Chapter Seventeen
Things I would tell my fifteen-year-old self now that I’m grown:
“Never stop believing in Happily Ever After, Fairytales, and Prince Charming – he just might wear biker boots and ride a Harley. It will be the best forever you almost missed if you let it pass you by.” Tempest to Arika
~Tempest~
“Mom, why are you giving me these now?”
“Arika, I was wrong about some things. Remember when you asked me about fairytales and I told you it was just some made up thing that teach girls to depend on a man swooping in to save the day.”
“Yes, you also told me never be the damsel in distress but rather the female who is fearless.”
“Well, those are good points, but I think there is more. So, I’m giving you the journals so we have time to share with each other every day lessons for each other.”
Arika lifts the box of books that are all handwritten letters from me to her and some I wrote to Stephanie as I struggled. I never wanted to keep the truth from Arika about her mom. I wanted to honor the woman who gave her life. I’ve made mistakes. I’m not too proud to say it.
“Mom, what lesson am I supposed to teach you?”
I hug my daughter and hold her close. “Arika Haven Adams, you teach me every day. You’ve taught me patience. You’ve taught me unconditional love, forgiveness, kindness. You’ve taught me the difference between listening and really hearing someone’s words. You’ve taught me to be the example. You’ve taught me to be strong.”
Arika hugs me back tight.
“You’ve taught me,” she whispers, “family isn’t blood. You’ve taught me love endures. You’ve taught me to love harder, forgive easier, and believe in myself. You’ve taught me to be strong, to be fearless, and to be myself. You’ve been my constant. As Deacon says, you’re my ever steady.”
“I’m a lucky lady to have you has my daughter.”
“I’m the lucky one,” Arika says back. “In a world where every bad thing seems to build a deficit against someone’s character, you have always had my back. I have never felt like I was lacking something.”
Gentry comes into the kitchen joining us. “You know what we say.”
Arika and I separate to look at him. “What do you say?”
“The devil always calls for his due. Shit’s been hard, but we’re at peace. Our debt is paid in full. Our future is nothing but endless possibilities.”
Arika and I look at each other then back to Gentry, in unison we say, “with family and love there is nothing to stand in our way!”
One day at a time, the love and life we are building together grows stronger. I look forward to next year and the next to see where this journey takes us. Until then, I won’t take a moment for granted and I will love this man and my daughter harder, remember to forgive easier, and never let go.
The End …