Her eyes search mine. “You’ll help me with a clogged toilet?”
I chuckle. “I mean, I could deal with the ice, but yes, I will handle the toilet issue. I would do anything for you, even if it involves poop.”
“You’re my favorite person.”
I kiss her smiling mouth one last time, and then we leave the reel room together, splitting off in the hall.
She heads out to the lobby and I go in search of a plunger.
Sometimes life is beautiful, and sometimes it’s a little messy.
What else is there to do with your one big, beautiful life?
Epilogue
Vivien
* * *
The morning sun peeks in through cracks in the drapes, casting bright lines across the carpet. Birds chirp in the distance.
I love Sunday mornings. We have nothing to do, no place to be, no calls to answer. It’s cool enough to sit on the porch in the shade in the morning, before the sun gets too high in the sky.
I stretch in the warm bed, one hand reaching reflexively for Spencer, but his side is empty. Sitting up, I blink and glance around the empty bedroom.
Before I can slide out of bed, the door opens, and he walks in.
“Hey. You’re awake.”
“You’re carrying a tray. Where did you get that? Is that breakfast?” It’s light wood, oak maybe, with handles. Thick and sturdy. A plate rests on top of it, piled with something that smells like bacon and next to it a pile of pale pancakes. A yellow rose juts out of a narrow vase.
“I found it in the pantry, hidden behind the Crock-Pot. And yes, it is.” He sits on the edge of the bed, carefully placing the tray over my lap.
“This reminds me of the first time you made me breakfast.”
“Yep. To celebrate our five-month anniversary.”
I count back six months to March. “I guess it has been five months. That’s wild.” So much has changed since then, since I left Boston in the middle of a snowstorm on Valentine’s Day.
He taps the side of the tray. “There’s a surprise under the plate.”
“What is this?” I would have missed it if he hadn’t said something. Only a tiny white triangle, the corner of an envelope is visible. “Is this another letter?”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about it. Or give it to you sooner.”
I’ve already pulled it out. Vivien final letter is written on the front. I look up at him. “I didn’t know there would be more.”
“Beverly wanted me to save it for after you signed the paperwork and everything was said and done.”
On Friday, everything with Beverly’s estate was formalized and completed. I signed all the paperwork and took official possession of the Palace Theater and the house. We’re going to celebrate.
“I’ll give you a minute.”
He leaves, and I slide the page out of the envelope.
* * *
Vivien,
