Page 111 of Best Kept Vows

“I’m trying!” he protested, grinning. “Thisismy growth era.”

Since it was Tristan’s last day in Savannah before he headed back to New York, we played tourists, which we had never done before in our own city.

We strolled down River Street, taking goofy selfies by the Waving Girl statue, even doing a ghost tour that amused all of us, except Ada, who thought she felt a presence in one of the old houses.

For lunch, we went to Collins Quarter, sat under the string lights in the courtyard, and ate like we hadn’t had Lia’s roasted chicken the night before.

“This is the happiest I’ve seen you both in years,” Tristan told me that evening when we were at a bar. Lia and Ada had stepped out to investigate a dress store.

“Thanks, son. I don’t think we’ve ever been this happy.”

“Good thing you quit that company.”

“Best thing.”

Warmth flickered in Tristan’s eyes. “Ada and I worried that you wouldn’t be able to find your way back to each other and…that you’d miss the corporate hoopla.”

“You know, I’d worried about that as well,” I remarked. “But surprisingly, I don’t. I thought I’d miss the house, but I like the apartment. I wouldn’t mind a little more room and a bigger balcony…but it’s good for us.”

Lia and Ada returned then with two shopping bags.

“Tristan says he’s never seen us this happy.” I kissed my wife’s cheek.

“That is true.” Ada sat on a stool next to her brother.

“We are deliriously happy,” Lia admitted, cuddling into me.

At times, we felt like an almostnewlywedcouple, and wetrulyenjoyed this stage of our lives as empty nesters.

“I think we’re finally living life on our terms,” I said to our kids.

Ada nodded slowly. “It suits you.”

That night, we all crammed into the tiny living room of the apartment for a movie night with bowls of popcorn balanced on our knees. I stretched my legs out on the ottoman, one arm around Lia’s shoulders, the other holding a half-empty glass of wine.

“Why did you pick a horror film when you get scared, Ada?” Lia admonished when Ada closed her eyes and poked her fingers inside her ears, asking us to tell her when thebad partwas over.

“Because….”

Tristan shook his head. “She’s a masochist, is what this is.”

As they bantered, I watched my family with pride.

Life, I had to agree, had never been better.

CHAPTER 38

Ophelia

“You sure you want me here?” I asked Sebastianagainas we walked into Husk Savannah.

“Yes,” he repeated.

“Sebastian.” I put a hand on his elbow, holding him. “She didn’t invite me.”

“Mama, as you know, does not extend invitations; shesummons,” he replied, amused.

“I…are you sure?”