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“I’ve changed my major,” Willa announces.
“What?” Dad and I both ask, shocked.
“I’ve switched my major. It’s nothing drastic, so both of you calm down. I’ve just decided instead of being an oncologist I want to be a therapist.”
“What made you change your mind?” Dad asks.
“And why’d you change it now?”
Her eyes meet mine as she shrugs. “You.”
“Me, what?”
“You’re the reason I changed my mind, dummy. And also the reason I changed it now. Although, I changed it officially before the semester started in August, but still.”
“Why are you just now telling us?” Dad asks.
“You two have had a lot going on. I waited until I knew you could handle it.”
“You’re going to make a wonderful therapist, Bee. And you’re going to help so many people.” Dad smiles, clears his throat, then goes back to the eggs.
I notice a tear fall before he can blink it away, and I look back at Willa to give him a minute of privacy.
“What did I have to do with the decision?” I wonder.
“You’ve healed a lot in just three months, Wyatt. And watching you slowly change back into my annoying, loveable, big brother just made me want to be able to do that for other people. I want to help remind them that life’s worth living.”
Now I’m the one clearing my throat as I turn back to the stove.
“Well, geez, Sis. Now I’m crying over the pancakes.”
Willa tosses a rag at me and Dad laughs. And I know Mom, wherever she is, is smiling.
After breakfast, I go to the cemetery alone. Willa and Dad decided to go for a ride, and I thought they deserved some alone time. Just like I wanted a little time with my mom.
I sit down on the grass in front of her headstone and lean back on my hands.
“Hey, Mom,” I say softly. “I’m still trying.”
Almost every day for three months, I’ve said those three words to her. I promised Lucy I would fall in love, but I promised Mom—and myself—I would never stop trying.
“Willa’s going to be a therapist, and she’s going to be amazing. Dad’s doing really well with the farm, and he’s hired a guy to help him out during the week. I think the kid has a crush on Willa, but he’s too terrified of me and Dad to do anything about it. You’d find it hilarious.”
I grin at the headstone and shake my head.
“I’m happy, Mom. Really happy. There’s just one thing I’m missing, and I think I’m finally ready to do something about it.”
I haven’t seen Lucy since she got back from the beach. I took one look at her suntanned skin and bright eyes and knew I needed more time. I wanted to do things right this time. I wanted to keep my promise.
I talk to my mom for another thirty minutes before standing. I kiss my fingers and step forward, pressing them to the top of the stone.
“I miss you, Mom. Every day. But this is the first anniversary I haven’t fallen apart, and I think you’d be proud of that. You took your last breath six years ago, and I’m finally learning to breathe normally again. I love you, always have and always will.”
I turn around and the breath catches in my throat. A beautiful woman leans against a tree a foot away. She’s in a cream, oversized sweater and black leggings. Her auburn hair is down and a little wavy, and her eyes are shining.
“Do you ever think we’ll stop eavesdropping on each other?” I ask.
She stands and shrugs, stepping toward me cautiously.
