Slipping his hand up my face, he cupped my cheek. “Be strong, Glory, you know you can be.”
My eyes darted between his as his thumb ran over the curve of my jaw. Holden cooed, baring his tiny little teeth as he smiled.
“Mama, Mama,” he said, stretching his arms out as I looked over at him.
Taking his small hand, I held it tight. Liam was right, I knew he was. I couldn't avoid that place forever. I was holding on to all the emotions and feelings by doing that.
I had to let go.
For my husband, for my son, and for myself.
“Alright.”
“Alright?” Liam asked, unsure he heard me right.
“Yeah, alright. I'll do it. You're right, I need to face this. I haven't done that yet, I buried it.” Rubbing my son's fingers, he grabbed his foot with his free hand. “I should free it.”
The three of us walked hand in hand towards my old building. I wasn't sure exactly what had happened to it since the fire. I let Liam handle that part. I couldn't do it.
I told him I didn't want to know about anything, to just do whatever the city wanted and be done with it. I was hoping this day would never really come at all.
It's here.
I could see the street sign on the corner, so I started to slow down. Liam was still walking, but as he took a step, our son's hand jerked in his. Looking back over his shoulder, Liam stopped.
“What? What is it?”
“I don't know if I can do this.”
“You can do this, Glory, and once you do, you'll feel better. I promise you, you won't regret this. You need this, you don't know how much you need this.”
“But what if I lose it? Do you really want Holden to see me like that?”
Taking a long stride in, Liam picked our son up and set him on his hip. “What did we talk about when we found out you were pregnant?”
“We said we'd never hide anything from him, that we'd always show every side of ourselves. The happiness, the anger, the sadness, we weren't going to protect him from any of it. He needs to know it's okay to feel, regardless of what those emotions are.”
“Exactly. So let's show him how strong and brave you are by facing this together as a family.” Liam stretched his hand out, braiding his fingers into mine.
Taking in a deep breath, I nodded, allowing him to lead me forward. Scraping my heels against the cement, I shut my eyes and let him guide me.
Liam released my hand, wrapping his arm around my waist. “Open your eyes, Glory.”
“I can't,” I said, pinching my lids tighter.
“Yes you can.” His voice was soft as it found its way into my ears.
“Peek a boo, Mama, peek a boo.” Holden touched the thin skin of my lids, attempting to push them open. His poking became more hard, causing my eyeballs to hurt and water.
“Okay, alright,” I said, blocking his jabs. Blinking my eyes open, I kept them on Liam and our son.
“Look,” Liam said, flicking his head in the direction of my old gallery. “Just look.”
“Mama, see.” Holden held out his hand, his eyes wide and excited.
Taking in a long breath through my nose, I turned my head.
Oh my god.
