“You will?” Mauve asked. “Really? What about David?”
“David knows how important it is that I stay connected with my girls. He’ll support whatever I want.” Cynthia shook her head as she wrapped her hands around the coffee mug. “Isn’t it something? I have a man who will support me? I never in a million years thought I would have someone who loves me so much. I know it feels like a big sacrifice right now, but you won’t regret choosing love.”
“I hope you’re right. Because if I’m wrong about Jason, I’ll never recover.”
“You know deep down who he is, right?”
“I do. Yes.”
“It’s all going to be okay.”
“I feel scared,” Mauve said.
“Yes, but you’re choosing to be brave, even though giving your trust to Jason feels frightening.”
“Maybe I can get a job out in California.”
“Of course you can,” Cynthia said.
“Maybe I’ll like the beach. And make new friends.” She swiped at the corners of her eyes, thinking about Reese. “I’ll miss Reese terribly.”
“She’ll visit, and you’ll come here.”
“It all sounds so reasonable when you say it,” Mauve said, laughing despite new tears pricking at her eyes. “I’m going to wrap up the letter to give to Jason. As my promise to go with him, wherever he goes.”
Her mother simply nodded, an expression on her face that Mauve wasn’t sure how to interpret. It was almost as if she thought it was all a moot point, but that couldn’t be right. Jason wasn’t about to give up his movie career. She was the one who had to make the big changes.
“Have you sent this yet?” Cynthia asked, gesturing to the letter.
“No, I’m going to give it to Jason first. As a gift. I’m even wrapping it in a box.”
“That’s very romantic.” Cynthia patted her hand. “He’ll love it. It’ll be part of the story you tell your children.”
She’d written the letter on her laptop at one in the morning.
It is with regret that I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from my position as a speech-language pathologist, effective at the end of the spring term. I willtransition all of my clients carefully and will be available to consult during the handoff. It has been one of the great honors of my professional life to serve the children of Sugarville Grove,
When she’d finished, she’d printed it, signed it in pen and folded it into a clean white envelope with Jason’s name on the front. She’d put the envelope into a gift box and wrapped it in red paper, tying it with a thin gold ribbon. The whole thing was smaller than a paperback, yet held her whole life. She truly hoped Jason understood what she was willing to give up for love.
Her mother took off a few minutes later, leaving her to get ready for her date with Jason. She showered and dressed warmly. Jason had texted earlier to wear boots. Whatever he had planned was outdoors.
Snow had fallen overnight and had a thin sheen of ice on top of it, making it almost blue. A cardinal had landed on the holly bush by the back porch. She stayed by the window for a moment, watching him, marveling at the color in his feathers. A Christmas bird just like the one on her tree that her grandmother had chosen for Mauve all those years ago.
She thought about Ollie. She’d written detailed notes about his progress, about the signs they’d worked on, about how he was just starting to make sound. Whoever took him from her would need that. She owed it to him to make the handoff seamless.
I wish I didn’t have to do it, Ollie.
She’d just finished pulling on her boots when Jason pulled into her driveway. He got out of the truck, crossing the yard in long, sure strides, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, as if he had a secret. Well, she had one too. She put the box in her coat pocket and opened the door.
“You look beautiful,” Jason said.
“Thanks.” She tugged her knit cap from her other pocket. “I’m ready for whatever adventure you have planned.”
“Excellent. Shall we?” He offered her his hand, and the two of them set out side by side. Equals?Time would tell, she thought nervously.
He helped her into the car, making sure he had her seatbelt on before closing the door and sprinting around to his side.
They set out, taking Rabbit Run Road until they reached the Hayes farm.
