“Good,” he said, seeming a bit preoccupied. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
Despite Jack's reassurances, a nagging worry lodged itself in the back of my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that Ellie's return had stirred up old emotions, ones that could disrupt our peaceful life together.
To confirm my suspicions, I decided to pay Ellie a visit. I’d heard from a friend that she was staying at Clara’s, so I drove over there that very same day. Armed with a steely resolve and the knowledge that Jack had lied about seeing her, I took a deep breath and knocked on Clara’s door.
“Sara,” said Ellie as she swung the door wide, her eyebrows rising a notch. “I almost didn’t recognize you. Golly, what a nice surprise. Please come in.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
Ellie gave a dismissive wave. “You’re no imposition, and it’s nice to see a familiar face.” She showed me inside. “My mother and sister won’t be back for a while, so we have the place to ourselves.”
“I can’t remember the last time I was in this house.” My eyes wandered around the room. “I’m terribly sorry for your loss. Miss Clara was a wonderful woman.”
“Thank you. That’s sweet of you to say. I was just about to sit down to lunch. Care to join me?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Ellie offered me a seat in the living room, then brought out a plate of sandwiches and two glasses of tea. “I didn’t realize you still lived around here,” she said as she relaxed into the chair. “What brings you out this way?”
I set my glass on the table and took a moment to gather my thoughts. “To offer my condolences…and to speak with you about Jack.”
“Jack? What about him?”
I stiffened under Ellie’s gaze, a mask of determination forming on my face. “I know you went to see him yesterday.”
“Yes. I went by the dock to see the changes he’d made. It’s a first-class operation now.”
I nervously sipped my tea before responding. “Did he happen to tell you that he and I are together?”
If my revelation bothered her, her face didn’t show it. “No, he didn’t.”
“Figures.”
“How long?” Ellie asked.
“Long enough.”
Ellie managed a weak smile. “Well, I’m happy for you, Sara. You’re a good person. I’ve always thought so.”
“Thank you.” The muscles in my face relaxed, making room for a smile of my own. “And don’t worry, someday you’ll find that special someone, too. I just know it.”
When we had finished eating, Ellie walked me to the door. “Will I see you at the funeral tomorrow?”
“Of course. Jack and I wouldn’t miss it.”
Now that Ellie knew about Jack and me, a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. The looming uncertainty and the fear of how she might react was gone. Now, I could only hope that she would accept our relationship and let us be.
The funeral was a somber affair. The gray clouds above mirrored the mood of the mourners, all clad in black and speaking in hushed voices. Rain fell from the sky in sheets, soaking the earth and turning it into a muddy mess. Ellie was there, of course, along with her mother and sister. Their faces were pale and drawn, eyes red-rimmed. From a distance, I observed Ellie’s every move. She glanced at Jack every now and then, her gaze lingering just a second too long. It was as if a silent conversation was taking place between them, one that I couldn’t hear or understand. A sharp pang of jealousy jabbed at my heart, making me wince inwardly.
After the funeral, Jack went to Clara’s house to prepare dinner for the mourners, while I went to see my mother. I knew it was risky leaving Jack and Ellie alone, but I also knew that I couldn’t let my insecurities dictate my actions. My mother, who had fallen ill, needed me too.
During the drive over, I contemplated my decision to thwart Jack’s proposal all those years ago. As time went on, I had convinced myself that it was the right choice. The only choice.But as I navigated the narrow roads leading to my mother’s house, I wondered if I had made a terrible mistake. If he had proposed, Ellie might have turned him down. Or perhaps they would have married, only to find that they weren’t right for each other. Maybe then he would have come back to me.
All of the ‘what-ifs’ were gradually eating away at my sanity. I parked in front of my mother’s house, the familiar sight of the crimson roses she loved so much doing little to soothe my troubled mind and went inside.
“So, how are things going with Jack?” she asked after dinner.
I hesitated a moment before responding, picking at the remnants of my meal. “Good,” I said, hoping my voice would hide my concern.
