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She swiped at the tears, knowing how her dad would tell her not to cry over him

"I’s I said to Moot this whole new life now It’s like she’s uess I’ I need your help"

She shuddered as she inhaled, wishing like anything she could feel her dad’s big strong arht now Just oneroohts? Moet so mad at us about that"

"That’s because I’d have to do all the vacuu, and a week later I’d still find popcorn kernels"

She half turned to find herjust behind her She came and sat on the bench next to her

"I’ivable," Haven said

Her ize You were always taught to say as on your ive me"

"You’re forgiven I knohat I’ must see could be further from the truth, Haven" Her mother stared at the headstone, and Haven saw tears shimmer in her eyes "God, I loved that man with all my heart and soul There will never be a love into me"

Haven sniffled, and then she realized that her mother had buried the love of her life It had been utterly and completely cruel of her to throw those words at her mother Haven had lost her father, but her mother had lost the man she had loved for more than thirty-three years She took her mother’s hand and squeezed it

"But your father , that I’d continue to follow my dreams And I did promise him that When the school told ood on that prootten a little co your father, I’ll loseNot just for you, but for myself And for your dad"

Haven nodded "I know you do"

Her mother turned to her "And so do you Your father would be so disappointed in you if you allowed your world to stop because he died"

Haven inhaled on a sob "I knoould But Ias I’o out and find your life, irl Promise me you’ll do that"

Her mother wrapped her up in her arms And just like that, she felt the war her It was as if for that moment, she felt her dad’s presence there, as well Maybe it was just her i enveloped her

"I will I pros will be better now For both of us"