him in. I realize this will be our last time together if all works as planned. And he’s still as beautiful as the first time I saw him. Of course, he looks a lot more casual today; light brown chinos and a plaid short sleeved button shirt, a silver chain tucked under a white undershirt. He props his shades on top of his head as he gazes up at the sky. Clouds have drifted over us. I look up and pray it doesn’t start to rain. The last thing I need right now is a downpour.
Neither of us say a thing for what seems like a week.
“This is nice,” I finally venture. “Thank you. This was a great idea.”
He smiles without a word. “I wanted to talk. I want to know how you’ve been faring. You can tell me the truth.”
I feel my throat close up. I swallow the lump down. “I’ve been good. Honestly.”
He traces circles along the rim of his glass. “I’m glad.”
“Thank you for not blaming me,” I say. I’ve been wanting to say this for a while, but I’ve never found the right time.
He looks up from his glass. “Of course I wouldn’t. I know it wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault.”
My eyes well up when I tell him, “I was good. I did everything right. I didn’t drink. I ate right. I followed your list religiously,” I try to explain. “I swear.”
I see sorrow in his eyes. I can see them glisten. He nestles his glass of wine in the blades of grass, the gesture measured and gentle. He sits beside me and repeats the gesture with my glass. Everything seems to move in slow motion, and the world seems to close in on us. He takes me in his arms and holds me tightly.
And I let go. I cry. On his shoulder, literally.
He cries too. I can hear his soft sobs and feel the quaking of his body against mine. I hold on tight and I don’t let go. I feel like I don’t ever want to let go. How can I let this man go? This is so hard.
But I think about Gabe and the girls and I remind myself of what I need to do. I pull away gently and look up at him. I wipe the tear off his cheek with the pad of my thumb. “We’ll be all right,” I say. “We’re both strong.”
He smiles, a whisper of a smile. His face is still splotchy, his eyes still red. He pulls away from me. “I want to give you this,” he says, reaching out to grab the mysterious blue velvet box. My heart starts to beat faster as he hands it to me with a shy smile. I bite my lip as I open the lid slowly, not wanting to look.
Relief washes over me when I see it’s not a ring, but a beautiful silver chain and pendant; a leafy tree nestled in a perfect circle. I look up at him. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
He smiles down at the food covered tablecloth. “You’re welcome.” He reaches for the chain around his neck and pulls out a matching pendant — it’s identical to mine.
“You have one too,” I say, not quite understanding. “They’re gorgeous.”
“They’re olive trees, and the circle symbolizes infinity, as you probably know.”
My eyes prick as it finally dawns on me.
“Little Oliver will be in our hearts for eternity, won’t he?” he says.
I wipe my eyes with the sleeve of my hoodie. “Forever.” I bury my face in one hand. The other still holds the blue box. “Stop making me cry, Weston. I’m so glad I didn’t wear mascara today,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. “I must look like hell.”
He smiles and takes my tear soaked hand in his. “You look lovely, as always.”
I stare down at the glimmering silver tree pendant nestled on the white velvet pad. “Thank you so much. I’ll wear it all the time.”
“It’s white gold. You can bathe and swim with it.”
“I will,” I promise. “I won’t let it leave my heart.”
He takes the box from my hand. “May I?”
I nod and watch him as he pulls the delicate chain out of the box. The pendant dangles from his long fingers. He works the clasp, his gestures soft and precise. I lean into him, and he sweeps my ponytail to the side. “I like you with a baseball cap and pony,” he whispers. “Very sexy.”
I close my eyes, not wanting to