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The stranger pulls my hand from my face and pulls me in for a hug.
I don’t pull away. Instead, I melt into him, surprisingly finding it comforting. He smells like Josiah.
I cry harder.
This man I don’t know holds me and tells me everything will be okay.
“Javi?”
I pull away from the man and look over his shoulder to see a pregnant woman.
“¿Esta todo bien?” she asks, rubbing her big belly.
He turns to her and says, “Yeah, baby. Everything’s okay now.” She gives him a big smile and walks toward us.
“Hi, Sadie. My name is Gabriela, but everyone calls me Gabi.”
“Did you know Josiah too?” I ask her.
She nods. “Yes, we met him almost a year ago.” She looks at Javi. He tucks Gaby to his side but keeps his eyes on me.
Suddenly, a great sense of weariness sweeps over his face, and tears pool in his eyes.
“My name is Javier, but you can call me Javi.” He croaked.
Gabi rubs his chest. He raises her hand to his lips and kisses her hand.
I wonder how well he knew Josiah.
Javi clears his throat. “I’m sorry. I wanted to pay my respects. Josiah was a good man.”
He reaches for Donnie’s hand and shakes it.
Gabi gives me a hug.
“You take care of yourself.” Javi smiles down at me and walks away with his pregnant wife.
Hmm. That was…odd. He felt familiar.
Donnie bends down, grabs a handful of dirt, and places it in my hand. Together, we toss it in the grave.
I’ll miss him so much.
Jo was brave in standing up to Dad and did the best he could to overcome the whirl of emotions when his bipolar disorder would take over.
Jo was selfless putting us first before him.
Jo was protective. He kept us safe when no one else could.
Jo was my Hero.
“Goodbye, Jo. I love you.” My voice breaks as a torrent of grief washes over me.
Chapter 15- Memory
Sadie age 12, & Josiah age 17
I was lying on my stomach doing homework when my door flew open, and Jo stood in the doorframe.
