15. Epilogue
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Today I’m baking something truly special — an engagement cake.
Charlie has requested Italian creme cake as a nod to their first date.
I’ve baked two layers of cake and have them set aside on the counter to cool.
Penny has been tasked with keeping Beth out of the kitchen today, or at least until I leave.
I wipe my hands on my apron as I glance at the clock across the kitchen — Charlie should be here soon to pick me up.
I told Beth that I have an appointment with Amber, but really, we’re getting ready for him to propose tonight.
I feel bad lying to her, but the result will be so worth it.
Graham grins at me from across the kitchen.
He has music blasting from a bluetooth speaker above his station on the grill.
I can’t help but laugh as he dances around the kitchen, singing along to the music as he cooks.
He spins around from the grill to look at me intently, singing into his spatula the entire time.
He reaches out his hand and I take it, grinning wildly as he spins me across the kitchen.
I grab a pastry box from underneath the counter and fold it together as I turn back to the cake.
I’m pleased with it and I know Beth will be, too.
I untie the apron from around my hips and toss it on the rack on the wall.
Heading into the break room, I retrieve my phone and keys before walking back by Graham.
“Bye,” he says as he plates a cheeseburger and fries.
“See you later,” I reply before giving him a quick kiss on the lips.
The grill crackles in the background as we break apart. My stomach grumbles in protest as I breathe in the smell of the burgers, but I don’t have time to stop and eat. Instead, I snatch a fry from the plate in his hand and pop it into my mouth.
“Good,” I say, “but needs more salt.”
Graham opens his mouth in protest but I dash to the counter to grab the cake box and shove my phone into my back pocket. I balance it on one hand as I quickly step out the back door, undetected by Beth. Penny is doing a good job of keeping her occupied.
Charlie is parked around back in his squad car.
He watches me from behind his aviators as I walk down the steps of the diner, careful not to drop the box in my hands.
The gravel crunches loudly underneath my feet as I hurry to the car.
The cool breeze dries the sweat from my skin, and I can’t help but wonder what winter will look like here in Driftbay in a few months.
Opening the back passenger door, I gently place the cake box on the floorboard and then climb into the passenger seat beside him.
“How’s she doing?” he asks.
“Good, I think. I avoided her most of the day,” I reply as I buckle my seatbelt. “Doesn’t suspect a thing.”
“Good, good.”
I can tell Charlie is nervous by the way his hands are gripping the steering wheel. His knuckles are white.
He puts the car into reverse and we leave the diner, pulling out onto the main road to head back to the house. It’s a quiet drive back.
One of the things I’ve been working on in therapy is my anxiety around vehicles. Some days still get the best of me, but I’m doing better than I have in a while. Amber and I have been working on the root cause of my fear and I’ve gotten better about being able to handle it.
I know Charlie is lost in his thoughts so I ask him, “Run me through it again?”
He lets out a nervous breath. “I’m cooking dinner for us all,” he begins.
I nod. Charlie and Beth have never made me feel like a third wheel, always including me in their dinners at home. The three of us have become somewhat of a family unit, and I think Charlie understands that Beth and I are a package deal at this point.
“At sunset, I’m going to take Beth Ann down for a walk along the water and then…I’m going to propose.”
“Are you nervous?” I ask, knowing that he most definitely is.
“More than I’ve ever been in my entire life,” he admits.
He takes a left and pulls into the driveway. We sit there for a moment, neither of us moving.
“You know she’s going to say yes,” I say quietly.
“I hope so,” he says. “This is the most important question of my life.” He takes another deep breath in and leans against the headrest.
“Relax a little,” I laugh, “It’ll be fine.” I undo my seatbelt and open the door to step out.
“Easy for you to say,” he laughs as he gets out of the car, “you’re not the one proposing.”
I grab the cake box from the back of the car, kicking the door shut with my foot.
I follow Charlie up the porch steps to the back door.
He slides his key in and unlocks it, stepping aside and motioning for me to go in front of him.
I head to the kitchen and set the box down on the counter before retrieving my ingredients for the icing.
Charlie’s been preparing all morning; there’re steaks marinating in the refrigerator and a bouquet of Beth’s favorite flowers, zinnias and hydrangeas, on the table. I swear I can see a worn path on the floor from his pacing.
