I take out the folders and flip through them before handing them to Evie. In them are my birth certificate, social security card, some baby pictures of me with my dad, and other things she kept for me. The two boxes are about the size of shoeboxes. They are stacked on top of one another, each sealed with packing tape. I withdraw them from the safe. The box on top has my name scrolled across it in black marker. It's written in my mother's handwriting. The second box has Evie's name written on it. I hand her the box with her name on it.
She looks down at the box and then to me. "What's in it?"
I shrug. "Your guess is as good as mine."
"Should we open them here?"
"No, let's go to the cabin and open them there. I want to get out of here."
She nods. I close the safe and lock it, even though nothing is inside. Then I pull the wall back over the front of it. I know the house will be torn down, but she obviously meant this for Evie and me. I don't need anyone snooping around during the estate sale.
After we load everything into my truck, we drive back to Parker's. I still call it his house, even though it's ours as well. I'm not sure how long we'll stay there. The thought of trying to find a new place to live right now is too daunting. One thing at a time. Finding Evie and I a new home isn't at the top of the list yet. I'm sure it will move up, but only after some other things get taken care of.
Parker comes outside when we get back to help us bring everything inside. Then we all sit on the couch and stare at the two boxes with Evie's and my names on them. Both of us hold them on our laps.
Parker takes mine and shakes it gently. No noise is heard, not even a rustle. "What do you think is inside?"
"Only one way to find out," I mumble.
I pick away at the end of the tape with my finger and lift it, pulling it from the box. Taking a deep breath, I open the two cardboard flaps and find a light blue, worn piece of cloth. Unfolding it, I reveal a glass triceratops. One I've never seen before. Lifting it, I hold it up to the light streaming in the window in front of me. The spine and tail are a light blue and the head and body are swirls of red, orange, and yellow. Looking back into the box, I find a folded note. Opening it, I read it aloud.
"Cy, if you've opened this box, it means something has happened to me. I don't know why I thought I'd be leaving soon. Call it intuition or a gut feeling. I heard, and then saw, Everett smashing your collection of dinosaurs. He didn't know I was watching him. I remembered how much they meant to you as a child. I found this one and bought it for you. I wanted you to have a piece of your father still, even if it wasn't one he bought you himself. If he were still here, he would have given you every one he could find.
“In recent years, I became afraid of Everett. He never hit me or gave me any real reason to fear him, other than seeing him lose his temper. I was scared to say anything for fear of upsetting him. You stayed away from both of us, so I thought if I did nothing to anger him, he'd leave us alone.
“One night, after you had moved out, he put his hand around my throat, and well, you don't need to know the details. Let's just say I believe you now. I believe Everett is capable of all the things you said he did to you.
“I have regrets. One is that I didn't spend more time with you as a child and as an adult. Another is that I didn't believe you. Even thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes and pain to my heart. But my biggest regret is ever marrying Everett. If it weren't for me bringing him into our lives, you wouldn't have gone through the pain you did, and we would still be a family. I let work take most of my time and didn't pay attention to what was going on around me. You told me. The signs were all there. I didn't see them until you were gone and it was far too late.
“Also in this box is your baby blanket. It's the one I wrapped around you the first day your father and I brought you home. You had this blanket with you night and day. After your father had died, you told me to throw it out. You didn't want it anymore. I couldn't bring myself to do it. I thought you should have it.
“I'm sorry for all of the pain I've caused you. Nothing I can say or do will ever make up for it. Hopefully, these two items will bring you some comfort in your darkest days. Please know that your father loved you dearly. You were his pride and joy. I love you, too, Cy. I should have shown you more often and spoken the words aloud to you. One day you're going to make an amazing husband and father, and I'll be there looking down upon you smiling, proud of the man you've become. Love, Mom.”
