Chapter 5.5
"You know Maya, sooner or later, your mother is going to have 'the talk' with you," Riley stated through the phone. Maya sighed, running her hand through her hair.
"I think she should know that I probably learnt the talk back in middle school," Maya responded, Riley giggling on the other side of the phone.
"Maya, toots, I really gotta go. The set is getting annoyed at me. Look… I'm really sorry I can't make it. I have to be in 5 neighbouring states throughout the whole day. I'll see if I can fly all the way to Texas," Riley stated. Maya's face dropped. Who wouldn't be upset if their best friend couldn't make it to the wedding?
Katy knocked on Maya's bedroom door.
"Maya Penelope Hart, it's customs and manners to visit people just a few days after the wedding day. Aren't you going to visit Missy?"
Maya pulled herself in a casual mid calf length skirt because last time she tried introducing the concept of skinny jeans, the villagers told her to either adhere to the way of modesty and God or follow the devil and get rocks thrown at her until she changed. She obviously didn't want a bruised body because of the skinny jeans and her wedding was soon. She wore a plain white blouse, tucked in and took a shoulder bag.
She reached Missy's new home and was greeted by the husband.
"Hi. You're Maya Hart right? My wife's told me about you," He states, his voice kind of nasally yet deep. Maya nods, smiling at him.
"What are you standing there for Christopher? Let the poor girl in," Missy yelled in the background, seemingly from the kitchen. He smiled and stepped back, pointing Maya towards the kitchen. Maya walked slowly into the kitchen to see Missy with flour all over her, her hair a dishevelled mess.
"Wow, if anyone in New York saw you, they'd think you were about to have some hot sex until I came and you shoved flour on your face," Maya joked nudging her. Missy laughed but her face faltered a little and Maya's eyes widened.
"I'm leaving. Carry on, please," She says, kind of running towards the door. Missy's flour covered hands grab Maya's wrist.
"Oh no, honestly it wasn't like that. Please stay. Let me just clean up okay?"
Maya nodded as she sat on the sofa in the livingroom. It was quite strange as Christopher Gardner wasn't that much younger than herself yet had this nice place. Maya eyed the whole place. His family must be rich.
"If you're eyeing this place like 'how can such a young couple afford this?' then I'll tell you that this place is a gift from brother in law. Everything else, my husband paid for," Missy explained, wiping off the last bits of water from her hands.
"Oops, where are my manners? Would you like anything to drink?"
Maya shook her head, "No thanks Missy. I actually just came from my house and hand brunch."
Missy's eyebrows furrowed.
"Brunch? What's that?"
"Brunch is breakfast and Lunch merged into one," Maya answered. Missy nodded, smiling.
"New Yorkers always have something strange to say. You know one of my brother in laws has lived in New York. You'd probably get along well but I don't think I've ever actually seen him. My husband talks about him and so do his family but I don't think recall ever seeing him…"
"Anyway," Missy side tracked, "What we have to talk about is your plans and what you're wearing and who your bridesmaids will be and matron of honour etc."
"Nah, I don't think I'll be having any of the above. I'm just going to get married and move in. I'm not really looking forward to it," Maya said, shaking her head.
"But why! It's so fun, and the man you're getting married to agreed and he only agrees when he's interested," Missy stated, wriggling her eyebrows. Maya looked at her annoyed.
"Why didn't anyone tell me that boys have the right to agree and disagree?"
"Didn't anybody tell you? I also heard that if a boy makes you pregnant before marriage, he has to marry you. Apparently that was the case with-"Missy started but her voice died as soon as she heard foot steps coming towards the living room. Her husband walked in and she gave Maya a look, as if never to continue the conversation.
Christopher looked at Maya and Missy.
"Did I interrupt a private conversation?" He asked. Maya shook her head.
"It's just bad luck to talk about wedding stuff in the presence of men. You know those superstitions like how the groom can't see you in your wedding dress till the moment etc…" Maya blabbed on. Christopher just nodded.
"I'm just going to see Charlie now so you can stay here and chat with Maya unless you both want to see Bree?" he asked. Missy laughed at Maya's expression.
"Bree tried to fight Maya on the barbecue day my family was hosting," Missy mentioned and Christopher pulled an apologetic face.
"Honestly, it's fine. I just want to say one more thing to Missy before I leave…" Maya stated, staring at him till her understood.
"I'll be waiting outside," he said, catching on very quickly to what Maya wanted.
"Listen, I don't want ANY townspeople visiting me at all up until my wedding. I don't want to hear of them trying to throw me parties or force me into tradition. What I want in return for fixing up your wedding dress on your wedding day is silence," Maya commanded.
"Why would you bring up that incident when I'd do it for you for free?" Missy asked, smirking.
"Oh we both know your services aren't cheap. I've observed and noticed you're a jack of all trades. You're very useful Missy BUT, I'm only asking for this."
"Deal," Missy said, shaking Maya's outstretched hand.
Maya was very happy with the deal. Silence was all she wanted but with those townspeople causing her grief for her attire or personal taste, she'd do any favours in exchange for it.