Page 124 of Mariposa
Sometimes, when it comes to divorced parents, the children are collateral damage. That’s a pain I didn’t experience but am aware of. He grew up a military child, and even though Penny and Kade have their sides of the story, Adam does, too.
He smirks.
“You know that saying that you only value something once you’ve lost it? I didn’t just come to the realization that I love him when he died.I’ve always valued every part of him since I first saw him. I will hold onto everything he’s taught me for the rest of my life.”
“I see,” he says with a smile.
His phone chimes. He grabs it, glancing at the screen thoughtfully before he taps away. “Your mother and sister are back, so I’m going to get going,” he says, thumbing it back into his pocket. I watch him gather his things silently, unsure of how to bid him goodbye. I’m sure the next time I’ll see him, it’ll be at Kade’s funeral. That thought makes my throat thicken and wrath simmer in my veins.
“Thank you for coming,” I tell him numbly, already feeling the need to break down.
He stiffens when he reaches the door, confusing me. Just when I think he’s going to exit, Adam pivots back around until he faces me with pursed lips. I know that look. He’s nervous.
“I’ve been seeing Olivia behind your back.” The words are forced out hastily and with shame. It comes out so fast that it takes me a moment to digest.
My jaw drops.
“We started seeing each other after you left for Basic Training. I’m such a piece of shit, but I can’t walk out that door, knowing you’ve given me your naked confession and I hid mine. I’m in love with Olivia… I just didn’t want to lose you in the process.”
Olivia?
Our mutual friend?
He cheated on me?
I feel like I’ve been hit in the chest. The betrayal stings, my thoughts and questions running rampant in my mind. I should be angry. I should shout at him for lying and making me feel guilty for moving on, but under these circumstances…I decide to swallow the lump in my throat and deal later. After almost losing my life, everything seems so insignificant. This is one of those things that truly doesn’t matter anymore.
I breathe in heavily until my shoulders and chest are relaxed.
“Okay,” I say, linking my fingers together.
His eyes light up with hope.
I’m not sure we’ll be in each other’s life moving forward.
“Oh, before I go.” He beelines toward a black, thick bag that sits on the couch. He hooks it and hands it to me gently. “Here’s your things. These are all the clothes and equipment you had on when those Army Rangers found you.”
My heart skips a beat as I open it. The scent of that tragic battle in the mountains is tattooed into my shredded clothes. I sift through it as Adam watches me silently. I push my shoes to the side when I see a silver chain. The golden sunray from behind me illuminates the chain, making it glint.
It’s not my dog tags…
I gasp. My heart pounds so hard that I hear my blood pumping until my wrist twitches. A wave of exhilaration powers me.
It’s what Kade pushed into my hand.
I pull it out of the bag slowly, holding my breath as a monsoon of tears falls down my cheeks, crossing my trembling lips and dropping off my chin. A pained laugh torpedoes out of me when I realize what Kade made. A bittersweet emotion tethers into my soul, taking yet another blow, adding to my agony. My whole body shudders, and goosebumps cover my skin.
It’s a handmade, wooden butterfly attached to a silver chain so I can wear it like a necklace. I turn it over to admire the details he carved into each wing, and my heart flutters as my soul disintegrates further. On the back, in carved lettering, it says,
Mariposa.
49
VIOLET
ONE MONTH LATER
Travelin’ Soldier by The Dixie Chicks
