Chapter 26 - JUNE GETS ENGAGED
June was twenty-eight when she called us to dinner.
Caleb looked at me before we entered the restaurant.
“She’s acting weird.”
“You acted weird before proposing.”
“I had a ring in my sock.”
“That remains stupid.”
At dessert, June lifted her left hand.
Small emerald.
“Alex and I are engaged.”
My body reacted before thought.
Graduation yard.
Mom charging forward.
Slap.
Cake.
Darkness.
Police.
Then the restaurant returned.
Caleb looked at me.
I looked at June.
She was nervous.
Waiting.
I stood.
For half a second she looked alarmed.
Then I hugged her.
“Congratulations.”
She exhaled.
“Thanks.”
“Did you think I’d freak out?”
“A little.”
“Why?”
“Family history.”
Fair.
“Do you want advice?”
“No.”
“Excellent.”
Caleb laughed.
Alex looked terrified of all of us.
We toasted.
No permission.
No legal memo.
No trust trigger.
No old family ring.
June chose the emerald because green was her favorite color.
Objects were allowed to begin without history.
That night, I cried in the car.
Caleb took my hand.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Actually?”
“Yes.”
The past had appeared.
May you like
Then moved aside.
That was recovery.
