Just then, Julia walked in between both men. “Ah, here you two are. I was looking for you everywhere. It’s time for the speeches.” As she grabbed both men by the arm, Luke scowled at Brian and looked back at Alyson leaving.
F-U-C-K! Could this get any worse? I don’t want to give a goddamn speech. I want to make sure Alyson is okay.
***
George followed me into the house. “I’m sorry, Alyson. Brian is a grief counsellor, and we talk sometimes. I was just saying how you’re a blessing to my family.”
I turned around. “I understand, George. I’m not upset.”
“Then, why are you crying?”
“Because I’m scared…and I think I may love your son.” I began to crying even harder.
George stepped closer to hug me.
“I think he loves you, too, but I think he’s afraid to love after his mother’s death.”
“He’s afraid? I’m petrified!” I looked up at George.
“I know. Give it time, darling.”
I stared into George’s eyes. “I think I better leave—the sooner, the better.”
“Is that what you feel you need to do?”
“It is, George,” I said, wiping the tears off my face. “I need to finish a few things at home before I can start anything here. That is if I am welcome back.”
“Alyson, my dear, you will always be welcome here. I’ve become very fond of you—as if you were my own daughter.”
I finished hugging George in the kitchen.
“Thanks, George. I will be back. I promise. I have to finish this project with Julia. Please let her know that I will send her all the pictures when I’ve finished editing them.”
I headed upstairs to start packing.
***
George went back outside to get Alyson’s camera while she was packing.
“That was a great speech, you two.” George said as he walked up to his son and Brian.
“Thanks, George. It’s always a pleasure speaking at this event,” said Brian.
“Excuse me, Luke? My name is Lisa, and I’m a journalist from the Post. I was wondering if I could get a few words with you.”
George looked at Luke. “Sure, he would love to.”
Luke whipped his head to his father. No, I wouldn’t, Dad! I’ve got to go find Alyson.
“Son, a few words with you will only take a couple of minutes.”
As the journalist and Luke walked off, Brian said to George, “Wow, if looks could kill.”
“Alyson is leaving to go back home. She is packing as we speak.”
“Oh, George, did I say something to offend her?”
“No, I don’t think you did. But I do think that she needs to go say goodbye to Sam and her children,” George replied with sadness in his face.
“Do you think she’ll be back?”
“Without a doubt.” George smiled at Brian.
“Luke is gonna be pissed.”
“Yes, but mad enough to go get her.”
Brian looked at George with surprise. “You sly fox.”
“Do you really think that I would let someone like that get away from my family?”
With that, George grabbed Alyson’s camera and headed back to the house.
***
“Alyson, your car is waiting.”
“Oh, thank you, George.” I kissed George on the cheek and slipped a piece of paper in his tux jacket pocket. “This is how you can get a hold of me while I’m gone. I’m going to be staying at the hotel near the airport. My flight leaves at 7:30 tomorrow morning.”
George walked me to the waiting car.
I noticed Brian was there with the car door open for me.
“I wanted to say goodnight and tell you what a pleasure it is to finally meet you. Here is my personal phone number if you ever want to talk.”
“Thanks, Brian. I’m sorry that I left you like that. I hope Luke won’t be too angry with you.”
“I’m sure he won’t be.”
I hugged Brian and then turned to George to say my goodbyes.
As the car pulled away, George said to Brian, “I’m gonna miss her.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Sunday morning George was in his kitchen, snacking on leftover pastries and drinking coffee. While watching his family interact with each other, he thanked God for how blessed he was.
Julia was busy telling Kyle the final amount that was donated due to the Gala. “Alyson was one of the bigger contributors. Not only did she donate her photography time, but she also donated $10,000.”
“Wow, Julia. That Alyson is something else.” Kyle kissed his wife and whispered in her ear. “I’m so proud of you. I shall reward while we’re naked on our honeymoon.”
Julia looked at him and giggled.
Kristen was sitting at the kitchen table, looking at her laptop, when Brian and Luke came strolling into the kitchen.
“Good morning, boys!” George said. “Grab some coffee and pastries.”
Brian was filling his cup when Luke looked around. “Alyson isn’t up yet?”
“Holy crap, no, no, no!” yelled Kristen as she stood up.
“What is it?” asked Julia as everyone looked over at Kristen.
“It’s Alyson!”
“What about Alyson?” Luke and Julia inquired while rushing over to see what was on the laptop.
After a few minutes of silence, with tears running down her face, Julia cried, “Oh my God!”
Luke looked at his father. “Did you know about this?”
