“You’re grieving. You can’t raise him on your own.”
I flinch at her ugly words, but my mom doesn’t look a bit guilty. She seems almost vindicated in her anger.
“I am grieving. I will always grieve the loss of William, but I can’t let it rule my life anymore. Henry must come first. I realize what a mistake it was to let you swoop in and take over—”
“How can you be so ungrateful?” she spits.
“I am grateful. I appreciate everything you and dad have done, but it’s time for us to move on.”
“Do you really have to move halfway across the country?”
“If I move across town, would you keep your distance?” I ask. “Be honest with yourself and me.”
The look on her face says it all. No, she would never be able to let go.
“I’ll never be able to stand on my own with you constantly stepping in.”
Her shoulders slump, and she presses a kiss to Henry’s forehead. I smile sadly because this is her version of caving in. Her anger burns hot but cools quickly when she knows she’s beaten.
“And we can’t talk you out of it?” She looks at my quiet father as if asking him to talk sense into me.
“Not this time, mom.”
Everything moves fast after that. I hear back from the landlord—a sweet older man who apparently lives in the bottom floor apartment—who quickly approves my application and expresses his excitement to have a young family living in the house again.
I watch as the last of our boxes are carted onto the moving truck. I chew on my lip, wondering if I should’ve just left those boxes here in my parent’s garage. But no, I don’t want to leave all of my memories of William here to rot. It’s been over three years since he died, and I still haven’t gone through any of his things. Everything was packed up and tucked safely away in the garage for me to deal with when I’m ready.
I don’t know that I’m ready now. In fact, I know I’m not, but maybe soon.
“Are you sure about this, kiddo?” my dad asks. He’s been quiet about the whole thing since my big blow-up with mom.
“Positive, dad. I need to do this.”
He nods, giving me an understanding look. “I know you do. Despite what your mother says, this is the right thing for both you and Henry.”
“Thanks, dad.”
“You can do it. Don’t be afraid. This is what William would have wanted for you.”
Tears fill my eyes. I throw my arms around my dad. He pats my back and pulls away almost awkwardly. He’s not a very touchy-feely kind of guy, but that’s okay. I know how he feels, and that’s the best gift I could’ve asked for.
Mom and Henry join us in the garage. Her eyes are red-rimmed from all the crying she’s done over the last few days. I’d like to say after the initial argument, she let the situation go, but that wouldn’t be accurate. She argued and practically begged me to change my mind multiple times every time ended in her tears, but I wouldn’t be swayed.
I’m doing this.
We are moving to Monett, and we are going to start fresh.
I take Henry from my mom’s arms and give his cheek a raspberry. He giggles, and the sound makes my heart light as a feather.
“Are you ready for an adventure, buddy?” I ask him.
“Yeah!” he says with the enthusiasm only a three-year-old can have.
“Me too.”
CHAPTERTWO
Axel