“I see the camera we bought you last year was put to good use,” Father said.
“I love mine, Kate,” Abby said. “Thank you. I’m going to hang it on that empty wall.” Abby pointed near the television.
I had blown up a picture of Abby and Tyler at the Poipu Shopping Plaza, taken the day we’d eaten shaved snow. The sunlight had hit them perfectly from behind. The clouds white and fluffy, the sky blue—it looked like someone had painted it.
“I also stuck a gift card behind the frame. I didn’t have time to shop.” I leaned into Abby and said quickly, “Can you please take some photos to Lee’s house later today or tomorrow?”
I wanted to include the photos I had taken randomly of Lee and Bridget as part of his Christmas present, but I hadn’t had time. And I didn’t plan on seeing him. Bumping into him at the restaurant last night had confirmed it was best I stay away.
Time would mend my broken heart—even if I had to remind myself.
“Look what I got,” Tyler exclaimed. “It’s a Unicorns versus Skeletons coloring book, lunch box, and a T-shirt. Thank you, Auntie Kate.” Tyler tugged off his shirt and replaced it with the new one.
“Open this one next, Ty. It’s from ...” Abby read the tag and swallowed. “From Grandma Fuller. When did we get this one?” She looked at me and then to my parents.
Mother glanced at her slippers, then cleared her throat when she met Abby’s gaze. “I didn’t want to tell you over the phone, but your father and I swung by to see Peggy in Miami before we went on the cruise. She was going to mail the presents, but we offered to take them for her. You should call her.”
Steve’s father had passed away from a heart attack shortly after Steve had. Abby’s mother-in-law, Peggy, had moved from New York to Florida to be closer to her daughter, Michelle.
Abby nodded, her eyes pooled with tears. “I was going to after we opened presents. I sent Peggy and Michelle gifts as well.” Abby cleared her throat as if she was trying to hold back a sob and added, “I asked them if they wanted to visit, but they said hopefully next year. Peggy has arthritis and tires easily. I’m thinking of taking a vacation soon and taking Tyler to see her.”
“That’ll be nice.” Mother smiled. “She’ll love that.”
Talking about Steve and his family made me think about how fleeting life was again. I debated messaging Lee to wish him Merry Christmas, but he would receive his gift soon and that would be enough. Some people were meant to stay a while and some were meant to be in passing. Unfortunately, he happened to be in the latter.
“Look. I got two swords that light up.” Tyler jumped in front of me, showing off the present from Grandma Fuller. He tossed me one. “We can play.”
“Hold on a minute.” Abby held out a hand. “Wait until we finish. You have more presents. Unless you want me to take them back to the person who gave them to you.”
“No. I’ll be good.” Tyler stilled, and then, as if he remembered something, he rushed to the box and gave Abby an envelope. “I don’t think this is mine. It doesn’t have my name on it.”
Abby shifted her legs on the floor to get comfortable. With an inhale of a deep breath, she opened the envelope. As she read, tears streamed down her face.
I dragged my butt on the floor closer and wrapped my arms around her. Sympathy tears dampened my own cheeks. “What’s wrong?”
Abby’s voice cracked. “Bless her heart. My mother-in-law wrote me a check. She said some of the money came from friends and people from her church for Steve’s funeral, but she added to it.” She sobbed, taking a moment. “She wants to give it to Tyler, for his education.”
Tyler kneeled on the other side of Abby and hugged her. I wiped away my tears and so did Mother. Father had his head lowered. The silent moment lingered for a bit, and somehow it felt like Steve was with us, telling Abby that everything was going to be okay.
The doorbell chimed, breaking our somber thoughts, and I couldn’t help but think of Bridget and her mother, and also Lee.
I looked through the peephole and cracked the door halfway when I saw a uniform. The deliveryman held three boxes, two large and one small. The largest had Handle with care written on the side.
After I signed on the square tablet, Abby helped me bring them in and placed them on the tea table in front of our parents. She gave me a suspicious look and handed me a cutter from the kitchen drawer.
“It’s not from Jayden.” I cut along the tape and glared at Abby. “He wouldn’t do things like this. It’s probably from my friends.”
“Which friend? Do I know this person?” Father sipped at his second cup of coffee, which had to be cold by now.
“I don’t know, but let me find out and I’ll answer your question.” I flipped the top, annoyed and exhilarated all of sudden, and I didn’t like the two mixed together. “Oh ...” I carefully took out a Santa’s sleigh vase filled with red roses, lilies, bird of paradises, green stems, and baby’s breath.
“Wow, that’s beautiful. Who sent it?” Mother leaned closer, examining the arrangement.
I opened the sealed envelope.
To the woman who deserves everything. ~Lee
Not fair. How dare he write those words? He destroyed me without even being here.
I might deserve everything, but it doesn’t seem like I deserve you.
“What does it say? Who is it from?” Mother asked again.
“From a friend.” I handed Abby the card for her to read and I unsealed the next box.
Abby hiked her eyebrows and nudged me with her elbow. “Call him,” she whispered so only I could hear.
I shook my head.
“What’s that smell?” Father sniffed. “It smells like chocolate.”
“Chocolate chip cookies?” Tyler’s face peered over the box I had opened. “Can I have one?”
“Of course. You’re my favorite nephew.” I wrapped him in my arms and rubbed his head.
He squirmed as he laughed. “But I’m your only nephew.”
“Exactly.” I picked up a cookie and shoved it in his mouth.
“Open the last one.” Abby handed me a box from the table.
I picked off the bow and tore through the wrapping. I laughed out loud, my heart swelling and aching at the same time. It was a large white unicorn with a rainbow-colored horn, a smaller replica of the giant one in Bridget’s room.
“There’s a card inside.” Abby took it out and gave it to me.
Kate was written on top. The elementary handwriting told me Bridget had written it but when I opened it, the writing wasn’t hers. It looked like Lee’s.
“What does it say?” Tyler looked over my shoulder.
Dear Kate,
Thank you for watching me. I had the best time with you. You are pretty and nice. I hope you have the best Christmas. I miss you.
To the unicorns, rainbows, and all the sparkling things always.
Love,
Bridget
“It’s from a friend. It says Merry Christmas.” I didn’t want to read it out loud and tear up in front of everyone, so I shoved it inside my pocket.
My heart shattered. I hadn’t thought letting go would hurt so much. It had only been two weeks. How had I let this happen? Because ... it was easy. Being with him was easy.