“Why are you crying?” Elodie said.
“Because I’m happy to meet you. These are happy tears.” They shook hands and then Penny stood, wiping the tears from her face, and stared at me. A small smile played on her lips.
“You here for a visit?”
I laughed. “I’m not fucking around this time.”
“Daddy!” Elodie admonished.
“Sorry, baby girl. Elodie wants to take lessons here. We’re moving back into my dad’s house next Tuesday.”
She stood there, blinking. “You and Elodie and...?”
“Nope, just me and this little Tater Tot.” I lowered my voice. “Briel wasn’t cut out for it. Her band’s second album hit it pretty big.”
“I heard that.”
“She was on the road a lot. I told her I didn’t belong in Paris, raising our daughter alone.”
“And...”
“She understood.”
We spoke quietly, almost in code. She glanced down at Elodie and said, “But won’t Briel—”
I shook my head. “Like I said, she wasn’t cut out for it. Elodie, baby, go dance in front of the mirror. It’s all yours.”
Penny pressed a button on a remote and music came on. “That’s it. Good girl,” Penny said as Elodie danced around freely.
Now we had a little privacy. Penny leaned up on her toes, wrapped her arms around my neck, and whispered, “I’m going to hate-kiss you now for not talking to me for three years.” I laughed but she stopped me with the kiss. I didn’t feel hate in it at all.
When she pulled away, I said, “But you didn’t talk to me, either.”
“Fine, I take it back. Now close your eyes.” I did and we kissed again. I placed her hand on my heart. We were back in the psychology room so many years ago, but this time we had a whole life shared between us. “Don’t open your eyes,” she said when she stepped away. “Now tell us, Gavin, what did you feel?”
“Love. What about you, Penny?”
“I felt everything.”
“Yes, everything,” I agreed.
“Now open your eyes.”
When I did, she was staring at me curiously.
“Hi, beauty,” I said.
“Hi.”
Epilogue
Please write a little note to Penny and Gavin on their beautiful day...
To the bride and groom:
Even though you guys watched that video later, I don’t think either one of you saw what we saw in the psychology room all those years ago. There was something we couldn’t capture on film. Something we could all feel. You both know I’m not into that cheesy crap so it takes a lot for me to say this but... you two were made for each other. Love you and congrats!
—Ling
