#9 China Cat (Marriage)

facility. Her daughter put her in the cheapest one she could find, and it didn’t matter that it was located in a city that was miles away, as she wouldn’t be going to visit her anyway. Cora had money, but it didn’t matter, as there was probably no happy ending there. Carin and Colleen had moved in together long ago, so at least they had each other, and were probably living happily ever after. There wasn’t anything wrong with them anyway. They stopped all medication the day before. The last night she was there, she didn’t sleep, she had a lot of thinking to do. She may have talked out loud.

Dan showed up on her 18th birthday. There was no fanfare. They insisted on wheeling her, as if she was crippled, to the front door where he brought his car around. It was a black Cadillac with plush velvet seats. She walked out empty-handed. Her only belongings were the ring and the outfit he bought. She didn’t even own a bra. The outfit was a yellow dress with matching socks and patten leather shoes. There were white daisies and lace sewn to the dress and ankle socks and it was cinched in at the waist and just past the knees in length. Very daring. Darts and panels all around accommodated a crinoline. China felt like a princess.

She had no bra and underwear on, but she was used to that, as a person didn’t wear those under pajamas, and she always had a hospital gown on. She would talk to Dan about that when they got to his place. He interrupted her thoughts. ‘…we’re going to City Hall….’ She knew what it was, from books, but she didn’t know why. As if reading her mind, ‘…you said you would marry me…’ She answered meekly ‘…yes …’ ‘…you’re going to move in with me…’ With a little bit more enthusiasm, she answered again. ‘…yes…’ ‘…well we’re going to get married…’ he announced, ‘…and you’re dressed for it…’ He presented her with a bouquet of white roses, daisies, and baby’s breath. She couldn’t believe how blessed she was.

City Hall was huge with high vaulted ceilings, and made of cold cement. The people were officious and there was a lot of glass. It sounded echoey, and smelled like worms. It made her heart pound. She was panting because she couldn’t catch her breath. She was having an anxiety attack. She knew, because she read about it in a book. China had Agoraphobia; fear of the market place. They would have to operate to take it out of her. Dan looked over at her, because he heard her trying to catch her breath. Her eyes were darting all over the place. His girl was so excited, and sexy too. He couldn’t wait to get home. They sat down to wait for their name to be called. He had the bedroom all ready with white petals all over the bed, and like a path leading from the door. She would be easy to carry, because she was so tiny compared to him, and besides, she would want to go to the kitchen first. They called their name, ‘…Badd…’ so he stood up, and then took her by the hand. It was like a picked flower in his, hand in hand, him in the lead, they followed the officious looking woman. A judge read something to them, they said yes, and it was all over. Her name was China Badd. At least, she had moved up in the alphabet.

When he pulled into the driveway, she saw another black Cadillac, but it was older and faded, a trailer, and a black truck. The trailer matched the truck, and it was hooked up. ‘…we have company already…’ she turned to him and said. He answered right back, with pride, ‘…they’re all mine…’ He shut the engine off, pocketed the keys, and let her look around. The corner lot was vast, the Pines were massive, and there was a solid wood fence around the whole yard. ‘…it’s all mine….and now it’s all yours too…’ China didn’t know much about a prenup, but knew all she signed was a marriage certificate. He was so giving.