I blushed, realizing that I never mentioned who Daddy was. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Betty, of course. This is Beau, he’s my next-door neighbor, boss, and my amazing boyfriend.”
Every time I called him that, I felt butterflies erupt deep within. It didn’t feel real that Daddy was mine, but he made sure to remind me every day. Especially on the days when doubt crept in, making its ugly face known.
“Beau, this is Mrs. Betty. She’s the maker of the best cupcakes in Red Hill and the pseudo-grandmother of all the kids in town who grew up here.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“The pleasure is mine. Now you run along, kids. I know that today is an important day. Ed has been going out there every few weeks to make sure her grave is in tiptop shape. Give her my love, Bekah. I love you.”
Pushing back my tears once more, I nodded as the words lodged themself into my throat.
“Take care of our girl here, Beau. She’s stronger than she knows and as stubborn as they come. But she is worthy of so much love and attention.”
“Of course, ma’am. I’ve got her from here, promise. Thank you for everything you have done for her over the years.”
Giving Mrs. Betty a wave, I let Daddy direct me out of the bakery and back to the truck. It was time to go see my sister again.
Daddy helpedme get all my things settled around me beside my sister before giving me some privacy. He told me that when I wasready, he would be here. Until then, he wanted me to spend some one-on-one time with Alicia. So that was what I planned on doing.
“Happy birthday, baby sis,” I croaked out, tears already beginning to fall down my face. My heart felt like it was being ripped into two again, as if I was back on that dreadful night I tried so hard to forget.
“You would have been eighteen today and probably driving me insane. I know that you would have been the social butterfly everyone loved. Homecoming, prom, college acceptance day, and graduation would have been right around the corner for you. I can just imagine all the fun we would have found ourselves in.”
A butterfly landed on the top of her grave, and I couldn’t stop the sob that escaped. She was always my little butterfly, a nickname I gave her the day she was born.
“Where to begin? Well, I moved away finally. I know that I should have done it a long time ago, but I couldn’t bear the idea of leaving you and all our memories behind. I wasn’t living, though, and I know that you would have kicked my ass for just existing, wasting the second chance I was given. So I packed up Grandma and Grandpa’s house, sold a lot of the belongings inside it, and moved to Shadow Heights.”
I picked at the grass in front of me, tearing off strands to shred in my hands. It never got easier, no matter how many times I sat at her grave.
“I found a cute little house that I’ve been having to fix up as I go. It’s given me something to focus on, and I’m now on a first-name basis with the local hardware store. I found a job at a private investigation company. I work in the office doing administrative tasks. I’ve made some new friends, and I just know that you would have loved Seth and Josh. Seth reminds me a lot of you, and I can’t help but think you sent him my way.”
Turning, I looked behind me, where Beau sat on the bench, enjoying the sunshine.
“I also met someone, and I think you would have loved him as well. His name is Beau, and he’s my boss and next-door neighbor. Go me, right?” I said with a chuckle. “He treats me like a princess, Alicia. He’s actually the reason we are even here today. Determined to help me cope with today however I needed to.”
I pulled the box of cupcakes toward me and started digging around, setting everything up. I placed her cupcake with a single candle on the top of her grave before turning around and waving Daddy over.
“How are you doing, Sweets?”
“I’m okay, Daddy. Ready to try the best cupcakes you will ever have?”
Daddy nodded, settling on the ground before pulling me into his arms. Handing him his chocolate cupcake with Oreo frosting, I grabbed my own before turning and lighting Alicia’s candle.
“Happy birthday, Alicia,” I said, leaning back into Daddy’s embrace.
A moment later, the breeze shifted, and the candle blew out, just like she always did. Taking a small bite of my cupcake, I sat in silence, just taking in all the emotions that were racing through my body.
Above all the pain, sadness, and despair, the greatest emotion I felt was peace. Once I was done with my cupcake, I motioned toward Alicia’s grave. “Daddy, I would like you to meet my baby sister and best friend in the whole world, Alicia.”
“Hi, sweet girl. I’m Beau and I couldn’t be more happy to be meeting you today.”
“Alicia, this is my boyfriend and Daddy, Beau. The one who has turned my world upside down, in a good way.”
Hours passed as Daddy and I sat and talked with Alicia. The butterfly never left, just sitting on one side of the grave with her cupcake on the other. As the sun began to set, I grew tired and cold.
Daddy helped us stand and took my blankets and Ophelia to the truck, giving me one last moment alone with my sister. Leaning down, I dropped a kiss on the top of the grave. “I love you and miss you so much, sissy. I’m in good hands with Daddy, and I’m sure we will be back soon.”
The butterfly moved for the first time since landing. I didn’t dare move a muscle as it landed on my hand for a moment before flying away. After blowing a kiss Alicia’s way, I turned and walked into Daddy’s waiting embrace.
