“Just a minute, we’ve got to get to the part that makes this thing legit,” Preppy said, pulling back and clearing his throat. I leaned over to wipe my lipstick off the side of Preppy’s mouth. I was floating on another level of happiness when the reverend introduced us as “Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Clearwater.”
We both grabbed Bo’s hand and were about to walk back down the aisle when Kevin put two fingers in his mouth and made a loud whistling noise, silencing the crowd who turned their attentions on him. “Wait!” he shouted, stepping in front of us, blocking our exit. I squeezed Preppy’s hand tightly and in an instant my happiness turned to panic.
Kevin reached inside his jacket pocket. “This isn’t over yet.”
****
I was about to push Bo into the crowd for safety and lunge myself at Kevin when I realized what he pulled out of his jacket wasn’t a knife or gun, it was a handkerchief. He used it to wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead. “It’s fucking hot out here,” he muttered, tucking the scrap of fabric back into his pocket. He glanced down at Bo, giving him a wink. “Are you ready, kid?”
Bo gave him a thumbs up and the crowd parted to give us more room. Kevin brought Bo back to the front of the crowd. He produced a milk crate for Bo to stand on. “Whenever you’re ready,” Kevin said, taking a step back. Now Preppy and I were part of the onlookers and we both exchanged a confused look.
“What exactly do you have up your sleeve, kiddo?” Preppy asked.
Hold on. Bo signed. Preppy chuckled, keeping my hand tucked under his arm.
Bo looked to Kevin for encouragement. “You got this, buddy,” he said before turning to us. “He wanted to say something on your special day. He’s been practicing nonstop.”
Preppy and I both smiled and Bo took a deep breath. We were both expecting him to start signing his speech, but when he opened his mouth and started to speak, Preppy had to hold me up for support. I didn’t even feel us moving but before I could register putting one step in front of the other, Preppy and I were both standing directly in front of Bo.
“Happy wedding day, Mommy and Daddy. I love you.”
That was his entire speech, but I felt like he’d said so much with so few words. He’d barely finished when he leapt toward us and we’d wrapped him in a hug. “That was fucking amazing,” Preppy said. No one bothered to correct his swearing to Bo because he was right. Amazing by itself wouldn’t have done that moment justice.
It was fucking amazing.
After squeezing Bo until he squirmed uncomfortably, Preppy stood to address the crowd. “I realized that I almost forgot something. The entire reason why we are here. In this cemetery for our wedding.” He pointed down to the headstone. “This isn’t mine anymore.” That’s when I noticed for the first time the brown paper bag covering it. “But there is someone else who I thought should have it.” He glanced over at me. “Someone who should be remembered.” He pulled off the bag and I gasped. My heart stuck in my throat like I swallowed a boulder.
Preppy had the headstone changed out. It no longer read Samuel Clearwater.
I dropped to my knees and ran my fingers over the engraved letters in the smooth granite.
Baby Clearwater
Beloved Daughter & Sister
We’ll see you again,
in the in-between
I don’t know how long I sat there, staring at those beautiful letters honoring the daughter Preppy and I never got to meet, but it must have been a while because by the time I looked up, everyone was gone.
Everyone, except Preppy, who was kneeling next to me. “Where’s Bo?” I asked.
“Ray and King took him with them to their house to get the reception ready.”
“Thank you,” I said, allowing him to pull me up to a standing position. I shook the grass from my dress. “Thank you so much.”
“Don’t thank me. She needed a place and I didn’t. Consider it like a sublet type of thing,” Preppy said with a smile. “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
I shook my head. “It’s like a happy kind of sad, if that makes any sense.”
“It does,” Preppy said. There was no doubt he understood what I meant, because somehow he always did.
I sniffled. “I do love you, Samuel Clearwater.” I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“I love you, Andrea Clearwater,” he replied, covering my lips with his. When he pulled back, he threaded his fingers through mine, pulling me past the rows of headstones and through the gate that led to the road. Preppy wasn’t the only one with the surprises. I couldn’t wait to give him mine, but it would have to wait. We had a reception to attend.
We walked out of the front gate of the cemetery officially leaving death behind.
I placed my hand over my belly.
With only new life ahead.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Dre
Our reception was a casual outdoor party at King and Ray’s house. When we arrived Preppy went to go talk to his friends while I darted upstairs to change out of my gown and heels into a white sundress and sandals so I’d be more comfortable walking around in the yard. I’d just finished dressing when the door opened and Kevin appeared. His tie loose around his neck. His jacket long gone. His sleeves rolled up to his elbows. “Hey,” I said. “I was just coming down.”
“I just wanted to say thanks,” Kevin said. His hands were in his pockets and his eyes downcast on the floor. “You didn’t know me, but you gave me a home. You gave me...a family. You didn’t have to, but you did and I don’t understand why. I don’t think I would have done the same. You trusted me. Gave me the benefit of the doubt. No one’s ever really done that for me before.”
I put my hand on Kevin’s arm and felt a little guilty for ever thinking he might not have the best of intentions toward me or Preppy. “Having a brother makes Preppy happy. Family makes him happy. I’d never stand in the way of that,” I admitted. “Just do me one favor, it’s kind of a big one.”
“Anything,” Kevin said eagerly.
“Don’t let him down. He’s had enough of that.”
Kevin covered my hand with his, determination in his eyes. “I’d never let him down. EVER. You’ll see.”
“Good, now go downstairs. I’m just going to take the pins out of my hair, they’re digging into my scalp,” I said, pulling one free from the curls at the nape of my neck.
Kevin left and I made quick work of the pins. A shadow crossed the doorway. “Did you forget something, Kevin?” I asked, pulling the last pin out and running my fingers through my hair to ease my aching scalp. I spun around, caught completely off guard when I found myself staring down the barrel of a gun.
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Preppy