Page 86 of Wild Side
My fingers pulse around my phone. I’m both desperate to open Tabitha’s text and nervous to see what it says.
She didn’t respond to my final message last night, and it left me wondering if I took it too far by telling her she’s special.I didn’t know whether to message her again. Didn’t know if it would come off too… eager. And then I figured, we’re married, so what’s the worst that could happen? She ends up thinking I’m a huge sap? Oh well.
But there isn’t a shred of awkwardness in her message.
Tabby:
Did you know that if you trace Dupris back to its French origins, it means “from the meadow”?
My brows lift. Of all the messages I expected from her, that was not it.
Rhys:
I did not. Are you looking me up?
She responds right away.
Tabby:
Seeing the marriage certificate got me thinking about last names. Gwen was talking about feeling grounded in the universe by exploring your roots, and I thought I’d dig around a little for mine too. Garrison has a few meanings, so I’m choosing my favorite, which is “fortified stronghold.”
I swallow. That sounds like something Gwen would talk about, but my feelings around my family name are complicated. I haven’t spent much time looking into my background. Instead, I’ve focused on looking ahead.
Tabby:
And you know, actually, most Dupris families lived in Canada. So maybe you really were meant to end up here. Part-time. Or whatever.
Rhys:
Maybe.
I do not know where she’s going with this, but even though it’s a subject I hate, I want her to keep talking. I like the idea of being meant to end up in Rose Hill. That would mean grasping control is futile because this life is just rolling along—beyond my power.
Tabby:
There’s even one search result that says newer variations of Dupree (with an accent, because, French) might mean “special family.” The website doesn’t look very legit. But who cares? Maybe you like that one better.
I wince. I’m not sure that definition is better at all. Seems a little tongue-in-cheek if you ask the kid who was passed from family to family.
Rhys:
Special, all right.
Tabby:
Our family *is* special. Unique circumstances. Chosen rather than born into. All tied together in an unusual way.
Rhys:
Tabby. Our marriage is one big extenuating circumstance. I’m not sure you could call us a family.
Tabby:
Rhys. I’ll call us a family if I want to.
Family.
I swallow hard. It’s difficult to read intonation over text, but I don’t get the sense she’s joking even though that’s the first place my head goes. After the dressing-down Anthony just gave me, having Tabitha call us a family is equal parts shocking and soothing.
