Chapter 12 #3
“Kaylee, I’m going to be real blunt. I lost my wife, and my kid has to grow up without a mom. Not every gloomy story has this perfect silver lining. So help me understand why I should agree to turning our grief into a feel-good, inspirational story?”
“We’re well aware that she’s not here, Ethan,” Adam said quietly.
“The point Kaylee is trying to make is there’s value in spotlighting the fact that there are still good people in the world.
Maybe Adeline’s efforts will inspire somebody else to do something amazing and make their community a better place. ”
“Brody needs to hear about how amazing his mom was,” Kaylee added.
“Brody already knows how amazing his mom was.”
“Does he? Do you talk about her with him? Are there any pictures of her in your new place?”
Wow, she sounded like Tisha. Stalling, Ethan turned his coffee mug in a slow circle.
“He’s eight,” Kaylee said softly. “Don’t you want to create something tangible he can look back on?”
“No, not really.”
Kaylee threw her hands in the air. “You’re being stubborn.”
“You’re right, I am, and so are you, because you’re asking me to do something I don’t want to do.”
“I’m asking you to let somebody interview you.
Maybe for a podcast, or if you’re willing, a regional magazine with a Florida audience.
You won’t have to leave Alaska. I’ll handle all the arrangements, and we’ll set up a couple of video calls.
I’m just asking for your permission to tell your amazing wife’s incredible story. Why won’t you let me?”
“Because it’s hard.” He pounded his fist on the table, drawing a curious stare from the barista.
Coffee sloshed out of his mug. He leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“Because it feels like you’re ripping my heart wide open when the scabs have barely healed.
All right? I finally…” He hesitated. He was not about to tell her about Tisha.
“You finally what? Moved on?” Kaylee’s chin wobbled. “How nice for you.”
Spots peppered his vision. Words he’d for sure regret later fought to break free from his pinched lips.
Adam covered Kaylee’s hand with his. “Let’s be respectful, all right? Emotions are running high.”
Ethan rubbed at the tightness in his chest. “Whether I start dating someone next week or next year, it’s really none of your business, Kaylee. The point is, I need to protect my son, and I don’t want to dredge up the hurt all over again.”
“Are you telling me you don’t like pain and dealing with your feelings, so you’re not going to let this story be told?” Kaylee leaned across the table, her face flushed. “That’s incredibly selfish, Ethan. And what kind of example is that setting for Brody?”
“How I parent my son is none of your concern either.” Ethan stood, his insides turning to molten lava. He needed air. “I’ll be out in the car. Come out when you’re ready, and I’ll drop you off at the resort.”
Adam followed him out onto the sidewalk. The wind picked up and whipped around them. Shivering, Ethan jammed his hands deep into his coat pockets and headed toward the Suburban.
“Ethan, can we talk about this?” Adam called out.
Stifling a groan, Ethan hesitated and then turned to face him.
“You know, when Kaylee told me she wanted to do this, I was skeptical.” Adam stood near the hood of the vehicle.
“Really?” Ethan frowned. “Sure doesn’t seem that way.”
“I get that.” Adam’s breath formed little white clouds in the air. “She’s intense when she sets her mind on something. But the more she talked about her ideas for telling Adeline’s story, the more I felt like we needed to pursue this.”
“Why?”
“Because I saw how much it meant to her, and because I know what it’s like to believe that someone’s story deserves to be told.”
Ethan hesitated. “You lost someone as well?”
Adam nodded. “Not in the same way as you. The details aren’t super important right now. But the thing is, maybe we need to honor Adeline to make sure nobody forgets her. So we can feel like her life mattered.”
He winced. “Adeline’s life mattered. We don’t need a podcast or a story in a magazine to prove that.”
“Maybe you don’t. But Kaylee? She feels strongly that Adeline’s commitment to her family and community is worth spotlighting. And when you shut her down, we can’t help but wonder if you’re just doing it because you’re scared.”
Ethan yanked his keys from his pocket and turned away. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” Adam moved closer. “Look, man. I get it. Talking about Adeline, thinking about her—it hurts. But what about when Brody gets older? When he has questions you can’t answer because you buried them so deep—”
“I answer Brody’s questions just fine, thank you.” He paused, fighting to keep from saying something he’d regret. “I don’t need someone else telling him who his mother was.”
“We’re not asking for a grand gesture,” Adam said. “What I need you to think about is what you’re really afraid of. Because if it’s just pain? That’s probably going to be part of your story for a while. What if this could be a way to make something beautiful out of a tragic loss?”
Gritting his teeth, Ethan kicked at a chunk of ice near the curb. Oh, how he wanted to walk away. To tell Adam and Kaylee to let it go. But Adam’s words lodged in his chest. “I’ll think about it.”
Adam nodded. “That’s all we ask.”