Page 117 of Watercolor Skulls

“I told you this isn’t a bad thing, Lily. Everyone loves Jackson. When Raffe and her parents find out Jackson is Jenny’s son they are going to love him even more, if that’s possible.” His hands rub circles over my back.

I pick up the photo, staring at it. “She saw you before I did. How crazy is that?”

“No one can resist the allure of a Skull, baby.”

This makes me giggle. “Oh, is that right?”

“That’s right. Now let’s go back down to the party. Jackson is going to wonder where we disappeared to.”

My head drops. He chucks me under the chin.

“Even when it’s cloudy you can look to me. Let me be your sun.”

I bite my lip and nod.

Chapter Forty-Three

Dan

???

My friends took the news as I expected. They were shocked sure, but they were ecstatic. Jenny’s parents were through the moon. Finding out Jackson was their daughter’s son had to have been an incredible feeling of joy.

I’m going to be honest here. Lily wasn’t the one who told any of them. I did. She chickened out the day of Jackson’s birthday party. She told me she would tell them the next day. No big deal right? But then that day came and went. Along with the next and the next and the next.

She agonized over it. Lily paced back and forth while I watched helplessly, unable to get through to her. I thought she was going to wear a hole in the new flooring. So, after two weeks passed I decided to take matters in my own hands because that’s what I do.

We are planning a big party tomorrow to celebrate so I guess it’s time to tell her I let the cat out of the bag. Honestly, I’m a little nervous about it now. I hope I didn’t make a big mistake.

Lily comes bounding out of the house. We are going on a ride. First stop the cemetery to visit Jenny.

“You want to stop out to the cemetery today?”

“Yeah, that would be nice. Maybe it will give me some insight on this whole thing.” She wraps her arms around me. I pat her hands and take off. The closer we get the more nervous I am. Did I overstep? I’m sure it will be fine. Yeah, everything will be fine.

We park and walk hand in hand to where Jenny’s grave lies.

“I love it here. It’s so peaceful,” Lily says. A gentle breeze blows wisps of hair into her face, she brushes it behind her ear. So beautiful.

Lily walks up to Jenny’s stone, kneeling before it. Her eyes trail over the flowers others have left. Then they land on the framed letter and photo Jackson left for his mom. It’s our most recent family picture. The one we took at Jackson’s birthday party, one that includes her.

Dear Angel Mommy,

Thank you for sending me the best birthday present ever. I’ve always wanted a brother or a sister and now I have one. Lily is the bestest sister in the whole wide world. I love her.

I’m sorry you died but mommy and daddy said I will meet you someday.

Love,

Jackson

She stops breathing.

I crouch down beside her. “Lily, it’s okay. Everything is going to be alright.”

She stands abruptly, pushing away from me.

“What did you do?” she whispers.

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