Epilogue
Ten years later…
Reese
“Wait,wait,” Jay says as he grabs the corn casserole we made out of the back seat.
Hepasses it to me and grabs the apple pie before closing the door.
Isnatch his free hand and pull him to me, planting a kiss on his sweet lips.
Hislips curl into a smile against my face. When I pull away, he says, “Well,wasn’t that sweet?”
Wewalk side by side up the drive to Shelley and Tyler’s new place, chatting aboutthe wreck of a front lawn that Shelley will likely be putting in some longhours working on during the spring. Reminds me of my own garden—the one thatJay and I have expanded, the one we work on together now. I thought I had agreen thumb, but Jay has a talent for bringing even the weakest of plants backto life. Just like he did with me.
Aswe reach the door, I’m reminded of the first time we visited their home allthose years ago.
WhenJay and I were so new…so scared of what we felt for each other.
NowI’m holding my husband’s hand as we visit some of our best friends. The firstpeople either of us really opened up to and started allowing into our lives.
Iturn the knob and the door opens.
“Hey,hey, hey!” Jay announces.
Thescreaming kids upstairs assure us that Shelley and Tyler’s kids are as healthyand energized as usual.
Michael,their youngest at six years old, rounds the corner at the top of the stairs.When he spots us, he calls out, “Uncle Reese and Uncle Jay are here!”
Heraces down and gives us hugs. His sister, now in her teens, follows shortlyafter him, acting far cooler than she used to act when we would babysit her andplay hide-and-seek and dollhouse together. I hear she has a boyfriend now, soI’m sure she’s way too cool for silly games now. Just a shame that her olderbrother Martin can’t be here today because he has to work at his job up inTennessee, where he’s going to school.
Welead the kids into the kitchen, where Shelley squats before the stove,assessing the turkey.
Charliesits at the kitchen table, sipping on a drink. “Why hello there,” he says. Wealways invite Charlie to Thanksgiving dinner with Shelley and Tyler, and he’sbecome a good friend of ours as well.
“Boys!I could hardly tell you were here,” Tyler says, eyeing Michael as he entersfrom the living room.
Wehug, and Jay sets the apple pie and casserole on the counter while I approachCharlie, greeting him and making small talk. Jay asks Shelley what she needshelp with. We came a little early to make sure we could assist before the othermembers of her family and some of our mutual friends arrived.
Shelleyand Tyler are two of the most welcoming people I’ve ever met, and I’m proud tobe part of their circle. To have shared so many great memories with them frombingo nights to Saturdays at Six Flags with them and their kids.
WhileJay, Shelley, and Tyler take charge of dinner, I tend to my responsibility,wrangling the kids. We play hide-and-seek, Michael screaming as loud as alwaysevery time I find him. I’m searching for them when the doorbell rings.
“I’vegot it!” I call since I’m already in the entryway, about to head up the stairsto find the kiddos.
Iopen the door, and there she is.
Melanie.
Withher bright blonde hair and eyes sparkling as she smiles, she’s as beautiful asI remember her being when we first met.
Herten-year-old boy Jarod has his arms around her hip. And her husband Toby is ather side.
It’snice how relaxed I feel in this moment. It’s not like back when I tried toavoid her calls.
She’sback in my life, but this time, as a friend and confidant. After I opened theenvelope with the picture she sent, Jay encouraged me to call her, and with thehelp of Jay and Laura, I eventually met up with her. It’s taken years, butfinally we’ve become close again, and I feel like I’m a better person becauseof it.
“Hi,Reese,” she says, her voice a sweet melody on my ears. It’s a voice filled withlife and energy—something she lacked for so long when we were together.
