Page 78 of The Moment Promised

I nod, doing just that, but it sinks right away, ripples circling where it disappeared.

He grabs another stone, slowly flicking his wrist a few times to show me his range of motion, before tossing it and amazing me by skipping it four times.

I try again a few times, afraid we’ll run out of stones. I’m about to quit, but it skips twice. I screech, jump up and down, ready to grab another stone.

“See, it’s not so hard,” Charlie says, arms crossed as he watches me toss the stone again. This time, it skips three times.

“Thank you.” I smile wide, proud of myself. “Now I’ll always know how to skip a stone.”

He smiles at me, not saying anything, but he nods as if with pride too.

I sit down on the red clay, not bothering to care that it’ll dirty up my leggings. The sun peeks through the mountains, casting rays of light along the lake, sparkling like a painting.

Charlie sits down beside me, mud all over his feet.

“Didn’t bother to wear shoes?” I tease.

“I gave up a long time ago after I ruined so many pairs.”

I nod, can’t argue with that logic. “You come here a lot?” I ask.

“Every morning.”

I look around, and the fog lets up a little, as the sun shines brighter. The sky is purple except for where the sun sits so bright, surrounded by orange. The clouds are painted pink. It’s breathtaking.

“Chloe’s really happy to have met you; she’s been more chipper since you’ve arrived.”

I smile at that, there’s no greater compliment than to hear you’ve made someone happy.

“I’m sorry…” he starts, peering out at the lake, “about your dad.”

Oh. How do I even respond?

Before I need to reply, he adds, “I know what it’s like, you know. My old man relished in the power he had over me as a boy. I was so afraid of the guy. I hated him.” He sighs, as if reliving a powerful memory. “There’s not much you can do as a little kid, except strive to be better. A better person, a better parent. Make light out of the darkness within, make sure no one you touch in this life feels the way you’ve felt.” He looks at me now. “Chloe has her own battles, growing up without her mom, but she’ll never feel the suffering of being raised in abuse, and that’s enough to bring me a world of peace. I’m sorry your father wasn’t the kind of man who could give you that peace too.”

Everything he just shared sits heavy on my heart, I feel tears stinging my eyes because the way he explained it is so beautiful. “And now Chloe’s pain will ensure the people she touches in this life will never know the same pain she felt without her mom,” I add, smiling at the thought. Our pain molds us to be better, to make sure the people we love never feel what we’ve felt.

It’s heartbreakingly beautiful to be able to love despite the darkness we’ve lived, if anything, it makes us love harder. Better.

“You’re right,” he nods.

I nod too, happy with this new perspective. Thankful the children I come to know in this world will never feel such suffering if I have anything to do with it. I smile for my future kids, if I decide that’s what I want. They will be so loved. They’ll never know what it is to feel otherwise.

“Thank you, Charlie.” I push off the mud.

“For what?”

“For bringing meaning to my dreadful past. For giving me peace, and hope for my future. For giving me more kindness, understanding, and wisdom in these past few minutes than my dad has given me in my lifetime,” I say, my voice breaking as I try to hold in my emotions.

“Oh. You’re welcome, kid. It’s nothing.” Charlie clears his throat as if he’s also clearing away emotions he doesn’t want to show.

I turn and walk back to the apartment, a newfound ability to skip rocks and peace in my heart. I shower and climb back into bed with Finn, easily falling asleep after my morning with Charlie.

Kisses along my jaw urge my eyes open. Finn’s dimpled smile makes my lips upturn effortlessly. His eyes are puffy and glassy as if he has just woken up too.

He’s beautiful.

“Good morning, love,” he whispers in my ear.

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