Lucy snorts. “I’m pretty sure they don’t allow food in your stadium-approved clear bag.”
“Who said anything about putting it in my bag?” Rose asks. “What do you think bras are for?”
Lucy taps her finger to her mouth. “Aunt Rose, you might be a genius.”
Rose arches her brow. “You’re just now figuring that out?”
Joy overflows from the table like an uncorked bottle of champagne, and my heart aches. But it’s nothing like the ache I felt this time last year—lost and sad. This is different. It’s like how I felt when I started taking Willow’s yoga class earlier this year. At first, my muscles burned and cried out in pain, but after a while, they stretched until it felt good to lean into the movements. Now, I can’t imagine my life without my weekly yoga.
Just as I can’t imagine my world without everyone in this room, though the possibility still lingers, lurking like a shadow in the dark. After losing Henry, it’s impossible to turn it off completely. But when those thoughts start creeping in, I remember what I have. I remember what I’ve gained. And I love my people even harder.
Ron leans toward me and places his hand on mine. “You okay, Myra Jean?”
I nod and squeeze his fingers. Love may come at a cost, but it’s the only thing in the world that can take everything from you and somehow leave you richer and better than you were before it came along.
“I’m wonderful,” I say with a smile. “Just taking it all in.”
And I do, every chance I get.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,”I say, kissing my fingers and touching them to Henry’s headstone. I’m wrapped in the blanket I keep in my car, and it’s shielding me from the cold grass I’m seated on. Shimmering beams of gold and orange stretch toward the sky while steam floats above the tumbler containing my coffee.
It’s Christmas morning, and I slipped out of bed just before dawn, careful not to disturb Ron and June Bug as I dressed and bundled up so I could watch the sunrise with Henry.
I don’t know if I’ll come here every year, but for now, this feels good. I get to start and end my favorite holiday with the two loves of my life.
I’ve visited Henry a few times since last Christmas. I found that once I started living life again, I wanted to share it with him. We’ve had some long talks, Henry and I. Well, I suppose I’ve done a lot of talking and he’s done a lot of listening.
At first, it seemed strange to tell Henry about my life with Ron, but at the same time, I couldn’t imaginenottelling him, so I did.
I came here when Ron moved in with me in the spring, and when Lucy and Willow got married in September, I brought him a peony from Lucy’s bouquet. And when Ben and Ellie found out at the end of the summer that they were expecting, I came then too.
“I thought I might find you here.”
Even though I know the voice like my own reflection, it still makes me startle.
“Lindsey,” I say. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“Looking for you,” she answers, tightening the scarf around her neck. “And I wanted to visit Dad.”
“Come sit,” I say, opening the blanket so she can nestle in beside me. “I didn’t think anyone heard me leave.”
“You’re not as sneaky as you think you are,” she teases. “Don’t worry. Nobody’s going to send out the search party because Oliver knows where we are.”
“What are you doing up so early?” I ask.
“I wanted to talk to you before the day got away from us.”
“Oh?”
“And actually, I was hoping to tell you and Dad at the same time. I want you to be the first to know.”
She hooks her arm through mine, and there’s something on her finger that wasn’t there before. A sparkling oval engagement ring.
“Oliver asked me to marry him,” she says. “And of course, I said yes.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “Sweetheart, this is wonderful. I’m so thrilled. When did he ask you?”
“Last night.” Her smile is radiant and warm.
