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I’ve tried to share this part of my life with Will and Mia, but it hurts so much to think about my brother let alone talk about him.
“Erik would’ve been so proud of you.” My mom clamps her hand around my wrist and gives it a good squeeze. “You two were always so competitive.” She points at the first place trophy and smiles. “Remember when you and Erik tried out for the varsity team?” I nod, and she continues, “Neither of you ever wanted to be anything other than hockey players. It wasn’t your father’s first career choice. I know he never told you, but he was proud of you for making it on your own.”
I stagger over to the bed and sink to the mattress, running my hand over the smooth navy comforter. It was Erik’s favorite color. We both had the same one, though mine was cherry red to match my Mustang. I lean back and stare up at the ceiling, taking in the scent of the fabric. Even though I know it’s not possible to still smell his cologne, I swear it smells like my brother. Another tear rolls down my cheek.
I’m home.
I never thought I would have the nerve to come back here again.
When I left with my parents, I never wanted to come back. This place was always too sterile, too cold and creepy to be a home.
“Come back to Philly with me.” I sit up and wipe the tears from my cheeks. “You can’t live here by yourself, Mom. You need to be around family.”
She sits next to me, a hint of a smile on her lips. “I’m not ready to leave. This is where I belong.”
“Dad and Erik are dead. You need to be with me. I can take care of you.”
She glances down at the comforter and sighs. “I visit your father and brother every day.”
“Mom, please.” I cup her shoulder with my big hand, and she looks up at me. “You’re visiting a cemetery. If you were in Philly, I could take care of you.”
“You have Mia to take care of now.”
“That’s the other reason why I’m here,” I admit. “I love Mia. I want to marry her. Will gave me permission last night. I was hoping I could have Grandma’s ring.”
My grandmother’s engagement ring is an heirloom that dates back so far it might as well be tied to the Titanic. It’s worth a fortune, worn by every single woman in my family. After Will gave me his blessing to ask Mia to marry me, I knew without a doubt she had to wear this ring. My grandma wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
She covers her mouth with her hand and squeals. “Of course, baby. I knew you were in love with that girl when you were in high school. I’m glad the two of you have ended up together. She’s good for you. I like the Romans. They’re good people. They took care of you when you needed a family the most. I’m sorry if your father’s pain over your brother’s death got in the way of us being together, but I’m also glad that it brought you closer to the love of your life.”
“I never thought I would get married,” I confess. “I was in too much pain for so many years that I never allowed anyone to get too close. Mia was the only one other than Will.”
My mom smiles so wide it reaches up to her green eyes that I got from her. “I’m happy you’re here. Can you stay the night? We can go through the photo albums. Mia will want some of the pictures for your wedding.”
I return her smile. “Sure, I can stay until morning.”
I spend the rest of the night pouring over old pictures with my mom, rehashing all of the memories I had long forgotten. Because of Mia, I’m remembering things I should never have left in the past. Because of her, I’m starting to feel whole again.
On our relaxing Sunday drive to the suburbs of Philadelphia, I roll down the convertible top. Mia throws her hands in the air, the wind blowing her hair as she glances over at me. She flashes a smile that illuminates her face.
I took the old Mustang Fastback out of storage. It only seemed fitting to recreate every memory from our past for the occasion.
Mia lowers her arms. She drops her hand to my knee and squeezes. “Where are we going?”
I tuck a loose strand of her blonde hair behind her ear to get a better look at her beautiful face. “Patience, little lamb. It’s a surprise.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing up her perky tits, and pretends to sulk. “Stupid wolf,” she mumbles under her breath, even though I can hear her.
I laugh. “Would you let me plan something without nagging me to death about every detail?”
“I’m an investigative journalist. It’s my job to ask questions.”
I nod, a smile forming.
After giving up on the Old City Records case, Mia found her big break. She followed a tip from one of her sources and landed a front-page spread about a local politician’s campaign tampering. I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw Mia’s picture on the front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer. She worked so hard to get there.
“Wait…” Mia turns her head from side to side, her mouth opening wide in shock. “Are you taking me to my parents’ old house? Why are we here?”
“I want to do something,” I say over the music. “For old times’ sake.”
