Chapter 29
Evangeline
“Oh, this is so gorgeous, Mini,” I say as I lean over the table and help her fasten the bracelet she just made onto her wrist.
She looks up at me and beams. “It is.” She shows it off to Faith Monroe, the community center’s activities coordinator.
Faith runs her fingers along the beads and coos. “Corral looks so good on you, girl. So pretty.”
She grins at me as Mini’s teary eyes flit over my face. “Thank you so much for this, sweetheart. You have no idea how much something like this means to an old bat like me.”
“Aww. It’s my pleasure,” I say with a sigh as Mini rolls her wheelchair over to where her friends, Nancy and Delores, are working together on an intricate beaded necklace.
The seniors of Reyfield are the sweetest. That’s why I’m absolutely elated that the community center invited me to teach this class here this evening.
Faith echoes Mini’s words as she inspects her own bracelet. “Yes, it’s been incredible having you, Eva.” She takes me by the elbow and guides me toward the front of the packed room. “These seniors always enjoy having a new activity, the opportunity to learn something new. A lot of them are just trying to get through their days. They look forward to it. Especially the shut-ins like Mini.”
I nod in understanding, feeling guilty that I haven’t made it a priority to donate my time like this more often. It really makes a difference to these sweet, old people. My eyes sweep the room appreciatively. When my gaze lands on Raphael, my heart skips a beat.
He’s sitting at the back of the class, huddled with a few of the men. He’s deep in concentration as he attempts to secure a clasp at the end of a string of beads. He’s approaching the task at hand like it’s the most important task he’s had to carry out in a long time. One of the men, Edward, gives instructions for how to proceed and Raph struggles to keep up with the man’s very high expectations. They’re adorable, all of them. I feel my lips curve up at the corners.
I ask Faith to excuse me and make my way over to see what they’re up to. “Hey fellas,” I say easily as I stroll up to them.
Edward eyes me sharply and shushes me, bringing his wrinkly fingers to his lips. “Quiet,” he says sternly.
“Not trying to draw anyone’s attention over this way,” Raphael tells me, barely glancing at me for a second.
“Sorry,” I whisper, throwing my hands up defensively as I mosey away, chuckling under my breath at how committed they are to this project.
I heard through the grapevine that Edward and Nancy have been dating for a few months. (Yes, these old folks love to gossip.) With his fiery attitude and her snarky disposition, they must have a very exciting relationship.
I go around the room, checking on my other students. My stride slows at the table where Mini sits with her friends, Nancy and Delores. They’re talking and laughing and have absolutely no filter.
“Here you go, dear,” Nancy says handing Mini the messy turquoise beaded necklace she just finished putting together. “An early birthday present.” She winks at her friend.
Mini looks at the thing, trying to hide her horror. “Um, thank you,” she says, attempting to be polite. Nancy doesn’t seem to notice all the effort her friend is using in her attempt to not hurt her feelings.
Nancy takes another one of her unappealing creations and stretches it out to her other friend, but Delores quickly holds up a hand to stop her. “Honey, the only kind of beads I’m interested in for my birthday are anal beads so thanks but no thanks.”
My jaw nearly hits the floor but Mini and Nancy just harrumph and wave her off. “We’re used to her,” Mini tells me over her shoulder.
“Okay,” I say quietly as I slowly, slowly remove myself from their conversation before I hear something else that I can never un-hear.
I get busy packing up the loose supplies hanging out around the room as I wait for everyone to finish up their projects. Moments later, I see Edward approaching out of the corner of my eye, his cane cracking loudly against the floor. He gets to the front of the room and clears his throat.
“If I could have everyone’s attention please,” he says in a voice that’s shaky, not only from age, but from nerves, too. All eyes travel to him. When he’s satisfied that he has the floor, he begins, “I want to present this necklace to my love, Nancy Chester,” he announces as he holds up the string of colourful beads, his gaze riveted to his girlfriend.
Nancy beams, her brown cheeks swelling with a bashful smile. “Oh Eddie,” she says coyly. “You’re so romantic.” Her friends cheer her on as she stands from her seat and wobbles over to where he’s standing.
The two of them fiddle around, arguing and laughing, as they struggle to clasp the necklace into place. They are so damn adorable.
Everyone claps and hoots but Edward isn’t done yet. He shoves a hand into his pocket and produces a pretty little diamond ring. Nancy’s smile drops as surprise rises to her eyes. She clutches her chest and I take a step forward, ready to catch her just in case she’s a fainter.
Edward grips the edge of the table with both hands and attempts to lower himself to one knee.
Nancy waves her arms frantically. “Oh, don’t you dare,” she scolds him with a trembling voice. “Stand up. I won’t let you ruin my fairy tale proposal by throwing out your hip again.” The whole room erupts into laughter as Edward limps back into standing position.
He takes her hands and looks her deep in the eyes. “Nancy Chester, you’re the light of my life. The past few months that you’ve been my girlfriend have been amazing. I swear, you added at least seven and a half extra weeks to my lifespan.” Soft tittering spreads throughout the room. “I want to spend them with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So, will you marry me?”
She brushes tears away from her face. “Yes!” she says confidently. “Yes, I will!”
Another round of ruckus applause spreads through the room as Edward and Nancy share a modest kiss before he slips the ring onto her finger. And now, I’m crying, so happy to be a part of this special moment.
Raph is at the back of the room, leaning against the windowsill, observing it all. He’s got a grin splashed across his perfect face. His head pivots to me and he winks. He looks amused. Highly entertained. But he also looks pleased. It’s a facial expression I could bask in all day. He’s proud of me.
We’ve come a long way. When this all started, I was an annoying thorn in his side. Taking care of me was an obligation he felt. It was born out of his sense of loyalty to my father. He felt it was his duty to get me home uncorrupted and in one piece. Now, he wants to corrupt me all night and hold me while the sun is rising and spend every minute of the day watching me and touching me.
Does he love me?
The thought makes my heart beat a little faster. ‘Cause I’m head over fucking heels for him.