Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“I like that.” I linked my arm through his and rested my head on his shoulder.
Nova put the bouquet in the vase and fiddled with the flowers. She had picked this week’s arrangement of gerbera daisies, pink-and-white carnations, and three white roses to stand for her, Cutter, and Miri, with Cutter choosing last week. Nova finished and stepped back to where we were.
“It’s beautiful, just like Mommy,” Nova said.
“I think if she had picked this herself, she would agree,” Cutter added.
“I think so as well. Who wants to go first?” Ever since we’d put her ashes in the ground, we’d each taken a moment of privacy to speak to her.
“I’d like to,” Cutter said.
Nova and I walked toward the car, our joined hands swinging between us. I was surprised to find Cutter not far behind us.
“Everything okay?”
He nodded with a smile. “Yep. I’m good.”
“All right, then. Do you want to go next?” I asked Nova.
“Will you come with me?”
We told Cutter we’d be right back. Nova and I walked hand in hand back to Miri’s marker. I stepped off to the side but still within distance, so she’d know I was there just in case she needed me. I didn’t want to eavesdrop on something that should be private.
When Nova was finished, she hugged me and ran back to Cutter, who waited for her outside the car. He picked her up, spun her in a circle, much to her delight, and then helped her into the back seat.
I stared at the marker as tears welled, hating every second of this. A day would come when I could think of her and the tears would stay away, but I couldn’t imagine that day clearly. If ever.
“You were right,” I started. “I like him. ‘Him’ being Weston, in case you didn’t know, but something tells me you did know and suspected he’d be the person I needed right now. He’s so patient and calm, and the kids love him. But again, you knew this. Scout has been an amazing companion to Nova. I never realized the importance of a dog until now. I’m seriously considering getting them one, but something small so when we travel for sports it can go with us.”
I looked behind me to check on the kids and then back at the marker. “The kids are going to be okay, Miri. They’re so strong and willing to let me know when they need a little extra love. I never saw myself as a sports mom, but let me tell you, some of those other parents . . .” I shook my head.
“Anyway, Cutter and Nova did an amazing job on your marker. I hope you can see it from wherever you may be.”
I crouched down, kissed my fingers, and then placed them on her name. “I love you, Miri.” I wiped at my fallen tears, put a smile on my face, and walked back to my kids, who greeted me the same way. And wouldn’t you know it, the first thing out of Cutter’s mouth was him asking to drive.
I should’ve known.
The days began flying by. The nicer it was, the faster the day went. If we weren’t at baseball, Cutter had basketball practice, which meant we were going in every which direction. Thankfully, I had Weston by my side. Being Cutter’s coach helped in that aspect. Although it wasn’t until the basketball travel team started that I found out Weston wasn’t the coach during the summer; Jerome was. Not that it mattered. Weston would be there, regardless.
On top of me being knee deep in sports and work, the court appointed a guardian ad litem, or GAL, for the kids. I didn’t really like her, but she wasn’t there for me. It was her job to make sure the kids’ needs were being met. Still, I felt like I was under a microscope and really hated being scrutinized. I knew I was a good person who had a job that more than supported Cutter and Nova, but when I told the ad litem I couldn’t meet on Mondays or Fridays, I sensed a bit of discord from her. Any other days, except for games, I was home, and she was welcome.
After Miri passed, the attorney filed the paperwork for me to be appointed legal guardian of the kids, which was what we had agreed upon.
Until one rainy day when we were all sitting there, watching a movie. Cutter was in the oversize reading chair, while Nova snuggled next to me. Weston and Scout were also there, but Scout made sure he was next to Nova, pushing his owner to the corner of the couch.
A character on the screen mentioned adoption. I hadn’t thought anything of it until Cutter asked if I was going to adopt them. I figured being their guardian was enough.