Wynter and Summer’s parents are also buried here so I leave them to visit their graves while I see my own family.
Three headstones await me today.
“Hi Mom, Dad, moonbeam,” I greet them all as I stand there with one hand in the pocket of my jeans. “Sorry, it’s been a while. I’ve been busy, but it’s not an excuse this time. I’ve been busy for all the right reasons. Wynter’s still with me and she’s safe.
“Dad. I never got a chance to thank you or to apologize. I should have just done my job, maybe then we could have had more time together. So thanks for everything you did for us. For me, Mom, and Kimmy, but also for Wynter. Your sacrifice wasn’t in vain.”
I place the flowers down on top of their graves. Knowing that my father is with Mom and Kimmy makes what I have to say next a little easier.
“I won’t be coming back,” I say to the headstones because that’s all they are now. Stone sat atop, dirt and bones. “I’ve realized that you really are gone. All the time I spent holding your memories hostage within my own grief was only hurting me. You’re not in that house and you’re not here. I hope that wherever you are you get to be with each other. You don’t need to save me a spot next to you anymore. I’ve got two very special people who need me to take care of them, so I have to stay here for as long as possible. I’m going to tell them all about you. None of you will ever be forgotten. I promise you that. But from now on I’m letting go of you.”
Looking up to the sky I let out a shaky breath and laugh. “You’d think I rehearsed that shit or something, huh?”
I pull the hair tie off my wrist and roll it between my fingers before setting it down on top of the middle headstone.Kimmy’s.“Thanks for letting me borrow this, sis. I won't be needing it anymore.”
When I head back to the main path I see my two girls up ahead. Hand in hand, laughing and chatting with each other. They look so happy.
A breeze picks up, making Wynter’s hair cover her face and when she brushes it back she catches sight of me. I’m left feeling breathless as I stare at her. She’s perfect in every single fucking way and somehow she’s mine.
“Ready to see our new home?’ she asks, reaching her free hand out to me. I take it without a second thought.
“I’ve never been more ready for anything.”
