We walk, arm in arm, into my mother’s rose garden. It’s ripe with every color you can think of from the richest reds to the brightest yellows. Personally, the orange colored roses are my favorite, along with purple. How my mama can grow them so well is beyond me, but people come from all over to just sit here for a moment and bask in their presence.
“Hey, Mama,” I say, approaching her. She’s down on her knees, pushing dirt around.
“Hello, girls.”
“Mrs. Boone. It’s lovely to see you again.”
“Yes, you too, Susannah. How’s your mother faring these days?”
“Very well, thank you.”
“Mama, Susannah would like to use the green space over there for her wedding. It’s planned for August, but it’s time to send out the invites.”
Mama stands and uses her hand to block the sun from her eyes, even though she’s wearing a visor. “Eleanora, where’s your bonnet?”
The need to roll my eyes is great, but I refrain. “I must’ve left it on the porch with Roy.”
“Roybert’s here?”
“He was, I think maybe he’s gone.” It’s hard to decipher how she feels about him. Since I’ve been home, we haven’t really talked about Roy, although I did tell her everything about Quinn, in between sobs.
“Well bless his heart.”
Susannah and I both laugh. In turn, my mom starts laughing too. “That boy can’t take a hint, can he?”
“No, ma’am,” I say. “He thinks we should get married, wants to tell people at your party.”
My mother gasps. “Oh, he will do no such thing, especially when your heart’s not in it.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
Deep down, my mom’s a hopeless romantic and seemed excited when I told her about Quinn and how much in love I am with him. She suggested I invite him out here, but I told her it’s not possible. Even if we were talking, he wouldn’t come. He’s too busy and we’re not exactly on speaking terms.
It’s sad really because I think Quinn would like it here, and he probably would’ve visited if I had been forthcoming about my life. Silly me for trying to invent someone who didn’t exist, not thinking I’d fall madly in love while I was playing make believe.
“Now come on, let’s take a look at this space over here and see if we can’t accommodate Miss Susannah’s requests.”
The three of us walk over to the green space right off the garden. There’s a gazebo nearby that could be moved, which would be the most perfect place for her nuptials.
“I was thinking sunset, Mrs. Boone. I’ve always loved the way the sun bounces off the roses as it’s going down over the pond. We’d be backlit by the sunset, which I think would be perfect for photos.”
“Oh, it really would be. And your parents are okay with you having your wedding here?”
“Yeah, they don’t mind. They’re really not excited, but it’s okay. Tanner and I are in love and this is what we want.”
My mom pulls Susannah into a hug. My eyes become misty. Not only because my best friend is getting her happily ever after, but also because my mom is on my side when it comes to Roy. The night I arrived home, I told her everything. Only Daddy got the watered-down version.
Mom takes hold of Susannah’s arm and directs her back toward the house. I linger behind, stopping to smell the roses, so to speak. The early morning sun is blistering, showing us what a sweltering day it’s going to be. The months of July and August in the South, are no one’s friend.
By the time I make my way into the kitchen, Mom and Sus are sitting at the table, drinking sweet tea and going over some picture books for the wedding. I excuse myself and head up to my room.
Under my mattress, lies my phone. I hid it there from my father when he went into his fit of rage and took my car. I turn it on, hoping to find a missed call or a text message from Quinn, but there are only messages from Kellie, telling me I must call her right away. I should, but I’m still embarrassed about the way things were handled. I didn’t get to say goodbye to her, at least not properly, and I owe her one hell of an explanation.
Instead, I type Quinn’s name into the internet browser and look for any recent news stories or photos. I know that someday I’m going to do this, and he’ll be with another woman, and he’ll be happy. I hope that when that day comes, I can be delighted for him and on my own path to happiness. Until then, I’ll live with the knowledge that I lied to the sweetest man I know. I should’ve told him about Roy from the start, but fear has a funny way of making you choke when you need to get the words out.
35
Quinn