A Promise to Remember
Ocean Dovehe calls me his wife but we're not marriedhe finally regrets it after seeing me marry another
"Why is your phone not connecting?"
Before I could answer, he continued, "Anyway, I've got the holiday prep all sorted. Anything else you want? I'll have my assistant grab it."
His words triggered a memory: the year Mamie died. I'd gone home, but on Christmas Eve, I video-called him to wish him happy holidays.
It took ages for him to answer; the screen was dark at first, showing only a fading ember from his cigarette.
"Yeah?" he rasped.
As the screen adjusted to the light, I saw he was alone on the balcony, surrounded by scattered bottles and cigarette butts. Outside, the world was alive with lights and fireworks, but that joy seemed worlds away from him.