A drop of water hits the page and it's then I realize I'm crying. I lift the blanket from the box and brush my finger over my name embroidered in dark blue on one corner. The blanket is tattered and has a few tiny holes. It's small, only meant for a baby. But it's mine. I forgot about it and how I used to take it everywhere with me.
A hand touches my arm and I'm startled out of my memories. I look up and see Evie beside me; her eyes hold so much love and sorrow in them for me.
"Oh, Cy," she says. "I'm so sorry." I nod. There's nothing I can say.
No, the note and the items inside the box don't make up for what happened, but at least I know my mom finally believed me. I'm only sorry it took her death for me to find out.
We all sit together on the couch in silence. Evie's head on my shoulder, Parker holding her hand. These two are all I have left. My family.
Twenty-Four
Eve
My mind is working overtime. I feel incredibly sad for Cy. The letter his mom wrote, I could feel her pain through it. I don't forgive her for not believing him, but I do believe she was sorry. Something doesn't sit right with me, though. She knew somewhere inside of her something was going to happen. I have a thought.
I lift my head from Cy's shoulder. "What did Jim tell you about your mom's accident?"
He turns to me. "Why?"
"Just tell me."
"He said she swerved off the road to avoid a deer."
"Did someone witness it?"
"Yeah, there was a driver behind her."
"Did that person see her brake lights?"
"I don't know. Why?" Okay, now it's time to lay out my theory. I could be way off, but what if I'm not?
"I wonder if she tried to stop and couldn’t." Cy turns to fully face me as Parker leans closer. "She thought something bad was going to happen. She says so in her letter. What if someone fucked with her car and caused her to crash?"
"That's a bit of a stretch, Eve." Parker says.
"Is it? She said she was afraid of Everett. She had thrown him out and filed for divorce. Is it so hard to believe he would try to harm her? Look at all he did to Cy. We need to call Jim. If I'm wrong, then no harm no foul, but if I'm right, it could be more reason for them to keep Everett behind bars." I want that fucker locked up for the rest of his life. If he did, in fact, screw with her car, they are going to throw even more charges at him.
"I never saw Everett look at her any way but with kindness," Cy says. "I remember wondering how he could treat her so nice and me the way he did."
I shrug. "Money maybe. It makes people do things they wouldn't normally do. He probably thought she still had him in her will and hadn't had time to change it yet. Everything happened pretty fast. Maybe he figured if she died, and it looked like an accident, he could claim her insurance payout."
"It's an interesting theory, Eve," Parker interjects. "What made you think of it?"
"When you're single, with no social life, you watch a lot of television. I may have a slight addiction to crime dramas."
Cy remains quiet by my side. I look over at him and notice he's focused on the box in my lap. I lift the tape from mine and open the flaps of the box. I find a brown teddy bear, which appears to be well-loved with a slightly torn ear, a folded note like the one found in Cy's box, an envelope, and a small black box. I study the teddy bear first. Cy gently lifts it from my hands.
"This was mine when I was a baby. I remember seeing it in pictures. Mom told me it played music."
He flips it over and turns a litt
le silver handle near its small tail. He winds it up and releases it. A soft melody plays from it.
"Every night before I went to sleep, they would wind this up and play it for me. Why would my mom give it to you and not me, though?"
"I don't know," I respond. "Let's find out." I unfold the letter and begin reading it aloud.
"Eve, l have no doubt at this very moment my son is sitting next to you while you read this. First, let me explain the items I’ve left for you. In the black box is a ring." I take the small ring box out and open it. Inside is a gorgeous ring set in platinum. There is a large oval emerald in the center. Small diamonds surround it then continue partway around the band on either side. Cy lifts it from my hands to examine it.
I continue reading. "This ring belonged to Cy's paternal grandmother. She had given it to me before she passed. I promised I would pass it down and keep it in the family. With Cy being my only son, I didn’t have a daughter to give it to. I want you to have it, Eve. You are the daughter I never had. I saw you grow up and develop into a beautiful, smart woman. Please cherish this ring as I have for so many years."
