Page 45 of Firefly

She had dared to hope he was back for good this time, or, at the very least, they would have had more than a few stolen moments together. But hope was a fickle thing, and it died when not tended. With hope gone, so too had her strength left her.

“Mama, look!”

She looked up, pasting a smile on her face. “Wonderful, darling.”

Sarah dropped beside her, pressing a hand to her cheek. “Are you not well, Mama?”

A bit of energy rushed through her, reviving her, and she sat up straighter, resolving to be present for her daughter. She pulled Sarah’s small fingers free and lifted her wrist to her lips, kissing the small birthmark shaped like a star.

“I have the same birthmark; did you know?”

The change in subject worked, and Sarah glanced down at her wrist. “Really? Let me see.”

She tugged Rebecca’s sleeve back and rested her small wrist beside her mother's. Two light brown stars, identical but for their size, stared back at them.

“Wooooow.”

A giggle escaped Rebecca’s lips. “We are very alike, sweet girl.”

A gentle breeze caught the low-hanging branches of the tree, sending a cascade of leaves falling down on them, and they both laughed as they got to their feet.

Rebecca’s legs were solid beneath her, and she marveled at the strength that had returned to her, seemingly from nowhere.

“Will you sit for a portrait, Sarah? I haven’t painted you in some time.”

Sarah wrinkled her nose. “It’s boring,” she groaned.

“What if I promise you ice cream after?”

Sarah’s eyes lit up. “Okay!”

“We’ll need to move indoors. I need my things to paint you.”

Sarah nodded, and, hand in hand, they went back to the house.

Rebecca nearly collided with Thea as she stepped into the foyer.

“I have a letter for you,” she said.

“Oh, from who?”

Thea’s gaze fell to Sarah. “It’s from Simon.”

Rebecca’s brow furrowed as Thea handed a folded piece of paper to Sarah.

“That’s odd,” Rebecca said, holding her hand out to Sarah. “Let me see.”

Sarah tucked the letter under her arm. “No.”

Rebecca pursed her lips. “Now, Sarah, wouldn’t you like me to read it to you?”

Sarah crinkled her nose in consideration before handing the letter to Rebecca.

“Come, let’s go to the living room.” Rebecca unfolded it quickly, scanning it.

Sarah trailed her as she moved into the room and read to the bottom of the page. She should have known. Her father was always up to something. But leave it to Simon to find a way around it.

Sarah climbed onto the seat beside her.

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