“Yes, son, I did.” replied George.
“Actually, we both did, Luke,” Brian admitted.
“You fucking knew?! And didn’t say anything?” yelled Luke. “Did Alyson know at least that you knew?”
“Yes, she did, son.” George took a long drink of his coffee. “In fact, she told me herself.”
Luke looked at Brian. “What the fuck? You didn’t feel it was important to share this information with me?”
“Luke, you know that everything I do work-related is confidential.” Brian walked toward George, drinking his coffee.
“How the fuck can you two be so fucking calm about this, right now?!”
“What is going on?” Kyle questioned, standing. “What has Kristen and my wife in hysterics and has you talking to your father that way, Luke?”
Kyle began reading the story from the Fluvanna newspaper online.
Coming together to remember Sam Almon (29) and his two children, Ethan (6) and Abbigail (4), who were killed earlier last week near Fluvanna.
“Just felt right,” says a family friend.
Hundreds came to mourn the small family who was struck by a drunk driver. All three died instantly.
“We also wanted to show Alyson our support,” continued the family friend.
Police say the Almon family was three miles from home, returning from getting fertilizer, when the drunk driver (name not to be released) hit them head on. Because the fertilizer was so heavy in the back of the truck, Mr. Almon had no opportunity to avoid the other driver.
Almon’s wife released the following statement: “My husband and my beloved children are never going to be home again. I’m never going to be able to hug them again, tell them how much I love them, or tuck them into bed with goodnight kisses—all because of someone and their horrific decision. I will never be able to bring them back. The emptiness that I feel will never be replaced. I’m afraid to go to sleep at night in case one day I might forget what their tiny faces look like.”
The driver is facing six criminal charges, including driving under the influence of double the legal limit. The police want to remind the community that driving home on back roads after drinking doesn’t mean it’s safe or safer. “Today we have a family of three to mourn to emphasize that.”
Kyle looked up at George and Brian before turning to his wife and sister-in-law to console them.
“Fuck this!” Luke muttered before leaving the kitchen to go see Alyson.
&nbs
p; “She’s not here, son.”
Luke stopped dead in his tracks. “What do you mean she’s not here?”
“She left last night during the Gala,” replied Brian.
“What do you mean she left?” Luke was vibrating with anger.
“Son, she went back home. She said she needed to finish a few things there.”
“You let her go by herself? What kind of person does that? What kind of person lets someone face that kind of pain alone?” Luke was now in his father’s face.
Kyle put this hand on Luke’s back. “You need to take a step back.”
Luke turned around. “A step back?” Then, he looked at everyone in the room. “Alyson has just gone through the most tragic thing that I can think of…the pain that she must be in…” Luke sat at the island with his head in his hands. “This explains so much.”
Kristen stepped behind Luke and hugged him.
Luke got up slowly and walked toward Alyson’s room. He then sat on her bed and starting crying. “I’m sorry, Alyson. I knew there was something. Why didn’t I see it?”
George sat beside his son. “Luke, she gave me this.” George handed Luke the paper with her whereabouts.
“What is it?” Luke said as he took the paper in his hands.
“How to bring her back home,” George said with a smile.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
It’s been three months since I last saw or heard from Luke. Every day since I left I’ve hoped that he would call. I miss him.
I talk almost on a daily basis with George. He’s kept me up to date with everyone, telling me how they are doing. Kristen is just about ready to graduate from high school and head off to college. I think George is feeling a little of the empty-nest syndrome. Kristen and I also texted often, but it’s just not the same as laughing with her in person. Her and Mike have started dating.
Julia and Kyle had an amazing honeymoon in Bali. I think George will soon have the little pitter-patter of feet running through his house once more. Julia and I have spent lots of time on the phone and email like crazy to finish up the albums for the contributors of the Gala. They just purchased an acreage near George. After I’ve finished with things here, I plan on staying in their guest cottage.
Brian and I have been Skyping once a week for my therapy sessions. He has helped me quite a bit. It’s almost been a year since the accident, and I’m finally ready to let go and move on. People say time will heal all wounds. That’s just not true. Time helps you adjust to those wounds. I still think of Sam and of my children every day—just not as much with a heavy heart.
When I got back from Aventura, I made a lot of changes in my life. The first stop was to seeing my parents. It was an emotional visit, but a lot of things needed to be said. My mother finally understands why I need to go and have a fresh start.
My second stop was to my brother in-law Chase’s house. I couldn’t have expressed my gratitude enough to thank him for all that he has done. I gave half of our land and cows to Chase as a thank-you gift. He said it was too much and that he couldn’t accept it. I told him to think of it as a gift to Sam’s niece or nephew one day. I wanted him to pass on the Almon legacy.