He follows me into the kitchen and rolls up the sleeves of his gray button-up shirt. Pointing at the flowers, he clears his throat and asks, “Do you think she’ll like these?”
I turn from the cabinet, mixing bowl in hand. “I think she’s going to love them,” I say as I set it down on the counter.
The early October breeze is blowing through the slightly cracked kitchen window, curtains fluttering in the wind. Summer is well on its way out the door.
I grab the mixer from its permanent spot on the counter and dump my ingredients for the icing into the bowl. As I’m mixing them together, I catch myself thinking back on all that has happened in the short amount of time since I came to Drifbay.
I came here a lonely, brokenhearted girl, longing to feel whole again. I rebuilt myself in Driftbay. I found a job that I love, coworkers that became friends, a better relationship with my aunt, and a boyfriend. I found a great therapist, who’s helped me along my walk with grief.
I’ve come to realize that it’s true what people say about your loved ones always being with you after they die.
I see pieces of my mom everywhere. She’s there in the way that Penny expresses herself, in Graham’s fierce loyalty and love, and in Raquel’s stormy attitude.
Together, they make me feel less alone and help keep her flame alive.
Once I’m satisfied with the consistency of my icing, I grab a display platter and a knife.
I unbox the cake layers and plate it, getting to work on icing it.
I hum while I work, inhaling the sweet smell of vanilla.
I fill a piping bag with more icing and make some simple swirls across the top of the cake.
I become lost in my confectionary world while Charlie paces behind me.
“It’s going to be fine,” I say as I finish piping and admire my handiwork.
“She’s going to say yes and you’ll get your happily ever after.
” I pick up the plate and put the cake in the fridge.
“You have nothing to worry about.” I transfer my dishes to the sink and turn the water on, letting it run over my hands as it heats up.
“I just want to make her happy,” I hear him mutter.
“You do. She wouldn’t have stuck around this long if you didn’t. Now, go watch TV or something to get your mind off of it, or you’ll drive yourself mad.” I turn around and shoo him away from the kitchen. “Beth won’t be home for another couple of hours.”
I finish washing the dishes before retreating to my room.
I want to stay out of Charlie’s way. He’s already nervous enough without me hovering.
I shut my bedroom door and flop down on my bed before pulling out my phone.
I stare at the black screen and decide to call Ireland.
We haven’t talked much this summer. I dial her number and listen to the ringing tone while I wait for her to pick up. She answers on the second ring.
“Well, hey there, stranger!” she exclaims. I can hear Tucker barking in the background.
“Hi,” I say, smiling at the familiarity. It’s like no time has passed between us.
“How are you?” she asks. “We haven’t talked in forever.”
“I know and I’m sorry about that,” I say. Truly, I am. “But I’m good,” I add, “how are things back in Seattle?”
I stare across my room and my eyes settle on the framed photo of Beth, Mom, and me, the one placed in here to welcome me. The heart-shaped seashell Graham found for me sits against it and I can’t help but smile.
“Well,” Ireland starts, “I’m moving.”
“What? No way!” I exclaim.
“Yep.” I can sense her nodding through the phone. “You’ve inspired me to get out of here.”
“Where are you going?”
“I think I’m going to travel for a bit. See where the wind takes me.”
She’s always been somewhat of a free spirit.
“Tell me about your summer,” she adds. “I want to hear all about it.”
So I tell her. I tell her about Jake, about meeting my new friends Raquel and Penny.
I tell her about Beth and Charlie, how I almost got in legal trouble for underage drinking, how I ended up in the hospital, and about my therapist. The most exciting part was telling her that my heart now belongs to a sandy-haired, blue eyed boy named Graham.
How he showed up like a knight on his white golf cart to sweep me off my feet.
We end up talking for a few hours before we hang up.
Charlie is back in the kitchen later that evening, searing steaks when we hear Beth come home. I duck my head out into the hallway and watch as she shrugs off her jacket and hangs it on a hook by the door.
“Hi,” she says, smiling as she sees me. She runs a hand through her hair, exhaustion clear in the slump of her shoulders.
“Hi!” I reply, a little too peppy. She doesn’t seem to notice.
I sit down at the table as Beth walks down the hallway and into the kitchen, noticing the flowers on the table first. She lifts them to her nose, closing her eyes as she inhales deeply, savoring the sweet fragrance.