Page 62 of The River in Spring
“We would have to be married to go on a honeymoon,” she teases.
“Who made up that stupid rule?”
He wears a boy’s smile and a man’s intention. I bet that has worked beautifully for him. The girl links her arm in his.
“You should have seen Nobel on the dance floor with our aunt. He was drunk as shit.”
“Really? On the dance floor?”
Van starts laughing. “I know! It’s a ridiculous development. He looked like he was about to break something.”
“Oh God. I guess I’ll call him and see if he wants company. Okay see you two later,” I say to the retreating figures. They are headed for the front desk. Of course.
“No you won’t,” Van chuckles.
I want to see where the reception was and if Aurora and Gaston are still here. There are people in the doorway and music playing.
Walking through the entry to the large reception room, I’m greeted by the gorgeous flower arrangements on every round table and small white lights making the room look enchanted. It’s beautiful and well done. While I’m sorry I had to miss the party, I have no regrets about being present for my own life.
A hand raises through the dancers and calls me forward. Aurora. She and Gaston are dancing to the band’s take on a Tony Bennett song. They look like the couple on a romance book cover. He wears a perfectly tailored tux and she a modern, chic gown in lavender. The high heels show off her still great looking long legs. I move toward them, snaking through the last of the never say die guests.
“Hello! Oh, he left, Dove.”
“I know,” I say, kissing them both on the cheek as they sway in place. “I spoke to Van. Was the wedding everything you hoped for? How did the bride and groom do?”
“It was perfect. Parish cried when he saw Scarlett come down the aisle,” Gaston says. “My boys are not afraid of showing their emotions.”
“Let’s go to the table and talk,” Aurora says, taking my hand and leading us off the dance floor.
“You look beautiful, honey. Nobel is missing out,” Gaston adds. “He had too many champagnes and wanted to put himself to bed.”
As we take our seats, Gaston grabs a flute and pours me a champagne. He serves his wife and himself too.
“Are congratulations in order?”
I look at Aurora with question in my eyes. “For what?”
“Nobel said you were having an important phone call today about your music. Did it go well?”
The fact this woman is asking about my life and career makes me feel seen. She gets it, without knowing the details. Or maybe she knows more than I think. Whatever. She is simply supporting me. It gives me hope for Nobel. After all, she raised him.
“It did,” I say, not holding back the excitement. “It went really well. I hope your son considers it good news too.”
“He will.” She says it like it is a given.
“I don’t know.”
“I do.”
Is this just maternal cheerleading, or does she understand him on a deeper level than I do?
“I hope you’re right, Aurora.”
I lay a hand on Gaston’s. “You two did a great job of raising your children. I admire you.”
“It was a privilege. With Aurora to keep them in line, we did all right.”
“I was the law,” she chuckles, “he was the one who encouraged rebellion of the troops.”
