Page 197 of Zero Chance

Sighing, I turned back to Waverly.“Okay.So when I realized you were Mystery Girl, I knew it.Deep down where I didn’t want to admit it yet, where the denial was thick and real, I knew youcouldbe the catalyst to me losing my mother all over again.”As my eyes welled, I shook my head to deny the pain and kept talking.“And even though I knew she needed to move on, I wasn’t ready.I wasn’t ready for her to go yet.So I—” Wiping at my face, I glanced away for a moment to build my courage before turning back to Waverly.“I might’ve avoided you for that week on purpose.To keep my mom here.”

Mouth opening, Waverly shook her head, but it took her another moment to utter, “I don’t understand.How amIthe reason she has to go?I don’t want her to leave.I like your mom.”She cringed and added, “I mean, she constantly gets on my case about my book shelving because she doesn’t know the new guidelines, but she’s amazing.She…gets me.”

Clearing her throat gently, Faith broke in saying, “Robin says she has affection for you too, Waverly.”Glancing at me, she winced.“And, Keene, your mom says she finds your choice acceptable.”

Tears gushed down my cheeks as I nodded.“Good.Thank God.”Because there was no way in hell I was going to change my choice if she hadn’t.

“Choice?”Waverly broke in, sounding panicked.“What choice?What is happening right now?Why are you so…?”As if already figuring it out for herself, she let go of my hand and shook her head, backing away in horror.

I slid off the table and stepped toward her.“When she died, my mom couldn’t move on because she didn’t want to leave me alone.I had to find someone who would love me as much as she did.I had to experience true love before she could go.”

Shaking her head in denial, Waverly said, “No.”Clutching her stomach, she bent slightly at the waist and turned in a circle, talking to my mom.“I don’t love him.He doesn’t love me.Do you hear that?You don’t have to go.Just…stay.Okay?He needs you here.”

“Waves,” I whispered, reaching for her, but she jerked away, breathing hard.

“No,” she sobbed.“This can’t be right.You just helped merepairmy relationship with my mother.And I’m—what—supposed to help youloseyours?No.That’s not—that can’t be how this goes.”

“Baby, I’ve already lost her,” I explained.“I lost her a long time ago.And she doesn’t belong here now.She needs to move on.”

Waverly’s shoulders shook as she cried.“But I don’t want her to go.”

“I don’t either,” I said, opening my arms when she finally stepped toward me.Gathering her close in my embrace, I kissed her hair.“But I’m secure in the fact that she loved me until her dying breath.And I have you now.I’m going to be okay.We’regoing to be okay.”

She nodded against my chest, even as she said, “It’s not going to be the same without her.”

“No,” I agreed, closing my eyes and resting my cheek against Waverly’s hair.“But we’ll figure it out, one day at a time.”

As I held her, two books floated over to me.

Lifting my face from my girl, I took in the titles.One was a volume of poetry that readSunshine and Waves.

Nudging Waverly, I said, “Look.She really does approve of us.”

Waverly pulled away to look at the title.Wiping her face, she smiled weepily and spoke to the air.“Thank you, Ms.Laterman.I’m going to miss you.You’ve made such an amazing son.I promise to love him with my whole heart.Being with him has made me want to really live for the first time in my life.”

Warmth flooded me, and Waverly gasped.Lifting her hand, she whispered, “Do you feel that?”

On the other side of the table, Faith pointed above us.“Holy shit.Do youseethat?”

I glanced up but saw nothing.“What?”

“It’s a big, fucking bright light.”

“The light,” Waverly murmured in awe, looking up too but furrowing her brow when she didn’t see anything either.

Turning to the floating books, I said, “It’s okay, Mom.Go into the light.I’ll be alright now.”

She nudged the second book my way, and I looked down at the children’s story that was calledI Love You, My Sunshine.

“I love you too,” I rasped, my chest filling with overwhelming pressure.“Always will.”

A second later, the warmth evaporated, and the chill of the basement crept over me.

“She’s gone,” Faith announced sadly, but I already knew she was.

“Keene,” Waverly sobbed, throwing herself at me.“I’m sorry.I’m so sorry.”She wrapped her arms around my neck and cried into my throat.

I clutched her back, murmuring, “No, no.Don’t apologize.In fact,thankyou.Thank you for helping me send her to her final resting place.I think she’s at peace now.”

---