Page 63 of The Lover
I stood up, and he smiled. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
I heard the organ music start to play. Chrissy did one last hair check, and then air-kissed me as she made her way out of the vestibule. I could see her measured steps as she started up the aisle. Then Howard held his arm out and I took it.
“A lot different then last time,” he said, chuckling, echoing my earlier thoughts.
“I don’t know. I think I might be more nervous.”
“That’s because this time it’s for real.”
Yes. This time it was for real. Including changing my name to Talley. Of course I had a long conversation explaining the feminist position of keeping my maiden name to Jake. To which he’d saidPlease. I like the way Ellie Talley sounds.
I totally caved. Because I liked the way it sounded too.
Howard and I turned the corner and everyone stood. It was without a doubt the craziest moment in my life. Everyone was there. Frank and Bernie, Pete, the Pettys, crazy enough both Mr. and Mrs. Nash came together, Karen and Lisa, Denny and Maryanne, the Simpsons. Bella, who had done my hair earlier that morning. Rich, who cleaned up pretty well for an old ranch hand.
My life. My people. My family. All standing up and looking at me.
And then I saw Jake, and they all went away. He wore a suit and tie. His hair was freshly cut. He was smiling. Beaming actually, and it was because he was happy.
I made Jake Talley happy, and to me there was no greater honor on this earth.
Howard gave me a little tug and I made my way to him. Then Jake was taking my hand and we were standing together in front of the minister.
“I’m nervous,” I whispered to him. “I don’t want to forget my vows.”
Then he squeezed my hand and reminded me of something I think I always knew.
“Don’t worry. We’ve got this.”
* * *
Jake
April 22ndTen Years Later
On a road between Long Valley and Riverbend
“Oh Jake!!!! I think you need pull over.”
“Do not do this to me, Ellie. We’ve got about ten more minutes until we get to the clinic.”
I hit the gas even harder, but then she reached over and grabbed my arm. I could tell by the force of her grip the level of pain she was in.
“You may have ten more minutes. This kid does not. It wants out. Like now!”
Fuck!
“Jake, you’ve brought a thousand calves into this world, you can do this. Ohhhhhhh. Jake, hurry. I need to push. Seriously.”
She was panting with short pants to control the pain, but I could see it wash over her body, the way it tightened her belly.
There was no hope for it. I pulled the truck over to the side of the road.
“Ellie, you’re going to need to get into the back seat. Can you do that? Wait for the next ease of the contraction and then move.”
“Move,” she muttered. “Like I’m not the size of a beached whale.” Still, she was undoing her seat belt.
