Warm Lights for the Rest of My Life

The night before my wedding, I walked in on my fianc and my sister. In the aftermath, a chorus of voices urged me to be the bigger person.

Scarlett, Asher and your sister are in love, my mother said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Just let them be. Be gracious. Let your sister have him.

That's enough, Scarlett, my father added, his voice weary. "We're all family here. Let's not make a big deal out of this."

Even Asher, my fianc, just stood there with his head bowed, silent.

I didn't scream. I didn't cry. That night, I packed a bag and left New York.

As I walked out the door, my mothers final words were a threat. "If you leave today, consider our relationship over. Don't you ever come back! We won't be there for you. If you die in a ditch, don't expect us to claim the body."

I didn't even turn around. "Fine. Then it's over."

The wedding went on as scheduled. The only thing that changed was the bride.

And for six years, I never went home.

...

Six years later, I was back in New York.

After the awards ceremony at the military base, I ran into Asher Vance again.

"It's been a long time, Scarlett Ross."

The familiar voice stopped me just as I reached the main gate. I looked up and met his eyes. Six years had only made him more handsome. He wore a crisp white shirt, dark jeans, and a black trench coat. His hair was short and sharp, and he stood tall, watching me.

"A long time," I replied with a calm smile.

The quietness of my tone seemed to startle him. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Mom and Dad know you're in town for the ceremony. They've made dinner. Why don't you come by tonight?"

The "Mom and Dad" he referred to were my parents.

I nodded. "Alright. Six years. I suppose it's time."

Seeing my agreement, a flicker of relief crossed his face before he turned and left.

An hour later, my custom-built Jeep rumbled to a stop in front of the old apartment complex, its rugged frame a stark contrast to the dated buildings. I got out and looked toward the home I hadn't seen in years.

So much had changed. The narrow, old lane was gone, replaced by a row of polished brownstones. The corner bodega was now a chain grocery store. The willow tree that used to stand at the end of the block had vanished.

As I walked, I was surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Even old Mr. Henderson from next door had moved away.

Finally, I stood before the door to apartment 502 and rang the bell.

My mother opened it. She was wearing an oil-stained apron, and streaks of silver now ran through her dark hair. She just stared, frozen.

I was the one to break the silence. "Mom."

She snapped back to reality, her eyes taking in my crisp, decorated Army uniform, my confident posture. Her voice trembled when she spoke. "Scarlett. You're back. Come in, come in and sit down."

Her nervous excitement was a stark contrast to my own placid calm. I stepped inside and slipped on the guest slippers she offered. The once dim and cramped living room was now bright and spacious. The sofa was new, the coffee table was clear of clutter, and a vase of fresh lilies sat in the center.

The only thing that hadn't changed was the display cabinet flanking the television. It was still filled with my sister Seraphina's awards, a shrine to her achievements from childhood to adulthood.

Just then, my father emerged from the kitchen carrying a platter of roasted chicken. He gave me an awkward smile. "You're back. I saved you a piece of chicken."

When we were kids, my sister always got both drumsticks. Always.

"No, thank you," I said evenly. "The army has strict dietary regulations. I can't eat anything prepared outside our facilities. I can't stay long anyway."

A flash of embarrassment crossed my father's face.

The noise must have carried, because Asher and my sister, Seraphina, came out of the kitchen. Seraphina's hair was in a low bun, and she wore a pair of delicate gold-rimmed glasses. Dressed in a white knit sweater and a camel-colored coat, she had the air of a sophisticated, mature woman. Her eyes darted away when she saw me.

I barely touched my food during dinner, sitting at the table like a stranger while the other four chatted about people I didn't know and events I had no part in.

When the meal was winding down, I glanced at my watch and stood up. "It's getting late. I should be going."

My mother immediately spoke up. "You're not staying the night? We haven't seen you in so long. Stay, we can catch up."

I asked a simple question. "Is there a room for me?"

The old apartment had three bedrooms. One for my parents, one for my sister, and one they rented out. I slept on the living room couch.

My question hung in the air. My mothers face flushed with the memory. "In this new place... yes. We saved a room just for you. The sheets, the comforter... they're all brand new. I just washed them."

I simply shook my head at her peace offering. "That won't be necessary. The army has provided me with accommodations."

With that, I picked up my jacket and walked out the door.

The next day, after visiting a few scenic spots upstate, I got a call from my mother. I hesitated for a second before answering.

"Scarlett," she began, "you barely ate anything last night. Did you not like the food?"

"Your father booked a table at The Gilded Swan. Please, have dinner with us tonight. Will you?"

In all my memories, my mother had never spoken to me with such a pleading tone. It was always demands and accusations. The image of the silver in her hair flashed in my mind.

"Alright," I agreed. "I'll be there."

When I walked into the private dining room, I froze. In addition to my parents, Asher, and Seraphina, there was a man I'd never seen before.

My mother quickly pulled me down to sit beside her.

"I thought this was a family dinner," I said, confused. "Who is this?"

Seraphina spoke up. "Scarlett, a colleague of Asher's from the Chess Club happens to be single."

"He's a Grandmaster," she continued. "A professional player. Very accomplished, very driven. We thought it would be a good opportunity for you two to meet. If you settle down, Mom and Dad can stop worrying."

"And if it doesn't work out, you've made a new friend," my father added quickly. "Someone you can hang out with when you're in New York."

The man smiled at me. "Miss Ross, hello. My name is Mark. Your parents told me you're in the military. That's very impressive. I was wondering if I could get your number? Maybe we could get to know each other."

It all clicked. This wasn't a family dinner. It was a blind date. An ambush. After six years of silence, their first act was to try and marry me off.

I turned my gaze to Mark. He was average-looking, thin, and dressed in clothes that probably cost less than the necklace I was wearing.

"Mark," I began, my voice cool and clear. "Since this is a setup, let's just get straight to the point."

"Do you own property in Manhattan? A condo? A co-op? What kind of car do you drive? Did you buy it outright? What are your savings looking like? Six figures? Seven? Any debt? And since you're a professional player, how many championships have you actually won?"

Mark stared at me, dumbfounded, stammering without producing a single coherent word. The rest of the table was equally stunned.

"Uh... I just remembered I have something I need to do at the club," he mumbled, grabbing his coat. "I... I have to go."

After he fled, Seraphina shot me a disapproving look. "Scarlett, how could you be so blunt? Who goes on a date like that? You scared him off! Now who's going to want to date you?"

"Isn't that the point of a date?" I asked calmly. "To determine compatibility?" I let my gaze drift over each of them, finally landing on my mother.

"Mom, do you have any idea what my annual income is?"

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"I'm a Major General in the United States Army. While the pay isn't extravagant, my investment portfolio is easily a hundred times larger than his. The Jeep I drove home? That was half a million dollars. I own five properties in New York and three in Miami."

I gestured to my neck. "And this necklace? Seraphina, you probably couldn't afford this with your entire yearly salary."

I stood up, leaving them to stew in their shock and my sister's pale, tight-lipped fury.