“June protected me and cherished me in a way no one else ever did. Those are the facts here. The things I absolutely know for sure.”
Angus’ mouth opens, but it closes again before he can say anything. Like maybe he’s finally hearing me.
And if everything I’ve said here is true then there’s only one inevitable painful conclusion to this conversation… “Oh, man. I just fucked up so badly.”
June
The loud music starts just as we hear the news of Lydia’s disappearance with the awful cad Wickham. And it sure as hell isn’t the classical music coming from onscreen. Father Frank is napping in the corner armchair with the half-empty bowl of popcorn resting on his lap. Baptisms apparently take it out of him. And Grandma just opened a bottle of wine for Rose andSabrina, when the strains of an electric guitar can be heard coming from out front. Like, really loud.
“Wondered how long it would take him,” says Grandma, going to the front door.
I follow behind more bewildered. “What’s happening?”
“One, two, three,” says a familiar voice outside into what can only be a microphone. “Check.”
Rose and Sabrina rush to the front window. The noise even raises Father Frank from his nap. Because on the road out front stands a man set up with an array of amps, a microphone on a stand, and an electric guitar in hand. Grandma was right about there being photographers. And they’re both capturing what’s going on.
Holy shit.
Nash clears his throat and, to the tune of “Hey Jude” by the Beatles, begins to sing…
Hey June, don’t make me sad,
Yes I fucked up, but let me kiss it better,
Remember I don’t completely suck all of the time,
Um…shit…I can’t remember what came next.
I am a strong independent woman who is not going to be affected by some guy singing in the street. Much. Then I see Carmen standing nearby holding a whole large fish. Just when I didn’t think this situation could get any more surreal. Guess they’re planning on serving fish tacos tonight in town. Which honestly sounds amazing. “June, want me to hit him with it?”
Grandma immediately gives this idea a thumbs up. Because of course she does, and I love her for it.
“I’m sorry too,” shouts Charlie, from where he’s standing near the front garden gate. “Please don’t let this very nice lady hit me with a fish.”
“Getting hit by a fish is the least of what you deserve,” yells back Grandma.
And Angus stands by the front fence saying nothing and seeming subdued. I think that’s the right word. As if he’s rethinking his doubts about me maybe. Or just generally considering his life choices.
“Oh shit. Please don’t attack me with your stick, Audrey. I called Farmer and told him to stay away from you, June,” says Nash into the microphone, still playing his guitar. Though he just says the words instead of singing now. “It was a moment of idiocy. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. It’s just…I fucked up…saw all of my past mistakes instead of you. And what you are is beautiful and true. I know I don’t deserve you, but I hope you’ll come home anyway.”
And I don’t know what to say.
Which is not a problem Father Frank has, apparently. “It’s too late! Get thee behind me Satan! Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
Grandma laughs but tries to hide it in a coughing fit. She’s not exactly successful.
“Hi, Father Frank,” says Nash. “Good to see you again. What a great robe. The green really brings out the colors in your eyes. And there’s Rose and Sabrina in the front window too. Hey, guys.”
Rose waves as Sabrina gives him the bird. I really do love this place. There’s absolutely nowhere else I’d rather be.
“June, the only thing you’ve ever done is try and protect me. To give me the space and support to do what I want to do,” he says. “And you deserved the same care and support from me. I’m sorry I let you down.”
I don’t know what to say. But the media are here and catching every word. Doing this in the open maybe isn’t the best idea.
However, he gives me this sad hopeful sort of smile. “We can still get the llama if that’s what you really want.”
“I never wanted a damn llama,” I shout. “That was your idea!”
