She felt it again. Again and again until she knew—believed without question—that Cole was reaching out to her.
It was a long time until she lifted her face and drew a deep, soothing breath.
She didn’t notice the woman approaching her until she spoke.
“Ma’am, are you all right?” Asked a young woman, pushing her grocery cart, an infant strapped to her chest.
Rosie swiped at her tears, nodding at the same time. “Yes, thank you. I’m fine.”
She looked at the woman, who then opened her mouth as if she recognized her.
“You’re Rosie, aren’t you? From the news?” The woman’s tone was hesitant, kind. “I always thought you were so brave, speaking for your nephew like that, keeping it alive, the search. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Rosie smiled, the warmth of Cole’s presence still holding her. “Thank you,” she said, her voice steady, serene even as happy tears continued to fall. “But he’s not lost. He’s at peace.”
The woman nodded, awkward now, probably wondering if Rosie had finally lost her mind, and then gave a wobbly smile before she moved away.
Rosie stood in the aisle, her heart lighter than it had been in a year. For the first time since Cole’s disappearance, she allowed herself to smile—a real, genuine smile. Wherever he was, he was happy. She just knew it.
“Good for you, Cole,” she said as she began to push her cart again.
The End
