Page 106 of Cash

“What’s your true love, Love?”

I sighed. “I’d love to have a nursery. I love growing flowers. Tending to them. Watching them grow. Nurturing them. Having them depend on me to support them and to sustain life. I never let them down. Mine are the best in the neighborhood.”

“Have you always loved tending flowers?” she asked.

“No. It started right after menopause,” I said with a laugh. “Go figure.”

She smiled. “I’ll pray that dream comes true one day.” She smiled. “The luck of the Irish.”

“Following my dreams isn’t going to be easy. Not in San Diego.”

“Don’t follow your dreams,” she said with a grin. “Chase them.”

After we ate, we had a cup of coffee. Cash talked about our plan to search for a home when we returned to San Diego. She seemed genuinely thrilled at the thought of us being together, and of us living together. Seeing her excitement – and witnessing her love for Cash – made me feel welcome, and almost as if I had a parent again.

When we finally decided to retire for the night, Erin walked me to the living room while Cash carried our things to the bedroom.

She placed her hand on my shoulder. “He called me one night in tears when you were apart,” she said. “His heart was broken.”

I didn’t know that he’d even told her. I felt terrible. Before I could tell her my fear of losing him was all that caused it, she gave me a hug.

“I told him, your feet will bring you where your heart is.” She kissed me on the cheek and then looked me over. “And, look where they took him.”

She turned away. “Sleep well.”

I smiled. “Thank you. Sweet dreams.”

* * *

We stayedfor three wonderful days. I hated the thought of leaving but knew we must. A few hours ahead of a storm, we loaded our gear, and walked out to the motorbiketogether.

Cash looked up at the darkening sky. “I hope we miss this son-of-a-bitch.”

Erin smiled. “If you don’t, just remember, there’s nothing so bad that it couldn’t be worse.”

I thought about what she said long after we were gone. In fact, I thought about it for most of the trip.

When we arrived home, I missed having her around. I missed the immediate comebacks to Cash’s smart mouth, her Irish accent, and her Irish sayings that seemed to solve all of my problems and worries.

“When can we go back and visit your mother?” I asked as I unpacked my bag.

“Whenever you want.”

“Before summer’s over?”

“Sure.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

Upon reaching the bottom of the bag, I found a folded sheet of paper. Knowing I didn’t put it there, I unfolded it, wondering what it was, and how it got there. A few sentences were hand-written in a beautiful cursive script.

Kimberly,

I’m so sorry about your parents. I though this might help. Give it some thought.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.

Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Erin

I foldedthe piece of paper and closed my eyes.

Thank you.