"I've seen her wear this," Cy says. "On special occasions. I always thought my dad bought it for her."
I glance back down at the note. "In the envelope is a letter I wrote to Cy. I want you to hand this to him on your wedding day. Yes, I know you’re not engaged yet, but it's only a matter of time. If you look at my son right now, I'm sure you'll see the love evident in his eyes, which I have seen for a long time." I glance up and he offers me a sad smile. I smile back and continue reading.
"The teddy bear was Cy's as a baby. I had it stored away in hopes of one day giving it to his child. Since I don't think I'll be around to see that, please hold on to this bear and give it to your child when you have one. Yes, I think you will have one with my son. I worry in his anger with me, he’ll destroy it. Please keep it safe. It lulled him to sleep many nights when he was little.
"I know I've just put a lot on you, but it's that I've known for years something you only both just discovered. I'd heard from your mother when you were both in high school, how he used to pick on you. I tried talking to him on multiple occasions about it, but he wouldn’t listen. I can’t say I blame him. I didn’t believe him, so why would he listen to me?
“He's cared for you for years, Eve. No, he didn't show it properly. He was cruel to you back in high school. But as the years went on, I caught him, more often than not, looking for you when he thought you might be at our home. Then you started working for me. I've never seen my son smile more than he did on the days you came in to work.
"I have no doubt in my mind you two will spend the rest of your lives together. I'm only glad Cy realizes now what's been there all along. My son is stubborn, Eve, but he cares for you. There was a day recently I passed you two on the road. I'd recognize Cy's truck anywhere. I saw you with him and the smiles you both wore; I knew you'd finally connected in the way I'd always hoped.
"Cy, I know you're going to read this and you have no reason to listen to me now—not after everything—but please love Eve with your whole heart. Tell her every day how you feel. Let her in. Let her be there for you. And Eve, always be yourself. You're strong and independent. You're smart and levelheaded. Cy will need you more than he'll probably ever admit. I love you, Eve. Please take care of my son. With love, Risa." My bottom lip trembles. Cy pulls me to his side and wraps his arm around me. I let the tears fall I was so desperately trying to hold back.
"She was awful to you," I tell him. "What she did was inexcusable. Why am I crying? Why do I miss her?"
"Because you're a good person who has a big heart. And you've known my mom for years. She was as much a part of your life as she was mine, and until recently, you never saw her in a negative light."
I pull back and look up at him. I'm too wrapped up in my emotions and forgot that he lost his mother. No, she wasn't what a mother should have been, but in the end, she did care about him. That much is evident.
"Are you okay?" I ask him.
"Yeah. Just another thing I get to talk about in therapy," he jokes.
I offer him a smile. "That it is."
Parker is still silent beside me. He squeezes my hand before releasing it and standing. "Well, I love you both, but I need to get the hell out of this glass case of emotion we just spent the last half-hour in. Too much feeling. I'm going to the bar for a drink. Maybe I’ll find a hot blonde to get lost in."
I grab the pillow off the couch and toss it at him. "Do you have to be such a pig?"
He smiles. "Abso-fucking-lutely." Parker takes his keys from the counter and is out the door in a matter of seconds, leaving Cy and I alone.
"Do you want to talk about the note she left me?" I ask him. She said she knew we'd end up getting married and having a child. I don't know how he feels about that. Did it scare him off a little? Maybe thinking about that is a little too much for him. I can't picture my life with anyone but him, however, I don’t know how far into the future he’s thought about us.
"For someone so smart and intuitive, she sure as hell should have been more observant back when Everett was coming into my room. She's right, though. About us. I don't want anyone else. I never will."
"Neither do I. You're it for me, Cy Revere. You've ruined me for all other men."
He barks out a laugh. "Your broken boyfriend has ruined you, huh?" I nod. He stands and walks up the hallway.
"Where are you going?"
"I'll be right back," he calls over his shoulder.
