Chapter 17
Since the wedding wasn’t until four, Emily had the morning to herself. By seven thirty, she and her bicycle were on the bike path.
She rode until she reached the grounds of the former Funland. There was little left of the vibrant amusement park that had been a popular destination for decades.
There was a nondescript, low-slung building, built in the 1960s, used by Parks Rec staff. The only other building on the property was the bandstand.
Originally constructed in the garden area of the amusement park, where bushes were trimmed in the shape of mythical creatures and the scent of flowers hung heavy in the air, the bandstand had been revitalized several years back.
Emily vividly recalled coming to Funland with her father shortly after WWII had ended. The park, which had struggled during the Great Depression, had experienced a resurgence when the country had entered the war.
That day, her fourteenth birthday, the sky had been an intense blue, and the sun had shone brightly down upon them. Her father, who’d rarely left the hotel in anyone else’s care, had agreed to take her and Irene to the park to celebrate.
Emily recalled entering this section of Funland through white lacquered gates. Those lovely gates were long gone.
Music popular at the time flowed joyfully into the air from a raised platform. A red canopy overhead shielded the swing band from the sun.
Concrete benches on each of the terraced levels looked down on the band and on visitors dancing the Lindy Hop and the jitterbug.
She and Irene had wanted to sit close to the band, but her dad had barely started down the steps when he’d needed to stop. Looking back, Emily realized he’d been experiencing heart issues long before his stroke.
The day was so vivid in her mind that Emily didn’t have to close her eyes to see the bandmembers in their fashionable attire—tailored suits with wide lapels, padded shoulders and high-waisted trousers.
There had been a woman in the band, her blond hair accentuated by a floral scarf that brought a pop of color to her knee-length navy dress as she played the violin.
Emily remembered being fascinated by the sounds flowing from the instrument. She hadn’t been able to stop raving about the woman’s talent. It seemed extra special that the woman looked like Til’s favorite movie star. Irene had been more fascinated by the male bandmembers and their trilby hats, which she’d dubbed dreamy.
Smiling in remembrance, Emily parked her bike. She noticed the new metal gate leading to the bandstand where small concerts and plays were held was unlocked. Though the mythical bushes and abundance of flowers were gone, the fact that a small part of Funland had been salvaged was a reason to rejoice.
When she’d ridden past, Emily had noticed one vehicle parked by the maintenance building, but so far she hadn’t seen another soul. She started down the steps that led to the stage. She was halfway there before realizing she’d been mistaken. She wasn’t alone.
And it wasn’t a Parks Rec person sitting on one of the concrete benches, but Sophie Wexman.
Sophie turned to her, the sunglasses she wore hiding her eyes. Her lips curved upward. “It’s Emily, isn’t it? We didn’t get a chance to talk that night at Destiny. I’m Sophie, Sophie Wexman.”
“It’s good to see you again.” Emily gestured widely with one hand. “This was once such a beautiful place.”
Then, worried that Sophie might think she was criticizing all the efforts that had gone into making this venue viable, Emily quickly backpedaled. “Not that this isn’t nice.”
“It’s lovely now, but a shell of its former glory.”
Emily nodded. “What brings you here today?”
“Remembering someone I once knew.” Sophie sighed. “Today was his birthday.” Her lips lifted in a slight smile. “A very special man, long gone.”
“I had a special man in my life once.” Emily spoke haltingly. “I thought he loved me, but when I needed him to wait for me, he—” She stopped. Why in the world had she brought up Vince?
“He couldn’t wait?”
“He chose not to,” Emily clarified, then clamped her mouth shut.
“I believe everything happens for a reason.” Sophie’s gaze returned to the stage. “I can’t get over how different it is now.”
“Because of the metal trusses and canopy,” Emily said without thinking. “Instead of red fabric. And no one dances down there anymore.”
Sophie’s head swiveled toward Emily, and she lowered her glasses. “How do you know that couples used to dance near the band? That was discontinued shortly after WWII.”
Emily simply shrugged.
Sophie stood. “Would you go for a walk with me?”
“Sure.” Emily followed Sophie up the steps. “Though there’s not much to see now.”
“Joe mentioned he and Dalton ran into you at the art fair, and you found a photograph of Funland.”
“I did. It’s of the steeplechase ride.” Emily’s lips curved upward as she recalled the ride she and Irene had taken that long-ago day. “When you put two riders on that wooden horse, you flew down the track.”
