Page 78 of Chaos Luck Wrath

It’s going to be a long drive down to the Florida Keys, but maybe I could learn to call the ocean waves and sandy beaches my new home. They say home is where the heart is, right? I am lucky enough to have the hearts of two De Lucas following me no matter where I go. And for that, I am so grateful.

My dad had left a key and address of a house located in Key West in my safety deposit box. I don’t believe in fate, but I do consider it a sign that this is ultimately what he always wanted for me. Closing this chapter of our lives means we have all the unwritten possibilities ahead of us.

I will never stay in my lane, even now that I have found closure. Now, as my life shifts, I know that Chaos and Wrath will always and forever be on either side of Luck.

THREE MONTHS LATER

The oscillating fan in the small grocery store continues on its back-and-forth pattern of distributing airflow. I take a deep breath as I continue to stare at the line of products in front of me. Joey and Gage are probably wondering what the hell is taking me so long, I only came in here for one thing.

A woman stops at my side, nearly passing me before she backs up a few steps. When I glance over at her, she’s seemingly smiling to herself as she looks at me with a glistening of tears in her eyes.

“Can I help you?” Not that I work here, but what else do you ask when someone stops to stare at you?

She shakes her head apologetically. “Sorry, you just remind me of someone who was a part of my life for a very long time. Someone who I had to recently say goodbye to.”

My face softens, my heart reaching out to this woman who may have been a stranger but had an unexplainable sense of familiarity about her. Trying to put her mind at ease, I offer up some kind words, “Goodbyes are hard but they provide the promise that something new is just beginning.”

I reach out and give her hand a reassuring squeeze, it seems to provide her some solace as she gives me another sweet smile. “Thank you, for everything,” she says softly, returning the squeeze to my hand.

After she takes her leave, I’m left with my own words about beginnings as I’m once again looking at the shelf in front of me. I hastily grab a box at random and make my way to the checkout counter.

When I leave the store with my purchase in tow, Florida’s humidity greets me. The island breeze is the only real thing making it tolerable.

Crossing the parking lot, I climb into the front seat of Gage’s Wrangler. After one too many tropical beverages on the boat this morning, Gage is squeezed into the backseat while Joey is behind the wheel.

“Get everything you need?” Joey looks at me curiously.

I nod and raise the bag in front of his view.

Gage leans forward between us with a giddy smile. “I’m feeling lucky.”

I roll my eyes, of course he is.

As Joey is pulling out of the parking space, another Jeep passes by us. Driving it is the same woman I had made a connection with inside the grocery store. She pops up two fingers on her steering wheel giving Joey the signature Jeep Wave.

I watch as he gives her a smile with a hint of something grateful behind it as he returns the wave to her.

On the way home, I find myself lost in my thoughts as I look into the bag I’m holding in my lap.

There’s only one question left.

Is the test going to be positive?

The End…?

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