Chapter 15
Evelyn and I married two years later.
Not because the first wedding needed completion.
Because we chose it again.
Different place.
Small garden.
No bridal suite.
No veil.
She wore pale blue.
Ethan carried the rings and nearly lost one in a fountain.
Normal disaster.
Bianca did not attend.
Her choice after Evelyn left the invitation decision open.
She sent no gift.
Only a note to Ethan wishing him fun.
Good.
Margaret did not attend.
Anna did.
As guest.
Important.
Before the ceremony Evelyn handed me something.
Clara’s letter for Ethan’s wedding day.
Still sealed.
“What?”
She smiled.
“Keep it safe.”
Not mine to read.
I put it inside a locked box Ethan would inherit when old enough.
Then Evelyn took my hand.
“I’m scared.”
“Me too.”
She laughed.
That was different.
Fear spoken.
Not hidden.
No one turning it into leverage.
When the ceremony ended, Ethan shouted:
“Now cake?”
Everyone laughed.
Evelyn looked at me.
For one second I remembered torn white fabric rising from floorboards.
Her hand appearing from darkness.
Then the image passed.
Not erased.
Placed where it belonged.
May you like
Behind us.
Memory without control.