Once I got home, I decided it was time to say goodbye to my beloved family, and I made peace with them. I gave Chase things from Sam’s childhood, and I kept what was important to me from Sam and the kids. The rest of it I donated to Goodwill. I started a scholarship at the local elementary school in honor of Ethan and Abby.
I also decided that I wasn’t keeping any of our belongings from the house. It felt like I was living with their ghosts, and I wouldn’t have been able to fully move on. With support from my family and Sam’s, we decided to have an estate sale—which brings us to today.
***
With the hustle and bustle of the estate sale going on outside, I took one final look around my home with Sam and the kids. I miss you all like crazy. I think about you every day. I miss hearing your laughter and watching you grow. I’m not leaving you here because no matter where I go I will always have you in my heart.
“Are you ready to go, Alyson? The house is the next thing on the list,” asked Chase as he walked in the living room door.
“I am.” I looked at the wall with all the family’s height measurements on it. “I’m gonna miss this place. I’m going to miss my friends and my family…but, most of all, I’m gonna miss hanging out with you, Chase. Thank you so much for everything. Thank you for not letting Sam’s dream die with him.”
Chase gave me a big hug. “I love you, Ally, and you will always be my sister.”
I heard the door shut behind him when he left. I took one more deep breath, closing my eyes. And then I turned to walk away.
Luke? I blinked a few times. “Luke?”
“Sweetheart,” Luke whispered.
I ran to his arms and crushed myself into his chest. “What are you doing here? I’m so happy to see you!” I cried in his arms. I finally felt safe again.
Luke kissed her on top of her head. “I’ve come to take you home.”
“But…how did you find me?”
“Alyson, you live in Fluvanna, Virginia. It wasn’t hard. I literally went to the first coffee shop and asked around. Do you realize how many people in this community love you?”
“You came for me?” I said amazed that he was here with me.
“Only if I’m not too late. I would have been here sooner...” Luke paused, wiping away my tears from my face. “But I needed to deal with my mom’s death first, and I wanted to give you enough time to say goodbye.”
“Oh, Luke.” I buried my head in his chest once more, breathing in the smell of him. “I was coming back. I just needed to take care of a few things.”
“I know, sweetheart. My family and Brian talk about you all time—about how well your progress has been. That’s how I knew you were ready to see me.” Luke gave me a kiss. “Are you ready to go home?”
“Yes, I am,” I said with a smile.
EPILOGUE
Three Years Later
Luke
It has been three years since I brought my wife, Alyson, home. A lot has changed for us. I now run my dad’s company as he has retired to go fishing and spend more quality time with Ruth, his former secretary. He spends most of weekdays playing with his grandchildren out by the pond.
Julia and Kyle have two beautiful girls. Brody and Erin are one and a half. They keep Julia busy, but she’s very happy. Kyle decided last year to join McDerment Industries, and he now runs the accounting department. I think he mostly joined because he can take the girls to work with him sometimes.
After finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree, Kristen and Mike got married. They have been married for six months now and are expecting their son this fall.
Brian and Meg met the night of the Gala after Alyson left. They’ve been dating ever since. I keep asking Brian what is taking him so long to marry that girl. He just laughs and says, “All in good time.” Brian now runs his own grief counseling centre downtown, and Meg has decided to go back to school to become a hotel management specialist.
The biggest change I see is in my beautiful wife. When we first came back, she chose to stay at my sister’s guest cottage. I bought a beautiful home just down the road from my dad’s. It was about six months later that Alyson moved in with me. We hung up Ethan and Abby’s pictures in the living room, and she talks about them to Erin and Brody as if they will one day meet and be best of friends.
We were married seven months later out by the pond at my dad’s house. It was a small, quiet gathering with just my family, her parents, and Chase. Chase and I have become good friends, and he has come out to visit twice since then. He brought his girlfriend on the last visit. Alyson still hasn’t returned to Fluvanna. She still feels she’s not ready yet.
Alyson has kept up with her photography and has done a few art shows. In her spare time, she volunteers at Brian’s office.
As for myself, I’ve been so happy since I met A
lyson. She brings out the best in me. She makes me thankful for each sunrise and sunset we see each day. Alyson has also taught me to love with all my heart and hold no boundaries.
We have decided to start a family, but I’m nervous at the same time. However, I’m very proud of her because she has let go of her fears and is willing to open those doors once again.
With Love Page 9