Course of the Heart

by Dawson, Cam

  “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.