She grinned, satisfied.
And for a brief, golden moment, it felt like hope was possible.
???
It was Dad who broke the spell.
“We’re headin’ to the cemetery after lunch,” he said quietly. “Lily made some cards for her mom and dad. Wanted to bring them herself.”
Lily nodded, holding up a folded construction-paper heart plastered with stickers. “Grandma says angels can read anything, even scribbles.”
Mom smiled. “They can.”
We began gathering the tools, brushing off dirt, packing things away. Lily ran inside to fetch her shoes and the cards.
Mom’s steps slowed. Then she touched my arm lightly. “Come with me?”
I followed her into the living room.
When the door closed, her expression changed, gentler, carved with things she never said aloud.
“You don’t have to come with us today,” she said. “Not until you’re ready.”
I stared at the floorboards. “I should be ready.”
“Ethan.”
I interrupted, my voice cracking. “Do you hate me? For not coming home? For what I did? For everything?”
Mom inhaled sharply, emotions flickering over her face.
“I could be angry,” she admitted. “I was, for a long time. But hate? No. A mother’s heart can’t hate her children. Not even when they break your own heart in the process.”
My throat burned. “I missed the funeral.”
“You were drowning,” she said softly. “In shame. In fear. In consequences you didn’t know how to face. And should you have come, even before the accident? Yes. But I will not let that be your prison forever.”
I blinked hard.
“Forgive yourself,” Emma said. “You can visit Matt when your heart weighs a little less. Not because he needs it. Because you do.”
I nodded, because I couldn’t speak.
She cupped my cheek briefly.
I had missed her so much.
“Take the day for yourself. Your father and I will give Lily a good, fun Sunday.” A pause. “Go somewhere. Breathe a little.”
I tried to smile. “I’ll try.”
“Good.” She squeezed my arm. “That’s all any of us can do today.”
Chapter 28
Ethan
I left the house with no plan beyond needing air.
