Chapter Twenty-Seven
ABBY
Music and a myriad of voices swirled around Abby, but she barely registered a sound, aware only of the dense fog of emotion blanketing the backyard.
The bittersweet blend of melancholy and merriment permeated Max’s going-away party, and for a split second, Abby regretted hosting the event.
What if they’d had a simple Friday afternoon together instead?
Her gaze swept the crowd of familiar faces. Verna and her eclectic book club, the Belles. Nadia and Evan. Sage and Flynn. Max’s youth pastor, his teacher, soccer coach, friends and classmates. Carla, Iris, and even grumpy Garth. So many people loved Max and deserved the opportunity to say goodbye.
Her throat tightened. Goodbye . How would she manage to say the word aloud, let alone to Max?
For the past few days, while they’d waited for the DNA test results, she’d tried to accept the inevitable, to come to terms with Sam’s decision to take Max away, to sever their contact.
It’s his call , she’d reminded herself. It’s what Sam deemed best for Max. Even if she didn’t agree with or understand his rationale, she needed to respect his decision. At the very least, for Max’s sake.
And yet, nothing about the situation felt right. They could offer so much, both to Max and Sam. Their whole world had turned upside down. Sam would be starting over. And so would Max. Why didn’t Sam want their help?
The stinging in her throat moved to her eyes. She blinked up at the crystal blue sky. Strange . Not a cloud in sight.
“Seems like a few gloomy rain clouds would be fitting, doesn’t it?” Verna asked, handing her a glass of strawberry basil lemonade.
Abby managed a small smile. “It’s like you read my mind. And thank you.” She took a slow sip, letting the sweet, tangy liquid soothe her raw throat.
“How are you doing, dear?” Verna adjusted her wide-brimmed straw hat to shield her eyes from the sun. The long purple ribbon that matched her violet-hued pantsuit fluttered in the breeze.
“About as well as can be expected, I suppose. I just—” Her voice caught. She guzzled more lemonade, determined to get through the next few hours—and the rapidly approaching goodbye—without tears. “I just can’t believe Sam’s really taking him away after the party.”
Her gaze instinctively found Max in the throng. He chatted animatedly with a few friends, Sam and Logan flanking him on either side. Logan stood so tall, so composed. Her rock. They’d get through this together, wouldn’t they?
Her mind flew to their upcoming wedding.
One more week until the happiest day of her life.
At the thought, guilt crept into her heart, co-mingling with her grief.
How could her wedding day joy be complete without Max’s presence?
A fresh wave of anguish crashed over her.
Her throat cinched tighter. She gulped more lemonade, oblivious to the loud slurping sound of her straw sucking air.
Verna placed a gentle hand on her arm, wrenching her back to the present.
Abby jumped, jostling the ice in her glass.
Verna’s gaze softened with empathy. “I know it feels like Sam is taking Max away. And I can’t deny there’s some truth to that.
We’re all going to miss him terribly. But the heart is a wondrous thing.
It has the ability to hold someone close, to protect and preserve them.
So no matter where they are, on this earth or in Heaven, they’re never truly gone.
And no one can take that away from you.”
Undeterred by her cold palm, dampened by the beads of condensation coating her glass, Abby reached for Verna’s hand. She gave it a squeeze. “Thank you. That’s comforting. How do you always know the perfect thing to say?”
“Oh, probably due to several decades of saying the wrong thing,” Verna teased, her eyes twinkling. “If you’re lucky, you learn a thing or two.”
Abby laughed, surprised by the surge of relief that followed. Her pain wasn’t gone, but the edges dulled, making it easier to breathe. “Let’s give Max the best going-away party possible.”
Linking arms with Verna, she strode across the lawn toward Max, Logan, and Sam, repeating a silent prayer in her heart.
When the time finally comes to say goodbye, please don’t let it be forever.