Epilogue
Michael
I walked along the edge of the beach, forcing myself to take shallow steps. Every few strides, the waves would encroach into our path, and encompass our feet with the warm salt water.
“Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad,” she said until the water receded.
“I know,” I said. “It feels good, doesn’t it?”
She looked up and scrunched her nose. “Lalla.”
Bella was fifteen months old, and was able to say four things: Mom, Dad, lalla, and juice. She used lalla for everything.
I lifted her from the sand, hoisted her to my shoulders, and peered along the beach. I hadn’t realized we’d walked so far. We were at least another fifteen minutes from home.
“We’ll be there pretty soon, sweetie,” I said.
“Lalla.”
I glanced over my shoulder. Two large footprints and two small ones, side by side, stood as a reminder of where we’d walked. Before I had a chance to turn around, the waves washed ashore and erased their existence.
I grinned, knowing we’d be back. Every morning we left our mark, and every night we left it again.
Anthony purchased the entire island, buying out the other two occupants, and the small makeshift vacation cottages that were sprinkled along the west side. The entire beach, as far as the eye could see, was ours.
The only feet that would ever leave an impression on the sand were friendly feet. My life, for once, had no foes, no threats, and no drama.
Our weapons transactions were conducted in various countries, primarily in South America. We armed anyone willing to stand up against communism, fight the drug cartels, or oppose terrorism.
Our deals were huge, infrequent, and without incident.
The last deal we completed made Cap’s three-million-dollar transaction look like chump change. And, we did it all from the comfort of our phones and computers. We inked the deals, Cap manufactured and shipped the weapons, and the majority of the proceeds were wire-transferred to a bank in Switzerland.
Living life on the island was effortless.
Off in the distance, our homes were finally visible. “Almost there,” I said aloud.
“Dad. Dad. Dad.”
Hearing those words, at least initially, had brought tears to my eyes. I’d gotten used to them over time, and although they were still just as important as they were the first time, I somehow managed to hear them without becoming emotional.
We continued our trek through the sand as the late evening sun settled in the sky. Another hour or so, and a blanket of darkness would envelop the island. The forecast for the night was clear skies and seventy-five degrees, a perfect night for gazing at the stars.
My mind drifted to thoughts of my family, my gratitude for the Agriolis, and for the friends that I’d developed over the years. My life was in order, my family came first, and I’d somehow either found or developed a way to spend my days relaxing instead of working.
“Hurry the fuck up, beach bum,” a man shouted from the porch.
I looked to my right.
Cap stood on the edge of the wooden structure, waving. His hair was no longer closely cropped. Now almost collar length, and sprinkled with grey, his hair was pressed against his head, and behind his ears.
At first it seemed odd, but over time, as with everything else, I became accustomed to it.
“We’re coming,” I shouted.
I nodded toward our home. “Look, there’s Uncle Cap.”
My lackadaisical stroll along the beach turned into an eager pace, and with Bella on my shoulders, I jogged up the beach and to the edge of the porch.
“Lookin’ good, old man,” I said.
“If you’d let yours grow, it’d be grey, asshole.”
I shrugged. “Maybe so; maybe not.”
“You ready for this?” he asked.
“Ready as I am every year,” I said. “It’s a good tradition.”
“No argument here,” he said with a laugh.
“Where’s everyone?”
“Inside unpacking the boxes. Looks like you got everything, huh?”
“Guess so. Terra left it all sealed up. Thought she’d wait until you got here to unpack them.”
He chuckled. “Nothing like waiting until the last minute.”
I walked up the steps, and then lowered Bella to her feet. “Thirsty?”
“Always.”
After a handshake and a hug, we walked into the house side by side. Once inside, we were met by smiles from Sal, his wife, Peter, his partner, Michelle, Anthony, and Bella.
“Where’s Terra and the kids?”
“They’re all at the tree,” Anthony said. “Kids. They like the tree.”
“I don’t think it’s the tree they like,” I said. “C’mon, Cap.”
I walked through the group, hugged Sal and his wife, and then stepped into the front room with Cap at my side.
