“It’ll be fabulous. I’m so excited.” Delilah claps her hands, always down for whatever shenanigans Daphne can cook up.
Leo comes up behind Daphne and wraps his arms around her waist. “The entire day is my treat,” he announces. “No expense is too great for my bella.”
“Well, I don’t know what to say.” Ma’s at a loss for words, which never happens. The woman has shit to say about anything and everything, but Leo’s all-expenses-paid shopping spree has her lips locked. She just stands there, holding the pot roast, and gawks at Leo.
Tilly’s beaming. Absolutely radiant as she stands next to my sister, staring at the girls.
“Why don’t we go Sunday since we’re having dinner tonight?” Daphne asks Ma.
“Sunday, it is.” Ma nods, finally setting the roaster on top of the stove. “This worked out perfectly.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with this, Tilly?” Daphne asks.
Tilly nods and looks to me. “Is your brother?”
I lift my hands, happy to see her happy. “Whatever makes you happy. Go enjoy yourself for the day. You deserve it.”
I can already tell my family’s taken a liking to Tilly, just as much as I have. It’s time I take my own advice and lock that shit down, making her mine and putting all doubt to rest.
17
Tilly
The sun’s shining, and the sky is a brilliant blue for the first time in what seems like months. Birds are chirping above me, sounding just as happy as I feel to know spring’s right around the corner.
I spread one blanket on the grass and wrap another around me before sitting. “I needed to talk to you.”
I grab the broken twigs, gathering them into a neat pile to keep myself from falling apart. I can’t bring myself to look up, keeping my eyes focused on the wilted grass near the edge of the blanket instead.
“I met someone.” I pull the blanket tighter around me as the wind kicks up. “You’d like him.”
I hang my head, letting my eyes fill with tears. I’ve never been able to talk to him without crying, and today’s no different. I thought today would be easier. Moving on is supposed to be. Or at least, that’s what I’ve been told.
“He’s honorable and kind, just like you, Mitchell.” I take a deep breath, finally letting myself look at his headstone.
“Roger gave me your letter the other day.” I pause, wishing he could talk back or I could get some sign that he’s at least listening.
I never thought much about life after death until Mitchell died, but since that moment, I’m always searching for him in the faint sounds in the stillness of the night.
“I haven’t been able to move on. In my heart, I’ll always be your wife even if you’re not here to be by my side.”
I pull his letter from my pocket and unfold the paper.
“Some days I can’t breathe when I realize this isn’t all some cruel joke and that you’re really gone.”
My eyes scan the paper as my fingers trace his handwriting. “I’ve waited five years to wake up from the nightmare, Mitchell. I know you’re never coming back.”
I don’t think I’ve ever said those words out loud before now. They were too painful. They still are, but somehow, I know they must be said.
“Angelo makes me feel alive again,” I tell Mitchell, but a part of me feels guilty for even the smallest amount of joy.
“This isn’t a goodbye, love. I could never say goodbye to you no matter how many years or how infinite the distance that separates us.”
I touch the headstone, flattening my palm next to his name. “I’m following the wishes of the letters you’ve left behind. I’m moving forward with my life. You should see the cupcake shop. You would’ve gotten a kick out of it, but I’m following my dreams.”
Jesus. I’m blabbering. I’m jumping around from topic to topic because focusing too much on Angelo doesn’t seem right, even if Mitchell says it’s okay.
“I’ll make you proud,” I promise him.
