Some years later
Virgil rarely wore a suit, but when he did, he could have graced the cover of GQ or Esquire, even well into his 60s. He fussed with his cuffs and his collar before allowing me to tie his tie.
We got into the car, and I held on tight as Michelle took the wheel. She had her learner’s permit now and Virgil let her drive us around LaCera, but this was her first time driving to Bell City.
The ceremony would be small; no bridal party, no silly traditions like a bouquet toss. That wasn’t what Jessica wanted. But she was clear that she wanted her dad to walk her down the aisle, and that she wanted her sister and her Other Mother, as she called me, there.
Drew Shockley was not the kind of man I would have thought Jessica would fall for, but he was a nice boy; shy, bookish, and soft spoken. But he loved her so.
We made the drive in good time, and went into the little church just outside Bell City proper.
Life has a sense of humor, I thought to myself as I watched Virgil take Jessica’s arm and lead her down the aisle. I didn’t know what the future would hold for any of us, and I hoped that he would get to do it again when it was Michelle’s time… I thought back to the days after his heart attack, when he had lamented he would not get to walk his daughter down the aisle. The universe had sent him another daughter.
He took his seat next to me and the ceremony began. I couldn’t help but shed a tear.
At the reception, I watch Jessica take a spin around the dance floor with her new husband. Virgil stood next to me, watching the couples out on the dance floor.
“What are you thinking about?” He asked me, putting his arm around my waist.
“How lucky we are.” I gestured to our two beautiful daughters.
The song changed, and Jessica and Michelle danced with one another for a few minutes before coming over and grabbing Virgil. He looked back at me, but I gave him a wide smile.
“Go on, dance with our daughters.” I told him. I watched him take their hands and move in a circle around the dance floor with the girls.
