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Aurora replied meekly. “Slightly nervous about today, honestly.”
Dr. Winston nodded. “That’s natural. You haven’t been here very long.”
“Do you think it’s a bad idea for me to go?”
“Not necessarily,” Dr. Winston said. “If you feel clear and focused, I see no reason you shouldn’t go and have a good time. You’ll eventually have to leave our facility for good. This will serve as a good practice round.”
Aurora nodded, her throat tightening with fear. She explained to him that her thoughts were sharper, but not too quick or manic. “I think I would feel really sad to miss the wedding. The Copperfields have done so much for me.”
“They don’t expect anything in return for that kindness,” Dr. Winston assured her.
“I know,” Aurora said. “But I want to show them how much I care.”
It had been a long time since she’d cared for anyone enough to show them the depth of her heart.
Greta pulled up outside the Nantucket Sound Psychiatric Facility at nine-thirty that morning. In a hilarious site to see, she had her silver hair pulled up in curlers, and when she wrapped Aurora in a hug, she smelled of lilacs, which made Aurora breathe easier. “I hope you don’t mind me looking like this,” Greta joked. “I forgot how frantic weddings are. There just really is never enough time.”
Greta had brought Aurora a change of clothes taken from Aurora’s bedroom at The Copperfield House. In her simple black dress and finally out of the psychiatric facility attire, Aurora felt comfortable and clean. She buckled herself into the passenger seat of Greta’s car feeling vaguely like a normal person. Well, she wasn’t entirely sure what a normal person felt like. But maybe she was on her way.
On the drive back to Hyannis Port, Aurora felt that everything was in technicolor— the grass along the highway was especially green, and the blue sky above was especially spectacular. Every family in every passing car fascinated her, and she smiled dreamily, imagining all these happy people at the height of summer, experiencing the glory of the east coast.
On the ferry, Greta stayed below to avoid messing up her hair in the wind, but Aurora was free to roam, and she leaned over the railing, watching the island creep closer and closer. Yesterday, during his visit, Aurora had asked Brooks to come to Ella’s wedding with her, and he’d blushed and said he wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Back in Greta’s car, Aurora was struck with a horrible realization. “Greta, I don’t have anything to wear to a wedding!” She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t considered this before.
Greta laughed. “Don’t worry, honey. Ella and I picked something out for you at a vintage boutique downtown. It has that seventies’, Stevie Nicks’ vibe you like so much, but with a bit of wedding flair.”
Not since before Delilah’s diagnosis had anyone shopped for Aurora. She found it incredibly sweet. Aurora imagined Greta and Ella wandering the aisles at the boutique, discussing her specific style and hunting for the perfect fit.
When Greta pulled into the driveway of The Copperfield House, Aurora was quiet for a moment, gazing up at the ornate Victorian— a place she’d imagined would change herself forever. It had come through on that promise. When she stepped out of the car, Alana and Julia waved from the porch, both dressed in shorts and tank tops, clearly on their way somewhere.
“Welcome back, Aurora!” Julia said as she hustled down the steps.
“You ready, Mom?” Alana called.
Greta laughed, still seated in the car. “We’re meeting Ella at the venue for hair and makeup.”
“I hope you’re not late because of me?” Aurora asked, wincing.
“No way, honey,” Greta said. “You’re an essential part of this day, and we made it right on time.”
Aurora had a hunch that Greta had arranged for Barbie to be her “babysitter,” as, immediately after she opened the side entrance of The Copperfield House residency, Barbie popped out from the kitchen and said, “Aurora! Welcome back!” She then hugged her tightly and followed Aurora up to her bedroom, chatting the entire way.
“Just an extraordinary day for a wedding, isn’t it?” Barbie said. “The house has been chaotic all week. Last night was the rehearsal dinner, and it was just divine. The sunset was the prettiest I think I’ve ever seen. And the food! I mean, it wasn’t as good as Greta’s food, but what is?”
Aurora entered her bedroom to find the dress Greta and Ella had chosen for her hanging on the back of the door. It was a dusty pink color, with a delicate lace neckline and a big skirt. Just as Greta had said, it evoked seventies folk music, but was also much fancier than anything Aurora had ever worn. She couldn’t begin to guess how much it had cost.
“Put it on!” Barbie cried.
Aurora was embarrassed. “I don’t know.”
“Please, Aurora. When they showed it to me, I nearly fell over. It’s going to look incredible on you.”
Aurora sighed and closed the door behind her for privacy, then changed into the dusty pink dress, careful not to glance at herself in the mirror. She hadn’t seen herself in a week. The thought of it terrified her.
But when Aurora opened the door, Barbie’s jaw dropped, and her eyes told Aurora everything she needed to know. The dress was really something, even if, sometimes, the woman inside it didn’t feel half as special.
“It suits you so well,” Barbie breathed, stepping into the room to fluff the skirt out. “When you make your first album, you should wear this dress on the album cover. I swear.”
