Page 13 of Firefly Effect

One moment passes then another. I don’t know what to say or how to phrase all the questions I want to ask. Where is your wife? Why aren’t you wearing a wedding ring? Why are you renting my uncle’s house instead of purchasing your own?

“Lucy’s mom died almost two years ago,” Lincoln says.

His abrupt words stop my heart. In fact, it might take me a few seconds to remember how to breathe. But even as I begin to collect myself, words don’t form quickly. I’m not sure I can form any words at all.

His eyes dart between mine. “I just had to get that out of the way. I knew the question was coming, and it’s not an entirely comfortable one for Francine or me.”

“I… I’m sorry.” That’s all I can think to say, though I still haven’t completely comprehended what he just told me.

“Don’t be.” He’s quick to respond, then his brow dents in the center. “I mean, thank you for saying that, but Lucy and I are happy. Francine too.” He smiles at the sight of Francine lifting Lucy up so the girl’s nose touches giant sunflower petals. “Lucy was still a baby when she lost her mother, so she doesn’t remember her well.”

Again, I have so many questions, but I’m not sure if any of them are appropriate to ask, so I steer clear from questions completely. “That must have been extremely difficult for you all.”

Discomfort is written all over his face. “To say the least.” He hesitates another few seconds. “Lucy’s mom and I weren’t…” He lets the words trail off.

“Married?”

“No, we weren’t married.” He lets out a deep sigh. “We weren’t even dating.” His eyes catch on mine nervously, then he clears his throat. “We were a one-night thing. I didn’t know about Lucy until after her mom died.”

“Oh.” The word rushes out with my breath. “How old was Lucy when you met her?”

“Thirteen months. But I didn’t get to add my name to her birth certificate until many months later. Francine was her primary caretaker after Becca died, but she made sure Lucy and I got to spend as much time together as we could.” He smiles a little. “She’s been incredible. To both of us.”

My head spins so fast that I can’t put together my response quick enough before Lucy comes barreling into Lincoln.

“Daddy, chase me!” she shouts.

The next thing I know, Lucy is squealing as she takes off into the field, and Lincoln doesn’t even hesitate to chase after her.

I laugh and slow down to match Francine’s steps. “Lucy is an endless ball of fun, isn’t she?”

Francine gives me a wide-eyed nod that tells me I have no clue how right I am. “She’s also the sweetest, smartest, and funniest little girl you’ve ever met in your life. That fire in her will take her to great places one day.”

My heart warms, and I’m not entirely sure why. Sure, the way Francine speaks about her granddaughter is sweet, but there’s got to be something deeper there, maybe something that comes with Lucy not having a mother.

Again, I have so many questions, but I’m not sure what’s appropriate, so I keep the conversation light. “How does she like Bryson City so far?”

Francine gestures to Lincoln and Lucy, who’ve stopped their chase to look at another sunflower. “As long as her daddy is here, she’s happy. He’s her home and vice versa.”

Lucy reaches for the bright-yellow flower in total admiration before Lincoln plucks it from its stem and hands it to her. When Lucy’s face lights up at the gesture, my heart goes liquid right there in my chest.

“I loved it here when I was Lucy’s age,” I say, not that Francine needs any comfort. “My parents used to ship me off to stay with Uncle Patrick every summer and every spring break. This place had so much to explore, so much to do.”

Francine seems to take in what I’m saying, nodding slowly. “I think it will grow on all of us, Lincoln especially. There’s certainly no drought in all that inspiration required for him to get words on the page.”

It takes a second for her meaning to click. “He’s a writer?”

Francine shrugs. “He wouldn’t call himself one, but the man spends every extra hour of his day pounding away at his computer lately.”

A few seconds later, Lucy comes rushing back, the arm holding the sunflower extended to Francine. “For you, Gammy.”

Francine gasps and leans down to kiss Lucy on the cheek. “Thank you, sweet girl. Now I need to find one for you.”

Just as Lucy pulls Francine back to the flowers, Lincoln is by my side again. “She’ll keep you on your toes, that’s for sure,” he says, watching them.

There’s something about Lucy and her carefree nature that brings me back to my own childhood, running around this same sunflower field with Uncle Patrick, daring him to keep up with me. My own parents would have never dreamed of allowing me to have so much fun.

Just the thought of my parents pulls a dark cloud over the otherwise sunny day. No matter the time, no matter the distance, that resentment lives deep in my soul. I can’t escape it. I can’t release it. It’s just there, a relentless scar that never quite fades and remains sensitive to the slightest touch.

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