Muted

Epilogue

SIX YEARS LATER

        I looked around the gallery and suddenly felt nervous. I ran around the rooms and straightened up the pictures. I ran into Monroe as I was trying to get everything together. "Sadie, relax. I'll fix up the rest, go home and change. Get ready you only have an hour until you have to be back." He kissed me. "You're right. I'll be back." "Did you walk here?" He asked. "Yeah, why?" He handed me his keys. "Take the car, it will be quicker." "Okay, I'll be right back." I sat down in the car and buckled up. I took a deep breath and started the car. I pulled up to our apartment ten minutes later. I had gotten my hair done earlier today, so I didn't need to shower. I pulled on my dress. It was ivory and kind of short, for me at least. I sat down on the bed and looked over at the picture frame on the nightstand. It was the day we moved into our dorm room, six years ago. We were smiling in front of NYU. Next to it was a picture of us at our college graduation. He was carrying me as a joke. He just picked me up and walked away. It was funny.

        I pulled into the gallery parking lot and entered the building. Monroe was there talking with one of the servers. His eyes lit up when he saw me. "Sadie, this is Gregory, he's one of the servers, but you should remember him. He was my roommate in college." Of course I remember Greg, he got Monroe so drunk on his twenty-first birthday, that he had to have his stomach pumped, but that's not his most memorable moment. When Greg turned twenty-one, he convinced a bunch of models into coming to his dorm for a party and that ended with him on the floor crying because one of the models almost rendered him incapable of ever having children. "Of course, how could I forget Greg? The infamous Gregory Smithe lives on in everyone's memory. His pranks have caused so much pain." "Sorry, Sadie, but you know I just gotta cause trouble. It's what I do." "I swear to God, Greg, if you cause any trouble tonight, I will finish what that model started and completely disable you from ever having children." "I think my girlfriend will love to hear that." I started laughing. "I promise not to ruin your gallery on purpose." I groaned. "Thank you, I still have to worry about your accidents. Just stay away from everything that is fragile." "Yes, ma'am!" "God help me."

        Riley, Hannah, Daniel and Randy entered the gallery. "Sadie, Monroe, how are you?" Riley said. "I'm nervous." I said. "I would be. This is so awesome. You get this gallery all to yourself for a whole two months!" Randy said, holding Dan's hand. I noticed a ring on both their ring fingers. "Oh my God, congradulations!" They both blushed. "When's the date?" I asked. "Well, we aren't sure, yet. We need to find someone willing to perform a gay wedding." Dan answered. "Plus, he's been on the road so much, it's hard to find time to speak." Randy said joking. "Oh come on, you love the gifts I bring." They embrace. Riley coughed. "No PDA. This isn't your night." "Now it isn't, but later, we'll have fun." I gasped at Dan's bold statement. "We're adults here. Who cares?" Randy laughed. "So, Elaine, Thomas and Alexander are coming in a few minutes." Riley said, checking her phone. "They're bringing Alex? Shit, he better be careful." I said. "Sadie, he's five, he's going to be curious." I sighed. "Well, let's hope Laine and Tom are careful with that kid." Just when I said that, they walked through the door.

        Elaine was pregnant again and she was glowing. "Sadie, I'm so happy for you. This all looks amazing!" "Sadie, this is pretty amazing." Tom said. Alex was quiet. I kneeled down next to him. "Alex, I need you to be careful tonight. Can you do that for me?" He nodded. "I pwomise." He said. "Sorry, he still can't pronounce his 'r's, but I promise I will keep an eye on him." Laine said. "Good. God, I'm so nervous." Monroe pulled me into his grasp. "Sadie, you'll be fine." I breathed in his scent. "I don't want to let go of you." I said. "You have talent and I'm sure everyone will love all your art." I pulled him into a kiss until I heard another cough. I saw Greg standing in front of us, grinning like an idiot. "Aw, look at you two lovebirds. Marla and I aren't nearly as cute as you." I smiled. "You better get ready, people will be here soon." I smiled and walked away.