A/N: There's more on the subject of abuse, so proceed with caution if you are sensitive to the subject.
They called Pastor Michael the next day and he said he would perform the wedding ceremony as long as they came in for a couple of weeks so he could get to know them. They agreed, and they went in on Tuesday morning, since he had to get ready for their gig at the Palace Theatre after that.
“I’m glad that you agreed to meet with me up until a week before the wedding. Is this the first for both of you?”
“Yes it is.” They both answered.
“Good. So Micky, tell me a bit about yourself, like your age, what you do for a living, things like that.”
“I am 21 years old, I’m in a rock band called The Monkees, and I love science and architecture!”
“Debra, how about you?”
“I am 22 years old, I clean rooms at a local motel, and I enjoy walking on the beach, and reading.”
“Wonderful.”
They talked about themselves for the next 45 minutes, and then it was time to go.
“I’ll see you both next week.”
They left his office and walked back to the Pad. Micky got ready for their gig and Debra went along with him that evening.
The next evening, she called information to find her old friend Melissa.
“Information?”
“I am looking for a Melissa McEntire in Chicago, IL.”
“Okay, please hold...The number is 312-555-3156.”
“Thank you.”
She hung up and dialed the number.
“Hello?”
“Hello is this Melissa McEntire?”
“Yes it is. May I ask who’s calling?”
“This is Debra Johnston, an old friend from high school.”
“Oh hi Deb! How are you?”
“Doing well. Listen, I am calling because I am getting married in seven weeks and I was wondering if you would like to be my Maid of Honor?”
“Sure! Congratulations! Who’s the lucky guy?”
“His name is Micky Dolenz and he’s in...”
“Oh my goodness! You’re marrying the drummer from the Monkees?”
“Yes I am.”
“Wow, you are sure lucky. I confess, I have a crush on him.” Melissa whispered.
“That’s okay Mel, a lot of ladies do.” Debra laughed.
“So where’s the wedding? In Chi town?”
“No, in Los Angeles, I live here now.”
“Oh wow, that’s groovy! I’ll be there! We can catch up on old times too!”
“We sure can! It was great talking to you again Mel.”
“It sure was Deb. I’ll see you in seven weeks!”
“Great! Oh, here’s my phone number: 213-555-7569.”
“Okay, I got it down! I’ll talk to you later!”
“Great! Bye.”
“Bye.”
Debra hung up and called her sister in Moline.
“Hello?”
“Hey Patty? It’s Deb.”
“Hey Deb, how’s L.A.?”
“It’s great! Listen, Micky and I are getting married in seven weeks, and I would like you to be my bridesmaid.”
“Oh wow, my little sis is getting married!!! I’d love to be your bridesmaid!”
“Great! I’d like little Brittany to be my flower girl and Jason to be the ring bearer too.”
“Of course! So, where are you getting married?”
“In a Presbyterian church that’s down the road from here. I gave my life to Christ last Sunday and it was great!”
“Wonderful! I’m happy for you. I hope Micky is better than Brad was.”
“Oh yes, he’s a sweetie!”
“Good. I don’t need to see you go through all that again.”
“I know. He’s good for me, sis.”
“I’m glad. Well, Denny, the kids and I will be there in seven weeks!”
“Thanks! Until then...”
“Till then sis.”
She hung up and told Micky that everything was set.
“Did you ask Mike?”
“Yes, and he happily agreed.”
“Great.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week before the wedding, it was the last meeting with Pastor Michael. Debra opened up about her past.
“Pastor Michael, I need to get something off my chest.”
“Okay go ahead.”
“I was in a relationship a couple years ago for a year. His name was Brad and he abused me physically, sexually and verbally.”
“I am sorry to hear that. It’s good that you got out of that.”
“Yes. I got away, but I thought it was my fault for a long time.” Tears streamed down her face and Pastor Michael handed her a Kleenex.
“Thank you. He used to beat me and leave bruises all over. He also used to burn me with his cigarettes.”
