Jenny

Uttering two of the most important words I'll ever say, I see Walker's face light up in blazing happiness. When the minister asks Walker if he'll have me as well, he answers, "I do" and grabs me off my feet, spinning me with joy.

I giggle as my feet leave the sandy ground and the audience cheers around us.

The priest can't pronounce us husband and wife fast enough, before Walker's mouth crushes mine in a passionate kiss that threatens to knock the wedding flip flops I'm wearing right off my feet.

We're standing on the beach at the mouth of the lake that lines our cabins and the sun is starting to go down around us. A glorious displays of reds, oranges, yellows and purples dance across the sky as everyone congratulates us.

I feel like I'm the happiest bride in the universe. I'm the wife of my best friend, and the most handsome, loving man I've ever met. Today can't get any better, I think, as I reach down to pat Sage on her head.

After a few minutes, Walker excuses himself to go inside for a minute. He returns pretty quickly, and is wearing a grin on his face that I haven't seen in a long time.

OMG! He didn't.

Oh, he did!

I can almost see him trying not rub his hands together in anticipation.

Just then, a butler brings over a tray of pink champagne. As I watch, I notice that one glass among them is a little darker than all of the rest. Cian doesn't even notice, however, as everyone raises their glass for our toast. I hold my breath as I watch Cian try to down his glass in one mouthful. Cian immediately turns red and begins to cough.

"WALKER! JENNY!" he shouts our names, laughing.

I take one look at Walker and fall into a fit of laughter with him. This is the best day of my life!

Walker

I'm still laughing with Jenny when I see Tadhg whisper something in Caoilainn's ear. She stands up next to him and holds out her hand for him to grasp.

Tadhg looks good today. I know it's been rough since his return, but Caoilainn has stood by his side through everything. They make a great couple. I'm happy for them.

I smile as I walk back over to my bride. In an instant, I swoop her off her feet for the second time today and kiss her.

Cian

I just finish brushing my teeth clean of the hot sauce when the phone in my pocket starts to vibrate. I dry off my hands and reach down for it. I had turned it onto vibrate during Walker and Jenny's ceremony.

"Hey, Caoi, What's up?" I ask, answering the phone when I see Caoilainn's number on my caller ID.

"What?!" I respond to her frantic explanation. "Hold on. Slow down. Say that again."

I'm out of the bathroom and running like a shot through the hallway in an instant.

"Caoi, hold on," I tell her again. "I'll be right out. I know, just...no, you're right. Don't call Jenny or Walker. I've got this. Hold on. I'll get Fionn. We'll be right there."

I hang up and run out of the door of my house. Slowing my pace, so I don't draw attention, I look around for Fionn. When I spot him by the bar, I take a deep breath and walk towards him as calmly as possible. I don't want to alarm Walker. It's their big day and I don't want to ruin it for them.

"Fionn," I whisper, grabbing him by the sleeve with a smile, "Buddy, do me a favor, will you?" He puts his drink on the bar and looks at me funny, like he's trying to figure out where I came from or why all of a sudden I need him.

"Come on, man," I explain, pulling him around the front of the drive and away from the crowd. "It's Tadhg, Fionn. Come on." That's all I have to say and as soon as we clear the side of the house we're in a run towards Caoilainn and Tadhg, me directly to them, while Fionn moves ahead to get his truck for the hospital.

_____________________

Photograph Copyright 2018 A. E. F.

Another Resource for Information about Aphasia:

DeWald, C. (2009). The Differences between apraxia and aphasia (Aphasia and apraxia: The same, but different). Augusta Free Press as published on CHERUB. Web Search 9 March 2018.  https://cherabfoundation.org/2009/the-differences-between-apraxia-and-aphasia/