Page 66 of Mended Hearts

They both cautiously sit, unsure of where this is heading.

“Okay, well, for any of this to make sense, I have to backtrack to thirteen years ago.” They both listen intently as I unravel my complicated history with Echo. Their mouths hang slightly agape as I recount how we fell in love, she was ripped away from me, and how my anger and hope of finding her led me to the Army. Toward the end, my mom’s eyes begin misting up.

“It all makes sense now,” she mumbles.

“I have a grandson?” My dad’s face instantly lights up.

I smile. “Yeah, you do. He’s thirteen and his name is Dylan Ryan Adams.”

“Thirteen years old,” my mother sobs. “So much lost time.”

I gulp. So much lost time indeed. But I aim to rectify the hell out of it. “Don’t go into this thinking that. Go into this thinking of all the time you’ll have with him now.”

She nods her head in agreement.

I walk into the office area and grab the envelope I received that morning in the mail. Echo wrote me back, telling me all about our boy. How much he weighed at birth. How he’s a third baseman, just like I was. How smart and funny he is. Also, just like me. And sent many pictures to accompany the letter. From ultrasound to this year’s baseball picture. He’s such a stud and although I haven’t officially met him yet, I’m so proud to be his dad. I just pray he accepts me.

“He’s so handsome.” My mom cries, looking through the pictures. “He looks just like you did at that age.”

“I know.” I feel so much joy, my heart is going to explode.

My mom’s chest begins to heave as more tears stream down her face. “I’m so sorry, Dustin. I’m to blame for this, too. I just wanted you to have a great life. You had so much talent.” She holds up the picture of Echo young and pregnant. “I remember her stopping by shortly after you enlisted. I was so wrapped up in my own feelings I didn’t take notice of who she was. I’ve always been so selfish when it comes to you boys.”

I want to scream “Hallelujah! Finally!” But I don’t think throwing her admission in her face would help benefit the situation. I sit down next to her and pull her in for a hug. We’re all to blame. I’m just glad we’re all seeing that because now we can move forward.

Chapter Forty-Five

DUSTIN

January 2015

Echo and I continue to stay in contact through our letters. She keeps me informed about all things Dylan and I keep her informed about the progress I’m making on the house. We don’t talk about us as I know she’s focused on being a present mother and wife, and I don’t want to take away from that. I’m just trying to follow Lynsie’s advice of being whatever she needs. I do ask about Brian out of general concern for Echo’s and Dylan’s well-being. She always says he’s doing better and staying consistent with his therapy, and I leave the prodding at that. I’ve come to the conclusion that no matter what happens between Echo and me, I want a relationship with my son. While I want her and for us to be a family, Dylan and his needs have become a vital part of my life.

Once the flooring is complete and I’m done with all the final touches of furnishing the home, I decide to write Echo and hope I’m not pushing my luck this time. But I have to make sure she knows without a shadow of a doubt that there’s always a placefor her here. That no matter how long she’s been gone, she can come back.

How do you tell someone you’ve never stopped loving them and never will? That you will love them as long as it takes someone to count every single star in the sky. That your love expands the depths of the universe and transcends time. That you would literally die for them and almost did. That every decision you’ve ever made while apart was subconsciously for them. How do you say all of that and more without using words?

Echo,

If you need a safe space, come home.

Love, D

I fold the note around the spare key I made just for her and put it in the envelope.

Chapter Forty-Six

ECHO

February 2015

It’s pitch black when we pull into town. My hand trembles as I pull the envelope out of my purse that contains the key Dustin sent me last month.

Echo,

If you need a safe space, come home.

Love, D

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