Six months later. Reg’s funeral. A small, country graveyard near the west coast of England.
Susan is there, greeting the dozen or so well-wishers who made it from the church to the cemetery on this overcast, blustery day. After hugging the last of Reg’s family members and old friends, she sees a familiar face nearby…under a tree, two children at either side.
It is Eric. And the two girls with him are his daughters.
Susan walks toward them, a polite smile that fades rather quickly…though their eyes are locked. Eric’s youngest hands Susan a fistful of flowers. Finally, that smile. Eric smiles, too. They have not seen each other since the beach in California.
“I’m surprised you made it here.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.”
Susan explains that she and Reg spent his last several months of life together nearly every day. Neither let the other out of their sight. And finally, in those waning months…they found each other.
“We actually had a marriage there...for a few months. It was...really hard at first. Then. Beautiful.”
“I’m really glad.”
“Yeah. Sometimes…we don’t really want what we really want, you know? And…you know, like that…sometimes…sometimes it all just…”
“I know.”
“It’s good seeing you.”
“Yeah. Maybe…when you get back, things settle a bit…we should. I don’t know…take a drive.”
Susan almost smiles. “Right. For Reggie.”
“No. For fun. Just…a drive.”
“Ah. Yeah. That…that I can handle.”
And just like that…the journey is done. And they all pick flowers.
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