24
Hayley
2018
The thing about the truth is that it always comes out. It’s like trying to contain a fire amidst a field of dry grass. Once it starts, it can’t be stopped. What it destroys you'll never get back.
Seeing Mrs. Barnes tending to her garden breaks something inside me. The woman is lost, and it resonates with me. The conversation with my mother was necessary. I cannot keep the truth from Wyatt any longer. I didn’t know how I was going to deal with Wyatt knowing, but I didn’t need to think about that now. I want to give Katherine Barnes a glimmer of hope.
“Hey, Mrs. Barnes.” I stand at the gate staring at the older woman. London holds on to my hand.
“Who is she, Mommy?” she whispers.
“You’ll know soon enough.” I smile at her reassuringly.
“Hayley Wells, is that you?” Mrs. Barnes shades her eyes from the sunlight and smiles at me warmly. The older woman stands, supporting her back with a hand. She takes a step toward us, swinging open the gate and wrapping her arms around me. “It has been too long.”
My heart hurts at the contact. This was why I left town; not even my mother knew the truth at that time. I just never wanted to answer the hard questions or feel the pain of what could have been. It was easier pretending. Logan and I were the only ones who knew, and we were happy to keep it that way. Until now.
“Come in, please, and who is this pretty little lady?” she says as she leads us up the porch and through the common hall into the living room. I remember the countless days spent in here growing up. Nothing has changed. In fact, it’s like stepping back in time.
“I’m London,” my daughter introduces.
Katherine smiles and touches the top of London's head. “Well, hello, London. I’m Katherine, and I’m very pleased to meet you. Would you like some lemonade? I make the best, I’ve been told.”
I smile. Some things don’t change.
London nods, smiling at Katherine. She wraps her arms around Katherine’s waist.
It’s a surreal moment. The first time my daughter is in contact with her father’s family.
“What brings you to town?”
“Just catching up with Mom,” I answer, taking a sip of my lemonade.
“Sharon’s told me how well your flower shop is doing. I always knew it; after that stinky boot bouquet you did for Wyatt.”
Katherine observes London closely, frowning slightly as we sit around the living room with our drinks. “How old is she?”
“London’s seven”
“It’s an odd thing, but she reminds me . . . She looks so much like . . .” She stops herself. Her eyes widen. “Hayley?”
She gasps and sets her lemonade on the side table.
“How’s this possible?”
I hold her gaze.
“When Wyatt’s father passed away . . . I . . . You two were pretty close then.”
I nod. No words pass between us. We both understand.
London is the spitting image of her father. Same hazel brown eyes, same brown hair. The same sharp nose. They even have the same frown.
Katherine turns to me. “Does he know? Wyatt, I mean?”
I shake my head. No, Mrs. Barnes, I never wanted him to know. He doesn’t know because he doesn’t care. He never did. He went ahead and got married when he was supposed to come home to me. There is just no excuse that will ever make sense.
