Josh expelled a breath. A lot had been said by both of them. Things he’d have to process later. But he could forgive now. “Gladly.”
Dad handed him the ball and Josh dribbled it, then faced the basket. “I hate to bring it up, but there’s still the issue of Maggie and me—it’s not going away.” He shot the ball. It hit the backboard and sank through the net.
Dad retrieved the ball and went to the free throw line. “I can hardly wrap my mind around that right now. But give me a little time, okay? You know I’m not good with change.”
A reasonable request. “You got it. I’m sorry to have dumped all this on you guys. I know the timing’s bad with the five-year anniversary coming up. We’re all a little out of sorts.”
“Erin explained all that.” Dad shot the ball, releasing it like an arrow from a quiver. It hit the front of the rim and pinged off. Dad grimaced. “Maybe you could give your old man a few pointers. If I’m going to be shooting hoops with my son, I should at least challenge him a little.”
Josh grinned at him. “That could be arranged.”
“Mom and I thought we’d come along on one of your tours next week. Would that be all right with you?”
“That’d be great, Dad. I’ll set you up with some tickets.” It hadn’t been easy, but they’d somehow managed to clear the air.
Even though Josh now had a new problem to process.
Chapter 38
The gilded sky brightened in increments on Thursday morning. The wind tugged at Maggie’s hair as Brad guided the Reynoldses’ offshore fishing boat across the water. Maggie hugged the urn on her lap. The entire family had come out for the somber occasion.
Becky sat with Brad in the pilot’s cabin. The rest of them sat quietly in the front of the boat. Maggie and Josh were on the starboard side, Zoey on Josh’s lap. Across from them Patrick held Erin’s hand and Mia sat between them and Owen.
Tensions in the family had faded over the past two days. She and Josh were respectful of Brad and Becky’s feelings. It was only fair to allow a period of adjustment, especially in light of today’s date.
The casting ceremony had been heavy on Maggie’s mind. She’d been talking to Zoey about it for days, making sure her daughter understood, in the simplest of terms, what would be happening.
It had been five long years for all of them. Today they were symbolically releasing Ethan. Giving themselves closure. It was another step in the grieving process—and one she felt ready for. She hoped the whole family was.
The sea was devoid of pleasure crafts this morning, only a few fishing boats bobbing on the waves a distance away. Seagulls cried overhead, hoping for breakfast.
Maggie drew in the scent of briny air as she remembered all the evenings she and Ethan had spent boating as teenagers, fishing, talking, in a simpler version of the boat they now rode on. Together their skin had browned under the summer sun as they’d laughed until they cried and fallen madly in love.
She would store up those memories and pass them on to Zoey as she grew older. She would keep Ethan’s memory alive for her, as would Ethan’s family. They would continue making sure Zoey knew who her daddy was. Maggie peered at the point where the golden sun melted into the shimmering sea.
I promise.
Brad slowed the boat and it soon came to a stop, bobbing in the water some three miles out to sea. When Brad and Becky emerged from the pilothouse, the group came to their feet.
“All right then.” Brad took Becky’s hand and the others continued the spontaneous chain of connection around the circle.
Then Brad bowed his head and the morning seemed to hush all around them. Maggie closed her eyes, letting the stillness of the moment wash over her.
“God in heaven,” Brad said, “we know our boy’s already with You, and we’re so grateful for the peace that knowledge brings. We want to thank You for giving Ethan to us for thirty-two years. While we wish it had been longer, we’re grateful for every day he was with us and we’ll treasure the memories the rest of our lives.” His voice broke off at the last words.
After a brief silence Becky picked up the prayer. “Be with us, Lord, as we continue on without Ethan. Comfort us, guide us. Help us remember that though we’re releasing his ashes, we’re not letting go of him. We’ll just hold him in our hearts from now on. Amen.”
“Amen.” Maggie swiped a tear from her cheek and offered a reassuring smile to Zoey.
Brad and Becky stepped quietly to the railing and the others followed. Maggie stood beside Becky, and Josh came along on her other side. He lifted Zoey into his arms so she could see over the railing.
Together Becky and Maggie tipped the urns, releasing the ashes into the air. The wind caught the remains and carried the gray cloud until it dispersed like a vapor over the sea.
“Look, Mommy,” Zoey said in wonder. “Daddy’s flying.”
Maggie swallowed against the lump in her throat as she grabbed her daughter’s hand. “He sure is, honey. He sure is.”
Chapter 39
