Epilogue

As planned, we had returned home to Kansas the week following our marriage and my parents had prepared a huge reception at their house for us since they had been unable to attend our ceremony, such as it was. They had even hung a very conspicuous banner across the front of the house which read, “Congratulations Mrs. and Mrs. Nowak.”

The whole downstairs was decorated in crepe streamers, and they had even purchased a small wedding cake that was topped by two brides. Everyone was anxious to hear about all the current events in our life, and the goings on at Erica’s pediatric practice. My dad cooked steaks on our grill that day, and my mom provided a huge spread of food to accompany them.

My brother, Lyric, arrived after we did and upon seeing Erica he shouted, “Hey Doc!” It had become his new nickname for her after she had begun her career in medicine. Harold Olsen was even there, accompanying my sister Melody. After my case had wrapped up, he and Melody had grown close, and started dating. Now they were engaged, with plan to marry the following year.

As they approached, I shook Harold’s hand and asked him how things were.

“Doing good, busy with work, and travelling to see Mel as often as I can. Staying busy planning our wedding as well.” He said with a laugh.

After we had talked for a few minutes more my sister turned to Erica and said, “May I have a word for a moment with your…husband?”

I just rolled my eyes, feeling the hot flush of annoyance rising to my cheeks. “I’m her wife, Mel. And she’s mine. Did you not see the banner out front and the two brides on the cake?”

“Okay, okay, I don’t know how all this works Harm. Can I please just have a word with you?” she replied curtly.

Erica excused herself, walking in the direction of my parents’ kitchen, followed by Harold. After she was out of earshot Mel turned to me and seem to be struggling to find the words she wanted to say. Before she could say anything, I spoke.

“If this is going to be another one of your lectures then I’m not in the mood.”

She shook her head before saying, “No, no, it’s about you and Erica.”

“Oh my god, here we go,” I said impatiently. “Sixteen years me and Erica have been together. And now we’re married. Can you not just accept that? I’m sorry our gayness is such an issue for you.”

“No, it’s not that. Well, maybe in the beginning it was, but honestly, I was always jealous of you two. You were so in love, so happy together, and I felt like I was married to my career. After Harold and I got together though he helped me see just how awful I was being to you guys. I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m sorry Harm, and I’m really happy for you and Erica. You two deserve this. And I’m proud of you all. After you came out to all of us you never hid your love for each other. It’s very brave.”

I stared at her, blinking several times. After I found my voice again, I said, “Well thank you, Mel. That means a lot. How about telling all of this to Erica as well before we leave?”

“Of course,” she replied, and then said, “Well I don’t want to keep you. Today is about you guys, not me.”

I nodded, with a lump in my throat, and then smiling I wrapped her in a hug and quietly said, “I love you, Mel.”

“I love you too, sis.”

After everyone had eaten, we all retired to the den and talked about what the future held for me and Erica. After a time, I looked at Erica with a conspiratorial smile and said, “Hey, come on.”

Rising from the couch we excused ourselves, and then I took her hand leading her upstairs to my old room where we had spent so much time as kids.

My mother hadn’t changed it after I moved out; not from nostalgia, but from lack of a need to repurpose it. As we walked in looked around overcome with memories. The walls were still adorned with band posters from the early nineties, now faded with age. Even the bedding was the same as I remembered it. We sat there on the edge of the bed holding hands quietly for a long time. After a time, we heard the squeak of the stairs and then approaching footsteps in the hallway. My mom’s voice reached us from beyond the doorway.

“Is everyone decent?”

Erica and I both laughed loudly at this, and I then said, “Yes mom, it’s fine.”

She walked into the room and smiled warmly at both of us before saying, “I just wanted to tell you again how proud I am of you two. In spite of the troubles that have come your way so many times over the years you’ve managed to overcome and make a good life together.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Nowak,” Erica responded.

Sitting down next to Erica my mom said, “So, when can I expect some grandkids?”

Erica looked at me grinning, and I couldn’t help smiling as well as I looked to my mom and said, “Actually, about that…”