She turned to the last page in the book. “Oh, this is perfect. Last day of summer. It’s perfect, Finn.”
“Why’s that?” he asked.
She turned her head, groggy but lucid, a smile crawling onto her lips. “Because the next day was the first day of school. It was the day I first met Lennox.” She blew out a short breath. “And today, I’m going to meet him again.”
“I’m going to miss you, May.” Finn swallowed.
She dismissed his sentiment. “Nonsense. I’ll pop in from time to time to check on you.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” He chuckled.
May quieted. Finn watched her breast rise and fall. When her chest stilled, he leaned over her with his cheek to her nose, checking.
“You tryin’ to kiss me?” She said with closed eyes.
He shot back, startled.
“I forgot to tell you something. Philomena reminded me.” May’s words were thick, but her eyes were clear.
“Okay,” Finn soothed. She was dreaming. Or hallucinating. It didn’t matter.
“Very important advice,” she slurred.
“I’m listening,” he said.
“You’ve had it easy, and you’ve had it hard. Just remember, the path of least resistance isn’t always the right path. Sometimes a rough road gets you to the right place.” She closed her eyes.
“All right,” Finn agreed.
“I’m not finished.” She stared at the ceiling. “Remember how to waltz,” she continued.
Finn chuckled. “I’ll try.”
May took his hand. “You’ll get the girl with a waltz.”
Finn pulled the covers up around her chest. “I remember it, May. Forward-side-side.”
She gripped his forearm with a strength that startled him. “Forward-side-side,” she repeated. With her lips tipped and her eyes closed, Finn knew she was picturing her husband sweeping her around the dance floor.
“And the last thing, the most important thing. Love is a constant. The people who matter will always be there.”
“Okay, May. I hear you. I’ll remember.”
Satisfied with his reassurance, May sank deeper into the bed. He pulled her hand from his wrist and held it until her breathing slowed, slowed, stopped.
Finn sat in the silence. There was no sound in his head or outside. Finally, he heard a wolf howl. He stood and returned the album to the shelf. May would want the place tidy. Turning back to the bed, he saw one of her hands stretched toward the nightstand. He must have bumped it when he stood. She appeared to be reaching for the framed photo, a picture of Lennox and May on their wedding day. They were standing on the steps of the Purgatory courthouse, May in a short white dress holding a bunch of daisies, Lennox in an ill-fitting suit. Their smiles took up half the frame. With an untethered heart, Finn picked up the photo and placed it on May’s chest, then folded her hands over it. He kissed her forehead.
“Tell him hi for me, May.”