Page 149 of The Sight of You
I gather myself. “No.”
She pushes her sunglasses up on top of her head. “It’s nice to know someone was there with her, though. You know—in her final moments.”
I meet her dewy eyes, nod once. And that’s it.
“You coming to the wake?”
I shake my head. “I think this is where it ends, for me.”
“All right.” She pauses. “Thank you, Joel.”
“For what?”
She shrugs lightly, like she’d hoped I’d know. “For what you did.”
I remain in the graveyard for a few minutes after Esther walks away. The sky is in mourning, overcast. But just as I’m about to leave, a slant of sunlight breaks cover.
As the earth brightens at my feet, a robin lands on the gravestone next to me, tilts its head.
“I’ll always love you, Cal,” I whisper. Then I tuck the envelope into my jacket, turn and make for home.
94.
Callie
Iwas thinking this morning about the day I met you. Do you remember? That time you forgot to pay and I gave you a piece of cake, gabbled, went all weak at the knees.
Anyway. We havedrømmekageall the time now, me and Finn and the twins—silly, I know, but I just like finding little ways to remember you.
You should know that Finn... he’s a wonderful person, Joel. It feels strange to tell you that. But please know I don’t say it to hurt you. I just want you to know I’m happy—that I’m sure we made the right decision eight years ago, heartbreaking though it was, and as wrong as it felt at the time.
Anyway, I’ve been in Eversford this weekend, and I’m just heading down to Waterfen now. I’ll be thinking of you, as I walk along the river.
Because I still love you, Joel. There’s a part of my heart that will always be yours. Even when I’m gone, whenever that may be.
