Cherished friend
And confidant
Liam Mason
Son
Brother
Friend
And Captain
My vision went misty, just as it always did when I spent time here. It got easier, but it’d been a while since I returned because of the busy schedule I happily let Maybelle take over.
Being back here, with her, brought on a whole new rush of feelings.
“I like to come here Sundays and talk to them—well, mainly her,” Xavier admitted. “Liam was never a good listener. So, I hang out with him but Steph... She always listened. Always accepted everything a person was as more than enough.”
At his words, Maybelle stepped in close to him, her eyes glued to the stones as she laced her fingers in his.
“You know, she cared for you. She would’ve said yes to you the first time you asked her out if she didn’t haveus to worry about.”
His watery eyes turned to Maybelle. “I didn’t mind the waiting. It’s knowing she finally said, ‘yes’ that keeps me going.”
Awareness, understanding and a thought crept in as I watched Maybelle squeeze Xavier’s hand.
Love. It’s a crazy, stupid thing and I don’t think I truly comprehended or knew the words to describe it until now.
Love is patient. I think Xavier and even I would know that best. Love can be painful, but love is worth it. It’s a passionate, trusting, enduring, and multilayered phenomenon.
It’s a complete leap of faith.
I watched the girl I loved smile sweetly. The girl who radiated life and what it should be at its core. I learned something new as I watched her.
Living teaches us how to love. How to be brave enough to accept it, acknowledge it, nurture it, want it, and be a conduit for it.
“She really, really liked you,” Maybelle said.
Xavier’s eyes screwed shut as his chin fell to his chest. A beat, then two passed before he cupped Maybelle’s face in two large hands.
“You are not alone. The Fernandez family is in your corner. You’re welcome home to us whenever you need. You hear me?” he insisted, his eyes piercing hers as she nodded.
“Good,” he said.
He threw one last look to Stephanie before stepping out towards the path to the parked vehicles. He called back over his shoulder, “And since you’re a Fernandez, you get the family discount so free tacos forever. Visit soon, my mama misses you!”
Maybelle’s laughter was contagious as she hollered back, “I will! Thank you!”
***
Sprinkled stars peeked through the smoggy clouds. The near winter night chill was a welcome as we sat with Liam and Stephanie. While Maybelle and I huddled together under a thick blanket, Mom sat on a nearby bench with her eyes turned to the sky.
We hadn’t done much talking, but I think Maybelle did. In her heart as she sat and hummed, tracing the carved words across the headstones with her fingers. I didn’t think she cried or spoke as we sat with her family because I didn’t think the time, she spent unconscious was lonely.
I had a feeling Maybelle had time to pick up a few of the pieces between her, her mom and her brother. I believe she got the reunion she needed to carry on. One day she would tell me about it, and I looked forward to hearing it.
But for now, she needed no words as she sat with her family. Finally, all of them, at peace.
