Epilogue
Trudy
EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER
I’m finally walking down the aisle at Falconhead like Leta Pearl always wanted. There is Haskel, exactly what you’d expect, an extraordinarily handsome groom, standing on the right side of the altar watching me make my way toward him. His eyes light up as he sees me for the first time today.
As embarrassing at it is, I feel that sting behind my eyes.
We hold one another’s gaze, both of us absolutely beaming, nearly laughing through our tears at the absurdity of the moment.
Pete looks adorable in his tuxedo. He’s an excellent ring bearer, and I love the way Haskel’s hand rests on Pete’s blond head.
Seeing the two of them together makes my heart want to burst. But I must admit I’m wondering what people think, what they’re saying about us and our past.
I remind myself that this wedding is happening because I want it to, and because when asked, I agreed. So, who cares what people think?
I love that he forces me to break our gaze first. I look down at my feet to ensure I don’t trip on my gown, then I turn to take my place on the left side of the altar—my place as the maid of honor.
At the end of the aisle, there’s Emily, her arm linked with Daddy’s.
Although he’s not a crier, I think I spot a tear sauntering down his cheek.
And Emily, bless her heart, is absolutely in her element, all this attention, all this pomp and circumstance.
Marrying the mayor? Becoming Bailey Springs’ first lady? She loves it.
And speaking of a woman in her element, there is Leta Pearl, completely beside herself on the front row, the mother of the bride, the soon-to-be first mother-in-law of Bailey Springs, and the unopposed candidate for Celestial Ladies Auxiliary president.
Her best friend next to her, Verlaine, has already gone through half a box of Kleenex.
When she’s not crying, however, she’s taking everybody’s picture with her Polaroid camera and then showing them how to shake it to make it develop faster.
They think I don’t know about their little love biscuit side hustle within the auxiliary.
I keep it to myself that Laurie Jolene burned the recipe; I don’t have the heart to disappoint the giddiest bunch of Celestial Ladies you’ve ever seen.
I lean forward and glance at the groomsmen.
June Bug winks; he’s home from college for the summer, and I have learned from Haskel that his decision to go to Auburn has driven Leon absolutely insane, but June Bug wants to be a veterinarian, and so Auburn it is.
Apparently, winning the state championship for the Bruins was an adequate enough football finale.
His plus-one for the wedding is his very charming and adorable “roommate.” Brad is his name, who now sits next to Lucy.
At the rehearsal dinner last night, I saw the three of them—Leon, June Bug, and Brad—talking and laughing.
They even did a tequila shot together. I hope all of that is what I think it is, and I hope this means Leon is evolving.
Or perhaps Brad really is just a roommate, although I doubt it; earlier, Brad complimented Lucy Moody’s heels and used the word embellishment when he appreciated the details of my dress.
I spot Shug on the second row, right behind Mama. He raises his eyebrows, and bites his bottom lip, the face he makes when he’s about to ravage me. The early summer heat ticks up and I almost forget to help with Emily’s bouquet and train when she arrives at the altar.
Shug doesn’t know I know, but there’s a ring in his pocket destined for my finger this evening.
(For better or worse, a surprise is simply impossible when proposing to a jeweler’s daughter.) Nonetheless, I had planned to let Shug believe he’d surprised me, but now I’m realizing I need to remind him that today is Emily’s day, that he’d better wait to get down on one knee until after she and Haskel the Rascal have driven away.
But whenever Shug does take a knee, I can’t wait to say yes .