Chapter 23: Danger! Disaster Ahead

Fairy Godmonster gets a large plastic bowl from her NTMT chip.

I ask, “What are you going to do?”

“Keep the brat out. Fill this bowl with water.”

I do as she says and return from the bathroom to find handcuffs and other creepy devices hooked together and hanging over the door. She sets the bowl of water into the thing and hooks a dangling wire from it to the doorknob.

By the time we finish, I can hardly keep my eyes open. I collapse on the bed and fall asleep instantly.

It’s still dark when a noise wakes me up. I look at the clock. One.

The door creaks and opens an inch.

My heart leaps to my throat. I can hardly see with the clouds covering the moon. I put my hand on Fairy Godmonster’s mouth. She wakes with a start and grabs my neck in a flash.

“Urrp.”

“Sorry,” she whispers, letting go.

I point frantically to the door. She glides to her motorcycle and pushes it toward the window.

Creeping out of bed, I whisper in her ear. “You can’t start the motor.”

“I don’t need the motor. It’s just for show. If I can get it out the window, I can fly away.”

“What about the hot tub?”

She whispers back. “I doubt it will be noticed. Keep the lights off.”

Creak. The door opens farther. The bowl wobbles overhead. WHOOSH! Water splashes all over Daria and Godzilla.

“EEEKKK!” Daria slips to the floor.

MEOWWRRR!

The cat jumps out of Daria’s arms. The bowl clatters to the floor.

Fairy Godmonster has half of the Harley out the window. Her muscles strain to hold it. She hurries to climb out, fox tail twitching. Godzilla leaps through the air and bites down on it.

“CRIPES!”

I reach for the cat. Too late. Fairy Godmonster tumbles out the window taking Godzilla with her.

What happens next is like a slow motion nightmare. The motorcycle, Fairy Godmonster and Godzilla crash through the top of the wedding heart with a sickening crack. Bushes and flowers smash. Godzilla hangs on until Fairy Godmonster hits the ground then jumps under a bush.

Fairy Godmonster flies away without starting her motor.

The cat howls.

I freeze in shock at the destruction below. Lights go on outside.

Daria drags herself off the floor and rushes to the window. She pushes me out of the way screaming, “Gazella! Gazella!” Something slips from her hand out the window, but I can’t see what it is in the dark.

She turns to me in frightened horror. “You threw her out the window! I was coming

to apologize and you killed my cat!” She runs from the room screeching, “Mommy! Mommy!”

“Wait, Daria. Your cat jumped out the window.”

She’s gone.

I close the door and sit on the bed. What am I going to do? I don’t think there is anything in Mom’s diary that covers this.

I stare at the hot tub. No way can I hide it.

I leave the room and close the door. Slide down to the floor and wait. I can’t leave the bedroom unlocked without protection. I hear lots of noise, but I don’t go downstairs. What can I say? I hope Fairy Godmonster got away, but she can’t help me now.

I cringe when Dad stomps down the hall. I’ve never seen him so mad.

“What were you thinking?” he yells. “Why would you destroy the wedding decorations? The heart can never be fixed in time!”

“What are you talking about?”

He shoves the key to the attic into my hand.

“I found this on the ground outside. Near the heart.”

“I don’t know how it got there. I lost it this morning,” I say.

“Daria says you threw her cat from the window!”

I stand, furious. “I didn’t! I tried to catch her!”

“Were you trying to blame the cat for the destruction?”

“One cat couldn’t do that much damage, no matter how big she is!” I yell back.

“Luckily, the cat is unharmed.”

“Dad, how can you think I would throw a cat out a window or ruin David’s wedding?”

He still doesn’t look into my eyes.

My heart turns to stone. “Dad, look at me! I never lie to you.”

He says, “There’s no other explanation. We saw no animal tracks. Everyone else was in bed.”

I scream, “Daria wasn’t in bed!”

“She’s a child.”

“She was sneaking into my room in the middle of the night.”

He scowls. “It’s obvious that you don’t like your future in-laws.”

“I love Claire. Her dad’s okay. You don’t know what it’s been like since you left. I worked day and night. I had no help, except with the horses. David was too busy with late shipments and was gone. John had to study for exams and Claire’s mom kept her busy running errands.”

He interrupts, “I was hoping you would grow out of your melodramatic stage, Winifred.”

“I’m not being melodramatic. Daria stalked me. Her stupid cat got hair on everything. She even spit up on me.”

“Daria said you left a water trap over your door. Why would you do that?”

He’d never believe the truth. “I needed privacy.”

“Who destroyed the heart? I don’t understand any of this. I have no other choice but to ground you.”

I can’t believe this is happening. “If I did this horrible thing you are accusing me of, how did I get back up here with everyone downstairs?”

He shakes his head, his face gray with tension. “I’m asking you to remain in the attic until the wedding. Your meals will be brought up to you. You can be at the rehearsal and that’s all. When we go to the rehearsal dinner at the restaurant in Salem, I want you to stay home.”

I stare at Dad, mortified.

“Dad, do you know how embarrassing this will be for me?”

“You should have thought of that before you set the trap.”

“I was protecting myself. Did you know Daria tripped me and that’s why I fell on the porch?”

“What? Why would she do such a thing?” asks Dad.

“Ask her. Better yet, ask Scott. He saw her do it.”

Dad jaw tightens. “For the safety of all concerned, I’d like you to stay in your room, except for using the bathroom. Don’t make me lock you in.”

“What about the horses?”

“I’ll take care of them. Two days without exercise won’t hurt.” He turns away.

“Dad, please don’t do this,” I plead.

“Don’t make this any harder than it is, Winifred.”

“Mom would have believed me. Did you know she left me a diary?”

Dad pales.

“What?”

“A book that explains her life, her beliefs, how she faced possible death during childbirth.”

He sags.

“Thanks for telling me, Dad.”

“I’m not up to your sarcasm tonight or any more discussion. I’m sorry. We’ll talk about your mother after the wedding. Tomorrow will be a circus. I can’t worry about you. Please, stay in your room.”

He turns away and slumps down the hall.

Stunned, I can barely stagger into my room. I lock myself in and crash onto the bed.

I’m alone, a virtual prisoner in the empty silence. It’s unbearable without Fairy Godmonster. Why isn’t she here? I need her more than ever. Tears spill down my face.

My heart splits wide open.