Page 63 of The Rhythm of their Souls

I grab my bag and head back toward the pier. My phone vibrates, so I stop to check it. “A Bridge to Recovery” flashes on the screen, so I quickly answer.

“Hey, Mom,” I say.

“Hey, baby. How did it go?” she asks.

I look back at the ocean. “It went as well as it could. She’s free now.”

I hear her sniffling through the phone. “That’s great, baby. I know it’s what she would have wanted.”

I sigh lightly. “I think so too. How is rehab going?”

She clears her throat. “It’s going really well, Olive. In just a week, I’ll have completed three months here so far.”

A smile crosses my face. “I’m really proud of you, you know? And I know Nora is, too.”

Her voice cracks as she responds, “Thank you, baby. I’ve always been proud of you and Nora. I love you.”

I nod my head and reply, “I love you too, Mom.”

As I reach the parking lot, I spot Theo leaning against the passenger door, arms and legs crossed. His eyes shift from the moon to me, and a lopsided grin spreads across his gorgeous face. He stands up as I approach and pulls me into his warm embrace.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

I take a deep breath and reply, “Yes, I’m ready.”

He opens my car door and gently shuts it behind me. I place my bag and the urn in the backseat, feeling a wave of relief and contentment wash over me.

Once Theo is settled in the car beside me, his hand slides across my thigh, holding me gently as he gazes at me with admiration sparkling in his ocean-blue eyes. I return his stare, savoring everything that has unfolded since I met Theo.

When I met him, I was deeply broken and feeling profoundly lost, consumed by a heavy heart filled with heartbreak and insecurities that seemed insurmountable. That fateful night, when our eyes locked for the first time, I felt an undeniable spark that signaled a change within me—a shift so powerful that no amount of denial could hold it back.

I had long believed that I was beyond repair, a shattered mess with pieces scattered all around me. But then Theo entered my life like a breath of fresh air, graciously capturing my soul with his kindness and understanding. He slowly began to heal the deep wounds that had long been left open, mending the parts of me that had been in disarray and lying broken on the floor, feeling abandoned.

People often say that time heals all wounds, and while there is some truth in that statement, I have come to realize that love truly has the power to mend even the deepest scars. And that’s exactly what Theo brought into my life: a pure, genuine, and transformative love.

As we move forward together, I can’t predict where life will take us. However, I am certain that, no matter the challenges we face, we will stand firm by one another’s side.

Together we can navigate the turbulent waters because, ultimately, bumpy roads lead to smoother paths. I feel ready to live not just for myself but also in honor of Nora. She made so many sacrifices for me throughout her life, and I refuse to let her memory fade into oblivion.

Her spirit will always be cherished and remembered for everything she was and everything she did for me.

My commitment now is to share our story with the world, driven by the hope that it will touch someone else who is struggling as I once did. I know that this is exactly what Nora would have wanted—to inspire others to find strength within their own struggles.

I want to emphasize that healing from trauma is not only possible but also achievable. Recovery from dark times is within reach if you are willing to fight your way through. You must hold on and keep pushing until the light eventually overtakes the darkness. The daylight always returns, bringing with it new hope and possibilities.

Theo squeezes my leg. “Let’s go home, baby,” he says.

I place my hand on his and nod in agreement. Leaning over, I switch on the ignition, and the radio comes to life.

My breath catches in my throat as a familiar song begins playing. “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac blasts through the car speakers. I jerk my head toward Theo and catch a genuine smile on his face. I let the music wash over me and turn to look at the moon.

A big smile spreads across my face. As we drive away from the beach access, I whisper to myself, “I love you, Nora Ray, to the moon and far beyond the stars.”