I felt his arms wrap around my waist. “Who had their eyes on your man?” he asked while leaning in to kiss my neck. Kate and Eric stood there with these stupid shit-eating grins on their faces. They held onto each other just staring at the both of us.
“Erin, the wedding whore. Also known as Elijah’s cousin.”
“Oh, her... Yeah, I’ve met her.”
“When you say met do you mean fucked?”
“Charlie!” Eric gasped. “Well, did you?”
“Please. I’m not even going to dignify that with a response if you think that I would even go there.” I squeezed him tightly, very happy with his answer.
Eric was quick to pipe up. “I bet her ferret is like a wizard’s sleeve. I’m sure I heard it whistle when she walked.”
Well, after that everyone erupted into a fit of hysteria.
“Okay guys, seriously, I love you both but please stop grinning at us like that. Yeah, I get it, you’re happy but it’s kinda creepy,” I said.
“It’s just, Charlie... I’m so happy!” Eric happy-clapped. “And the baby is gonna be a stunner. The next Miranda Kerr!”
“And if it’s a boy?” Lex asked.
“The next Harry Styles.”
“Please don’t compare my son to One Direction,” I scolded him.
“But wait till you see the pics of him tanning in Greece with a familiar looking blonde female... Does the name Taylor Swift pique your interest?”
“Oh, it piques mine, and pitches my tent! I heard they were seen on a yacht making out and her latest song is about him,” Rocky chimed in.
“Are we seriously having a conversation about some One Direction guy?” Lex asked.
“I’m afraid so. Trust me, after a while you just learn to block out the meaningless drivel,” Bulls intercepted.
“Okay guys, let’s hit the dance floor. Let’s show these hick-town whores how real folk dance!” Eric hollered.
It was close to midnight when the music stopped and Adriana and Elijah said their goodbyes. I pulled Lex aside; it was now or never.
“Lex... I need to do this now.”
“Do what?” he asked, stroking my face.
“I need to tell you...show you... I need to finally let this go.”
He remained silent but he understood. We said our goodbyes and quickly slipped out. It was late, but I needed to set this free. I wanted to wake up tomorrow and start fresh with him. I told him I would drive even though he argued with me being pregnant and tired but I knew where I was going; I could never forget.
Twenty minutes later we stood at the gates. Lex looked at me confused but he didn’t ask questions yet, he just let me do what I needed to do. I walked towards the small gap in the fence, and moved the fence slightly so we could squeeze through. Most people would be terrified being here but it was one of the only places where I felt at peace, the solitude that I constantly craved. I hadn’t been back here since last year and suddenly I felt guilty, like I let life sweep me away. It was pitch black, only the slight hint of the moon. I followed the path; every step, every turn was memorized. In the corner near the sleepy willow tree I made my way until I saw it.
It sat there, the stone looking slightly worn. I placed my hand on it and knelt down on the ground, wiping away the dirt that covered the name.
Althea Olivia Mason
03.12.1935 - 10.16.2005
In loving memory
May your soul rest in peace and your wisdom live long in those you shared your life with.
“Lex, I want you to meet my grandmother, because without her life wouldn’t have gone on. She held my hand through my darkest times when her own demons were battling against her. In the end I lost her, but I need to tell you now why I so afraid to fall in love with you again. Why from the moment I saw you in the restaurant I tried to deny any feelings I still had for you. Why I pushed you away, why I lied to you that day in the hospital.”