Chapter Twelve
Jenny
My heart breaks as I stare into my mother’s eyes. She’s so much older. I look away, suddenly ashamed.
“No. We’re not doing that.” She grabs my chin and forces me to look at her.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice cracking.
“Me too, honey. Me too.”
Her gaze slowly roams over my face as she takes in every freckle, every line. Her fingers dance lightly over my cheeks. “Just as pretty as I remember.” She smiles sadly.
“I don’t understand what is happening,” I say, fighting to remain still in her arms as my deep fear of being seen rises to the surface.
She shakes her head. “I think Rachel is bringing you back to life … something she couldn’t do for herself.”
“But we agreed …” I pause, because it’s irrelevant now. Rachel set this into motion for whatever reason, and there is nothing I can do about it.
“I have missed you,” she says again, ignoring my internal struggle.
I bury myself against her chest, something I’ve dreamed of doing since I was fourteen years old. “I’m so sorry,” I say as my tears come fast and hard.
Her arms tighten around me. “I’ve got you now, baby. I’ve got you now.”
My mama holds me for hours. She doesn’t let go until I’m completely exhausted, and then she tucks me into my bed, crawling in beside me. I curl against her side like a kitten seeking warmth. She kisses the top of my head, wrapping her arm around me.
Before I fall asleep, I hear her whisper to the ceiling, “Thank you for giving me my baby back.”
After everything I’ve done to her and she’s still thanking God for my return. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about seeing her again. I’ve thought about it no less than a million times … I never once pictured it quite as good as this.