen cracked the door open.
- What are you guys doing? Were you listening to us?
- Shame on you! – Mindy screamed from the back – Casey, come in! And Danny… Get a life!
- But he can't see you with your dress on! – cried Gwen.
- That's okay… I gotta feeling I'm not gonna walk her down the aisle either so… Mindy, my flight has been moved forward two hours… I have to leave in half an hour. Can we talk?
Mindy's head popped in the side of the door.
- What?! Just… Gwen, keep everybody entertained for a bit. I need to speak to him. Give me a minute and then come in – she said to Casey
