The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

by Phaedra Patrick

There were eight in total: an elephant, flower, book, paint palette, tiger, thimble, heart and a ring.

Sometimes when you’ve lived a chapter of your life, you don’t want to look back.

I’m learning that it’s the things you say and do that people remember you for. She is no longer here but she lives on in people’s hearts and minds.”

You’ve become obsessed with the past, Dad. You’re hooked on finding out about a time you weren’t in Mum’s life. And you have built that time up in your head and heart to be bigger and brighter and better than what you and Mum had together.”

“The kids are back home, Miriam,” he whispered. “We’re still the Peppers. We still all love you.”

He and she had lived their lives in opposite directions. Miriam’s had been colorful and lively and vibrant but then quietened and calmed when she met him. He in turn had never wished for more than his wife and the children, yet here he was, his sandals white from sand and his ankles suntanned. It was unexpected, invigorating. And his wife had led him here.