Chapter 25 - SOPHIE VISITS CAROLINE Caroline was buried two hours away.
One spring afternoon, Sophie asked to visit.
Her therapist agreed.
Emily and I drove her.
We bought yellow daisies.
Caroline had liked them.
At the cemetery, Sophie stood quietly.
She placed the flowers on the grave.
Then she whispered:
“Mom, I found them.”
Emily looked away.
I couldn't breathe.
Sophie sat down.
“Lily is loud.”
A small smile crossed her face.
“Emily makes pancakes.”
Then she looked at us.
“Come here.”
We stepped closer.
She took Emily's hand.
“This is my mom Caroline.”
Emily nodded.
“I know.”
Sophie looked at the grave.
“This is Emily.”
Emily smiled through tears.
“Hi, Caroline.”
Then Sophie took my hand.
“And Daddy Ryan.”
I looked at the headstone.
“Thank you for taking care of her.”
The wind moved through the grass.
For a moment, no one spoke.
On the drive home, Emily stared through the window.
“I thought I'd be jealous forever.”
“Are you?”
“Sometimes.”
“Me too.”
She looked at me.
“Of a woman who's dead.”
“I know.”
She leaned her head against the window.
Love wasn't always clean.
Sometimes it came with grief.
Sometimes gratitude.
May you like
Sometimes jealousy.
And sometimes all three existed in the same heart.
