CHAPTER 82

"What's with the mascot?" Jacob asks as he makes his way across the beach to where the group of us is gathered. "He's a friend," I say, nodding to Hugo in his cage, whom the staff let us borrow. He twitters in response. Jacob goes to join the others, but I turn toward the sea. For the rehearsal, it's supposed to be our close friends, plus Haley and Dad and the kids. The officiant doing our service will walk us through. It's going to be short-half an hour-but the importance of it feels much bigger. I've always loved the sunrise more than the sunset. It's the promise of something new. But the sunset tonight was supposed to be something to savor-a symbol of the last day of my life alone and a chance for us to watch the stars. On the beach, the sun glowing like orange and pink embers on the horizon, my simple white linen dress blows in the breeze... But there's no Timothy in sight. He'll be here. The officiant arrives, holding a book under her arm. She smiles. "How are you all today?" "A c