She studied the swing and it called to her, beckoned her to revisit what it was like to be a carefree child, pretending she could float up to the sky without a care in the world.
Emily studied the house for a moment. Would the new owners spot her sitting on their swing and call the police?
But the house was dark. Surely they wouldn’t even notice her.
Emily padded through the grass and leaves to the swing and gripped one of its cold chains. She lowered herself onto the cool metal seat. She looked out over the beautiful lake and drank in the colorful sky as the sun began to sink below the horizon. The sound of the tiny waves lapping against the shore was a soothing melody for her fractured soul. Moving the swing back and forth, she tried to lose herself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the lake she loved so much.
After several moments, she opened the box and sifted through it. She spotted an envelope featuring her mother’s handwriting, and when she opened it, she found a birthday card addressed toOur Daughterwith drawings of flowers on it.
Inside was a poem about the specialness of daughters, along with a handwritten note:
Emily,
We are in awe of all you’ve accomplished this year—straight A’s in your classes, and you even went out of your comfort zone and joined some extracurricular activities that weren’t art related. We’re so impressed by how you’ve blossomed. You’re becoming such a lovely young woman.
Don’t ever forget that we’re proud of you. You can accomplish anything you try. Reach for the stars, Emily!
Love,
Mom and Dad
Emily swallowed back more tears while she sifted through the letters and notes until she found an envelope with her name writtenin her father’s slanted script. When she opened it, she found a card featuring a Christmas tree surrounded by gifts. She opened it and read the note:
Emmy-bug,
Merry Christmas! I can’t believe how fast the year has gone and how much you’ve grown. I can’t wait to see what new things you discover. It’s hard to believe you’re ten now. Mommy and I hope you like the art set that Santa brought you. It’s so fun watching you create colorful pictures. Your mom is hoping that you become a doctor or lawyer. But honestly? We’d be happy knowing that you chose to follow your heart, whatever you decide to do. Just find something that brings you joy.
Love you, Emmy-bug!
Daddy
Emily read the card over and over again. Her father had given it to her when she was ten, but it wasn’t familiar. Had she ever read it before? Maybe her dad had stuck it in her Christmas stocking, and she’d overlooked it in favor of her new art supplies from Santa.
But the words, those precious words, swirled through her mind as if on repeat:
Your mom is hoping that you become a doctor or lawyer. But honestly? We’d be happy knowing that you chose to follow your heart, whatever you decide to do. Just find something that brings you joy.
She read the lines again. And then she read them another time. She couldn’t remember one time when her parents had encouraged her to follow her dreams, but her father had told her to do just that.
They wanted her to find joy, and she knew that art brought her joy. Creating something that came from her soul and brought happiness to others was what she’d always wanted to do.
Could she do that after losing her parents and then losing the love of her life?
Emily closed her eyes as another wave of grief crested in her heart.
She sucked in a breath and hoped that the ache working its way from her heart to her extremities would fade.
But then something unlocked deep inside her soul.
Her eyes flew open, and she studied the rainbow of colors as the sunset reflected on the lake, and an idea gripped her: a drawing that she yearned to create. Something deep, personal, and inspiring overtook her mind, and her fingers began to tingle with the need to draw it.
Now.
Her pulse began to pound. And she realized that her muse had finally reawakened after nearly four long years.
Emily flipped open her sketch pad to a fresh page and started drawing.
Jake was certain steam was spouting out of his ears. He was so furious that his entire body was shuddering. He followed Claire into the kitchen. He was going to get her alone and give her a piece of his mind.
