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Lastly, when the road gets rough, and it will—never forget the value of what it is you’re fighting for. There is noth
ing more delightful in this world than knowing that there’s someone out there who has your back, who is fighting the same battle you are fighting with you—and yet sometimes alone—but always for the same cause. And while there will be days where it doesn’t seem as though this could possibly be the case, I want you to pause, breathe, and remember that beyond the hurt and the pain and the frustration, that there is a person in there who deep down really, really loves you. I want you to look at this person and remember that she is the same person who held all of the same wishes you’re holding now, on this day—your wedding day. Come back to it from time to time, think back on where you’re standing now, and remember all of the hopes and the dreams—the possibilities—that you two held today when you stood before each other and spoke your vows. Consider how far you’ve come and let that be a guide on the days, weeks, and perhaps even months, when it will feel like it’s all too much. There will be days where it will seem like there is still so far to go. On those days, vow to wait it out—to enjoy your life together—taking it day by day. If you do that, then the mountains will seem like only hills. Hills are a lot easier to climb. And the view from the top is spectacular, I promise.
I love you so much, son, and I wish I could be there today to celebrate with you. But I want you to know that wherever I am—I’m smiling and raising a glass and toasting you and your new bride. I am so proud of you, son. Today and always.
I love you more than words could ever possibly convey.
Love always,
Mom
Amelie wiped her tear-stained face and tucked the letter back in its envelope. She wiped Jack’s tears and hugged him tightly. They stood there that way for some time before there was a knock at the door. Amelie stepped back and looked at Jack. “It’s show time. You ready?”
He raised his brow. “Something like that.”
The knock grew louder. Then the door swung open, and with it, an audible gasp filled the room.
“Oh,” Elise hissed as she looked from Jack to Amelie and back at him again. “Sorry to interrupt but we have guests waiting, Jack,” she said, her words clipped, her voice lingering on his name.
“Elise, this is Amelie. Amelie, Elise.”
Amelie nodded and knew that any sort of response she might offer wouldn’t be well received. She understood that there was nothing to say in this situation, and so it was best not to say anything at all.
“Jack,” Elise urged. He looked at Amelie and smiled. “Thank you, kid.”
She returned his smile and watched as Jack walked to his bride, kissed her on the cheek, took her by the hand, and lead her out of that tiny tension filled room and down the aisle.
TWENTY-ONE
Summer 2012
Jack sat on the edge of his dock letting his feet dangle over into the water and watched the early morning sun reflect off the lake. This particular morning he did as he often did—just as his mother had suggested. He thought back on his wedding day. As of late, whenever he thought back to that day, there’d been too many times where he considered what might have happened if he had done things differently that day—specifically, if things hadn’t happened in the sequence they had. But it was a dangerous game to play, he realized.
The wedding itself had been gorgeous, his bride stunning. No matter what happened, Jack would always look back on that day fondly. But at the same time, it would still also forever be a tad bittersweet. To his amazement, Amelie stayed true to her word and flew to Hawaii to attend the wedding, which even now made him question whether she had ever really loved him as he loved her. One thing was certain, though. Jack knew that if the tables had been turned that he would not have been able or the least bit willing to do what she did.
But where the wedding itself had been almost perfection, the honeymoon had been a complete and utter disaster. He thought back to his wedding night, and how while tucked away in their honeymoon suite, everything suddenly changed. He remembered how his world fell apart that night as the weight of what he’d done began to sink in. Jack tossed his fishing line into the water, reeled it in, and then cast his line again. He pictured Elise’s face as he recalled the way he’d wrapped his arms around his new bride, how he’d slowly unbuttoned her wedding gown and carefully slipped her out of it. He recalled how excited he was to start their life together, how proud that the woman standing before him was going to be the mother of his children. He traced his fingers across her collarbone, and then motioned at the brand new wedding lingerie she was wearing. “Wow,” he’d said.
Jack watched her eyes and noticed there was a look within them—the expression that she held, which in hindsight should have been his first clue on how things were about to unfold. “Not bad, Mrs. Harrison,” he’d remarked as she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned in close to his ear, and whispered, “Tell me, Jack… do you wish I were her?”
Jack pulled away. “Jesus! What are you talking about?”
“I think you know exactly what… if not who I’m talking about.”
“Elise, don’t do this. Come on. This is our wedding night…”
“And?” she said as she crossed the room.
“And… I was hoping to make love, not war.”
She shook her head. “We’re not making love.”
“Seriously? You are not doing this now. Please tell me we’re not going through this tonight. And the answer is no, Elise. I do not wish that you were her or anyone else.
“That’s bullshit. I saw the way you looked at her!”
Jack grabbed her then and pulled her close. He kissed her neck letting his hands trail down her stomach, which only seemed to intensify her fury.
“I said that we are not having sex. Damn it!” she screamed before crumbling to the floor. Jack stood in awe of how things had turned so suddenly wrong as he watched her become a sobbing heap on the floor, gasping between breaths. He knelt down in front of her. “Elise, honey, I’m sorry. But I swear. I’m telling you the truth.”
