Page 96 of The Soul Never Forgets

“It’s been a wonderful day. Good night. I love you.”

“Love you.”

Chapter24

Frank Harrison

Pascagoula,Mississippi

May 1968

It’s latewhen we arrive home. There’s a new moon in the night sky, so our property is near pitch-black. That’s when it dawns on me. “I forgot to turn on the porch light.”

“I’d say we’re in good shape if that’s the only thing that was forgotten today.”

It’s been an exhausting but beautiful weekend. Our youngest and only daughter, Rebecca Caroline, was married this evening in New Orleans to Mr. Atticus Dauphine, the youngest son of Simon and Lena Dauphine.

Rebecca Caroline and Atticus have known each other since the crib. They spent more days together than apart. One of my favorite memories of those two was teaching them how to catch crabs. Atticus loved nothing more than to chase Rebecca Caroline around with a crab, threatening to let it pinch her on the nose.

It’s going to get you, Beccaline.I can still hear the echo of Atticus’s voice if I listen hard enough.

Now they’re husband and wife. An adventure lies ahead for them, and it begins with their wedding night. A father doesn’t like to think about such things.

“I half expected him to say ‘I, Atticus, take you, Beccaline, to be my wife.’”

Gussy laughs. “I know. It was odd hearing him call her Rebecca Caroline. I don’t remember the last time he called her by her whole name.”

“I’m not sure he ever has.” She’s always been his Beccaline. That was the special name he chose for her when they were just toddlers.

“The wedding was lovely,” Gussy says.

She and Rebecca Caroline planned for so long and worked hard to make sure everything was perfect.

“Do you think Rebecca Caroline was embarrassed that we didn’t give her an extravagant wedding?” She’s my little girl, and I wanted to give her the world including the wedding of her dreams. But weddings are expensive.

“The wedding was beautiful, Frank. No, it wasn’t up to high society’s standards, but it was nice. It wasn’t cheap by any means. You had to sell two boats to pay for it so the answer is no, she wasn’t embarrassed. The wedding was everything she dreamed it would be.”

“I’m sure your mother picked it apart.”

“I’m sure I don’t care.”

“The old biddy looked healthy.” It’s remarkable how well she looked. I’ve only seen her a handful of times over the years, but she’s still a stunning woman. I guess it’s easier to maintain good looks when you live a life of luxury.

“My mother looked like a bitter old woman who’d been sucking lemons for seventy-eight years.”

“I’m sure a woman of her age could have easily declined a wedding invitation, and no one in her inner circle would have felt the least bit slighted.”

I’m certain Simon didn’t care if she was there. He’s never been crazy about Marguerite Lebeau. Even I know that.

“My father is gone––not that she ever enjoyed his company. Joseph and his family got enough of her years ago, and they don’t have anything to do with her anymore. I’m sure she’s lonely in that big house all by herself and wanted to get out and see people. But being alone is her own fault. She drove everyone away with her obsession for excellence and perfection. God Himself couldn’t live up to her standards.”

“What do you think she had on her mind while she was sitting there watching her only granddaughter, who she’s never formally met, get married?”

“I’d like to think that she was looking at Rebecca Caroline and thinking about how sorry she was that she missed out on knowing her. And maybe she was also regretting that she missed out on knowing her three grandsons. And maybe even you. I hope she was filled with remorse for not seeing me become a woman and a wife and a mother. But sadly, I think it’s more likely she was critiquing the flowers and guest list.

“What a sad life that woman has led.”

“The sad part is that she doesn’t realize how sad her existence has been. In her eyes, I’m the one who had a sad life.”

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