He returns a minute later with something in his hand. When he reaches where I sit on the couch, he drops to his knee before me. His arms wrap around my waist then he pulls me down with him, so I'm sitting on his lap on the floor, my legs on either side of him. He brushes my hair back from my face. His eyes hold mine. They look so light today; only a hint of blue present.
"I'm not religious, never have been, but every day since we've started dating, I've sent up a silent prayer to whoever was listening. I thank them for putting you in my life. I thank them for blessing me with someone so amazing. You are my entire world, Evie. You're my heart and soul. My every breath. I want to spend every day of the rest of my life cherishing you. I want to marry you." He moves his hand from where it rests on my back and reveals a diamond ring. My breath catches as his words sink in. "I know it won't be easy, but I promise to always talk to you. To include you in everything and tell you how I feel. I promise to stop trying to shut you out. I love you, Evie. Will you do me the honor of spending the rest of your days with me?"
This is the easiest decision I've ever had to make. "I will."
He smiles and holds out the ring. I extend my left hand and notice how badly I'm shaking. Cy must take it as a sign I'm not ready to make this commitment.
"If you're not sure, I'll understand."
I cup his cheek in my hand and hold his gaze. "I'm not shaking because I'm afraid or doubting us. I'm shaking because this is the happiest I've ever been."
He smiles and slips the ring on my finger. It’s a perfect fit. I'm not quite sure how he did it, but that isn't important right now. I glance down at it, really taking it in. The large diamond in the center is blush colored and shaped like a teardrop. There are white diamonds surrounding it and all the way around the band.
"It’s gorgeous," I tell him. "When did you buy it?"
"The first night you were gone in California. I picked it up this past week after having it sized."
Now I have to ask. "How did you know what size?"
"Your mom. She remembered having one of your rings sized for you and found the receipt. I got lucky in that it was for your ring finger on your right hand."
"She knows?"
"I had to ask permission."
"Cy Revere, asking permission? I wish I could have heard that conversation."
He laughs. "Well first, I had to sincerely apologize for hurting your feelings back in high school. It did help that you had already told her we
were dating and how happy you were with me."
I smile and lean in to kiss him. "I love you."
"I love you, too, baby. Now and always."
Epilogue
Six Months Later
Eve
"Are you sure?" Cy asks me. His hair is neatly combed back, the scruff I've grown to love on him precisely trimmed, and those eyes of his—intense as always.
I nod and smile. "Absolutely."
He takes my hand in his. A throat clears behind us. I turn and find my father watching us with a cocked eyebrow. "I believe that's my job," he says, and takes my hand from Cy. He juts his chin out to tell Cy to go on without us. Cy flashes me a brilliant smile then walks out to stand beside Parker. "Before you do this," my dad starts, his salt and pepper hair short on the sides and longer on top. His chestnut eyes are sparkling in the sun. "I want you to know how proud I am of you."
"I know. You've told me about ten times since you got here."
"Well, I can't say it enough. You've been through a lot, and your mom and I noticed how much you've changed since we last saw you."
"I changed?"
"Only for the better." He kisses me on top of my head. "We’d best be going. I don't think that man of yours is going to wait much longer."
"He is a little impatient, isn't he?" I look out to the clearing and see him rocking on his heels while his hands stay clasped in front of him. His black slacks pressed without a single wrinkle. The white button-down shirt he's wearing, with the sleeves rolled up, makes him look sexier than I've ever seen him.
Brenda sneaks up by my side and gives me a quick hug before she walks out to stand across from Cy and Parker. She chose a belted chiffon maxi dress. It's pink with printed white, black, and grey flowers and leaves scattered about it. The halter top is covered with the flowers, but below the belted waist, the flowers trail down the sides to gather along the bottom of the dress at her feet. It's a perfect complement to her long, dark hair and slender frame. She's become much more to me than my employer. She's like a sister—my best friend, next to Cy and Parker.
Where I End Page 17