Sophie chuckled. “Imagine riding it in a skirt.”
Emily shook her head, her lips curving upward. “I can’t—imagine it, that is. Though there was a woman in the photograph I purchased wearing a skirt. And a hat with flowers around the brim. I don’t know how it stayed on.”
“A woman. Really?”
“A man rode behind her.”
Sophie stilled. “I’d love to see that photograph.”
“I’ll make sure you do.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate it.”
They strolled aimlessly, stopping in a spot that was now a flat expanse of mostly dirt with patches of grass. If Emily’s sense of direction was correct, this was where her father had stopped to buy her and Irene a hot dog, a Coca-Cola and cotton candy.
“No picnic tables,” Sophie murmured.
“No lush green grass and flowers.” Emily sighed. “And no cotton candy machine.”
“Do you know they used to call cotton candy fairy floss?”
“I didn’t know that.” Emily shook her head. “That must have been a long time ago.”
“A very long time,” Sophie agreed, then cocked her head. “I never asked what brought you here today.”
“I was feeling sorry for myself,” Emily admitted. “I, ah, I’m new to GraceTown, and I’m having a difficult time finding a circle of friends.”
Sophie offered a sympathetic smile. “It may sound trite, but friendships take time to root and grow and blossom. I believe you’ll make new friends, Emily. Friends as good as the ones you left behind.”
Emily’s brief conversation with Sophie eased much of the tension that had gripped her. Or maybe it wasn’t even that conversation. Maybe it was the exercise or reliving in her mind those happy times at Funland with Irene and her dad.
She thought about the woman in the swing band playing the violin and smiled. That had likely been her first exposure to the instrument, and look at her now.
When Emily returned home, Myra offered the use of her car for the evening. Emily was backing out of the driveway when Dalton arrived to have dinner and spend the evening with his grandmother.
Dalton had offered to come over so Emily wouldn’t have to rush home from the wedding reception. She’d tried to tell him she would for sure be home by ten, but he’d only reiterated there was no need.
There was valet parking in front of the Grace home. Emily had heard Rosemary and Barry had gotten the okay to use the parking lot at SensorTech, a local business.
Emily stepped from the Lincoln and handed the fob to a young woman with a friendly smile.
“This is for you.” The young woman handed her a claim ticket. “We’ll take good care of your vehicle.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.” The last thing Emily wanted to do was take the Town Car back with a scratch or dent.
With her violin case in hand, Emily strolled toward the home and around the side to join wedding guests mingling in the backyard.
All of those who’d been there last night were back, along with a large group of new faces, most known to Emily.
There was now a raised dais with an arbor of flowers overhead, where Rosemary and Barry would say their vows. Off to one side of the arbor stood a lemon tree, fruit hanging from its branches.
Emily had lived here for nine decades and never known that lemon trees could not only grow, but thrive, in this climate.
She took the glass of champagne offered and wandered the backyard, wondering what kind of music Rosemary and Barry had chosen for the ceremony. She didn’t have to wait long.
“If you could all please take your seats,” Daniel announced in a loud voice that filled the area. “It’s time.”
Though Emily sat in the back, her aisle seat afforded her a perfect view of the ceremony. She still couldn’t believe her luck. If she hadn’t played the violin, there was no way she’d have had this chance to see her friend marry.
Barry stood at the front, looking handsome in a dark suit. The sounds of “Here Comes the Sun” filled the air and made Emily smile.
A vision in pink lace, Jenna walked to the front with Barry’s son. Once Jenna passed her row, Emily turned and caught her first glimpse of Rosemary.
Her friend wore a flowing, boho-style dress with bell sleeves and lace. Embroidered flowers around the neckline added a nice pop of color to the gauzy white dress.
Rosemary’s long hair, normally worn in a braid, had been elegantly swept back from her face and adorned with a ring of flowers.
As she watched Rosemary sweep down the aisle, Emily felt her heart swell. She didn’t think she’d ever seen her friend look happier.
Rosemary strolled on Daniel’s arm down a center aisle strewn with rose petals. The glow on her friend’s face when she saw Barry at the front and their eyes locked brought tears to Emily’s eyes.
Amy Rutt, the officiant, a tall woman with kind eyes, smiled when the couple reached the front.
“Thank you all for coming to share this special day with Rosemary and Barry,” Amy said. “They have chosen to begin the ceremony with a song that reflects their feelings on this amazing day.” The woman turned to her left and motioned for a young woman to begin. “The song will be played and sung by Barry’s niece, Lola Whitehead.”
