Chapter 25 - We Choose Each Other Again
Two years after Marianne returned, we held the backyard recommitment.
Ten people.
My sister.
Marianne’s brother.
Caleb.
Julia.
Melusine.
A few friends.
No media.
No grand wedding.
Marianne wore navy.
I wore charcoal.
Melusine wore yellow.
The repaired old dress stayed in its box because Melusine said:
“That’s old story.”
Exactly.
We did not repeat our original vows.
Those belonged to younger people who could not imagine what was coming.
I said:
“I promise to ask before I decide what you need.”
Marianne smiled.
Then said:
“I promise to tell you when I’m afraid instead of letting fear become silence.”
Melusine whispered loudly:
“Now rings.”
Everyone laughed.
Marianne put hers on.
Then mine.
No legal change.
We were already married.
Emotional change.
Chosen.
That evening, after everyone left, Marianne took the ring off to wash dishes.
I stared instinctively.
She caught me.
“It’s soap.”
“I know.”
“You’re doing face.”
“What face?”
“The ring-is-gone face.”
“I don’t have that.”
“You do.”
Three years later, I still had it sometimes.
May you like
Healing does not erase reflex.
It teaches you not to obey every reflex.
