Course of the Heart (15 page)

Epilogue

The priest arrived on island time, a little after ten the next morning. He appeared surprised to learn that Drew had company. During the introduction, his dark skin actually paled and he looked a little shaken. He spoke little as Drew, dressed in fresh khakis and a floral island shirt, manned the helm as they motor-sailed to Iguana Island. The boat was guided into and anchored in a quiet cove, hidden behind verdant foliage and azure waters lapping lazily against rock formations along the shore. A more picturesque and serene place could not have been prescribed for the event.

Even with the joy in Samantha’s heart, knowing she and Drew were to be united in marriage, her heart was heavy and the mood was solemn for the impending ceremony that would signify the last goodbye to her best friend. Drew sensed it and was most attentive, giving her comfort when she needed it. Although the setting and the weather was perfect, the priest continued his withdrawn and strange behavior. As he stood in the cockpit, holding the urn and taking the narrative from his pocket, his hands trembled. He looked at both Sam and Drew and then the urn.

“I must say that when I read the narrative of Ms. Williams’s Will last night, I found myself a little perplexed. However, meeting you, Ms. Bartlett has provided clarity, and stirred deep emotions and admiration for the awe and power of our Lord. I don’t claim to have the ability to explain what I’m about to read, so I think the best course of action is just to begin the reading.” He made the Catholic cross symbol on his chest. “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”

His deep breath was audible across the cockpit, where she stood next to Drew, dressed in a white sundress, leaning on him for support.

“The following is a narrative from the Last Will and Testament, written by the deceased:

‘As I start to write this, I can picture the scene where my words will be read. When I visited my favorite spot in the British Virgin Islands for the last time, my boyfriend and I rented a dinghy and quite by accident, came across this cove. I was a bundle of emotions at the time, having just been told I had but a few months to live. I never said anything to Matt—he’s not one to dwell on things—but I thought of you, Drew. I don’t know if you’re here at this ceremony or not, but I have to believe you have a good heart and might offer to come along. At any rate, I hope so. It was someplace I could picture you. And of course, in my foolish high school days, I would have pictured me there with you. But I grew up a little and became a lot wiser and realized I could never be with someone so out of my league as you. You were destined for a different journey in your life. I’ve tried to keep up with your whereabouts, and my heart breaks to learn that you continue to search for your place in life, as you struggle with finding where you belong and finding someone who loves and understands who you truly are . . .’”

The priest paused, took a deep breath, and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief he took from his back pocket. Sam’s throat closed as she looked over to Drew. His eyes pooled, his mouth set in a tight line.

“Sorry, let me continue . . .”

‘. . . and my heart breaks to learn that you continue to search for your place in life, as you struggle with finding where you belong and finding someone who loves and understands who you truly are. Funny, I always thought I knew who that person could be, but she was having nothing to do with my playing cupid. Looking back, I realize it just wasn’t going to happen, the timing was not right, then anyway. I never gave up on that idea, but as I became sick, it faded into the background. I always told myself that if I got to heaven and find I have certain powers, I would shake my magic wand and rain down sparkles your way to get your attention and to get my heartthrob and best friend together . . .’”

Sam gasped and put her hand over her mouth, as she thought of the phosphorus the first night they’d made love. She felt faint. Drew held on tight. The priest looked up, paused, and wiped his forehead again.

“’I would shake my magic wand and rain down sparkles your way to get your attention and to get my heartthrob and best friend Samantha together. She’s struggling too right now and with someone who doesn’t love her. She needs a knight in shining armor to ride in and save her. And I know in my heart, you could be the man to do that. I always had the fantasy of being the Maid of Honor at you and my best friend’s wedding. I am so bummed I could never make that happen.’”

“Marry us.” Drew’s voice cut through the solitude and quiet of the cove.

“Right now,” Sam managed to add.

The priest looked up and smiled. “Now you understand why I was so shocked to meet you today, Samantha?”

Drew and Samantha nodded in unison.

“But you must know that we need a witness to perform a wedding ceremony.”

“We have a Maid of Honor.” Drew glanced toward the urn.

“And you’ve just read her desires. Surely you wouldn’t deny someone’s last request?” Sam added.

“If I didn’t, neither can you.” Drew smiled.

Sam pulled him closer and squeezed his arm.

“But this is highly—”

“Marry us before you spread her ashes.” Drew took a step forward. “Marry us before you finish the reading and you can still name her as the witness. She is, after all . . . still here before us.”

After a short hesitation, the priest produced a New Testament Bible from his back pocket. He thumbed through the Bible. “Very well . . . Dearly beloved . . .”

Samantha looked at Drew, who had been looking at her and knew she would remember this day for the rest of her life. There was no doubt in his eyes. Instead they spoke to her, telling her that this was what he wanted to do and this was where he wanted to be.

After they were married and Janet’s ashes were strewn (after they convinced the Priest to bend the witness rules a bit), the sailboat cut through the waters back toward Roadtown. As the sun neared the horizon and a dark cloud appeared ahead of them and a rain shower came from nowhere. Around the boat, phosphorus sparkled in the fading daylight. She and Drew watched it as the priest looked toward the heavens and uttered a prayer.

Drew held Samantha closely as they sat together in the captain’s chair of
Sail Out.

Soon, they were soaking wet.

Neither seemed to mind.

The priest smiled and continued to look toward the heavens.