Page 81 of Parrish

“Was he wearing a Yankee hat?” I ask.

“No,” she says.

Defeated, I open my eyes.

“But my dad keeps one at his grave,” she adds, meeting my gaze. Leaning forward, she covers my hand with hers. “It’ll come back to you,” she says. “Give him a chance and I swear you won’t regret it. Your relationship with my father might not be perfect, there may be a lot of things you hate but there is love. There is so much love between the two of you.”

I’m struck by the sudden need to see him. I was confused and scared before and quick to push him aside. The truth is, my life—my identity rests with him. He holds our love, our life, and our son. The past and the future are with Jack.

“Where is he?”

“He’ll be back,” she assures. “He always comes back to you.”

Lacey squeezes my hand before she releases it and rises to her feet.

“Even if you can’t remember any of us, I’m so happy you’re awake,” she adds. “And don’t worry about Danny. I will always take care of my brother.”

More tears fall from my eyes as I picture the little boy in the window.

“We’re not perfect, Reina. Our family is as dysfunctional as the day is long but we’re a unit and we’ll get through it. We always do. It’s the Parrish way,” she adds. “I’m going to let you get some rest.”

The Parrish way.

There’s something about those words that resonate with me.

“Parrish,” I murmur as she walks towards the door. She pauses mid-step and glances back at me.

“Property of Parrish,” she says. “It means family.”

My memories may have escaped me, but I know for certain it means more than that.

It means belonging.

It means home.

I used to be property of Parrish.

Now, I’m just lost.

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