“Son, you’ve loved Sybil her whole life.” Chuck turns to the back of the truck, his voice gentle.
“No.” I shake my head, feeling small. “I love Lara.”
“Of course you do.” Hazel grips my hand.
“I’m not saying it’s always been the same kind of love.” Chuck reaches behind the driver’s seat and pats my knee. “I’m thinking you just picked up on thein lovepart, but you’ve always loved her. Some part of you. And you’ll always love Lara.”
I snap my gaze to him. Chuck would know. He lost his wife when Sybil was born. She died in childbirth. “You don’t have to stop loving Lara to allow Sybil into your heart. You and that boy have got enough love to go around for the both of them. Trust me.”
“I feel like I’m cheating on her—on her memory.” The weight of it curves my shoulders forward.
Kellan groans from the driver’s seat. “Ugh, are you boning my sister?”
Hazel squeals from beside me. “He totally is! You saw the video.”
I roll my eyes. My gaze drifts to the blurring trees out the window.
“Lara loved you, Eli. More than anything, she wanted you to be happy. So be happy.” Chuck pats my knee again, settling back into his seat.
“You should text Karen.” Hazel winks when I side-eye her. “She’ll tell you the same thing, but I bet you’d feel better hearing it from her.”
I tap my finger on the door of the truck, nodding to myself before I pull out my cell phone and text my mother-in-law.
Me
Hey Karen
Sorry to bother you, but I need to ask you a question
Karen
Eli! How are you sweetheart? Dad and I were just talking about our trip coming up. We can’t wait to see you and Tucker.
Me
Tucker talks about it constantly. He can’t wait to see you both.
We’re doing well. Thanks
Karen
Good. We’re going to spoil the heck out of him while we’re there.
Me
I’m sure you will
I set my phone back down, unable to formulate the words I need to ask her. Karen and Joe are the only people I talk to about Lara. It’s too hard to avoid it altogether with them, but I can’t bring myself to mention her around others either. People don’t really want to hear about my dead wife, right?
Karen
What’s up honey? You said you had a question
Me
I don’t know how to ask. It’s not even really a question
Karen
