Page 101 of Someone to Remember
“Well,” Iris says, “that was a lovely surprise.”
I wave to her as she drives off. “It’s nice to see her looking well.”
“I hope she comes back,” Joy says. “She looks great as always, but her eyes are sad.”
Nodding, I say, “I saw that, too. I’d love to have her back with us.”
Gage offers to drive to the restaurant, where parking is at a premium, and we pile into his SUV.
Not a single word is spoken on the short ride as we reflect on the service and all the emotions it aroused.
Other than Trey, we’ve all been where Taylor was just now, with all eyes on her as she led their family and friends through a ritual as old as time.
Again.
A subdued group gathers at the restaurant for the buffet lunch.
We pick at our food, none of us really interested, but trying to be polite.
Taylor comes around to each table with Eliza and Miles to hug us all, to thank us for coming and for the support over the last week.
“Iris, could I have a minute?” she asks.
“Absolutely.” Iris gets up to talk to Taylor while Eliza and Miles return to their grandparents.
Iris
Taylor leadsme to an outdoor patio off the main room where the guests are gathered. It’s another warmer-than-average sunny November day, which feels almost unkind in light of the occasion.
“Your eulogy was magnificent. Will would’ve been so proud.”
“Thank you. I wasn’t sure until the last minute if I would do it myself. My sister was on standby, just in case.”
“It was beautiful.”
“I still can’t believe I had to write another eulogy for a husband,” she says with a grim chuckle.
“It’s surreal.”
“It really is.”
“Did you see that Aurora was there?”
“No! Really? How is she?”
“She seems good. She wanted us to give you all her love.”
“It was so nice of her to come. So listen, I want to talk about your wedding.”
“Oh, Tay… Not today. It’s fine.”
“No time like the present,” she says with a crooked grin, “and I can’t help but assume you’re struggling with the timingand whether to go ahead, and I just want to sayplease,pleasego forward with great joy and excitement and all the things you and Gage so richly deserve.”
I give her a side-eyed look. “Have one of our mutual friends been telling tales out of school?”
“No one has said a word to me, but I know you and how I’d feel if I were you in this situation. I’m not sure yet if I’ll be there, but please don’t change your plans because of what’s happened.Please.”
I hug her tightly. “Thank you for saying that. I have been struggling with it.”
