CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
(part two)
Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.
Delphie was showering in his bathroom when Sam came in. He went into the bathroom to say ‘hello’ then began changing out of his tux. He was exhausted, worn out and charged up at the same time. He’d ever seen a more beautiful wedding or enjoyed a reception more.
“Can you believe they fed each other Captain Crunch instead of cake?” Delphie laughed from the bathroom. “The pictures are going to be fun.”
“Very Jacob,” Sam said. “Very Jill.”
“Do you think Candy was offended? She really worked her butt of making that gorgeous Crunch Berry cake.”
“She didn’t seem to be,” Sam said. He pulled off his tie. “You were truly wonderful.”
Delphie came out of the bathroom wrapped in a lime green towel. She wore in another towel in a turban around her hair.
“Thanks,” Delphie said.
“Would you….” Sam started.
He furrowed his brow at her then went into his walk in closet to hang his suit. Puzzled, she followed him to the closet.
“What’s up, Sam?” Delphie asked. “A moment ago, you seemed so happy. Now…?”
“Would you ever want to do this?”
“Do what?”
“Get married,” Sam said.
Delphie laughed.
“I’m serious.”
“I know,” Delphie said.
“I don’t ever want you to feel… second best or taken advantage of… when….”
Delphie put her arms around his neck. She held him close.
“Do you love me?” Delphie asked.
“Yes,” Sam said. “I do.”
“And Celia?”
“I love her too,” Sam said. “Miss her. I….”
“Shh,” Delphie said. “When it’s all said and done, she and I will have split your life. How do you feel about that?”
“There are a few years when I didn’t know either of you.” Sam smiled.
“Yeah? How many?”
“Ten glorious years.” Sam laughed.
“You and Celia met when you were ten years old,” Delphie said. “I met Celia when I was twelve years old. She rescued me when I was sixteen. You had Celia for….”
“Thirty-seven years,” Sam said.
“I’ll marry you on our thirty-seventh year,” Delphie said.
“What if I die before that?”
“What if I die before that?” Delphie shrugged.
“I don’t want you to feel taken advantage of or be alone in your old age or….”
“I have no family. At least any I’ve seen in almost fifty years,” Delphie said. “You, Celia, the kids have always been my family.”
“The kids think of you as family,” Sam said.
“Isn’t that wonderful?” Delphie asked. “It’s like a dream come true for me. If you die before I do, I’ll have our family. But I’ll miss you desperately.”
Sam held her to him.
“Do you feel second best?” He said in her ear.
“To Celia?”
“Yes.”
“I am second best to Celia,” Delphie said.
Sam shifted away from her to look into her face.
“Celia was….” Delphie shook her head. Tears sprung to her eyes. “The best person I’ve ever met. I owe her my life. I’m second best to Celia because everyone is.”
Sam held her close again.
“I miss her too, Sam,” Delphie said. “And I love you. Both things are true for me.”
“I just don’t want….”
“What do you want, Big Sam?” Delphie asked. “Because I have everything I want – home, love, family, friends, good work, gardens, bees….”
“Thirty-four more years?” Sam asked.
Delphie laughed.
“I’ll tell you what, Mr. Lipson.” Delphie helped him out of his shirt. “When I want to get married, I’ll tell you. I will ask you for what I need. Will you promise me the same?”
Sam nodded.
“There is something….”
Delphie dropped her towel.
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….