Epilogue
On his wedding day, Leo’s father offered to help with the tie.
His mother had attended the civil ceremony in the city, but his father showed up for the wedding in Key West.
“Where’s the tie?” Dad asked. “I’ll help with the knot.”
“Upstairs. Give me a minute.”
The tie was on the desk, still in its original packaging. Leo climbed the stairs to the turret and was struck by the feeling
that he may never return to this space. He swept a gaze along the curved walls, took in the mismatched chairs and the shelves
crammed with books that no one bothered to crack open. It all seemed dull and lifeless, but the windows overlooking the garden
framed his future beautifully.
The pergola was strewn with orchids and twinkling lights. Nearby, a string quartet was setting up. Their guests, a dozen or
so, were gathered on the lawn, catching up over cocktails. Emily and Richard Carlisle were getting acquainted. Sebastien introduced
Alexandre to Dr. Flores. In a short while, they’d take their seats for the ceremony. Daphne would officiate. Vicky and Matty
would bear witness. An ornate silver candelabra sat on a simple wood table. Leo had the task of lighting two of the three
long white tapers with Ruby’s lighter. He and July would light the third with their twin flames. Their wedding planner had
proposed the ritual to honor July’s mother, and it felt right.
July had picked The Aurora as their venue. She wanted to exchange vows at sunset, amid the blooming jasmine and bloodred hibiscus. He wanted whatever she wanted, but for the reception, they’d migrate to their new home, a cottage on Elizabeth Street, a second line brass band leading the way.
When he caught a glimpse of his bride through the glass panes of the sitting room doors, the air grew thin. Leo, lightheaded,
could hardly breathe. July was a vision in a short white dress and a long lace veil. Ayesha fussed over her, a proud mother
hen. They’d skipped the “first look” the planner had offered to stage. Was it bad luck to see her in this way? Unproduced
and unprompted? And what if it was? What did they need luck when they had fate on their side?
A year ago today, July fell through the cracks of time and somehow made it back to him. He’d promised this wedding was the
most conventional thing they’d ever do. From now on, they’d take life as it came—write, travel, set roots here and in the
city, fill their homes with friends, laughter, art, and music. They’d earned their good fortune and would make the most of
it.
He snatched the tie off the desk and returned to the bedroom suite where his father was waiting. The last time they’d done
this, Leo was graduating from high school.
“Interesting color choice,” Dad remarked.
The original ivory tie was switched out for this blue one, ordered from a local shop and delivered earlier today. Key West
blue, haint blue . . . you could never be too careful.
“Why so buttoned up?” Dad asked. “You could tie the knot in board shorts and boat shoes down here.”
Leo shrugged off the suggestion. “I can’t help who I am.”
“You’re a fine person,” Dad said. “And I’m proud of you. I should have said it sooner.”
In the mirror, his father stood inches shorter than him, which hadn’t always been the case.
The older man wore a heavy gray suit, and his salt-and-pepper hair was slicked to the side to conceal a receding hairline.
Gaze clear, he looked well rested, for once.
They were running out of time. Any minute now, the planner would come get him.
This was a day of new beginnings, but a fine time to end old business.
He met his father’s eyes. “Thanks for coming. It means a lot.”
“I owed you an apology,” Dad said. “I owe you so much.”
“Forget it,” Leo said. “We both carried this grudge. At any point, we could’ve dropped it, but we didn’t.”
“I’d like to drop it here.”
“So would I.”
His father’s frame was thin under the heavy wool jacket, his “good suit,” and he wore no jewelry, not even his wedding ring.
“Enjoy your life, son. Don’t take anyone for granted and be grateful for what you have. And call your mother often. She misses
you.”
“I will.”
“Until I see you again?”
“Until then.”
Dad left as he’d arrived, quietly, receding into the shadows. A blink and he was gone. Leo turned to the mirror. His single
reflection stared back at him. A knot at his throat, he loosened the tie.
A timely knock on the door pulled him to the present. The planner called out in her playful tone. “Leo White, are you ready
to get married?”
“Ready!”
With one last look in the mirror, Leo turned away from the past. He was ready to marry the love of his life and vow to honor
and protect her. Not even in death would they part.
The Aurora staff had gathered at the foot of the grand staircase to cheer him on. Laughing, Leo thanked them, hugs and handshakes, then slipped down the familiar dim and narrow hall to the rear exit, pushed open the door, and stepped into the light.
The End