Epilogue

This cafe is so fucking loud.

There was a large bay window on the left side of the table I was sitting at. The crimson leaves scattered in the wind as the they blew down Fifth Avenue. Autumn really was my favorite season. In the chair across from me was Claire, Autumn’s mom. We sat in silence, sipping our coffee and avoiding each other”s gaze. I gripped the cup in my hands tightly, bending the plastic without meaning to. I wouldn’t describe myself as an anxious person considering I had been scrutinized for most of my life, but this felt different. This was Autumn”s mom. I had to practically sneak out this morning to avoid Brian and Andrew following me. Not to mention, I had to cancel my lunch date with Autumn.

But it was worth it. I needed to do this.

The sound of a loud pop rang out as I looked down at my hand, which was clutching the cup. There was a small crack on the side of the plastic causing the coffee to leak out. I quickly sat the cup down as I fumbled with the napkins on the table and stuck them against the side of the cup to prevent any more liquid from spilling out. I could sense Claire’s eyes on me, staring intently. Huffing out a breath of air, I calmly stood and walked to throw my coffee in the trash.

Well, that was a waste of ten dollars.

I walked up to the barista and ordered another drink. “One large caramel macchiato, please.”

“Sure thing.”

The barista began preparing my order and then handed me the coffee.

“How much will that be?” I asked, pulling out my wallet.

“It’s on the house,” the young girl smiled.

She must”ve known who I was.

“Thanks,” I nodded before walking back over to my table.

“Just try not to break this one.”

Oh.

Oh, she just saw me break the cup. Perfect.

I gave her a quick nod before walking back over to Claire. Nervously, I sat back in my chair, giving her a small grin. Claire eyed me closely before sighing softly.

“So, you and Autumn were trapped in an airport bathroom together?” She stated the obvious.

“Yep,” I replied, taking a sip of my new drink.

“And now you guys are dating?”

I spat out my drink at her question and started coughing profusely. Well, so much for actually getting to enjoy any coffee today. “Uh, well,” I stammered, trying to wipe my mouth with the remaining napkins scattered on the table.

“I never knew my daughter liked girls.”

I laughed at that. “I don’t think she knew either.”

“So,” she dragged out the word while tapping her fingers against her cup. “You like girls?”

“Uh, yeah,” I replied sheepishly. This was like coming out for a second time. I took another sip of coffee.

“Oh, wow. I mean, I just never knew that Lexi Harlow was a lesbian,” Claire shrugged.

That once again prompted me to choke on the liquid and let out a few coughs in response. I sat the cup back on top of the table, seeing as how I was in no mood to aspirate because of all the choking I was doing that day. I cleared my throat so that I could speak again.

“Yeah, uh,” I flattened by the invisible wrinkles on my jeans. “I came out in 2016. The same year that same-sex marriage was legalized. Is me being a lesbian okay?”

“Of course, it is.” Claire grabbed my hand with hers. “You and Autumn are good together.”

“Really?” I felt my anxiety start to subside.

“Really. I just know Autumn lost hope in happiness for a long time, so I’m just glad she found it.”

Happiness.

“That”s actually why I wanted to have coffee with you today,” I told her. “I was wondering if I had your permission to ask Autumn to be my girlfriend?” Claire started to laugh under her breath. Trying to explain my reasoning, I blurted out, “I just know you and Autumn are really close, and I would hate to cause a rift between you guys, seeing as how she would be dating a girl, and she already lost her dad so I just—”

She cut me off. “Lexi, you have my blessing. Besides, who am I to stand in the way of Autumn’s ‘Happily Ever After’ anyway?”

“I don’t know if I’d consider this much of a fairytale ending,” I snorted.

Claire grinned at my wit. “I just think that your story is a tad more interesting than the average Disney movie.”

“Ugh,” I groaned. “Yeah, this is more like The Grimm Brothers version.” Thinking about all the cliché stories of epic fairytales made me question why exactly we held them with such high regard in the first place. Especially when the real stories of everyday romance were so much more interesting. Disney gave children false hope that life would be easy. The Grimm Brothers fairytales gave children the idea that life was only ever full of pain. Maybe the real villains weren’t the ones on the screens or in the books, but the ones who created these unrealistic fantasies in the first place. “Although maybe those twisted stories and Disney movies are similar in some ways.” I explained further by saying, “They are both fake. I guess that’s why I turned down so many opportunities to become an actress. I never wanted to pretend to be someone that I wasn’t.”