Tony was handing Terra gifts, while little Michael pulled against the leg of her pants.
“Michael,” Cap shouted. “Stop tuggin’ on Aunt Terra’s trousers. You’ll pull ’em off, and then what’ll we have?”
“Uncle Cap!” Tony shouted.
“Leave them alone, Cap,” Terra said. “They’re just excited.”
Cap picked Tony up as soon as he was within arm’s reach. “Anything under that tree for ol’ Cap?”
Terra grinned. “Maybe.”
He motioned toward the tree. “It’s bigger than last year.”
I looked the tree up and down, and then focused on the star that was perched at the very top. “Needed an eight-foot ladder to put the star on it, if that tells you anything.”
For a little boy that never had a Christmas to speak of, I was sure making up for it now. No expenses were spared, and we always gave thanks on the eve of Christmas with a huge meal, friends and family included.
Our traditions were our own, and I enjoyed them.
“Michael eats dirt,” Cap said. “Can’t get him to stop.”
“Tony did it, too. Might be a boy thing.”
“Does Bella?” he asked.
“Nope.”
While Terra and the kids carefully placed the gifts under the tree, Cap and I mingled with the rest of the family. We shared stories of the year that had passed, another record year for the family’s business.
We talked of change, of acceptance, and of gratitude. And then, as the sun melted into the sea, we ate.
“You know the tradition,” I said. “Guests first. We’ll start with Cap.”
“You always start with me.”
“We’re ready to eat,” Terra said with a laugh. “Hurry up.”
“This year I’m grateful for my family’s health, for my life’s successes, and for all of you.”
“I’m grateful it snowed before we left. I love seeing the snow on Christmas,” Michelle said.
“I’m grateful the rib roast is done,” Sal said. “And for family. More than anything. For the family.”
“I’m just grateful for being able to come here every year,” Sal’s wife said. “I love it here.”
“You say that every year,” Terra’s mother, Bella, said.
“It’s true.”
“I’m grateful for James, for my loving family, and that I didn’t get sick on the plane,” Peter said.
“I’m grateful for everything,” James said. “Life is a gift.”
“Papa!” Terra shouted. “You’re holding us up. Everyone’s hungry.”
“Oh? It’s me?” Anthony asked. “I’m grateful for another Christmas eve with the family, for the health of my rose garden, and for the health of my family.”
He leaned to the side, kissed Bella, and then grinned.
She cleared her throat. “I’m grateful for something that I can’t say I’m grateful for.” She covered her mouth. “Maybe I can say what it is later. For now, I’ll pass.”
“This year,” I said, “I’m grateful that the island is now cleared of everything that was once here. My daily walks are more peaceful, more pleasant, and far more enjoyable now. I’m grateful for family, for good health, and most of all, for the ability to spend another holiday with the people that are most important to me.”
Terra let out a sigh, looked at her mother, and began. “I’m grateful everyone made it safely, and on time. I’m also grateful Mom learned how to drive the boat.” She looked at me and smiled. “But most of all. I’m grateful we went to the big island today.”
I scrunched my nose. “Why’s that?”
“Because if I hadn’t, I couldn’t be grateful for the last thing.”
“Which is?”
She raised her hands in the air. “I’m pregnant. Again!”
I jumped from my seat. “Maybe it’ll be another girl. Or, it could be a boy. What if it’s twins? It could be twins. If it was twins, it might be a boy and a—”
“Michael!” Terra shouted. “Take a breath. You’re going to have a heart attack. You’d think by now—”
“It doesn’t matter how many times it happens,” I said. “This’ll probably happen every time.”
I took a deep breath, looked around the table, and smiled. Everything I’d ever wished for had happened. Everything that was void from my life as a child was now present. I needed nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
I exhaled, leaned over, kissed the woman of my dreams, and then picked up my glass of wine.
“To traditions, good health, another holiday together, and prosperity. But, most of all...” I raised my glass. “To family.”
Nine glasses joined me.
And nine people agreed.
“To family!” they said. “Salute!”
* * * * *