Maggie nods. “I’ve always said Willow reminds me of my Jenny.” She watches her daughter with my son. “She’s missed out on so much. While I might never understand why she stayed away, she’s here now. I think we should make the most of it.”
“So, we’re moving on to the next step in Rachel’s plan?” Brody asks between bites.
I shake my head back and forth. “If the next step involves me telling Jackson, I’m not sure I can do it.”
Maggie looks at Brody. “There are more letters?”
Brody laughs sadly. “Yeah.” He reaches behind him and pulls a folded envelope out of his pocket. He sets it in the middle of the table, and I see it has my name on it.
We all stare at it.
My husband continues to speak. “I look up to you more than anyone, Miss Maggie. If you say it doesn’t go beyond us, I’ll respect that. But I feel I should at least let you know my opinion.”
Maggie nods once, giving him her full attention.
“Her immediate reaction to my arrival was concern for Jackson. She’s been nothing but kind and gracious to me. Jenny seems to have healed, and maybe it has taken her this long. I don’t know what she went through, nor am I going to pretend to. How I see it, they were two mothers who were making the bestdecision they could for their son. Right or wrong, it’s the choice they made.” He points to Jenny and Jack as they squat down to look at something on the ground. “It took what, five minutes for Jack to warm up to her? Jackson didn’t get to know her, but that doesn’t mean Aspen has to suffer the same fate.”
We’re quiet as Jack’s little giggle wafts on the breeze over to us.
Maggie turns her focus to me, a look of resolution on her face. “Open it.”
I read it to myself before sharing it with the group:
“My dearest Daisy,
If you’re reading this, you know I’ve kept a very big secret from the club. It’s the reason I stood by your mother when you came to us. Mothers sometimes make choices no one else will ever understand.
What stood out to me most in your situation was the grace you gave her. The kindness and love you showed Elizabeth, despite your own pain. It gave me hope that my son will exemplify the same type of behavior when he learns of his biological mother.
I believe our lives are written in the stars. You and your mother came into my life when I needed you most.
I would like you to be there when he reads the letter I’ve written to him. You will understand better than anyone how he will be feeling. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried that my son will never see me the same, but it’s a risk I must take.
Please remind him that we can never have too many people in our lives who love us.
You returned the dragonfly to the club, now it’s time to bring back the woman who started it all.
Love, Rachel.”
When I finish, I gently lay the letter on the table and take a deep breath. Jenny approaches us with Jack on her hip.
“Look, Mama,” he squeals.
Jenny sets him on his feet, and he rushes to me, holding his arm out. A fuzzy caterpillar is perched near his elbow.
I wipe my eyes and smile at him. “Does it tickle?”
He nods, his little giggle infectious, making everyone laugh along with him.
“Let’s go inside and look for a jar to put him in so you can take him home and show Aspen,” Jenny tells him.
He instantly reaches for her hand, following her inside.
Maggie lets out a little sob, and Ray leans over in his chair to comfort her. My gaze connects with my husband’s. “This is a good thing. Not only for Jackson and his family, but for ours too.”
He rubs his hand over his face. “You’re right.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket.
