The tattoo at the base of her neck,Everything happens for a reason,was the God’s honest truth. It was a powerful reminder that in every breath we drew, thought we had, decision we made, or step we took; each led us all separately on a path carefully curated to our souls.
She was my person.
The one I’d unknowingly waited for until our time had come.
While the void in our hearts was irreplaceable, there was a greater understanding that the beauty of love had the power to embrace our darkness and fill the emptiness with light, paving a path forward.
My cell vibrated again in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts.
Brooke: Looks like fate stepped in. When I called back with your decision, someone had since spoken for the one in the second photo.
Me: The stars are aligning.
Brooke: I like this side of you.
Me: ??
I replied with a simple smiley-faced emoji because I knew what she was getting at, and while I usually would have sent her some smart-ass brotherly comment back, now wasn’t the time. I was too damn happy even though I’d willingly exposed my softer, more vulnerable side to the one person I swore up and down to didn’t exist.
Lakelyn’s arms then draped around my shoulders from behind as she leaned down and kissed me good morning. I shifted to the side, pulled her across my lap, and kissed her properly.
“I missed you.” She breathed against my cheek. “I didn’t like waking up to find the space beside me cold. Empty.”
“I’m sorry, I should have realized.”
And known better, I scolded myself.
The only reason I’d pried myself away from her was that my mind was too restless overanalyzing the past few days, and I didn’t want to risk my agitated state waking her.
“It’s fine. I just had a moment of panic.”
“Tell you what, from here on out, if I ever have to head out for whatever reason and you’re still sleeping, I’ll leave you a note. Otherwise, you can trust I’ll be puttering around here somewhere.”
“Boden, that’s not necessary.”
“It is. It’s a common courtesy. One I should have done the other night. Maybe if I had, he wouldn’t have—”
“Don’t go there.” Her fingers splayed over my heart. “You already apologized at the hospital, and I understand your reasoning. This was on me. I’m the one who wasn’t completely honest as to why I moved here in the first place. I left things to chance that you’d find out from someone other than me. I’m the one who needs to apologize. Please know it wasn’t because I didn’t trust you; I do . . . I was too ashamed of my actions.” She bowed her head, and I ran my hand up and down her back, hoping to provide comfort. “I told you how unbelievably lost I felt after my sister’s death, but what I left out was when I went home to see my parents after, they . . . they said I caused them too much pain, and I was to leave and never come back. I was dead to them.”
“What? They’re your parents.” My blood boiled and started pumping viciously through me. How the hell could a parent ever discard a child? Regardless of their age, it was deplorable. I couldn’t even begin to comprehend or fathom the level of devastation it’s caused.
“The pain I feel is rooted deep, but I understand why.”
“You’re going to have to explain that because from where I sit, that’s—”
“It’s because I look like her.” She practically sobbed, trembling in my arms. “Annabelle and I were identical twins.”
“That is not cause for justification, Lakelyn. You are your own person.”
“Not in my mother’s mind. I was barely an afterthought. An annoyance in her eyes.”
“And your father?” I questioned, already suspecting I wasn’t going to like the answer.
“Their roles were clearly defined, and neither veered off course.”
“What does that mean?”
“My dad worked a lot and was rarely around. My mom’s job was maintaining the home and handling everything regarding Annabelle and me, homework, extra-curriculars, playdates, etcetera.”
