Tommy
I HELD JADE in my arms, our bodies relaxed, united. We watched the sunset on the bay from the doorway lookout on top of Old Barney. The wild seagrass appeared carved into the wetlands near the lighthouse. The water rippled from a light breeze coming from the North. The green blades of the grass rustled back and forth as a pair of Red-throated Loons weaved their way through the foliage, while a small flock of Seagulls swooped down to join in the Loons’ evening meal. The clouds slowly evaporated, as the sky turned a bluish plum. The orange sphere cut in half by the horizon, its evening presence glowed white with pale yellow rays mixing into a pink and burnish red mass spreading out on three sides, its reflection glimmering on the water.
We didn't move. Held captive by our view and the nature that surrounded us, holding me and I suspected, Jade, in peaceful awe. We wanted to stay a bit longer, to not have this end just yet. To enjoy it, every minute of it—the sounds, the scents, and colors that engulfed us. To hold on to the pledge we made for a little while longer…told hold on to our ‘last’ as Jimmy reminded Jade in the letter— to take nothing for granted.
Eventually, Jade’s hands rubbed over my arms, hinting to me she was cold and wanted to go—to get warm and confirm our connection more intimately.
“I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too. Now let’s go home so you can show me how much.” She innocently played, but it was provocative in meaning.
We descended the long-doubled staircase; leaving the building, we walked back on the picnic area trail. I had parked my car behind the luncheonette, beyond the official lighthouse grounds so Jade and Blaze wouldn't see it when they drove up.
Jade and I returned to her place and ordered in, as we had originally planned. She had a big day tomorrow and I intended to be there with her all the way, whatever she needed from me, I would do, but tonight for us… no friends or family, no interruptions.
A light breeze rolled across my skin. The coolness had not been there earlier in the evening. It woke me to find Jade’s spot vacant. She must have woken in the middle of the night and left our bed to sit on the small baloney outside her room.
“Baby, is everything okay? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” I stood in the doorway, half of my body in her room, half out in the night air. I braced myself for the worst.
“No, Tommy, I’m not having second thoughts, just the opposite.” Sitting on the edge of the lounge chair, Jade scooted her feet in closer, to make room for me.
“Then why are you out here alone in the middle of the night?”
“Well, this is the last official weekend of summer. Everyone will be heading home, life will get back to the mundane for them. Hectic schedules, no time to come back down here, etc…etc.”
“And…?”
“And…I want us to get married before they go home. I want to marry you in the summer, my favorite season, and I don't want to wait until next year. That’s all I’ve done is wait my whole damn life. Do you understand?” She approached the subject of our wedding with vigor, but left some doubt, depending on what I wanted.
“Yeah. I understand, and the truth is I really want Rain there when we tie the knot, but they’re going to be leaving for Italy in two weeks. I’m not sure how we can pull any of this off.” Now I was the one with doubts.
“You leave that to me.” She kissed my mouth chastely and pulled me back to bed.
Even with a lack of sleep, Jade and I were up bright and early to get to her shoppe.
Friday’s opening of Summertime Sweets was an easy success. She had her locals, her regulars, and plenty of visitors to LBI to keep her busy. Sunday was another full day and Monday as well. Yet, at one point, while Viv and I were in the back, counting stock during a lull in the day, Jade slipped out to run some errands.
It was nearly three o’clock and Jade hadn't returned. Her staff asked if would be okay if they finished up and could leave. Viv told them to head out since all of the customers were gone and the day was winding down. Jade was still nowhere to be found. Four o’clock came, Viv and I decided to lock up.
“If she’s not home when we get there, I’m calling the cops,” I announced.
“Calm down. She’s probably caught up in a delay of some sort, that’s all.”
“She didn't call, and she didn't come back to lock up. That’s not like her.”
“I know, but she knew it would be okay because we’re here.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I’m sure everything will be fine.”
I had less faith than Jade’s aunt. This was so unlike her, but maybe she was running scared? She was up late the night we had gotten engaged. In fact, she hadn't slept well the entire weekend. I found her awake on Saturday and Sunday night doing paperwork at the kitchen table. She said she was trying to play catch up, but I wasn't buying it, especially now that she had gone off to parts unknown, plus she only mentioned the wedding once and then we never discussed it again. This had me thinking Jade wasn't ready for marriage after all.
I pulled down our street feeling confused, lost, and worried, but once I reached the beach house, the confusion, the loss, and the worry were replaced with anxious curiosity. Cars crowded both of our driveways. Large potted palms with white bows trimmed with raffia and strung with Starfish lights decorated each trunk. Surfing music emanated through the alleyway, reminding me of the movie Endless Summer. Exiting the car I heard voices overhead.
Looking up, I saw Blaze and Reece on Jade’s deck. Blaze spotted me first and ran the stairs to stop me from coming up.
“Don’t go up there.”
“Why? Isn't Jade up there?”
“Yes, but you can't see her right now.”
My anger bubbled to the surface. Fuck this! I needed to see her. I tried, but Blaze wasn't budging. Our staring contest turned into a shouting match, at least until Jade appeared. Then my world stopped…I mean it started again.
There, on the top step was Jade, barefoot, dressed in white jeans, a white t-shirt, holding white roses with salmon tipped petals from the rose bush I was about to cut down the day we officially met, and a mini rose halo adorning her head.
Her cheeks flushed…her tears, her happiness, and her love, all on display. Blaze moved to one side for me to get to my girl. Meeting in the middle of the staircase, our smiles reflected each other.
