“I heard from Kim and Tracy that you were teaching at the school. I’m glad you made your way back home,” she said to me before turning to Reign. “Reign, you’re much bigger than the last time I saw you. I’m your Grandma Sarah,” she said as she bent down to Reign’s height.
Reign looked at me, confused.
“This is your dad’s mom. You don’t remember her, because you haven’t seen her since you were a baby,” I explained.
“Why are you crying?” Reign asked Sarah.
“Don’t mind me, sweetheart. I’m so happy to see you and your mom. You’re the perfect combination of your parents. Can I have a hug?” Sarah asked as she extended her arms out to Reign.
Reign looked at me to confirm it was okay. I gave her a nod and confirmed it was okay to give Sarah a hug. Sarah held onto her tightly. When she finally let her go, she wiped her eyes.
“I’m so sorry I’ve stayed away so long. My grief for Jude wouldn’t allow me to have a relationship with you guys. It hurt too much. All this time I’ve wasted. I’ve missed so much. Look how much you have grown,” Sarah said.
“If it’s alright with you, I would like Reign to know the other part of her family. I want to make sure she knows Jude’s family,” I expressed.
“Of course. After today, I want to see her as often as you will allow. And you too, Harley, you’re still family.”
The three of us came together for a hug. It hurt when Sarah stopped reaching out to check on us after the funeral. My grandparents told me they hardly saw her. According to the town gossip mill, she had become a recluse since losing her only child. I knew she was hurting, but so was I. That day was a new beginning for us. Since she wanted to be part of Reign’s life, I would make sure that happened.
When we separated, she looked toward the car. “Is that Micah Black you’re with?” she asked.
“Yes. We’ve been seeing each other,” I admitted.
“Micah Black! Boy, if you don’t get out of that car and come say hello!” Sarah shouted from the porch.
I let out a chuckle. Sarah had always been a feisty woman. It was good to see that nothing had changed.
Micah and Violet made their way over to us. When he reached the porch, he greeted Sarah. “Mrs. Gray, it’s good to see you,” Micah said.
“It’s good to see you, too. Now, you listen here. You better take good care of the girls now. Do we have an understanding?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll do everything in my power to keep them safe and happy, if that’s alright with you,” he replied.
“Sounds good to me,” Sarah confirmed.
We stood out there with Sarah a little longer before heading back to Micah’s. It had been a long day. It was also one of the happiest I’d experienced in a long time. No matter how much time passed, it still felt like grief had a hold on me, but it finallyfelt like I could fully breathe again. I looked over at Micah as he drove.
“Thank you for today. I’m sure this wasn’t what you expected when you woke up,” I said.
“Not at all, but I can tell you needed this. Your smile is brighter than I’ve seen since you’ve been back,” he replied.
I was happy to be smiling. My soul felt lighter, and after seeing Sarah, I felt I had Jude’s blessing to move on. It was time for me to start truly living again. I didn’t want to live in fear every time I got in a car or every time it rained. I wanted to live carefree for once. The sun peeked through the clouds, just another confirmation that I was on the right path.
A week later,I stopped by Micah’s for dinner. The grading of papers took up all my time throughout the week, and I just wanted to relax. When I walked into Micah’s home, he was on a call. I made my way to the kitchen and washed my hands. Pizza on the woodfire grill was on the menu. I went into the fridge to grab the dough and some toppings. By the time everything was on the counter, Micah came to join me.
“I just got some amazing news. Black Label just secured nationwide distribution. We’ll be in stores across the country within the next ninety days,” he rejoiced.
“Oh my God, that’s amazing, love. Congratulations!” I exclaimed as I kissed him.
“I’m so excited I don’t know what to do with myself. I can’t believe after all these years, I finally secured a distribution deal,” he said.
“It was only a matter of time. It’s no coincidence that the local stores sell out so frequently. How did the deal come about?” I asked.
“The wife of the distribution company came to the whiskey tour on a girls’ trip. She couldn’t stop talking about the place. Her husband was reluctant to try the whiskey but finally gave in, and he had his people contact me. We’ve been chatting for the past few days. Their attorney will send the official paperwork to my attorney in the morning, so if all goes well, we can get things going as soon as Monday,” he gushed.
“We should celebrate. Do you want to go out?” I asked.
“I have a better idea. Let’s keep this between us for tonight. We can host a barbecue on Saturday. I’ll share the good news then,” he replied.
