Chapter Thirty-Six
Jenny
My neighbor, John, and I sit in his truck as the fire department douses what’s left of my property with water.
After an hour or so he looks at me and says, “Why don’t you come stay with my wife and me? We’d love to have you while you rebuild.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I’ve reunited with my son. I’ll … well, I’ll call him.”
His eyes scan my face for the truth.
“My family will take me in,” I promise him. “I … I don’t think I’ll be rebuilding.”
“Jenny, you’ve been here a long time.”
“I know, but I think this was a sign.”
He sighs. “But if they don’t …”
“You’ll be the first person I’ll call.”
We watch as smoke billows from the ground. “Your friend Bill gave me a number to call if you ever got in trouble. I called it onmy way over here. It was a woman. She said she had everything handled.”
I laugh lightly. Of course Bill left me with an insurance policy. “Was her name Jesse?” I ask.
“It was.”
I don’t have the heart to tell him that her way of “handling it” was setting my house on fire.
“That was Bill’s daughter.” I try to muster the best smile I can. “Could you give me a ride to the cemetery … one last time?”
He smiles sadly. “You’re not coming back here, are you?”
I shake my head. “No. It’s time for me to go home.”
He sighs but nods.
“I just need to grab something. I’ll be right back.” I scoot Garfield off my lap to the middle of the seat.
As I’m taking the wind chime down, I scan my gardens. This hurts more than I could have ever imagined. Honestly, I never thought I’d leave this place. I was sure I would die here … alone.
When I get back in the truck, John places his hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure about this? The offer to come home with me still stands.”
“I’m sure,” I say, tugging Garfield back to my lap.
I watch the world go by as John drives mehome.
Jackson and my mama are going to be so happy. My mind drifts to Raffe. He’ll be happy too. Just the possibility of their happiness gives me the courage to do this. I need to look at it as a rare chance for a grand rebirth. A chance to look at everything with fresh eyes. I’m getting a do-over.
It doesn’t make it any less terrifying.
John refuses to leave until I call Jackson. When he hears the love in my son’s voice, he relaxes in the seat next to me.
“Thank you for everything,” I tell him as I get out.
He nods his head toward Garfield. “That old cat was one of Bill’s best ideas,” he says.
I knew it.“It was,” I agree, stepping away from the truck.
