“I should have left him alone. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with him in the first place. I never thought I’d fall in love again, but I couldn’t help myself. He was too charming, too good, too smart.”
“I’ve never been where you are. So, I can’t pretend to know what you’re going through. But I wish you would’ve just been honest with him, even if it didn’t go like you hoped. At least, then, you would know you’ve done everything you could.”
I wiped my face. “I don’t want to regret my decision.”But I do. “I feel like we didn’t have enough time, I didn’t get to see him through the different seasons. We didn’t watch the fireworks, or go out on the water, or rake leaves, or play in the snow. Mehki didn’t get to learn how to play basketball or use a hammer and nails.”
Raising Mehki without Malachi had many challenges, but it was the moments we wouldn’t have together that made me sad. And now I felt that familiar sting when I thought about Cooper.
“Cooper is not dead, sis.” Tee sighed. “He’s still alive.You’restill alive. I think you need to talk to him. And let’s start by reframing this entire situation.”
I met her gaze. “How so?”
“You told him you needed space. Right?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“So in my view that leaves the door open. Take a few days, pack, and if you’re still feeling the pull, call him.”
“Mommie!”
I dabbed my eyes with a tissue, sucking in a deep breath and plastering on a smile for my son. Mehki barreled into the room and into my arms. I hugged him, resting my head against his. “Hey, baby,” I said.
Mehki pulled away. “Grandpa bought me a Spider-Man book. I want to show it to Mr. Cooper. So he can see that Spider-Man is the best.”
I glanced at Tee, who made a sad face. Then, I cupped Mehki’s chin in my hands. I’d decided not to tell him about Cooper yet. Just in case Tee was right and there was still a chance we could make this work. “I’m sure he would love that.”
Tee smiled, giving me an encouraging nod. “I agree.”
“Hey, sweetie.” My mother walked into the room and gave me a kiss on my cheek. “Hi, Tee. Sorry, we’re late. Mehki had me running all day.” She blew out a deep breath and handed me a black plastic bag.
“What is this?” I asked.
“Your mail,” Mom replied. “I forgot to give it to you.”
I frowned. My parents had collected my mail when I was in Rosewood Heights back in January for a few weeks. But I thought she’d given it all to me when I came back. “You already gave me my mail, mom.”
“This is the first batch.” She bit her thumb. “I had tossed in the back of the truck and forgot about it. It was hiding under a box. I hope there wasn’t anything important in there.”
I opened the bag and peeked inside. Pulling out a few pieces, I looked them over, tossing several in a throwaway pile on the floor. But one envelope stood out to me, the handwritten script very familiar. I peered at the return address. “Oh my God. This is from Aunt Lou,” I announced, tearing it open.
Running my hand over the cursive, I read.
My Dearest Angel,
There is so much I never got to tell you, so I figured I’d write the big stuff down. I don’t know that we’ll ever see each other again, because I’m not well. Every day, I get a little weaker. But don’t worry, I’ve lived a full, albeit controversial, life.
If I could boil my life down into three lessons that I can pass on to you, I would tell you to never be afraid to fall in love. I fell in love once. And, no matter where I am, I can never forget the feeling of being with Abraham. We were young and stubborn, but he mattered. Remember the portrait on the wall you used to stare at? He put that smile on my face, the joy in my heart. And even though our relationship didn’t work out, and we both went on to marry other people, I never stopped loving him. So, take a chance on love again. It really is the best that life has to offer.
Tears fell down my face as I reflected on the portrait. The entire time, Cooper was right. His grandfather had loved my great-aunt. And he’d made arrangements to give her what she’d wanted, even on his deathbed.
I flipped to the second page.
Another thing. Please have fun. Life is hard enough without laughter. Lastly, spend some time on yourself. You won’t be any good to Mehki if you burn yourself out. Trust me, I know. Pamper yourself. Read more. Sit in the sun. But not too much because you don’t want to shrivel up like a prune. Wear your sunscreen.
I never had a daughter. But you were always the bright spot in my life. I love you.
Aunt Lou
Folding the pages, I cried softly.
Mehki climbed in my lap and hugged me. “Don’t cry, Mommie.”
I held his little head in my palm and let him comfort me. “I’ll stop in a minute, babe.”
Tee and my mother wrapped their arms around us, and we stayed like that for a moment. Eventually, I pulled away. “Thanks.” I grabbed another tissue and wiped my face. “I’m so glad you had this, Mom.”
Mom dashed a tear from her own cheek. “I’m glad you got to know Aunt Lou the way you did. You can rest assured; she knew you loved her. And she loved you.”
I nodded. “I know.” I held the letter to my chest. “I know.”
