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No one spoke right away. Eventually, Chad cleared his throat, letting out a fake cough to catch all of our attention.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush. Everett and I spent a lot of time on his dreams. We had to work quickly, there wasn’t a lot of time.”
For the first time since I’d known him, I saw Chad get choked up. He cried at the funeral and memorial service, of course, but I was so caught up in my grief I didn’t really witness it.
Now I could see the heartbreak that still lived in his heart. As a parent, I doubted it would ever go away. I couldn’t even imagine, and I didn’t have babies of my own yet.
“Outside of the game and getting you two into a pack together, he wanted to give you something to build.”
“Camp Willow?” I assumed. Chad nodded.
“I’d never seen him go into a project full steam ahead like this. He usually weighed his options but not this time,” he said. His eyes started on just me and Lake, then he shifted to take in the group. It felt like we were getting his approval and I appreciated it, intended or not.
“In the video, he said that the old man agreed to sell it to you, but he didn’t tell us anything beyond that,” Lake clarified, urging his dad to keep going.
“We bought it,” Chad said. “Everett saw that through. It’s in both of your names. I will add the rest of you to the deed anytime you want. Currently, I’m a co-signer, but don’t worry, I’ll be as hands-off or as hands-on as you want me to be for this.”
“For what exactly?” I asked.
“Whatever you want,” Chad said, matter-of-fact. “He didn’t know if you’d want to live there or run it like it was before. He just knew that he wanted it to be yours. He didn’t think that you’d be able to face the cabins again, and he wanted to give you a place where your future children could thrive, like all of you did.”
“So the campground is ours?” I asked, my words slow and even. I was not letting myself get excited until I knew for sure. Or until my brain had accepted it at least.
“It’s yours,” he said, nodding in agreement. “There’s also an account with your names on it. I’ve got that information too. He made sure that you’d be able to make a good dent in progress.”
“This is too much,” Lake said. “He was always trying to do too much.”
Chad came over and put a strong hand on his son’s shoulder. Lake looked up at his father and swallowed hard.
“This time, son, I think it’s just enough.”
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Shaye
A month Later
Dear Everett,
This will be my last entry. I think I’ve finally come to the end of needing to let my feelings out on these pages. I’ve come a long way in the last few weeks, just like you wanted.
Lake and I are closer than ever. It’s hard to admit, but I’m glad that we waited. We came back to each other in a way that allowed us to be independent and heal in our own ways. I feel like we were able to work through things we never would have been able to together.
This journey that you set out has been crazy. We took a few weeks off after the campground. Lake needed to process, and so did I.
We still can’t believe that you’ve left us so much, but you truly built a legacy, Everett. Now, I can see you everywhere I look, but not in the same haunting way I did before. Now, I see you in the trees at the campground, remembering all the times we spent at the cabins. In my nest? You’re there, too. I can smell you and remember your smile, the way that you looked at me like I was the most important girl in the world.
I wish I could still feel you hold me. Your hugs were amazing, and it felt like nothing could ever get to me when you were by my side.
But now, I’ve found some amazing men and I’m building a life just like you wanted me to. I wake up every day now, Everett, excited to see what the world holds for me.
I also wake up nauseous, and that has a whole different meaning that I didn’t expect so soon.
We’re building a future together, a life, and you’re just as much a part of it as you should be.
I’m not replacing you, I’m just adding to the pack that I was always meant to have. I wish more than anything that you were here in person. But since you’re not, I’m doing the next best thing, keeping your memory alive in every way that I can.
Part of that is by living. A year after your death, I wanted nothing more than to join you. In that note you told me, “I’d wait an eternity to hold you again, a lifetime will be nothing.” And I finally understand what that means.
