I smiled down at her and hugged her tighter. “It’s good to be back.”
I was even starting to sleep better. I still occasionally had a nightmare about my dad, but they were nothing like they used to be. I’d even started having dreams about my mother and the happy times we used to have. I loved having those. It was as if she were there with me.
After six weeks, and so much therapy I wasn’t sure if I could ever return to my psychology classes, I was released. I was set to see Dr. Jenson once a week and put on two prescriptions for my anxiety and depression.
Sydney was at school the morning I was released, so Aunt Sarah picked me up. After putting all my bags in her trunk, she hugged me tightly and we both cried a little.
“We moved everything out of your apartment and your room is all set up back at my house. Once we get you settled and when you feel like you’re ready, we can get all your online classes together.”
I decided that going back to school wasn’t an option for me, and I’d asked Aunt Sarah to look into online courses. I was definitely going to get my bachelor’s in psychology. I wanted to be able to one day help young girls like me. I understood what it meant to be broken by abuse. I knew what it did to you mentally. I wanted to be able to be there the way Dr. Jenson and the rest of the professionals were for me.
As soon as I walked in the front door, I went for my phone to text Zeke.
Me: I’m home. I miss you so much.
Zeke: I miss you more. As soon as things are wrapped up here, I’m coming to you.
Me: I can’t wait. I love you so much.
Zeke: I love you more.
Me: Most
Zeke: Mostest
Me: That’s not a real word, so that doesn’t count. I win.
Zeke: I have you, so I win.
*
The following weekend, Aunt Sarah, Sydney, and I drove to South Carolina to visit Mom’s grave. We put purple roses around her marble gravestone and made silly jokes that we knew would’ve made her laugh if she were with us. I knew deep down that Mom was laughing with us.
The large oak trees made a canopy over Mom’s grave and the Spanish moss that flowed from the branches swayed in the light breeze. There were stones with names on them as far as the eye could see and statues depicting serenity and peace. The surroundings made me feel relaxed and I could almost find peace in my mother’s death.
When it was time for lunch, I stayed behind after Aunt Sarah and Syd and had a talk with my mom. I told her about everything I’d been through since she went to heaven. I didn’t leave out a single detail. I could almost hear her telling me that everything would be okay.
She had a way of making things better. Even when she was on her deathbed and could barely take a deep breath, she’d hold my hand and say exactly what I needed to hear. It didn’t matter that she was dying and in pain; she always made time for me. She was always there and I missed that.
Later that night, in a hotel in Savannah, Georgia, I sat on the phone by the pool and talked to Zeke.
“I got you something while we were broke up,” Zeke said into the phone.
“What is it?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” He teased. “So, I’m coming to Florida next weekend.”
It was the best news I’d heard in weeks.
“Really? Did you guys finish recording?”
“We finished this morning. I can’t wait to see your face.” I could hear his smile through the phone.
“I can’t wait to see yours.”
“I love you, pretty girl.”
“I love you more.”
The next day when we got home from our visit to South Carolina, there was a package waiting for me. I opened it to find a gorgeous necklace with a snowflake charm. Aunt Sarah put it on me, and I took pictures of myself wearing it to send to Zeke. I called him as soon as I hit send.
“You look so beautiful,” he answered.
“I’m glad you think so.”
“I don’t think so. I know so. Do you like it?”
“I love it. It’s perfect.” I smiled.
“You’re perfect.”
The rest of the week dragged by since I knew I’d be seeing Zeke the following weekend. When Friday came, I could barely contain my excitement. I held my phone close to me all day, waiting for the call to get him from the airport, but the call never came.
Finally, late in the afternoon, he called me. He was already settled in a one of the more expensive hotels in the area.
“Why didn’t you call me to pick you up at the airport?” I asked.
“There was car waiting for me when I got there. Why aren’t you here already?” He chuckled.