It wasn’t until I heard about all the trauma childhood stars go through that it made me realize I had picked the right career path. Besides, even though for a short time I thought acting would be amazing, it could never hold a candle to my true passion—singing. Being in the industry so young was never easy. Being a singer had its fair share of difficulties, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

“You know, Autumn used to adore you back then,” she divulged. “If it’s possible, I think she adores you even more now.” I couldn”t help but let a smile graze my lips. “Lexi, I”ve only known you for a week, and I am already convinced you are an amazing person,” she guessed. “You are wise beyond your years because of the life that you’ve already experienced within the short time that you’ve been on this earth, and the same goes for my daughter.” Claire then reflected, “Neither of you deserved to feel the level of pain that you have felt, but you have both done the best with the hand you were dealt, and I am thankful Autumn met someone like you. You care about her. Anyone can see that. I’m just glad she was able to find someone to help her when she needed it the most.”

“I was just doing what I wanted someone to do when I lost my father. I learned so much over the years while dealing with the aftermath of my father”s death, and I just wanted to help her in any way possible,” I stated truthfully.

Claire nodded and said, “I would’ve never guessed that someone so young could’ve possibly gone through so much, yet here you are.”

Does she know I’m four years older than Autumn?

“You know I’m twenty-five, right?”

“Oh wow, you”re so old!” She joked while glaring at me. The anxiety I had been feeling this whole time finally lifted. I let out a hearty laugh. “You look great, though! I thought you were way older!” She said as she played into the notion that I was twice my current age.

“Thanks…I think,” I replied, a slight smile still lingering on my face. Suddenly, a ding was heard, signaling that someone had just walked into the shop. My eyes widened. “It’s Autumn!” I yelled in a whisper-like fashion.

Claire turned to see if I was joking.

“Did you tell her we were going to meet here?” She quietly exclaimed back.

Just then, Autumn”s eyes connected with mine. A smirk slowly appeared on her face as she sulked over to us.

Autumn raised her chin while saying, “So, imagine my surprise when I’m walking to the deli to grab lunch after being blown off when suddenly, I turn to see none other than my mother and my—” She stuttered slightly at her choice of words. “Uh, my, Lexi, having coffee together at Starbucks without me.”

Her Lexi?“I’m your Lexi?” I raised an eyebrow, mocking her.

“Uh, well, I mean,” Autumn continued to stutter, “Yes?” Her words came out shaky and unsure. “Unless my mom is trying to steal you.”

“No one can steal me from you.”

Blushing, Autumn pushed over a chair from an empty table and sat between her mom and I.

“Aw,” Claire feigned while clasping her eyes together, watching the two of us. “Just kiss already!”

I felt my cheeks begin to tinge with pink as well. Turning my attention to Autumn, I nervously blurted out my words before fear took over. “Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you.”

Autumn looked at her mom and then back at me. Her eyes went back and forth between the two of us before the realization hit her.

“Oh, you were talking to me,” she gathered.

“Well, I wasn’t planning on asking your mom to be my girlfriend, so yes, I was talking to you,” I joked.

Her jaw then became slack as she stared at me in disbelief. Not knowing what to say next, I looked at her mom for help. Claire then reached over to Autumn and pushed her chin up.

“Honey, you’ll catch flies.”

I had said the same thing to her not even a week ago. Claire laughed and then motioned for me to continue.

“So, Autumn,” I prompted, “Will you be my girlfriend?”

Faster than my eyes could perceive, Autumn made a mad dash out of her seat, causing her chair to fall backward. She didn’t seem to care, though, because before I knew it, she had cupped my hands in her face and kissed my lips. It surprised me at first, but after a moment to process, I began to kiss her back while softly smiling into her lips. Still holding my face in her hands, her lips left mine, and she answered,

“Yes.”