Pieces, page 16
Katie maneuvers around Alex and gently hugs Wendy but doesn't let go.
"I'm sorry," Katie whispers.
"I'm sorry, too," Wendy whispers back. It's almost as if they are having a silent conversation.
"Well, I'm going to go cook a nice meal," my mother chirps as she walks down the hall and into the kitchen. My dad grunts and ascends the stairs with Wendy's suitcase, and Alex resumes his place back on the couch.
"Don't I get a brotherly hug?" I ask with fake pouty lips. Both girls laugh as they untangle from each other, making space for me. I give her a quick gentle hug, thanking the Lord I still get to do that. I couldn't imagine it any other way.
"Well, I think Katie and I have some catching up to do. We need some girl time. Can you handle Alex all by yourself brother?"
I give her a look but then pretend to fake hurt. "Now, you think I'm incapable of watching my son?"
She laughs a bit, making my heart swell.
"Well..." Now Katie is laughing before she comes and wraps her arms around my torso. A tingling sensation travels from my nether regions up to my now foggy brain.
"We might be a while, so you go and enjoy Paw Patrol."
I look down at her lovingly and kiss her on the forehead.
"Take your time."
She let's go of me and heads out to the front porch holding the door open for Wendy. I watch them sit down on the porch swing before turning towards my laughing son on the couch. I walk over and plop down as he scooches closer to me.
"Dad?"
"Yeah, buddy?"
"Is aunty Wendy going to be ok?" I look over at him with a smile.
"Yeah, buddy, things are going to be much better now.”
Katie
Sitting down on the porch swing, Wendy and I stare out into the distance in silence. The warm May air brushes across my skin, causing my lungs to inhale the sweet air. Spring is my favorite time of year— It’s not too hot, not too cold. I always find it so peaceful and relaxing to come out onto our porch swing, with a glass of iced tea and just think.
"I know what you're thinking," Wendy speaks but doesn't look in my direction. Her eyes focused on one spot.
"What's that?"
"That I'm an idiot, and I should have listened to my brother."
"No, not at all. No one, not even Noah, could have predicted that. He is just a terrible kid who lost his way with drugs and alcohol. You were in love. It happens to the best of us. What I was thinking was, I'm so glad you survived and how horrible of a future sister in law I was not to come and see you."
"You’re not terrible. I get it! I heard you were there when everything first happened. It's ok."
"You know, I believe everything happens for a reason, no matter how terrible it may be, or no matter the outcome. Please don't beat yourself up over the past."
"I know it's just," she sighs, leaning back in the seat, looking up towards the sky. "I believed Charlie could be a better person. I thought that I could help him through his issues. I wanted to see the good in him."
A tear slides down her cheek as she speaks.
"I know. You are a good person Wendy." I smile over at her as she mirrors mine. We sit like this for a little while longer before Noah's mom tells us dinner is ready.
"Are you sure Noah will be ok?" She asks me as I go to stand up.
"Yeah. Noah was a mess, but as long as you are ok and his family is safe, he will be ok. But now you know that you need to lean on him and other people to get through this. We are all here for you, Wendy."
She smiles and stands with me. We walk into the dining room and sit down at the table that's full of everything from salad to pork chops, mashed potatoes, and fresh green beans.
"Mama, are you expecting the army?" Wendy asks as she grabs the spoon for the mashed potatoes, scooping a hefty amount onto her plate.
"No, sweetie, this is a celebration for us." She grabs her wine glass and holds it up. "I'm so thankful to the Lord that my family is safe and healthy. And most importantly, here's to a new brighter, better, future for us all."
We all smile and raise our glasses before taking a sip. I can't help but look around at everyone sitting at the table, one by one. A year ago, I would never imagine being here, surrounded by these people, laughing, eating, and getting along. I once read that it's always the small pieces that make up the big picture.
This right here is it for me, the small pieces finally fitting together into one bigger picture. My life, although painful at times, is full. It’s times like these that I am so grateful for the people in my life, and no matter what bad could come, we would face it together.
Noah
(Six months later)
" Go, Alex!"
"Come on, buddy, you got this!"
All of us sit on bleachers watching Alex play his first real game of baseball. He's currently up to bat. Alex is so cute in his little baseball uniform and the oversized bat that he can barely hold up, let alone swing. I cross my fingers and say a quick prayer that he will at least tap the ball.
"Strike one!" The umpire yells out above the screaming crowd.
"That's ok, buddy! Try again; you got this!"
The smaller than average pitcher rolls his shoulder back expertly before slinging the ball towards Alex.
"Strike two!" The umpire yells out again. Alex squares his shoulders and bends his knees just like I taught him this past week. My little man has been practicing hard, and no matter what happens, I will be so proud of him. His determination and willingness to learn makes me drive to be a better person.
It's been a rollercoaster these past six months. The beginning was rough for Wendy. Going to Therapy was a challenge. At first, she went by herself for the first month until she became more comfortable with everything and allowed us to come occasionally.
I continued my residency at Dr. Bob's office until Katie gave birth to our baby girl, Ella Louise. I was so amazed at the strength Katie possessed and I was so happy I got to be a part of it this time holding her hand. I had just one more year to go until Doctor Bob finally handed over the keys to me, making me the official town doctor so that he could retire.
Pop. The sound brings me back to the present as Alex hits the ball, sending it flying towards the pitcher. The pitcher naturally ducks, making us all laugh.
"That's my nephew! Run, buddy, run!"
"Go, Alex, go!"
He makes it to first base as his little frame slides down belly first, his fingertips barely touching the padding.
We stand up and cheer and high five each other. I hold my hand up to Katie but quickly realize her hands are full. Stopping myself, I kiss her instead, placing my hand on our baby girl's sleeping form. She's snuggled up in Katie's chest, totally oblivious to the noise around her.
Once Katie was all healed, we had a small backyard wedding. We invited our closest friends and family with a little cake and some amazing dancing.
Wendy had decided to go to law school to take her mind off the incident. She would one day become a lawyer for abused and battered women. Naturally, to her, this was the only option. She knew she had to help women of all walks of life, and there was no stopping her. Just recently, she was slowly opening her heart again to a man named Oliver. He, too, was a lawyer for court appointed cases— He worked to help people who otherwise couldn't afford a lawyer.
She seemed to be happy, and I was delighted for her. I was utterly content with the way life had finally turned out. I was so glad that all of the pieces had finally come together, and I couldn't wait for the next chapter of life to begin.
The End
Acknowledgements
As always I want to thank my family for allowing me to do this on the side and encouraging me when I wanted to cry and give up! I love you!
To Lisa, thank you for taking the time to help me with rewrites and bringing this book to a whole new level. You are amazing. I appreciate your time and dedication to this book!
Thank you to The Book Studio for making my amazing front and back cover and for my amazing chapter headings. Thank you for helping me above and beyond what you normally do I will forever be grateful to you and your amazing work!
Thank you to Mellisa for taking out your time and helping me bring this book together with just the smallest of details and making it 100 percent perfect for my amazing readers.
To my sister, Andrea, thank you for supporting me and reading my crazy silly stories. You are awesome and an amazing strong woman. I love you.
Thank you to my ARC readers for taking out time to read and review this book. You guys rock!
If you loved this book please do go give it a review over on Amazon, Goodreads, or even Bookbub. Without reviews books go unnoticed and we as indie authors thrive on reviews even if it's a ‘I liked this book or I hated it!’
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Traci Sek, Pieces
