Page 162 of The Oscar Escape
“We didn’t lug this bench down here for our health,” the judge grumped and pointed toward the island’s treasured artifact situated in the center of the picnic tables. But the jowly judge wasn’t fooling anyone. There was nothing but joy in his voice.
“Let’s start the driftwood bench ceremony,” Georgia called.
“No lobster masks?” Aria asked, scanning the beach.
“Not tonight. Unless you’d like us to wear them,” Georgia replied.
Aria waved the woman off. “No, no! Once is plenty.”
For real!As momentous and meaningful as the vow ceremony was, he’d never be able to erase the terrifying image of thirty lobster people staring them down.
Oscar joined his wife next to the bench as their friends and family settled at the tables.
Etta thumped her fist on the wooden surface. “Let’s hear it for Oscar and Aria Elliott. Homer and Evangeline Havenmatch 2.0.”
That was quite a title. He shared a look with Aria and drank in her sparkling eyes as the group whooped and clapped.
“That’s it. I see them!” Ivy called.
“What do you see, Ives?” Aria asked.
“Your super-big, super-happy real smiles.”
Aria beamed at him. “My sister-in-law is right.”
He couldn’t disagree.
Oscar wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “To our friends and family from Denver, we’re grateful you made the trek to our new home. And to our new neighbors, we’re honored to be a part of your island community.”
“The island knows,” Margo called.
“And the island chose,” Etta finished.
“And now you’ll become true islanders.” Del handed him a blade. “You’ll pledge your commitment to the community by carving your names into the bench.”
Carefully, Oscar formed the letters.
Aria & Oscar Elliott
“What do you think?” he asked, checking in with his wife.
“It needs one small addition.” She presented her palm.
He handed her the knife, and his gaze grew glassy as he watched her work.
“That’s better. Don’t you think?” She dusted the bits of wood away and revealed four numbers beneath their names.
1 0 2 3
She ran her fingers over the numerals. “The case number for your two favorite delinquents. Your mom and me.”
“It’s perfect,” he whispered. He pictured his mother. The words she’d spoken to him on their last day on the island returned to him.
Once something is a part of your heart, you’ll always have it with you.
Aria, his mother, his family, his friends, and now this island were woven into his soul, and their importance in his life grew with every beat of his heart.
“Havenmatch Island’s newest match, Oscar and Aria,” the judge announced.
