Page 73 of Wandering Closer

“That’s perfect,” Lily perks up. “I would love to show you guys my new home.” She hits the button to turn the call into a video chat, but keeps me just out of the frame.

As soon as her parents pop onto the screen, her mother scowls and her dad replies, “I don’t know if I’ll have time for that if I want to make my tee time.”

“What time is it there?” Lily’s mom cuts in. “Did you just get out of bed?”

I look over at Lily. Her hair is in a slicked back ponytail, not an ounce of makeup on her flawless face, just the way I like it. She’s wearing a scoop neck sweater that looks adorable on her. I don’t see a single thing wrong with her or her outfit.

“No, mom, I’ve been up for a few hours. I just wanted to fill you guys in on what’s been going on with me lately,” she says, dismissing the comment. I give her hand a light squeeze.

“Well?” her mom says, impatiently.

“I’m living in Cedar Ridge as you know, and my next book is set to come out October 25th. My publisher thinks it’s my best work yet. I’ve made wonderful friends here, and I’m dating the most incredible man.”

“What does he do?” her dad cuts in this time. “Can he support you while you dabble in this little gig you have going?”

“Tyler had the means to support you. He could have helped you work your way up in the company. I still don’t understand why you quit and left him,” her mom purses her lips again.

“He was married,” Lily blurts out. “He was married, and when I found out, he got me fired. I’m actually suing the company for wrongful termination and bringing criminal charges against him because he’s been threatening me.”

I expect to see shock on their faces. Maybe empathy, sympathy, or even anger. Instead, I watch as her dad’s face morphs into disappointment, and her mom radiates disgust. Before the words even leave their mouths, I know I am going tointervene. Knowing these people treated her poorly, and seeing just how much she downplayed it floors me. How the sweetest, most empathetic woman I know came from these two people, I will never understand.

“How could you allow that to happen?” her dad cuts in.

“That’s not how we raised you to take care of your financial troubles,” her mom’s words follow.

My hands snag the phone from Lily before I fully realize what I am doing. “Allow that to happen?! She trusted the words of a man who promised that he loved and cared for her. It’s his fault for lying and betraying that trust. It is your fault for not showing her what real love and care looks like. If you two had raised her in a loving household, supporting her and encouraging her like any decent human being should, she might have seen that he was giving her less than she deserved. Lily has the kindest heart, not a selfish bone in her body, and she is surrounded by people who love her. And not that you cared to ask, but she is financially independent and is doing more than fine. Her life is richer than yours in every sense of the word.” My chest is heaving as I stand in her living room and spit out all the things I want to say to them.

My eyes leave the phone to glance at Lily, who is sitting stock still, tears streaming down her cheeks, with the smallest smile aimed at me. Pride and love shine from her glassy eyes. “Your daughter doesn’t need your negativity and bullshit in her life. When you are ready to apologize and be decent, encouraging parents, you can reach out to her. Until then, don’t contact her.” I hang up the phone, tossing it on the couch, and wrap Lily in my arms.

“I am so sorry, baby. I’m sorry for the way they treat you, and for taking over without permission. I will never be sorry for being the bad guy in your story, though, if it means protecting you.”

Lily leans up on her toes, pressing her salty lips to mine. “Thank you, Thor. It was kind of hot watching you swing your metaphorical hammer for me.”

“Want to watch me swing my real one?” I playfully grind myself into her.

She swats at my chest, “Get out of here with that.” Her forced smile doesn’t reach her eyes. I know she’s putting on a brave face, but that conversation had to hurt. Parents are the people you are supposed to be able to always count on. The ones that love you no matter what, and if it wasn’t clear before, they just made it clear they are not those people for her.

“What do you need? A hike to our peaceful place, or a bottle of wine and a tub of ice cream on the couch?”

Her bottom lip quivers, her blue eyes a deep ocean color. “Hike, please.”

Lily is quiet the entire hike, and I let her process. Shadow normally tramps through the woods on our hikes, hopping back on the trail every few minutes, but she doesn’t leave Lily’s side today. When we reach the clearing and her shoulders visibly relax, I know this was exactly what she needed. I pull out my blanket, setting it out with the snacks that I packed and watch as my girls cuddle up together on it.

I throw a stick for Shadow, but she just stares at me like I’m an idiot, scooting closer to Lily’s side. At this moment, I am even more grateful for my wild pup and the love she has for her mom. I toe off my socks and shoes, and then remove Lily’s as well.

“This place has always been my go to spot when I need clarity. When life feels overwhelming, I find peace here. It may be something in the hike, or it may be something in the isolation, but I have always felt like it’s something in the water.” I reach my hand out for her, helping her stand. Bending down, I roll up her leggings so they won’t get wet.

“There’s something about stepping into the cold crisp waters here that feels like healing. Want to give it a try?”

There’s a trusting look in her eye as she nods her head and reaches for my hand once more. We get to the water’s edge, taking a deep breath before stepping in. The water stays pretty cold year round, but on a mild weather day like today, it freezes our toes instantly.

“The healing doesn’t come from the water though; it’s the shock to the system that the cold brings,” I continue as Lily breathes through the shivers that rack down her spine. “It forces you to be in the moment, to focus only on your body and the way you feel right now. Focus on that, baby. Be in this moment, feel the contrasting cold of the water and warmth of the sun peaking through the trees. Listen to the birds chirping and Shadow splashing her happy paws through the water. You will be okay. It will all be okay, if only for this moment.”

She tilts her face towards the sun, the light highlights the warm brown strands in her hair and the bright blue flecks in her eyes. Her smile widens as she inhales deeply, and a lone tear escapes, tracing a path down her cheek. Lily remains still, her strength and beauty mesmerizing me.

“Better?” I ask, when she turns to look at me.

“I feel free without the weight of their expectations and disappointment. It doesn’t matter anymore. Not when I have you and the family I have made here surrounding me with love. You are my peace, this place just accentuates it. I love you.” She lunges at me, catching me off guard, but I catch her in my arms and twirl her around. Her laughter is light and free, healing the last of the scars on my heart. My frozen feet fumble over rocks as I bring her to the blanket, gently laying her down. We spend hours there, talking, kissing, and chasing Shadow around. The sadness in her eyes eases as the day goes on. By the time wecrawl into her bed that evening, exhausted and happy, it’s the best feeling in the world.

---