The Roses Wilted at Dusk Chapter 15
Three days later, a FedEx box arrived at my new
apartment.
The sender was Dashiell Lockwood. The handwriting was messy but recognizable.
I cut the tape with scissors.
On top was a document envelope.
Inside was the final payment confirmation for the wedding planning office, attached with the official bank wire confirmation, paid in full.
Beside it was a note:
[Final payment transferred. Please confirm receipt. The team’s money should not be delayed because of my mistakes.]
Beneath the envelope was the old wedding scrapbook.
The pressed white rose remained on the kraft paper cover, though someone had carefully fixed it again with clear tape. It had probably fallen off while being read.
Every page inside remained as it had been when I left. Nothing had been torn out or altered.
Qply on the blank space of the last page, there was an
added line in his handwriting.
[Every word in this book is proof that you once loved me.]
[I have no right to keep it. I’m returning it to you.]
Pressed under the book was the white rose brooch.
The velvet box was open. The brooch lay inside, the enamel petals wiped clean, even the fine mark left by polishing the silver visible.
A small card was tucked inside the box.
[I said I would wait for you to come get it.]
[But I was afraid you never would.].
[So I’m sending it back.]
[You made it. It belongs in your hands.]
At the very bottom was a sheet of paper.
I picked it up and looked.
It was a venue reservation confirmation from Willow
Creek Estate.
Reserved by: Dashiell Lockwood.
Reservation date: Held long-term.
The notes field said:
[If the reserver cancels, please contact Ms. Ellison
to confirm whether she would like to continue the
reservation.]
I set the confirmation on the table and looked at it for a
long time.
He had reserved that lawn.
Not to hold a wedding.
To keep it for me.
But I no longer needed anyone else to hold a place for me.
