Reaching for the remote, he switched on the television to watch the game. A commercial was on. His mind wandered, so he set down his beer and reached for some paperwork English had asked him to fill out for the hospital maternity ward that he’d been putting off. Just then, a white feather fell to the wooden floor, as if it had been stuck to the papers. He stared at it for the longest, his heart beating faster, then put the paperwork down beside him, picked it up, and twirled the thing between his fingers.
The dreams of Ms. Florence had stopped. He didn’t want them, but once they disappeared, he wished he still had them. There was something comforting about her presence. About the promise, too.
Ms. Florence, I’d like a word with you… I thanked you after I had that fight with my father, the one that opened the door for communication. I thanked you on the first day of my honeymoon, with my bride. Watchin’ the sunrise from our cruise ship. I’ve told English more than once that I believe in my heart of hearts, you brought us together. I couldn’t have fulfilled my promise without her… I needed that encouragement. I needed someone to help steer me back on the right path. I think you knew that. If you’re still around, and something tells me you are, despite the dreams no longer comin’, I know you understand I have a child ’bout to come into the world. We found out a few months ago that it’s a boy.
It’s the scariest, yet most exciting thing I’ve ever experienced. This is the first baby for both of us, and we were taken by surprise. We sure didn’t plan this, but we know that was God’s plan all the same, and we’re so happy. Thank you, Ms. Florence, for coming into my life again, in your own special way. Thank you for believing in me. My father and I are still workin’ on our relationship. It’s difficult, but much better. I wish he’d go to a detox program, and he said he just might, but seeing is believing. Dallas met a guy from Frankfort that seems to have his wits about him. I hope it goes well. Lucas needs more good male role models. It’s been a rough and strange last few years, but I survived with help from my family, my wife, and my brothers, Legend and Caspian…
Legend is struggling emotionally. He’s doing fine vocationally, and I gave him a promotion. Honestly, he could probably start his own company now doing the same thing, but this isn’t his passion. He’s an amazing man, my best friend, but he’s shut down on the inside. He keeps me at arm’s length if the conversation starts getting too personal or serious. I love my brother, and I hate how he is being right now, but I know I was the same way. It’ll take some time. I haven’t asked him in a long while if he’s dreamt of you again, but I believe he has. He’s haunted, and will continue to be until he does what he promised you. I know how this works. The journey continues until the job is complete.
Caspian is struggling too, and I don’t know exactly with what. He calls now, but the conversations are meaningful, but brief. I brought you and your promises up to him, and he acted like he didn’t know what I was talking about. I don’t believe him. I know that man like the back of my hand, and no time and distance can erase that. Just because my part in this is over, that doesn’t mean you’re finished with me. You came to me first, with a mission. You knew I’d get everyone together. That I’d lead by example. English got Caspian for me—she’s an extension of me. We’re truly one. That lady is my heart and soul, but this next part, she can’t do. It’s up to me. Please help me help my brothers, Ms. Florence. I’m ready. I can handle it…
He looked out a large floor to ceiling window, and smiled when he saw his neighbors’ horses frolicking about.
There’s beauty in the simple things of life. Sometimes you can hold your blessings, like a new baby, but sometimes you can’t, like an invisible visitor that shakes up your dream world, in order to make your life stable again. I’ve struggled most of my life with one thing or another. It’s been an uphill battle for me, but that’s just it. It was a battle, and I made it. Only the strong survive. I have to be that leader, that foundation, that strength. For my mama. My wife. My sister. My nephew. My father. My employees. And now, my son…
A new life is comin’ into the world. One that me and my sweetheart created, out of love. In a way, I was reborn, too. Legend and Caspian will have to endure the same. Pain is what brought me and my brothers together – but love is what reunited us. It was a promise…one of three…