Chapter 36 Scarlett
SCARLETT
TO: ScarlettShepardpersonal@
FROM: EvelynChanShepard@
SUBJECT: wine!
Hello, my beautiful only daughter!
Can you please pick up some deli food for me at Erewhon on your way to our place today?
Kelp noodle salad, wakame and kale salad, detox salad.
Trying to get your dad to eat healthier.
Thank you!
- Sent from my iPad -
TO: Evelyn Shepard
FROM: Scarlett Shepard
Hi, Mom. This is the kind of thing you can send in a text, you know.
Although, the subject line got me really excited.
Yes, I can pick that up for you.
TO: Scarlett Shepard
FROM: Evelyn Shepard
I did not want to bother you at work.
But I thought the word “wine” would get your attention.
When can you leave work today?
TO: Evelyn Shepard
FROM: Scarlett Shepard
I check my phone for texts when I have a break. It’s fine!
But you could have texted a wineglass emoji and gotten my attention that way too!
My last appointment leaves at five today. Will be out of here about fifteen minutes after that. Might be busy at Erewhon at that time, so I will let you know when I get there.
TO: Scarlett Shepard
FROM: Evelyn Shepard
I do not see what is the difference how I contact you. You know that saying: It doesn’t matter if you carry it in the front or on the back…
TO: Evelyn Shepard
FROM: Scarlett Shepard
Yes, I know. Never mind!
You’re right!
See you later.
TO: ScarlettShepardpersonal@
FROM: WadeShepardpersonal@
SUBJECT: cute GIF when you have time
Love you
TO: Wade Shepard
FROM: Scarlett Shepard
Awww so cute! Love you too Dad. See you in a bit.
That kitten reminded me of Mr. Noodles. But I’m not sad. I’ll visit her when my parents are looking after her.
I was glad to hear that my mom had run into Dylan a couple of nights ago.
I was also somewhat glad to hear that he seemed unhappy.
If that makes me a terrible person, then I guess I’m a terrible person.
I don’t want him to be unhappy forever. I don’t even want him to be unhappy for another week!
But at least he had the courtesy of appearing to be unhappy for my mother’s benefit.
He’s a good guy.
I haven’t heard from him at all, and he leaves for Big Bear in a few days—but he’s still a good guy.
By the time Mia has left my office, I am confident that she is dating a good guy too. I predict Mia and Martin are going to make it. I’m feeling optimistic about most things now.
Except the parking situation at Erewhon.
I’m feeling all kinds of stabby about that.
I can’t find a space in the garage, so I have to drive around for ten minutes before I can find street parking and then walk three blocks back to the store.
When I pass by the spot on the street where I had parked that first time I met Dylan over three years ago, I am flooded not so much with regret but nostalgia.
If I had known then what I know about him now…
I would have canceled the stupid vet appointment and taken him up on his offer of getting takeout and eating lunch at the dog park.
I would have flirted with him and kissed him.
I would have given him my number and agreed to meet him for dinner later that night and then a movie and then whatever.
There’s very little I wouldn’t have done with him, if I’d known then what I know now.
My head is in the clouds when I enter the store, but my feet lead me in the direction of the deli section.
It is crowded. There’s a line. I’m not saying my mood is affecting the music that’s playing on the speaker system, but “It Must Have Been Love” transitions to “Let’s Stay Together,” and goddammit. Loving Dylan forever is what I need.
I stop in my tracks and pull out my phone to call him.
But before I even open up the phone app, I hear Noah’s voice. “Mom! There she is! Mom!”
I look up and find my son running over to me, with Dylan Brodie close behind him. Noah’s holding a bouquet of flowers. “Mom, what took you so long?! We’ve been here forever, and I have to pee.”
“Can you hang on for a few more minutes, buddy?” Dylan asks him, his eyes fixed on me. “I’ll take you in a bit.”
Noah drops his head back, groaning. “Yesssss. I can wait.” He stands a couple of feet away from us, legs crossed tight, cradling the bouquet of flowers in his arms like a baby. “Hurry up though.”
“Hi,” Dylan says to me. He is so handsome, in jeans and a sweater. It feels like months since I’ve seen him, and I never want to look away.
“Hi. What’s going on?”
“Well, I wanted to do this in a public place,” he says, looking down at my feet. I’m wearing a sweater dress, tights, and boots. “You look hot, but it would have been awesome if you were wearing sneakers right now. Anyway.” He gets down on one knee.
We’re in almost the exact same place we were in when he tied my shoelaces over three years ago.
“I wanted to do this in public,” he continues, “specifically in this place where we first met three years ago because I’m hoping people will post pictures and video of this on social media…
” He pulls a small black box out of his pocket, and I’m not the only one who audibly gasps.
People are indeed gathering around and pulling out their phones to capture this.
“I’m doing this so everyone will know that I want you to marry me, Scarlett.
When I’m filming a movie with Tabitha or anyone else.
Doing a play or a TV show with any actress, I want them and I want you to know that you’re the one I want to marry.
That’s the difference between those other girlfriends and you.
You’re the one I want to marry. You’re the one I love in real life.
You.” He opens up the box and reveals a beautiful, perfect diamond ring. “Will you marry me?”
“Hey, Mom. Mom. Mom. Mommy. Mom. Mooooooommmmm!!!” Noah tugs on my sleeve.
“Yes, baby. What?”
“Can we have mac and cheese for dinner?”
I’m still looking at Dylan when I say, “Yes.”
“Tonight though?” Noah asks.
“Yes.”
Dylan, still down on one knee, holding the ring box, clears his throat. “So, just to be clear, you were saying yes to mac and cheese for dinner? Not marrying me.”
“Yes.”
“Got it.”
“But yes. I also want to marry you.”
“Right on.”
I hold out my left hand for him to place the ring on my finger.
The crowd is now applauding. About ten people are holding up their phones to take pictures and record, I suppose.
Once the ring is on my finger, Dylan stands up, and I grab his face and kiss him.
In a very PG sort of way so they can use the video on any channel or website—I do know how to be the girlfriend and wife of a famous actor.
When we hug, I whisper into his ear. “We have to wait until two years have passed since our last session together though. Just to be safe.” I kiss his cheek and look him in the eyes. “That okay?”
“I would marry you today, but I will wait as long as you need me to.”
“Good answer. Tell me more.”