Epilogue Two
So, I have a confession to make.
The concept of this series was really special to me.
As many of you know, I'm a Swiftie. I love the whole idea of the song "Mastermind".
Like, what if someone was really pulling the strings the whole time?
What if every situation wasn't just chance, but someone was behind it, trying to make it all be what they want?
What if that person is the one person you never thought it was? How about we hear from the mastermind now?
I hope you enjoy!
Corinne
Clyde
I make my way out to the family plot, where I go whenever these fools can’t seem to find me. Why anyone wouldn’t look here is beyond me, but then again, I like that they’re a little dumb.
Allows me a chance to come and sit with my wife.
My legs aren’t as strong as they used to be.
Things are breaking down, both physically and metaphorically.
What used to take me ten minutes now takes twenty, but there’s one thing that I will do until they put me in the dirt, and that’s come here on the day before her death.
I don’t want to remember the anniversary. I want to remember when she lived.
The headstones come into view, and I walk over to the last one on the left. It faces west so she can always watch the sunset. It was our favorite thing to do together. We’d sit out on that front porch swing and watch another day pass, grateful we got the chance to love each other.
“Good evening, Ginny,” I say as I drop into the chair I brought out here a few years ago.
“Sorry I’m late, my darling, but my back hurts a bit today, and my knee is giving me some problems. I know, I know, I can hear you now—I’m old and what do I think is going to happen.
On one hand, I’m told I’m too old to do things, and then I have Harper up my behind about things I need to be doing, but she’s just fussing at me for no damn reason,” I grumble.
Seriously, these kids need to make up their minds about what they want. One day I’m not allowed on the roof, and then the next I’m putting shingles on a new chicken coop.
Well, they didn’t tell me to do it, but I just knew Sadie wanted chickens at their new place.
“I guess you’re wanting your yearly update, huh?
Yeah, I know, lots has happened around here.
Sadie is still our little angel. She’s running your son ragged, and I’m loving every minute of it.
Tristan married the Gatlin girl. They’re happy and in love, thanks to me.
” I chuckle. “That last prank really pushed them to get themselves straight. Tristan went to jail to protect her. Fool he is. I know I told you about the trouble I was stirring, but I think it was the right thing. Now don’t you be mad at me for interfering.
Someone had to kick your son in the butt to get a move on.
When you first mentioned Lark, I thought you were nuts, but then I realized you always know best, not that I ever would admit that.
As for the things I did to their farm, well, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it, but I didn’t do anything to them that couldn’t be fixed,” I defend.
I was smart with my pranks. I almost got myself caught with that video, but thankfully I saw that blinking red light right after Tristan passed me. So I made sure to hide my face real good when I went out. No one would ever suspect a little old man, right?
“Harper is still single. I know you wanted to see them girls married, but I’m telling you, they’re as stubborn as you were.
Remember how hard you fought against marrying me?
They’ll give in. I heard Harper telling someone she met this guy at the bar, but doesn’t want to pursue it.
I already have plans on how to get Ares around a bit more.
I’m sure you won’t like it, but you’re not here to tell me, so I have to do what I can with what I got. ”
I don’t doubt for one minute that she would hate every damn second of me doing these things, but I’m well aware that none of these kids will make the leap. Therefore, it’s my job to give them a shove.
Virginia’s face comes to the front of my mind, and I smile. “The other two are going to be more complicated. Veronica is going to be the death of me, and Fallon is just not there yet. She’s trying, though. Grief is a hard thing—I would know.”
I sigh and place my hand on the sun-warmed headstone. “I promised you that I’d make sure they were all settled before I let myself die. One down and three more to go.”
Rising from the chair is difficult, but I finally get myself up. I’m going to need to bring a better chair out here for next year, so I can tell my wife how a Hart is still shaping the Stones.