Emily couldn’t believe her eyes. Lola was the musician from the River Walk, the one who’d refused to busk with her.
When the last strain of “What a Wonderful World” trailed off, Emily couldn’t keep from smiling.
The song was the perfect start for the ceremony joining two older people who had started their relationship as friends and love had followed.
Tears filled Emily’s eyes when she heard Rosemary say, “I vow to be your confidant, your partner in laughter and your comfort in time of need.”
Even more than the words of love the two exchanged, the promise of comfort and laughter touched Emily’s heart. It was what she’d wanted with Vincent.
She reminded herself that was the past, and she was no longer going to dwell on that time. She was going to look ahead and embrace all of her blessings.
When the ceremony ended, everyone clapped.
Emily stepped away and picked up her violin. She got the nod from Jenna and began to play.
She caught Lola eyeing her several times during the reception, but remained focused on the music.
The sight of Jenna approaching her had Emily’s heart beating faster. Once she finished Fauré’s “Pavane,” she lowered the violin. “Is everything okay?”
“You’ve been playing for forty minutes straight. It’s time to take a break.”
“Thank you, but playing is what I was hired to do.”
“You’re doing a fine job.” Jenna touched her shoulder. “But we want you to enjoy this celebration, too. You may be new to GraceTown, but you’re a part of our community now.”
The sentiment touched Emily in a way that Jenna could never imagine. Glancing around, she inhaled the sweet scent of flowers as sounds of laughter and conversation wrapped around her.
Today was truly a joy-filled occasion. Though Emily had chosen to wear a “little black dress,” the attendees were dressed in every color of the rainbow. The brightness only added to the fun, festive feel.
“Please, take a break. Get yourself something to eat and drink.” Jenna studied her for a moment. “Sophie mentioned running into you at Funland earlier today.”
“I rode my bike out there this morning.” Emily kept her tone light. “Fresh air and exercise. Nothing like it.”
“Sophie said you’re very knowledgeable about Funland.”
“Not really. I?—”
“Violet is another person who has a knack for knowing things that surprise us.” Jenna stared at Emily expectantly.
Emily nodded. She knew Violet. Jenna’s younger sister had come with her to GraceTown. She’d left to take a gap year before college. She hadn’t been back.
A person new to town would likely ask for clarification on who Violet was, but Emily didn’t want to prolong this conversation, so she said nothing.
Jenna laid a hand on her arm. “Well, thanks again for what you’ve done to make this day special for Rosemary and Barry.”
“It’s been a pleasure.”
When Jenna left to mingle, Emily decided to use this short break to convey her congratulations to Rosemary and Barry. She waited, then approached the happy couple once they were finally alone.
Rosemary noticed her approach and smiled. “Thank you for the lovely music. You play beautifully.”
“I’m so happy for you. You deserve only the best.” To her horror, Emily heard her voice crack. She hastily cleared her throat.
Rosemary didn’t appear to notice. She linked her arm with Barry’s and smiled up at him. “This one is definitely a keeper.”
“Well, best wishes to you both.” Keeping a tight hold on her rioting emotions, Emily turned to Barry. “You’re a lucky man.”
Barry chuckled. “Don’t I know it.”
When Emily saw several of Barry’s relatives approaching, she made her exit and headed to the refreshment table.
“Club soda,” she told the young man. “With lime.”
“That’s how I like it, too.”
Emily turned and found herself face-to-face with Lola.
“You’re Emily, right?” Lola extended her hand. “Lola.”
“The song and arrangement were amazing.” Emily moved away from the refreshment table.
Lola stepped away with her, sipping her own club soda. She gestured with her glass. “I wondered how this would go down. I mean, I’ve never attended a wedding of anyone this old.”
“Age is just a number when you’re in love. Those two are definitely in love.”
Lola nodded, then her gaze turned assessing. “You play really well.”
Emily sipped her drink. “Thank you.”
“Did you find a place to busk?”
“I did.” Emily’s lips curved. “I play in the town square by the angel statue.”
“If you want to join me sometime, I wouldn’t say no.”
“If you want to join me sometime, I won’t say no either.” Emily took another long drink. “Well, I best get back to doing what I was hired to do.”
On her way back to her violin, she saw Chloe with Jaclyn, laughing and talking. Emily didn’t bother to walk over and say hello.
She’d been able to watch Rosemary marry and to congratulate her on her special day. That would have to be enough.