“All good.” He smiled back. “How did you like that lamb?”
“It was perfect,” Nikki beamed. “Excellent service as always. Do you need anything? I’m going to head out for a few.”
He looked around. “Maybe some fresh herbs, dry rub, but that’s pretty much it.”
“Okay,” Nikki told him. “Keep up the good work,” she called to the rest of the staff as she walked out.
Kaylyn was by the front when she left, and she waved goodbye to them.
“How is this work?” Ava asked with a laugh as they got to the car. “This is just being paid for having fun and relaxing. Do you think maybe you can hire me?”
Nikki laughed. “Just get out of here, will you?”
“I’ll call you when I get home,” Ava said as the two hugged.
Nikki watched her leave, and sadness quickly descended upon her. She would miss the late-night conversations, the teasing, and the support Ava offered.
Her spirit was low when she returned to the house, and she walked aimlessly into the bedroom. She didn’t know much about her sister, and it seemed the whole town knew more than she did.
There must be pictures of her or keepsakes that could draw them closer. Nikki felt like a fake in her own sister’s home.
She sat on the edge of the bed, wondering where Trish would keep her personal belongings, when her eyes caught on the closet. She’d watched enough movies to know there was always a shoebox of things or a chest in the attic. Since there was no attic or basement, her best bet was a possible shoebox.
She got up and opened the closet door, and sure enough, she found a couple of shoeboxes. She was reaching for one of them when she knocked them all over, and she jumped back as the contents spilled onto the floor.
“Shoot!” she said as she crouched on the ground next to them. She wasn’t sure what belonged where, and she didn’t want Trish to know she was messing with her things.
But then a picture of the entire family caught her eye. She sat on the floor and looked at it. They were on the boat. This time on the neighboring Whidbey Island, and Nikki’s eyes watered as she remembered a time when they were together and happy.
There were several other pictures of family gatherings, school plays, and games that they went to. She covered her mouth as the memories washed over her. She was still going over the pictures when she spotted a folded manila envelope. She checked the contents and saw that it was documentation about the adoption.
It seemed Trish had been trying to find Amy for a long time, and Nikki felt a tug on her heart as she finally understood. If Trish had given Amy to her, she would have never really been her daughter. There would have come a time when Trish would have wanted her daughter back.
She rifled through the other papers when she saw an envelope with her name on it. Her heart thudded as she opened it and read what she recognized as Trish’s handwriting.
Dearest Nikki,
I’m so sorry for all the pain I caused you so many years ago. I didn’t really
understand what it was like for you back then, not being able to have a child.
I guess you could say I was selfish. Looking back, I regret what I did. I could
have been assured that my daughter had a safe and loving home with you.
Instead, I robbed us both of time with her, and I caused you a lot of pain, and for
that, I am deeply sorry. I’m not sure we’ll ever see each other again. It’s become
too hard it seems, but I hope we will. I’ve missed you, and I love you with all my
heart…
Nikki couldn’t hold back the tears as she rocked on her heels and stared at the paper. They’d only seen each other at their parents’ funeral, and although living only an hour away, it hadn’t drawn them closer.
Nikki felt like the guiltier party since she was the one who walked away. Trish had just been waiting for her to make the next move, and she never had. Nikki would have still been in Arlington if Trish hadn’t been in the accident, and she felt ashamed.
The letter went on to say that she’d found her daughter, and though she was terrified that she might reject her, she still had to meet her.
