An American Marriage: Epilogue Summary & Analysis

 Roy writes to Celestial saying that he was saved in the dark of their bedroom. He expresses his shame at hurting Andre, and says he knows Andre hadn’t fought him back with all his strength—making him wonder if Andre hadn’t thought him worth the fight. He says he was jealous of Celestial’s care for Andre when it seemed like she didn’t care for Roy, and he was even jealous of the tree. In that moment, he felt willing to kill himself and Dre. He has signed the divorce papers, sure it’s the right thing to do, with Davina as notary. He asks if Old Hickey survived.

Celestial writes to Roy that she hopes they can get to know each other again some day. She tells Roy that she and Andre are in no rush to get married and are happy the way they are. Celestial doesn’t want to be a wife and Dre doesn’t want to marry a woman who doesn’t want to be a wife. She tells Roy they had a specialist come look at Old Hickey, who said the tree was 128 years old and that it should survive. She tells Roy she is pregnant, adding she hasn’t forgotten what they went through years ago and asking if Roy will pray for her.

Roy writes to say he and Davina are getting married. They’re not trying to have a baby. He’d like to be a father, but Davina has a troubled son and doesn’t want to start over. Roy doesn’t want to risk what he has with Davina for a dream that might not fit him any longer. Roy tells Celestial he will pray for her family. He tells her he goes to the spot under the bridge each morning to pray and that he and Big Roy have gone into business as barbers. He prays that she will find peace, something “you have to make” yourself. These are words of wisdom from Walter, whom Roy still visits. His life is good, though a different version of good that he expected. When he talks about picking up and leaving Eloe, Davina smiles knowing he won’t ever leave and he smiles back. He finally feels like he is home.