Chapter Thirteen
The next week passed in a fog. Krew took the news of his dad’s death quietly. He spent a lot of time shooting at his lacrosse net in the still snow-covered backyard and asked her almost hourly when they would see Caleb again. He didn’t seem overwrought about losing his dad. She was sad that they hadn’t had enough of a relationship for him to feel anything.
Emily talked to Jeff’s parents for the first time in years. They planned a small graveside service. The day was cold but clear, and the priest did a nice job and when he asked for some memories Emily was happy to hear Jeff’s brother and some old friends share happy, fun memories of Jeff. She thought of some good memories of her own. Glancing down at Krew, she saw him listening intently and was glad he could hear good things about his father. She’d always be grateful for the miracle of her son and Jeff was part of that as well.
After the service, his parents came straight to her and Krew. His mom was tall and had perfectly styled blond hair. His dad was almost as big as Jeff had been, but there was a warm look in his pale blue eyes. They both were focused on Krew.
“He’s a beautiful child,” Jeff’s mom said, clinging to her husband’s hand.
“Thank you.” Emily looked down at Krew. “Honey, this is your grandma and grandpa.”
“Hi.” Krew waved. He called Emily’s parents Meemaw and Papa and had honestly never asked about his dad’s parents.
“Hi,” they both whispered faintly, looking like they wanted to hug him but were uncertain how to proceed.
“I’m sorry we haven’t seen you in so long,” Emily tried. “Jeff …” How did she explain that Jeff had forbidden her from contacting them?
His mom put a hand on her arm. “We know.” She pulled her hand back and met Emily’s gaze. “We tried too.”
His dad wrapped his arm around his mom, who had tears tracing down her pretty face now. “Could we …” he asked. “Come by and see him sometime?”
“Of course.” Emily didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”
They both gave her watery smiles. Once they’d exchanged numbers, they walked away.
Emily glanced down at her son, who was squinting up at her. “Sorry, love. I know this has been hard.”
“So they’re kind of like Meemaw and Papa, just not as friendly?” he asked.
Emily shook her head. “I think they’ll be friendly once you get to know them. They want you to feel comfortable with them.”
Krew nodded, though he seemed a little confused. He looked back at the people still milling around his dad’s grave. “Can we see Caleb now?” he asked.
Emily’s brows lifted. She’d wanted to give Krew and her a chance to heal from everything from Jeff, but she wanted Caleb as well. As she glanced at the grave, she felt a sense of closure. The head injuries and the changes in Jeff weren’t her fault. She was sad that he was gone, but there was relief as well. She was free to move on. She was free to find Caleb.
She took Krew’s hand. “Let’s go.”
* * *
Caleb had a huge bucket of balls as he stood about thirty feet from the goal. He’d been coming to the field where it had all started with Emily and Krew every afternoon. The ground was still snow-covered and icy in spots, but he somehow felt better being here where they’d spent so many happy hours together.
Every afternoon he shot balls until he ran out, then scooped all of them into the bucket and shot them again. He’d shoot for hours, but it wasn’t helping him with missing Emily and Krew. It had been a week since they’d seen each other. He was still trying for that patience he’d promised her originally, but it was rough.
He drilled the lacrosse ball at the net, moved a couple steps, then sent the next ball flying.
“Caleb!” The yell came from behind him, from the entrance to the neighborhood, and it was a yell he’d know anywhere.
He whirled, and there they were—Emily and Krew. They were both smiling at him and walking his direction. Emily wore a black dress and heels. She looked exquisitely beautiful. Krew was wearing a suit that was adorable on the little man.
“Krew! Emily!” Caleb dropped his stick and ball, threw down his gloves, and started jogging toward them. Krew broke from his mama’s grip and sprinted at him. Emily upped her pace, but it was obviously hard to run in heels through the snow. Caleb wanted them in his arms, now.
He upped his pace, reaching Krew first and sweeping him off the ground.
“Caleb!” Krew shouted happily, wrapping his arms around his neck and holding on as Caleb kept running toward the boy’s beautiful mother.
“Krew!” Caleb held him tight. “I’ve missed you, my man.”
“I know.” Krew bounced as they ran and laughed happily. “I missed you more!”