Mom eyed him skeptically. She had every right not to trust a word my father said, but she opened it anyway. Scanning the contents quickly, she closed her eyes and held the card against her chest. Tears spilled from her eyes.
“What is it, Mom?” Elise asked, her voice thick with unshed tears.
Mom handed Elise the card. After she read it, she gasped. “Oh my God.”
Justus took the card from her. It didn’t take long for him to scan it and give it to Harper who read with interest. Then, he broke down in tears as well. My mother walked over to him and pulled him into a hug. I was the last one to read it. It was from Julia.
My dearest family,
Thank you for bringing me so much joy. Before I met you, I never knew what it was like to love someone unconditionally. Growing up, I didn’t have loving parents. I spent so much of my time alone. I couldn’t fathom a life with family dinners, game nights, and picnics. But you all have given me that, and so much more.
From the moment I met you, I’ve never felt lonely again. Thank you for showing me that life is beautiful, that love is healing. I know you’re hurting. For that, I’m sorry. I hate that I’m not there to comfort you. But I’m not sorry that I love you, that I was able to be an important part of your lives.
Now, for my final wish… I’m sending this letter to Charles with hope that he’ll bring it to you. True healing can begin with an honest conversation. I don’t expect it to happen overnight, but I do expect you to try.
Be good to each other. Love one another even when it’s hard.
I love you all so much.
J
I sat down on the arm of the couch and dropped my head. I felt Justus’ strong hand on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” Dad whispered. I looked up then, noticed the tears standing in his eyes. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
Harper embraced my father then, prompting all of us to go to him. Even Mom. We stood like that for a moment, arms wrapped around each other, tears flowing from our eyes. Even in death, Julia had worked one last miracle. We had a lot of work to do. There was so much that needed to be discussed, so many harsh words and empty promises that had to be overcome. But the despair that had consumed us even a few minutes ago had been replaced with new mercy, new hope. And, for the first time in a long time, I knew that everything would be alright.
ChapterSeven
DISTANCE
Dexter
By the time I arrived at my parents’ house for my niece Naija’s birthday party, there were several guests already there. Children were running around and screaming for no reason, Bliss’ mom friends were talking about terrible twos and breast milk, and Mom was effortlessly greeting everyone with warm hugs and wide smiles.
One kid zoomed past me and jumped into a mini ball pit, and Asa was chasing another kid who’d stolen his iPhone. To my right, Paityn held a baby in her arms, rocking him to sleep, while she yapped with someone who I assumed was the mother. A random kid smacked my shin when I stepped on a piece of paper they were playing with. And another strange little person dipped his finger in a plate that had been left unattended on the coffee table. I expected the party to be kind of low-key, more adults than children. After all, it was only Naija’s first birthday. But…Who the hell are all these kids?
“Up!”
I felt a tiny palm tug on my jeans and glanced down. Grinning, I scooped my niece, Naija, up in my arms. She flashed her beautiful smile and set a half-eaten piece of banana in my hand. “Is this mine?” I asked.
She frowned. “Naty.”
I chuckled. “It’s nasty?”
She nodded. “Mm hmm.”
I pointed to my cheek. “Give me a kiss.” She brushed her sticky lips on my face and blew. It was our thing, so I repeated the gesture on her cheek. “What’s my name?”
“Hm?”
“Say Uncle Dexter?”
She mumbled something incoherent, then pointed at the ground.
When she was born, we’d placed bets on whose name she said first. Blake won, even though she pronounced it “Bake”. I wanted to be next. “Can you say Uncle?”
“Unca!” she shouted.
