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There’s a reason I don’t date, let alone pursue a real marriage.
And while I’d like to think I had something to do with saving my mother, I know the art was more important in the end.
Without it, after what happened to Dad, I don’t think she’d be standing here, smiling and radiant as she greets familiar faces and talks about her work.
Time might’ve dimmed the excitement that used to make me feel, but seeing Junie’s face reminds me of a more innocent time.
What it’s like to feel awestruck by the world again.
“Junie!” Mom exclaims the second she sees her, hurrying out from behind the stall, not a hair out of place. “Dexter! I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Of course. You think I’d miss it?” I tease, allowing a flurry of kisses on the cheek. She smothers Junie in kisses, too.
Although her hand tenses in mine, I’m relieved when she smiles up at Mom with utter sincerity.
“This is an awesome lineup, Mrs. Rory. Did you see those guys with the big crow sculptures coming in? Like something out of a fantasy book.” Junie laughs.
“Ah, yes, that would be the Welters. They’re brothers and they travel around the country, always bringing something new back home.” The way Mother gushes makes it clear she knows everyone here. “Would you believe they used to do special effects for movies? Though the crow theme feels a little morbid, I’m afraid.”
“…the birds did look really sad,” Junie says, frowning. “Except for the two at the end, sitting on that big mansion or castle or whatever it is. A little hopeful, maybe?”
“That’s their finale, ‘Love Conquers All,’ I think they’re calling it. They’ve been at it all summer, ever since they came back from this little town called Redhaven.”
“Redhaven?” I grind out. “Sounds like a nice place to get murdered.”
“Dexter! Behave.” Mother wags a finger.
“I can’t believe you’ve been doing this for years and I’ve never been over here. Not that I have a lot of free time,” Junie says.
“I’m just glad to have you here today, dear.”
“Did you paint all these yourself?” Junie glances at me with a strange, almost thoughtful look. “I saw some cardinals in Dex’s office.”
“I’ve painted specially for Dexter, yes.” Mom beams at her for noticing. “Think of it as a family symbol. Cardinals represent new beginnings, spring, devotion… There was a time when the whole family needed that and I found it in these beautiful birds.”
Oh, fuck.
My throat tightens, knowing she’s talking about Dad.
Knowing how far she’s come, learning to grieve and remember without blowing herself to pieces.
Cardinals also symbolize more esoteric things she doesn’t mention, like her belief that Dad’s spirit still visits in symbols sometimes, but that’s the kind of gritty detail you don’t just hand out on a second meeting.
“Well, they’re gorgeous, Delly. I’m jealous. One day, I’d like to express myself with more than food, too,” Junie says, clasping her hands adorably.
Patton leans closer, looking wilted in the evening heat. Why the idiot decided to come here in a suit, who knows.
He digs his elbow into my side.
“That’s a big-ass ring on her finger, Bro. Nicely done.”
“Shut up, Pat. Don’t even start.”
He grins. “You’re starting to make me think, my man. Having a woman is one way you can show off some money, huh?”
“It’s one way you wind up with no teeth left, little brother.” Before I can tell him to fuck off for the ten thousandth time, our mother looks at us.
“Oh, Patton, hush. He’s finally found someone who adores the creative spark like the rest of us,” she says.
