Magnolia’s lips curved faintly, the closest thing she’d had to a smile all day.
Ray wiped his eyes again, clearing his throat. “You tell that story like you livin’ it.”
Meadow looked at him, tears finally falling. “Maybe I am.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “You gon’ get your happy ending too, baby. Marai don’t walk through woods for nothin’.”
Magnolia’s eyelids fluttered, then opened fully, clear in a way Meadow hadn’t seen in months.
“…That you, Meadow Rain?”
Meadow froze.
Ray’s body jerked like someone hit him in the chest.
“Baby…?”
Magnolia blinked again, her eyes sharpening.
“Come closer,” she whispered.
Meadow leaned in so fast she almost knocked over the water cup on the nightstand. “Mama…I’m right here.”
Magnolia lifted her hand and cupped Meadow’s cheek, her thumb grazing Meadow’s skin the same exact way she used to when Meadow was little and sneaking into her bed after having nightmares.
“My baby,” Magnolia smiled faintly, like it took a lot out of her to do, “that’s my baby.”
Meadow’s entire body shook. “Mama…” she choked.
Magnolia smiled, a real smile, full and bright and warm, the kind Meadow hadn’t seen in so long she thought she imagined it.
“You’re so grown now,” Magnolia whispered. “I used to hold you right here on this bed. You had little ponytails and you always smelled like that coconut oil I rubbed in your scalp.”
Ray covered his mouth with both hands.
“I remember,” Magnolia continued, her tears falling but her voice steady. “You used to tell me you was gon’ buy me a big house one day, said you’d take care of me the way I took care of you.”
Meadow sobbed into her mother’s palm. “Mama…”
Magnolia wiped her thumb under Meadow’s eye. “You keeping your promise.”
Ray had to sit back down before his legs gave out.
Magnolia traced Meadow’s jaw like she was committing it to memory. “You look tired, baby. But you’re so beautiful…so strong, just like I always prayed you’d be.”
Meadow shook as she cried. “I miss you, Mama.”
“I’m right here,” Magnolia said, confused because she didn’t realize she was normally only a shell of herself.
Meadow rested her forehead against her mother’s hand, holding on like it would make the moment last longer.
Magnolia’s breath trembled. “My girl,” she smiled. “My whole heart. Don’t you ever forget that…don’t you ever let the world make you feel alone.”
Meadow lifted her head just enough to look at her. “I won’t.”
And just like that, Magnolia’s eyes changed and confusion washed over her. “Hello,” she said all childlike.
“Hello.” Meadow kissed her hand deciding to stay a little longer and soak in her mother’s warmth.
