Page 127 of Born to Make You Smile

I chuckled. “Come. Let me introduce you to my family.”

It felt so good to finally say that.

The Kwaks followed me to the backyard, and I introduced them to Gavin, Charlotte, and Mackenzie. The three girls ran off to the hammock, and soon, I overheard them chatting and giggling.

“Seems like they’re already getting along,” Kim said with a pleased smile. “I’m so happy. Violet was really nervous about moving and making new friends.”

My heart warmed.

“We can let them play and hang out. In the meantime, did you want to come in for a coffee or tea or lemonade?” I asked, gesturing to the patio door. “I made a fresh jug this morning.”

“Oh. Um.” She glanced at her husband with a frown. “We’re supposed to be heading back to his parents’, but we can stay for a bit, right, Ben? For lemonade? Let the girls play outside?”

She nodded encouragingly, and her husband agreed.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “God, do I need a break. I can’t go back there just yet.”

We continued to talk as we sipped lemonade. Kim was a lawyer, and Ben was an orthopedic surgeon who worked nearby at Sunnybrook Hospital. They were very excited to build their dream home, but said that if they could do it all again, they wouldn’t have moved while Kim was pregnant, claiming it was one huge headache.

A new home would be built for this wonderful and sweet family.A safe home.While it was painful to see my mother’s house demolished, and mourn all the memories we shared there, I felt a sense of peace. I was finally ready to move on. Ready for the future.

New neighbors. New friends. New beginnings.

To the Sky

A seed of love

Secluded

And small

She is humble

Nervous

But strong

Spring blooms

She grows so tall

To the sky

A tree

Deep roots

Sturdy core

The love shared

The fruit bared

A family to feed

More plants to seed

Shade for books in the summer

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