Debra showed both him and Micky marks that she still had on her upper arm and leg.
“Oh Deb, I am so sorry that he did that to you! It’s a good thing I don’t know who he is or else I would have beaten him to a pulp for all he did to you!” Micky shouted.
“I appreciate your chivalry, but it’s good that you don’t know who he is. I hope I never see him again.” Debra sniffed and wiped her nose with the Kleenex.
“Hopefully you won’t ever see him again.” Micky stated.
“Be thankful that it’s over and you are with a kind gentleman like Micky.”
“I am thankful. He is so good to me.” She squeezed Micky’s hand.
“I try my best.”
“You do a good job.”
After the session was over, Micky and Debra walked home via the beach.
“Deb, I’m glad that you can talk openly about what happened to you. I bet it’s hard.”
“It is, but I need to do this, it’s therapy for me to talk about it.”
“Deb, did he rape you? I’m sorry to be so personal, but I am curious.”
“Um, yes he did. I really don’t like talking about that part.”
“Okay, whenever you are ready, I am here for you. He was a real jerk!”
“He sure was.”
“Deb, I hope you know that I would never do anything to hurt you.”
“I know that. Micky, you are the sweetest, most gentle man I know. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The wedding day was here and everyone arrived. Debra was getting ready in one of the rooms at the church with her sister Patty and Melissa. Patty and Melissa were wearing light pink dresses with white pumps. Their hair was pulled back in buns and they each had floral hairpieces in their hair.
Debra had on her satin light pink gown that didn’t’ have a train. She had a white floral wreath around her head and her hair was pulled back in a bun. She was wearing white pumps and teardrop earrings.
“Deb, you look beautiful.” Patty commented.
“Yes you sure do.”
“Thanks guys. I am so happy. In a few minutes, I will be Mrs. Micky Dolenz.” Debra sighed.
It was time for them to go out, and Mike met her in the corridor.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
Mike led her down the aisle as the Wedding March played on the piano. Micky looked at his beautiful bride as she slowly walked down to where he was.
As she got to his side, Mike went over to where Peter and Davy stood.
“You look so beautiful, Deb.” Micky whispered.
“Thank you, you look handsome too.”
Micky wore a black tuxedo with a white shirt and black dress shoes. His hair was neatly combed back.
They exchanged their vows, and were presented to the group as Mr. And Mrs. Micky Dolenz.
After the wedding procession, they went back to the Pad for the reception. Mike, Peter, Davy and Micky’s friend Randy played “Sometime In the Morning.” Debra danced with quite a few people, and then with Micky.
“Micky, I love you.”
“I love you too, Mrs. Dolenz.”
They kissed, and danced close together.
Meanwhile, Melissa was talking in between songs to Mike. They were getting along famously, and Debra and Micky noticed.
“I see Melissa is getting cozy with Mike.” Debra noted.
“Yes I see that. I thought it was me she had a crush on!” Micky laughed.
“Well, now she seems to have one on Mike.”
Debra threw the bouquet and a girl named Clarissa caught it. Micky threw the garter and Mike caught it!
“Whoa Mike, who are you going to marry?” Peter laughed.
“Very funny, shotgun!”
Then Debra and Micky opened their gifts and Melissa marked down everything they received. Afterward, Melissa went over by Mike and they sat together.
“So Mike, I’m here for another day, do you want to hang out and go to dinner tomorrow?”
“Sure Mel that would be great.”
“Outtasite!”
It was midnight and the reception ended. Micky and Debra went to the motel she works at for their wedding night.
“So this is it.” Debra sighed.
“Yes it is. I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
“Yeah.”
“Is there something wrong Deb?”
“Oh Micky, I’m scared.”
“Don’t be. It’s me remember?”
“I know. I really have no reason to be scared.”
“No you don’t. Just let go of what happened and remember that it’s me, not Brad.”
“Okay.”
The next morning, they awoke and after breakfast, they drove to Yosemite where they would stay for a couple days.
The End
Chapter 3
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