“It must be horrible for them,” said Cassidy. “I can’t help but feel as though they want to speak, they want to tell us what’s causing them so much pain and confusion. Yet, they can’t.”
“We’re not going to stop until we figure this one out. They deserve to move on, in peace,” said Eric. They were all quiet for a moment, then Eric looked up with a pensive, yet confused expression. He stood and looked around the room, then whispered the name.
“Matthew?”
“I’m here, son,” he said walking toward the big man. “I’m here, Eric.”
“You know what I’m going to ask you.”
“I do.”
“What are you going to ask him?” asked Luke.
“All the team members we held during their last breaths, the women who’d been taken and trafficked to the point of starvation and addiction, the children abused, we held them all. In those moments where we held them, there was always a moment when they took their last breaths, staring up at us with angelic smiles. Was-was that you?”
Matthew smiled at Eric, touching his cheek with the palm of his hand. The others just stared at Matthew.
“It may not have always been me, son but someone was there to help them move on. Those that you tried to save, that you sacrificed yourselves for, were always moved on, peacefully.”
“I remember the feeling washing over me. I thought it was so strange, so odd, and yet I’ve felt a glimmer of that with Clementine and Casimir.”
“That’s good,” smiled Matthew. “You’re learning.”
“What am I learning?” asked Eric. Matthew only smiled at him, pulling his head forward so he could kiss his forehead. He left as swiftly as he’d come, leaving the men speechless.
“I hope I never forget this feeling,” said Joseph. “The feeling that I am watched, loved, and cared for. Beyond my parents, beyond my wife. Someone is always over me.” Luke looked at the men, surprised once more by his grandfather.
“Amen to that brother. Amen.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Shep knew that most of his interaction from a team perspective, would be with the Legacy and Shadow Warriors teams. He’d spent the last few weeks speaking to each man and woman, hoping to get to know them better. He asked about their stories, their service time, children, anything that would help him to understand these remarkable people a little better.
In all his life, especially his professional life, he’d never met such an interesting, amazing, talented, kind group of individuals. He was grateful every day that life, fate, and a little good luck, led him here.
As an introvert, he would often sit on the periphery, watching, observing, taking it all in and there was a lot to take in with this family. He silently wondered if he wrote a paper on all of this, his peers would institutionalize him.
Maybe that was the point. No one would believe that this was real. No one.
“But it is real, baby,” said the sweet voice.
“Oh, hello Mama Irene,” he smiled jumping just a little bit. He shifted in his seat, not sure what to do when greeting a female ghost. Should he stand? Should he give up his chair?
“No and no,” she laughed. “Remember, I can hear your thoughts. There’s no need to fear me or worry about me or Ruby or any of us. We’re here to guide you, to guard you and ensure that you’re healthy and happy for years to come.”
“That’s a beautiful thought, Mama Irene, but shouldn’t that be left to fate.”
“Pfft! If I left all that to fate, none of my grandbabies would exist. Fifteen children and not one of ‘em was movin’ in the direction of love and marriage until I started nudgin’ ‘em.”
He smiled at that wondering if had his own mother lived, she would have done the same.
“She would have,” said Irene quietly.
“That’s very unnerving, you hearing all my thoughts,” he said. “And a bit intrusive.”
“I’m sorry, baby, but I can’t help it. It just comes to me. I don’t mean any harm. Tell me about your mama.”
Shep wasn’t sure he wanted to talk about her. He hadn’t spoken about her in nearly twenty years. Not since that day. The day that changed the course of his life forever. He remembered it all so clearly.
