The Roses Wilted at Dusk Chapter 11
On the afternoon of the sixth day, I left my new company and bought a turkey wrap from the convenience store downstairs.
When I pushed open the glass door, I saw someone standing beneath a streetlight.
Dashiell Lockwood.
He had lost weight. The line of his jaw was much sharper than it had been a week ago, and there were clear dark shadows under his eyes.
He held something in his hand. I could not see what.
I didn’t falter.
I stopped three steps away from him.
“Mr. Lockwood, the wedding is tomorrow. You shouldn’t
be here.”
He looked at me, his lips dry, cracked, and colorless.
“I went to Willow Creek Estate.”
“I know.”
“I went to the bookstore where we had our first date. I sat in your usual spot by the window and waited all afternoon.”
I did not speak.
“Four hours,” he said softly. “I sat there for four hours. Every time the door opened, I looked up. Only later did I understand that this was how it felt every time you waited for me.”
“It’s not the same,” I said. “I waited four years.”
His throat moved.
also went to the bridal salon. The attendant told me the
three dresses I chose four years ago were still there. No one had ever picked them up.”
“Those were the ones you chose for me.”
“I know.”
His voice began to tremble.
“The plan book, the estate guestbook, the wedding gown, the brooch, the vows…”
“I took your future apart and pasted it onto someone else’s wedding.”
The streetlight stretched his shadow long, casting it near my feet.
“Audra Ellison, why didn’t you tell me?”
I looked at him.
“I did tell you.”
“Four years ago on Christmas Eve, I put the wedding scrapbook into your coat pocket. You said you’d read it when you were done being busy.”
“Three years ago, I sent you a text that started, ‘If we get married.’ You replied with a meme.”
“Two years ago, I asked whether we could go look at the venue on our anniversary. You said the company was too busy.”
“Last year, I gave you the brooch. You said you would always wear it.’
“Every time, I told you. You heard me, but you never listened.”
