The summer room looks incredible. Hints of green foliage peek out from among the masses of calla lilies adorning every spare space. The chairs are draped in white organza with big green bows fastened to the back, and the tables are scattered with fern leaves. Tall glass vases, full of crystal clear water and tall calla lilies dominate the tables.
Simple, understated elegance.
I've picked my way through a three course meal with no wine, played with my napkin and indulged anyone who's approached in conversation. I've done anything to avoid looking at Lisa. Vince has given a short, sweet speech as Lisa's best man. There was no talk of their history as friends, no mention of Uncle Anurak or the early days. Vince doesn't do humor, although he seems to find Lisa's way with me quite amusing.
And my Dad. I'm close to tears as I watch him battle his way through his post-it notes, reminiscing on my youth, advising every one of my feisty streaks, and then proceeding to tell them about the time I got caught shoplifting a penny sweet and ate the evidence.
He raises his glass and turns towards us. 'Lisa, good luck.' he says seriously, prompting a chorus of laughter from all of our guests and a huge smile from Lisa, who raises her glass, too, then stands herself, keeping her arm down so she doesn't yank at my wrist. My dad is applauded as he sits and downs a straight whiskey, my mom rubbing his shoulder on a smile.
Lisa places her water on the table and turns towards me, dropping to her knees and taking my hands in hers. My back straightens, and my eyes make a quick scan of the room, noting all attention is pointed right at us. Why can't she play by the rules?
Her thumbs are working fast circles on the backs of my hands, and then she plays with my rings, turning them on my finger before straightening them up. She lifts her glorious eyes, and I'm blasted by twinkling pools of pure happiness. I make her happy, even when I'm avoiding something we really do need to talk about. After my continuous battle to get this woman talking, it's now me who's skirting around things. It's me running away from it, even if I am running away from a problem she's created.
'Roseanne,' she says quietly, but I've no doubt the whole room can hear her. The silence is screaming. 'My beautiful girl.' She smiles mildly. 'All mine.' Leaning up, she kisses me sweetly. 'I don't need to stand up and declare to everyone here how much I love you. I'm not interested in satisfying anyone of that. Except you.'
A lump is forming in my throat, and she's only just started.
She sighs. 'You've taken me completely, baby. You've swallowed me up and drowned me in your beauty and spirit. You know I can't function without you. You've made my life as beautiful as you are. You've made me want to live a worthy existence—a life with you. All I need is you—to look at you; to listen to you; to feel you.' She drops my hands and smoothes her palms over my thighs. 'To love you.'
I'm ruined. My mom's ruined. Everyone in the room is ruined. My teeth are clamped on my bottom lip to prevent a sob escaping, I'm choking on the lump in my throat and my eyes are welling with tears as I look down at Lisa's beautiful face.
'I need you to let me do all of those things, Roseanne. I need you to let me look after you forever.'
I hear my mom's quiet sob, and I can't help mine. Not now. She used to cripple me with just her touch. Now she cripples me with her touch and her words. I'm destined for a life of devastating pleasure, melting tenderness, and heart stopping emotion. She's going to incapacitate me at every turn.
'I know.' I whisper.
She nods and exhales a long lungful of air before standing and pulling me up to her body. My face falls straight into her neck, and I breathe her into me, her fresh scent prompting me to close my eyes on a contented sigh.
