“These were the letters your daddy wrote while he was serving. I couldn’t find any from after your momma died. I tried writing to the address on the back, to give Hayden my condolences, but I never received anything in return.”
“Did he come back here after his tour was up?”
Maggie shrugs, and it makes my heart start to thump in my chest.
“No one knows what happened to Hayden. I assumed he died. He never came back here.”
A tiny seed of hope pushes through my sorrow. “He could still be alive?”
Maggie lets out a huff of air. “Hayden lived for Joey. If he did survive the army, it would be so sad knowing he had to continue living without her.”
Maggie takes a plain silver band from the box.
“This was your mamma’s ring.” With trembling fingers, I take it from Maggie. She leans closer to me. “Put it on. Let’s see if it fits.”
My chest fills to the brim with emotions as I slip the ring onto my left hand. It’s a little too big, so I switch it over to my right hand.
A satisfied smile settles on Maggie's wrinkled face.
“You should wear it. Joey and Hayden would’ve wanted it that way.”
I visit with Maggie for a couple of hours, listening to stories of my parents and their love before I get up to leave.
“Thank you so much for agreeing to see me, and thank you for keeping my mom’s things safe all these years.”
“You’re welcome, Evie.” Her eyes glide over me, and she smiles proudly. “You know, it’s comforting to know that their love survived the tragedy.”
I frown not understanding what she means.
“It’s you, child. You are the living proof of Hayden and Joey’s love. It gives my old heart some peace.”
I hug Maggie and giving her one last smile I walk away richer than when I got here. I have a photo of my parents, the letters from Dad, and Mom’s ring.
But the most important thing is that they never left me.