Even so, when I consider our twelve-year relationship, I can’t deny that she gave me the best parts of my childhood.She taught me to explore, get dirty, ask questions, and stand up for myself.I wouldn’t be myself without her.How do you regret someone who changed your life for the better?Still, a bad ending wrecks twelve good years like they were flimsy under the sudden weight of it.It bears down on me even now, especially since I never got answers.
Still, I tell my son, Olly, about our adventures from childhood, as if I can’t help but keep our history alive and hand those stories down for safekeeping.I didn’t set out to include Venus in his upbringing.One night, he asked me to tell him a story, and the only good ones I had included her.
Marnie laughs at my anti-dating declaration.“Yeah, that’s what my husband used to say, too.Tell me, why are you keeping yourself away from some lucky lady, huh?And don’t say Olly—he already spilled the beans that his mom dates.Why don’t you?”
“My soulmate doesn’t want me.I don’t want her, either.There’s no coming back from that.And settling for anything else is… unfair… to everyone involved.”
ThisI know firsthand.I tried so hard to fall in love with Olly’s mom, Carly.I wanted us to be a family.But forcing myself to love her didn’t work.Neither did living together.In the end, I made us both miserable by being disingenuous, and that wasn’tmeeither.But I hope Marnie doesn’t press for more information.I don’t want to explain to this sunny newlywed that happy endings don’t always happen.
“Sometimes, being alone is better.”
Marnie closes her gaping mouth at my declaration and shakes her head vigorously.“Having been alone, I don’t believe that… but I understand the inclination.Besides, how can she be your soulmate if she doesn’t want you?”
This prompts an easy smile as I remember all the reasons.“She just… is.”
Marnie’s blue eyes widen softly.“In that case… there’s always hope, Henry.Always.”
Her giddy grin is gone, replaced with a sternness thatalmostmakes me believe her.But what Venus did to me and the silence that followed confirms what I already know—there’s no hope for us.I wonder now if there ever was.Giving my heart to a woman who didn’t believe in love was a reckless mistake that I won’t make again.
“I appreciate your optimism, Marnie, but no, there isn’t.I’m ready to put my hopes in this place, though.”
She snorts.“Nice redirect.Henry Greene, you might be a bigger project than this place!”
“That’s probably true, but fixing me isn’t part of our deal.”
“Well, no pressure about the garden.Dr.Blake will understand.It’s okay to back out.”
A deep sigh and the calming river views break through my tension.“Um, no.The carnivorous garden is a great idea.I’m being oversensitive.”
“Then, we’ll do it?”
“Sure.I’ve always liked Dr.Blake, and Venus wouldn’t care about a little garden like this.She’s too busy saving the world.Besides, she hated those plants, despite being named after them.”
“Geez, hating the plant you’re named after must be frustrating,” she says.
“She prefers to say she’s named after the Roman goddess.I mean, shepreferred.Who knows anymore?”Not knowing tightens my chest, prompting another puff from my inhaler.My lungs burn, but open, taking in the warm spring air.“Enough about that.I’m starting to feel excited about my inheritance, finally.The Weird But True Wilmington Museum will be incredible—a real tourist destination.”
“And a local favorite,” she quips, finger raised.“The response on social media has been overwhelmingly positive.Everyone’s excited to see this place turned around.”
“Given its rocky history, that surprises me.”
She laughs.“Well, your uncle had a flair for the unusual.”
“I still have nightmares about the time he tried to turn it into a serpentarium.His python, Harry, escaped while he had guests here.It wouldn’t surprise me if Harry lives in the walls.”
“Was that before or after he tried those haunted lock-ins?”
“After… though a snake writhing in the walls may’ve given his customers proof of paranormal activity,” I say.“I think they were mostly disappointed.”
“The, um, mirror maze was a decent idea,” she offers.
“Oh, yeah, until a mirror got whacked with someone’s cane, shattering everywhere.It’s a wonder he didn’t get sued for that… or the gator that got out,” I say.
Marnie chuckles.“Yes, the escaped gator story made the paper, though I’m sure Greta just walked to the river and dove in.She’s probably living her best life now.”
I shake my head.“He never should’ve tried live animals.”
“He was brave—I have to give him that.The laser light shows could’ve worked,” Marnie says.
