Page 134 of Roses and Skulls

“What is it, mom?”

She brushes her fingers over her forehead. “I was just wondering what it would have been like if I had been brave like you?”

I pull my head back. “Me?” I ask incredulously. “You are the strongest woman I know.”

“And that is where you are wrong. I took the easy way out.”

A frown pulls on my face. “Mom, your situation, and mine were so different. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to something like this. You were so young and alone.”

Her fingers trail down the side of my face. “How did you get to be so wise?” She smiles sadly. “You know, your grandfather said you were an old soul the day you were born.”

I tip my head back and stare up at the sky. “You heard him, didn’t you?” It’s a question I’ve pondered over the last few months.

She drops her head. “I wanted to rip his heart out and present it to you on a silver platter when I heard what he said. But then you cut out his tongue and while I worried for your heart at doing such a gruesome thing, my inner warrior pounded on her chest. Proud of you for serving him some much-deserved justice.”

Dan walks by us, pausing mid step. His eyes narrow in concern.

We both start laughing. He flips us off, continuing on once he decides we’re both fine.

“When did you figure out that I knew?” she asks me.

“When I saw the mural in the baby’s room, that’s when I knew for sure. I had wondered before that but when I saw that sunrise, I knew it was your way of telling me it was okay. That you would be by my side.”

“I knew I couldn’t be impartial on the matter. My heart was a wreck just knowing what had happened to you. I had always prayed that you would never have to make a decision like I had. But I knew Dan would be a rock for you… and that he would let you make your own decision.”

“Because he was the best thing that ever happened to you,” I finish for her.

We smile at each other before turning our eyes his way. Both of us jump to our feet when we see he has Jackson by the ear, dragging him away from Kelsie. I run to my new friend. “Kelsie, what happened? Are you okay?”

She shifts her weight from foot to foot, fighting the tug of a smile on her lips. “He didn’t lie,” she says, dipping her head.

“Who didn’t lie?”

“Dan,” she says quietly, staring after him. “He said he wouldn’t let anyone touch me.”

A full-blown smile breaks out over her face, and she hugs herself happily.

Elijah walks up behind me. “Everything okay over here?” he asks, breathless from chasing the kids out of the trees.

Kelsie holds her head up high. “You must be Elijah. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Elijah gives her that charming smile of his and takes her hand, kissing the back of it. “All of it good I’m sure.”

She blushes and pulls her hand away shyly.

He continues charming her, “Billie Rose has done nothing but talk about her new best friend. She couldn’t wait for me to meet you,” he tells her.

And just when I didn’t think I could fall in love with him more than I already had, my heart beats for him anew.

She beams from ear to ear. “Her best friend?” she peeks at me and brushes her short hair behind her ear.

“Yep, and thank you for that,” he says. “We’ll be needing a good friend to help us with the baby.”

Kelsie’s whole face lights up. “Of course, I would love to help.”

Later that night, as the party unwinds, I find myself walking down to the trees. Elijah jogs to catch up to me.

“Whatcha doin?”

---