Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Madison
I wait for my sister outside on Ralph’s porch.
Surveying the land, I notice several vehicles parked in the graveled lot.
They must belong to Betty Lou, Janie, Miss Jenny, and a few of her crew who are preparing food in the kitchen for the reception.
Big buckets of recently harvested daylilies are lined up against the ancient, white clapboards of the house, ready to be used as interior decorations.
Nurse Gale is also here, insisting she help Ralph prepare, even though it’s officially her day off.
“Beverly!” I screech, running across the driveway as she pulls in.
She gets out of her car, and we meet in the middle, our bodies crashing together in a sisterly hug.
“Oh, my goodness. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe you’re getting married!”
Grabbing my left hand, Bev searches for an engagement ring. Disappointment mars her pretty face as she looks up at me and frowns. “No ring?”
“Not yet, but I’m sure George will have something for the ceremony,” I reassure.
Beverly immediately unclasps a chain hanging from around her neck and presents it to me. On the chain is our father’s gold wedding band he wore when he was married our mother. The shiny metal pings in the sunlight, the sight of it immediately conjuring up tears in my eyes.
“It was right where you said it would be, in Dad’s cedar chest in your guest room.”
I take the chain and slide the ring off, rolling it back and forth between my fingers. I blink back my muddled vision and sniff. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I slip the ring on my thumb and rub my index finger across the metal, lost in the memory of when I first discovered it.
After our father died, Bev and I were the ones who cleaned out his home. It was a huge undertaking as he was a self-proclaimed hoarder and kept everything. Once we sorted through the junk and miscellaneous items we either threw away or donated, we decided what we wanted to keep for ourselves.
Beverly kept several pieces of furniture, some artwork, and all the fine china and crystal.
I, on the other hand, insisted I keep the cedar chest filled with his poetry journals.
I discovered his wedding band taped on the front page of a tattered spiral notebook entitled Viola.
The wide-ruled pages filled with sappy love sonnets about our mother gave me a glimpse into how he really felt about her.
I had no idea.
I remember sitting on the floor of my guest room and reading the entire notebook, the stanzas, the metaphors, and the imagery so corny yet undeniably so provocative that I couldn’t stop. I was in awe of this handwritten love story to my mom and realized he loved her deeply until the very end.
Even after she broke his heart during their divorce.
When George asked me to marry him, I knew I wanted to give him my dad’s ring. Not because I needed a token for the ceremony at the last minute, but because it was something precious to me. A gift for my future husband.
A wedding ring represents a lifelong commitment. It represents love. My dad would’ve been thrilled to pass his ring to George. It’s a cherished family heirloom and a God-wink from the heavens. This gold band is a full-circle moment.
And I’m more than ready.
Bev and I walk arm in arm toward the main house front porch.
“You ready for this?” she asks.
“Yes. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I’ve got your cream-colored suit hanging in the backseat of my car. The one with the little pearls hand-sewn on the lapels. And I brought several shoeboxes of your designer heels. I couldn’t figure out which pair would go best with your suit.”
I smile, knowing Beverly has my best interests at heart. “I’m sure whatever you grabbed will be fine. And if they’re not, I’ll just wear my cowboy boots.”
Bev stops halfway up the porch steps and stares at me. “Cowboy boots? Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?”
I laugh, my joyous tone noticeable. “Get used to it. This will probably be the last time you see me this dressed up in a suit and heels.”
Beverly shakes her head. “I’m literally in shock.” Her focus shifts to the buckets of daylilies on the porch, her eyes going wide.
“Good gosh, look at all those beautiful flowers. Is that where the magnificent smell is coming from?” She sniffs the air.
“No. It’s the lavender you smell. The fields are dormant, but the scent is embedded in everything on this farm, including George.”
“That’s it! Wow.” She leads me to the side-by-side rocking chairs, and we sit.
“I can’t believe you did it. I can’t believe you finally quit your job and started living your life. You look amazing, sistah.”
“Thank you. I feel amazing.”
“Change agrees with you. Do you have everything under control? You’ve only got about three hours until you’re hitched.”
Sitting next to her, I look out over the land. “I’m not worried. Everything will be ready to go. See those cars you parked next to?”
“Yeah?”
“Some of the townspeople are here. They’re inside the house putting together food and drinks for our reception. It’s amazing how they’ve rallied together for us. I’m telling you, Bev, there’s something endearing about small-town folks. You’re going to love every single one of them.”
I tell her all about Miss Jenny and her twin, Janie.
Miss Simpkins, Mr. Garcia, and a handful of hospice nurses, including our favorite, Nurse Gale.
And I give her the rundown on a few of Ralph’s favorite farmhands who were invited to the ceremony, minus Kip Johnson, of course.
George and I agreed we didn’t want him at our wedding.
Earlier, I stood by George’s side when he told Kip our wedding news.
His jaw clenched, and he shot me with an evil glare before he mumbled, “Congratulations.”
I was proud of George for being bold and telling Kip to take the rest of the day off with his team.
He nodded, rounded up the workers, and told them to go home.
Once he was in his truck, I knew he was displeased by how he revved the engine.
