The Perfect Secret

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Outside the JCC Manhattan on a cold Sunday afternoon in February after the Tu B’shevat festivities Hannah buried her face in Dan’s shoulder and shivered. The birthday of the trees. They’d planted seeds and participated in a seder using different types of fruit and wines. It was fun, but beyond fun, Dan found a special meaning behind the holiday, which commemorates the season in which the earliest blooming trees in Israel emerge and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.

His and Hannah’s relationship was beginning anew. After several weeks of conversations and meetings, working things out and more conversations—and even some arguments—he and Hannah had finally entered a good place again.

He and Tess were better as well. She was talking to him again, and now, instead of always completing a puzzle to relax, he spent time with her. He was no longer afraid of everything he liked. He was less afraid of love. And he knew what he needed to do to manage his addiction.

He tipped Hannah’s head and hugged her close. “I love you,” he said.

He’d intended to make a grand gesture with his declaration—wine, flowers, chocolate—with commensurate planning, of course. But somehow, when she turned into him for protection or warmth or whatever her reason was, the feeling swelled in his chest and he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

She stared into his eyes. “I’ve waited so long to hear you say those words to me.”

Her fingers gripped his shoulders, her body pressed against him and all he wanted was to never let her go. And he was okay with that. “I’m sorry I took so long,” he said. “I needed…I needed to learn loving you didn’t mean losing you…or me.”

She stroked his cheek. “I know. I love you too.”

He’d known she did, but hearing her utter the words made all his broken pieces shift back into place. A weight lifted from his shoulders and tears misted his vision. “Can you forgive me for everything I put you through?”

“I already have.”

From inside his coat pocket, he pulled out a small pot in which he’d planted a seed. He gave it to Hannah. “This is for you. The seed is trust. We’ve planted it and from it, our relationship will grow strong.”

This time, her eyes were the ones that were wet. She cradled the pot and his body warmed, as if she cradled him. And in a way, she did. He drew her close again and leaned his cheek against the top of her head.

A few minutes later, when Tess joined them, he pulled away from Hannah and smiled at his daughter. Lacing his fingers together with Hannah’s, they walked down the street.

“Oh, those hot dogs smell good!” Tess cried. “Can we have some?”

“We just ate inside.” Dan said.

Hannah pulled on his hand and he stopped. She smirked as she looked at him and he grinned at her.

“You know, hot dogs sound great right about now. Especially if you get mustard on your cheek.”

Arm in arm, they walked toward the vendor.

He was forgiven. And she was his.

The End