Page 56 of One Chance to Stay
Seamus took the box, turning it over in his hands. Grace had helped me pick out the closest paper to the night he showed up at her door. His eyes traveled upward, the same timidness I had witnessed time and time again. Now they were filled with tears. I glanced at the package, urging him to open his gift.
His finger slid along the seams.
“After today, we’ll never need to testify against one another.”
My head shot up. I must have missed something. Had Walter confessed to being on the lam? Was he reciting his vows or setting up an alibi? I would need to ask for a recap of this speech.At the same time, it’d be the least shocking thing to happen during this wedding.
Seamus gripped my hand. I turned to see streaks glistening along his cheeks, vanishing into the white of his beard. The flannel-clad bear stared at the half-opened package, the label on the deer pellets exposed. I stood between a memory his daughter cherished and one revealing his depth. I wanted to whisper, “You’re not alone. We see you.”
The edges of his lips… Seamus smiled.
He returned to the couple on stage, his hand holding mine as if he wanted to keep me from running away. If only he knew. I might be running, but it wasn’tawayfrom him. The cheesy thought had me chuckling. I gave myself grace and blamed it on the beaming couple on stage.
Audrey had nearly finished her vows. “And the way you threw toilet paper over his house, I had found the man I wanted to spend my nights with.”
The selectman’s face scrunched up. “That wasmyhouse!”
“Kiss the bride!” Harvey gave Walter a playful shove.
Walter and Audrey kissed. Then theykissed. The cheers faltered when she dipped him. Parents covered the eyes of children as the couple went from chaste to foreplay. After a minute of slobbering, even Harvey took a step back. He moved between the crowd and the couple, pointing down the green.
“We hope you’ll join us for the reception at the American Legion. Plenty of food and drinks for everybody. When I pry apart our lovely couple, they’ll join you for cake and dancing.”
As the crowd stopped focusing on the gazebo, Seamus let go of my hand. With a final squeeze, we parted. I wanted him to know I’d be there, ready when he found his courage. I looked forward to the slow courting. It’d give me time to work through my own baggage before trying to match it with his.
“Thank you,” he mumbled.
“Are you coming?”
Seamus shook his head. He had come this far. I hoped he’d break free from whatever held him back. That wasn’t for me to decide. What I wanted, and what he needed, might not align, and I’d meet him on his terms.
“You’ll owe me a dance,” I whispered. I shot him a grin as I backed away, tossing the sack over my shoulder. “Ho. Ho. Ho. Young man, make sure to mind your manners. Don’t forget Santa checks his list twice.”
I nearly bumped into a young girl, her eyes wide as she spotted the fabled Saint Nick. I had come prepared. Without missing a beat, I reached into my pocket and produced a candy cane.
“And my list says you’ve been nothing but nice.” Her mom’s eyebrow went up, suggesting otherwise. “Mostly nice still counts!” I handed her the treat and shot Seamus a wink before heading toward the Legion.
I’d put in some face time with the locals. But already, I planned my escape. Before tonight ended, I’d be standing on a snow-covered porch.
SAVE ME A DANCE
Patrick: These could be stepping on your feet.
I attached a photo of my boots and clicked send. With any luck, he’d open it and chuckle at the memory. To be fair, I’m not sure how much his feet could take. It’d be a long time before I mustered anything but the Electric Slide, and even then, I toppled over Harvey. Broken hip avoided, but I’d never live it down.
The tables in the American Legion were lined with snow globes featuring different stores in Firefly. I reached for one, smiling at the sight of a tiny hardware store. With a gentle shake, multicolored glitter snowed down on the shop. Inside, I imagined a tiny Seamus grumbling to himself as he stocked the shelves. The brown paper tag, tied with twine, read, “Bring home alittlepiece of Firefly.”
Audrey hurled a piece of cake into Walter’s face. He dragged his fingers through the frosting before licking them clean. The two were an adorable— Audrey leaned in, licking his cheek. An innocent tradition turned vulgar. Thankfully, Megan stepped in.
“Join the couple on the dance floor. To dance. Dad. Dad!”
The room chuckled, and the music started. Walter wiped the cake from his face and pulled Audrey onto the dance floor. The crowd converged. I couldn’t help but smile as the kids mingled with grandparents. For celebrating, Firefly didn’t discriminate.
“They really thought of everything.”
I turned, eyes going wide as Mabel Syrup dragged a chair next to me. Of all the people I expected to see, she hadn’t even been close to making the list. Her green dress, with white fuzzy hems for once, didn’t stand out in a crowd.
“Girl, I never thought I’d say this, but you’re underdressed.”