“You said you wanted this, too. So, I pulled it off…a summer wedding we hoped for and a summer wedding we’re going to get.”
“But…” She answered my question before I could ask.
“I had some help from our friends.” Jade looked back to Reece, who was smiling and raising his glass of white wine in a toast.
Jade took my hand and guided me down the stairs, through the alley, and toward the beach.
“Jade, wait, I don't have anything to wear.” Flattening my hands over my graphic t-shirt, feeling awkward.
“Hmm…hold these.” She handed me the flowers and ran back up to the house. When she returned she was holding one of my white dress shirts.
“Take it off.” Removing my t-shirt at Jade’s command, she fastened each button methodically, while keeping her eyes on mine.
I took her hand and walked toward the ceremony when Jade stopped.
“Wait!” Jade tugged back.
“What?”
“You’re completely overdressed.” She teased.
“Huh?
“Lose the shoes, Conte.”
“Oh.” I laughed and kicked them off, before pulling her forward to make us official.
Over the dune and down the sand pathway to the opening for the beach, I stopped, my eyes had to be deceiving me. There in the distance were several rectangular tables dressed in white linen. They were decorated with tea light candles, shells, more roses, complete with flatware and wine glasses. A small path made of palm leaves was placed on the beach leading to our makeshift altar.
“I can't believe you did all of this for us.”
Jade nodded, completely satisfied with the end result.
“Ready, baby?”
We were hand in hand to the altar, where the crowd was gathered to witness our wedding. As we got closer, I realized it was more than a crowd. It was our family and friends. Smiles and warm wishes came from all sides. On the left were my parents, Rain, and Dominick, their twins, Daniel and Daniel’s parents Anna and Joseph. On the right, were Kim, Reece, Viv, and a couple who I assumed were Jade’s parents, plus Jade’s staff from the shoppe. They knew all along where Jade had gone.
Walking up to the altar, Jade handed Blaze her bouquet and then turned back to me.
“Jade, I don't have the rings we talked about. I hadn't ordered them yet.”
“Don’t worry, I took care of that.” She tipped her chin, and I followed her direction to see my brother Mike walking to us on the sand. Jade did this, she got him to be here, to be part of my life again.
“Baby, thank you.”
She nodded. She knew what this meant for me. She knew better than most.
“Did you think I’d let you get married without me, bro?” Michael’s hand clamped down on my shoulder, as I turned to hug him.
The music softened along with the sounds from our wedding guests. Jade and I said our vows. We pledged our love and lives to each other. We promised to care and to protect one another no matter what. We spoke of the importance of family and friends, and how happy we were and honored we could share this very important part of our life with them.
Then, when we were done, Mike handed me the box with our rings.
“I just don't know how you got these rings are such short notice?”
“I didn’t.”
“What?”
“Open the box, Tommy.” She smiled.
Inside the box were two circles made of sailor’s rope, one slighter larger than the other.
“You see, I had to get creative.”
I placed the small braided rope on Jade’s ring finger next to the engagement ring I gave her Thursday night. She then placed mine on my ring finger where the permanent ring would go once it arrived. I kissed my bride and she kissed me back before we walked to our awaiting crowd of family and friends.
Jade’s parents came forward with Viv, her mother hugging and kissing her. Her dad more stoic, yet pride emanating from his expression as he looked at his beautiful daughter’s happiness on display.
Viv was next to hug Jade and me.
“Just think, this was all my doing.” She proudly announced.
“Really? You are taking credit for me marrying Tommy?”
“Of course. If I hadn't sold him the house, we wouldn't be standing here right now like we are today.”
We all smiled and laughed, but Viv’s declaration wasn’t far from the truth.
Blaze, Reece, Kim, Daniel and Daniel’s parents took their turns to wish us well.
Mike, Rain, and Dominick came forward last, to congratulate us.
“Conte, Jade, I’m happy for you both. I truly hope what Rain and I found, you will have forever as well.” Kane shook my hand and hugged my bride before joining Daniel and the others for drinks near the dinner table.
The only people left to wish us well were the two people I needed to hear it from the most.
“Tommy, I love you and I’m so happy for both of you.” Rain’s eyes pooled with tears.
Hugging her, she whispered a small secret for only my ears to hear. “We’re both free now.”
“I know, baby. I know.”
Rain stood next to Jade, both looking on while Mike and I spoke.
“Mike, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank your beautiful wife. We had quite a talk the morning she came looking for you last week.”
I turned, stunned by my brother’s statement. Jade came looking for me?
She nodded slowly, knowing what I was thinking.
She came to find me. She didn't want to walk away, she didn't want us to end that night.
Our marriage and the people sharing it with us, was proof of that.
Once the evening began to wind down, and everyone left, Jade and I, along with Lucky went back to Jade’s house. Our living arrangements, and the beach house, we could make decisions on later.
Lying in bed with Lucky at our feet, we toasted, kissed, and cuddled.
“Happy?” I asked.
“That’s a silly question.”
“Why?”
“It’s evident. Did I or did I not say I’d make this day happen?”
“Yeah, Jade, you did, and it couldn't have been any more special.”
“True…except for one thing.”
“Jimmy.”
“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure he was there in spirit.”
“Here’s to Jimmy watching over us,” I lifted my glass and kissed Jade’s temple.
“Here’s to Jimmy, and here’s to all the ‘lasts’ we will never forget,” she added.
“I love you, baby.”
“I love you, Tommy.”