He accelerated past us in a rage, leaving us in a cloud of dust.
At least we won’t have to worry about him now, especially when Janie asks our guests if anyone objects to our marriage. Losing his strong grip on owning part of Jamison Farm would definitely be a reason for Kip to speak up and ruin things.
But that’s not going to happen.
“I just have to get dressed. My makeup and hair accessories are laid out at George’s cottage. He’s going to get ready here at the main house.”
“I can’t wait to see you in your outfit. And by the way, I’m thrilled to be your maid of honor.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” We giggle, and she reaches for me, our pinkies linking together between the rockers.
“Did you talk to Mom?” I scrunch my nose, prepared for the worst.
“I did. I called her on my drive here.”
“And?”
“And… she’s over the moon happy for you.”
I sit up straight and stop rocking. “Really? She’s… she’s happy for me?”
“Of course. I mean, she’s sad too because she can’t make it.
She and Mike have already allotted their vacation days for their wedding and honeymoon.
They only get a handful, and Mom insisted she doesn’t want you to worry about her, okay?
She sends her love. Oh! And she asked me to give you this.
” Beverly pulls a piece of scrap paper from her purse and passes it off to me.
I frown. “What is it?”
“Open it and see for yourself. I had to pull over on the side of the highway to write her message. You know how she can get. She was adamant. Sorry, all I could find in my car to write on was a ripped-off piece of my fast-food lunch bag.”
I nod, slowly unfold the paper, and read my mother’s message in my sister’s handwriting out loud.
“To my daughter on her wedding day. This is the start of your new life. And even though I can’t be present, please know my heart is there with you. I wish you and your George a lifetime of happiness. Love, Mom.”
I look up at my sister, shocked by my mother’s kind words. “Wow. She hit it out of the ballpark with this message.”
“I know. I told her as much. You know we’ll have to find a way to attend her wedding in a few months, right? She told me we can make her reception a double celebration to include you and George.”
I fold the paper in half and slip it into my pocket, knowing it will take an act of God for George to get on an airplane and be a part of my quirky mother’s festivities. But maybe I’m selling him short. Maybe he could?
A sure calmness settles over me, and I rub the gold band around my thumb again. “That’s very thoughtful of her. We’ll do our best to be there.”
“Gah! I’m so excited for you, Maddy. But I’m dying to know something.”
“What?” I laugh.
Her voice is laced with contagious excitement and cuts through the air in a squeal. “When do I get to meet George?”
“Oh,” I laugh. “For some reason, I feel like you and George have already met, which is weird because I know you haven’t. But you’ll meet him soon enough. He can’t be disturbed right now.”
“Why not?”
I look at the barn in the distance, knowing George is inside. “He told me he’s working on a secret project and needs time alone. When he’s finished, he’ll let me know. But if he doesn’t finish before we get ready, you’ll have to meet him at the ceremony.”
Beverly rocks with her head leaned back against the chair. “Well, I can’t wait to meet him.”
We’re interrupted by Janie and Jenny coming outside carrying a bottle of champagne and four flutes.
“Hey, girlies!” Jenny exclaims.
“Hey!” We reply in a high-pitched tone.
“Time for a little toast,” Janie adds. She peels the foil off the top of the bottle. “This must be your sister, Beverly. Am I right?”
Bev stands. “The one and only.”
I stand beside her and take two champagne flutes from Jenny’s hands, passing one off to Beverly as I introduce everyone. “I have the best sister in the world,” I proclaim.
The cork pops off like a rocket into the front yard, and we all squeal.
“I beg your pardon,” Janie says, quickly pouring the bubbly into our flutes before it overflows in a waterfall of white foam. “I have the best sister.”
“Awww,” Jenny says, slinging her arm across Janie’s shoulders.
“Okay, okay, we can have a tie, I guess,” I say, bumping up against Bev.
“We’ve heard so much about you, Beverly.” Janie says.
“All good things, I hope,” Bev laughs.
“All good things,” I reassure. I lift my glass into the air as pure delight infiltrates my body.
I’m so happy at this moment. Giddy and grateful for Janie and Jenny, and the gift of their services on my special day. For my dad and the amazing love I feel for him through his wedding band, even though he’s not here. And to my mom and her kind words she insisted Beverly relay to me.
But nothing even comes close to the joy I feel having my sister with me to witness it all. She understands what I’ve gone through over the years. And I know she’ll fall in love with George immediately, just like I did. I know this to my core.
Beverly and I have a deep bond, and a shared history.
Her unwavering loyalty toward me while navigating life’s ups and downs together has never gone unnoticed.
She’s my confidante, the keeper of my secrets, and my lifelong companion.
I will never have enough words of thanks and love to make her understand how important she is to me.
Especially today—on my wedding day.
With our glasses raised in a circle, the crystal flutes ping together in a bright, bell-like “ding.”
“To sisters,” I toast, swiping at the tears escaping my eyes.
“To sisters,” they repeat.
I take a sip from my glass and swallow before I mouth the words, “I love you" to Beverly.
She immediately swipes at her leaky eyes and mouths the words, “I love you back.”