Page 31 of Absolution

Scarlet: We're on the way!

Reese: Yay!

I toss my phone in my purse, and we're on our way. Reese is my cousin, I moved here after college because we needed some family. She's my dad's niece, her dad wasn't much of anything to anyone. We're the only family she ever knew, now she's all we have.

Reese is an attorney and married to Walker Pennington. They have a set of twins Roman, and Sallie, about the same age of Emmie. She loves running around with them until she falls over from exhaustion.

Ten minutes later, I pull up to their house. As I'm getting Emmie out, screams and laughter echo from inside. Emmie giggles, clapping her hands. She's not as verbal as she should be, I'm hoping this visit will help jump start her.

"Hey, y'all!" Reese yells from the front door, waving wildly.

"Hello, people! How are y'all doin'?" Emmie is wiggling like a worm in my arms as we step up on the porch. She's leaning in every direction, doing her best to get a peek inside. I set her down as soon as we clear the threshold, and Reese shuts the door.

"It amazes me how two professional women, like yourselves, can sound so country within two point two seconds of being in the same room together." Walker kisses Reese's cheek on his way out.

"Don't leave on our account." I chide him.

He shakes his head. "I ain't honey, I'm gonna go to town for a meetin'."

"You hurry back, ya hear?"

"Pleasure to see you." He throws his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side for an awkward hug.

I lean in, giving him a pat on the back. "You too, but seriously, I hope we're not running you off."

"Not in the least," he smiles. "Lachlan and I have some business before I meet Lea about the shelter. By the way, are you still interested in donating some services?"

"Absolutely. I'll be back at work tomorrow, just give me a call and tell me what you need."

"Good deal, I appreciate you. Later, gorgeous." He wraps Reese up, bending her back and pressing his lips to hers. They're sweet and so passionate, I blush, turning my head.

Walker's also an attorney, a very well-connected one at that. He and Reese spend most of their time working a shelter for domestic violence victims and their families. Their drive for this community is unequaled.

"Let's follow the laughter into the family room." Reese waves through the house to where the kids are playing. "I'm so happy you two are here. How have you been?"

"Busy, but you know how it is with a business." She nods with me. "Work has been rough lately, and I needed a minute. So here we are."

I sit across from her as she plops down into their sofa. "But..."

"How do you know me so well? I feel like my mom is around the corner, telling you everything."

"It's a gift." She half shrugs. "Seriously, for you to take a day off like this, something must be on your mind."

"Are you saying I don't visit unless something’s wrong?" I pick at imaginary lint on my shorts.

"No, I'm saying something is on your mind, so you came to visit to talk to me about what’s wrong. Two... totally different things."

How will I ever be able to explain this to her? She has a wonderful life, and here I am, all lonely and heartbroken. Life used to be so much simpler, lying to her was too. This story is something I’ve kept close to my heart; I’m not sure sharing will do anyone any good.

“The thing on my mind is what’s wrong. It’s the same thoughts that are always wrong and forever on my mind. I miss him. I need him here with us. I want to be whole again, but I know it’s impossible.”

“You know I would never push you, but you need to think about you and Emmie. Maybe it’s time to let go, to let him go.”

I lean over, putting my head against my knees. “I pray every night for God to let me forget him. The pain of never being with him again is more than I can handle on my best days.”

“What happened, Scarlet? You’ve never told any of us, you just don’t talk about him. I mean, it’s not that you need to share it now, but maybe talking about it with me or someone would help.”

“No offense, but it’s not that easy. There’s so much to tell, years of history all now thrown away. No going back or recovering. He’s gone, and this week has made it harder.” A dull thud replaces my once beating heart.