As my wedding day approached I was becoming more and more apprehensive. I know what you are thinking, typical bride's jitters. It was more than that though and I felt that I had good cause to be nervous. I am fully aware of Don's reputation, and of his history with my mother. That she chose this time to come home did not bode well for my future. I love my mother, and had missed her greatly, but I was worried that my new husband would be swayed by her beauty and charm. After all, what did I have going for me to combat her in either department? Granted, I inherited her physical attributes, body wise, but the grace, charm, and beauty were sadly lacking, or so I believed at the time.
College had been a great experience, and while it had helped me in many ways, it had not done anything for my inherent shyness and so it was that I approached my wedding with my virginity intact. I do not know if it was a conscious effort on my part to remain so, or more of lack of opportunity. When I had started dating Don, I resisted, because I thought that was all he was after. I grew to love him though, and I believe he returned the same to me, that is when for the first time in my life it became difficult to say no. Why did I? I am not really certain. All I know is that as our feelings for each other deepened, we both seemed to back off from sex. I think that he derived as much satisfaction from my state anything, and wished to preserve it for our wedding night.
It was after a particularly heavy petting session one evening that he broke away from me, sensing that I was about to give in. He looked at me and asked, "Cassie, if I bought a ring, would you wear it?" It then suddenly became more difficult not to rip my clothes off and give myself to him as I said "yes Don, nothing would make me happier." We cuddled, and dreamed of what the future had in store for us. This then, is the true story, no matter what the downtown gossip mongers say about how I trapped Pleasantview's reigning man about town. Don has a weakness for women, and I know that my life with him will be spent trying to keep him satisfied. To keep him from wandering is a challenge I look forward to with a certain relish.
With that in mind, I shortly struck up a friendship with the woman father was dating. I plied her with questions on lovemaking, and asked if she could advise me in the ways of a man and a woman. Had my mother been home, I naturally would have sought her guidance on this, but as she was not, Dina was more than happy to share what knowledge she possessed. Fortunately, she had shared most of her tips, and suggested some exercises for me, to strengthen tone and control of certain... muscles before my mother decided to put in her appearance.
We were out in the yard, making plans for the wedding when suddenly she burst onto the scene and leaped into my fathers arms. Grabbing him by the bow tie, I heard her say "Mortimer, bed" as she led him into the house. I looked at Dina, trying to sort out the conflicting emotions that were pulsing through my form, and she gave me this little shrug and then hugged me. "You know where to find me if ever you need to talk, I am sorry but I guess I will not be coming to the wedding." As we parted, she gave Alexander a hug as well and left. I hugged my brother then, and took him inside for a snack.
The rest of the day was spent catching up with my mother as she regaled us with tales of her travels. It really was good to see her again, I told myself I was just being silly to consider her a rival for my fiancé's affection. Finally, she took stock of the surroundings and asked, who was getting married, and to whom. Father met her eyes, for she suspected he had given up on her and moved on. He told her that I was to wed Don Lothario the day after tomorrow. My paranoia thought it detected a cloud pass over her, but she lifted her head and beamed, "how wonderful". She leapt into the preparations then, and took me aside for a few precious words of motherly advice.
I must say though, that Dina's guidance on lovemaking I thought much more pleasurable than my mothers advice to always maintain control and to make the man do my bidding. Naive I may be, but suspect that a shared experience may prove to be a more enjoyable one. So the eve of my wedding dawned and left me a huddled mass of confused and conflicting emotions.