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Now, I believe in love because I have it. I feel it every day. But if I had never experienced love before, I would by looking at Elliot’s face in this moment. I’ve never seen him cry before. But there are unapologetic tears of joy and awe streaming down his face. His eyes are locked on Madeline’s, as they have been since the first moment he saw her.
Maddie reaches him. Then the four of them do a group hug. No archaic handing off of the bride, but a moment of togetherness as they welcome Elliot officially into their family and they thank Elliot for loving their daughter more than his own life.
The ceremony is simple and sweet. By the time we reach their vows, we’re all crying. I’m leaning against Hayden’s shoulder, getting tears all over his white button down shirt. I was surprised to see him in dress pants, but not surprised to see the black and white shoes that accompanied them.
I look up at him and find him already looking down at me.
“That will be us one day,” he whispers.
“You promise?” I smile.
“I promise.”
FIFTY-NINE
NOW, SUMMER
I take a deep breath, feeling like I’ve just run a marathon or at least not taken a full breath in the last several minutes.
I have just unloaded all of the events of this past week onto Naomi, who listened with wide eyes. When I finish, we are quiet for a moment before she says, “Ana, I’m so sorry that all happened to you.” I nod, not sure what to say. She continues, “How were you feeling during this?”
“Terrified at first,” I admit. “Then silly because I thought I was making it more than it was in my head.” I take a breath. “But then terrified again, because it wasn’t silly. I was scared and that guy was a creep and was enjoying making me feel uncomfortable.”
“You’re right, it wasn’t silly,” Naomi agrees. “Have you heard any more about where the guy is?”
“Apparently he has done time for harassment and a few other things. He was on parole, and obviously broke it so he’s in a lot of trouble now.”
“How do you feel about him being dealt with like that?” she asks.
“Relieved,” I answer.
She nods, “I’m sure. I would feel relieved too.”
“What else were you feeling?” she asks.
“Annoyed that I was in that situation,” I mumble.
She laughs. “You said the first person that you thought to call was David, yes?”
“Yes,” I confirm.
“Why do you think that was?” she asks.
“Well logically, Madeline wouldn’t have been able to do anything but hit him with her car, which she would have. But that would have made a whole new mess of problems. I could have called Elliot, I probably would have if not for…” I trail off.
“David is someone you trust,” Naomi says—says, not asks.
“I—” I start to say, but stop. I think about that for a minute before I say, “Yes.”
“How do you know that you trust him?” she ponders.
“Well, I’ve known him for I mean…pretty close to a year now, just a little less than. He’s never given me a reason not to. I guess?”
“Why else?” she pushes.
I internally groan. “I don’t know, Naomi.”
“Yes you do,” she responds. I glare at her and she smirks at me. “What about him makes him trustworthy?”
