~ Andrea

“You’re doing great, Rose!” I shout as Rose reaches the opposite end of the barn on her pony, my hands clasped over my mouth.

She doesn’t even turn her head, a smile fixed on her face as she strokes her pony’s brown mane.

A pony, huh? Wow. I must admit I didn’t see that coming, though maybe I should have, given Rose’s obvious love of ponies and Clay’s newfound fondness for her, both of which Jessie now stands for.

“Don’t tell me you want a pony, too,” Gavin says from behind me. “Tell Clay. I’m sure he’ll get you one.”

I glance at him. “So, now that you’re done cross-examining Clay, you’re here to do the same with me.”

Gavin chuckles. “Wow. What is it that lawyers ever did to you?”

“Broke my heart.”

“Ooh.”

“From the other side of the screen,” I add. “My Dad used to watch legal drama and…”

“Oh, I see.” He moves closer to me, putting his hands in his pockets as he stands right next to me. “If it helps, I don’t like those shows, either and you shouldn’t believe they’re what happens in real life.”

“I don’t.” I put a hand on one hip as I shift my weight to my other leg. “But I don’t like them just the same.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t try to convince you to like me. I just want to get to know you a little better.”

“Why?”

“Because we have something huge in common,” he tells me.

I look at him. Us have something in common? I find that hard to believe.

Apart from the obvious difference that he’s a man and I’m a woman and the fact that he’s a lawyer and I’m a psychologist, I can’t think of anything we have in common. Maybe he and Clay have a few things in common. They’re both wealthy. They’re both tall and good-looking, although I must admit I find Clay more so, not that I’m biased or anything. His features are just smoother, his eyes more captivating. They’re both powerful, but Gavin seems more mysterious, dangerous. Or maybe I just think so because I don’t know him.

“And what would that be?” I ask him. “Our toothpaste, maybe? Because it doesn’t seem like you and I have the same eyeliner.”

“Very funny. I was referring to the fact that we both want what’s best for Clay and Rose.”

“Oh, I want what’s best for Rose,” I agree, my gaze wandering over to where she is once more. “But Clay’s a different story. I’m not his mother.”

“What is he to you?” Gavin asks.

I pause, the question taking me back.

“A friend.”

“That was a long pause.”

I frown. I’ve known the answer. I just didn’t expect anyone to ask out loud.

Or maybe you really don’t know the answer.

“Are you always this nosy?” I cross my arms over my chest. “You sound like my sister.”

“She sounds charming.”

I smile, remembering her. Well, she has her good points and bad like everyone else.

“So, you have an older sister,” Gavin states it as a fact.

I glance at him. “I didn’t say she was older.”

“But you find her nosy so she must be.”

I chuckle.

“What about a brother? Mother? Father?”

“My brother’s in the Marines. My parents are still alive.” I look at him. “I still don’t understand where all this is going.”

“You’re not supposed to. You’re just supposed to answer the questions.”

“I’m not a witness,” I point out.

“I may have to put you on the stand if it makes sure Clay gets Rose.”

My arms fall at my sides. “What do you mean? Is there a chance he won’t? Is anyone else trying to get custody of Rose?”

“Easy.” He raises his hands. “I said if.”

Not when. Still, I can’t help but feel a tinge of worry. I’ve never even considered the possibility that Clay won’t get Rose. Is there one? If there is, I’ll definitely do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“If it makes sure Clay gets Rose, I’ll say whatever you want.”

“Good.” Gavin puts his hands back in his pockets. “No further questions.”

He walks off and I turn my attention to Rose once more, who still has that smile glued to her face. Oh, what I would give to see her like this forever. I know it’s impossible, though, and I can only hope the joy of this moment will be enough to help her get through the pain tomorrow will surely bring. After all, we’ll be visiting John’s grave.

---

“Daddy’s in there?”

Rose’s expression is a combination of surprise, confusion and disappointment as she looks at the black and white tombstone sticking out of the ground, a few sunset-colored leaves that have been blown by the wind gathered at the base of it.

I squeeze her shoulder. “Remember what I told you, Rose? This is where your father’s body was laid to rest but his spirit will always be watching over you just as his memories will forever remain in your heart and in your mind.”

She kneels on the ground, running her little fingers over the letters of her father’s name.

Clay kneels beside her. “You know, I’ve lost my father, too. And my mother.”

Right. I’d forgotten about that.

“You have?” Rose’s little, bushy eyebrows go up.

Clay nods. “Sometimes, I go to their graves, too. And you know what? When I do, I sometimes talk to them.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” Clay touches the marble. “This stone is like a telephone connected to our loved ones who have passed on. They don’t answer, of course, not loud and clear, but I think they can hear us and if you listen very closely, sometimes, you can hear them whispering what you need to hear in your heart.”

“So I can talk to Daddy right now?” Rose’s expression turns into one of excitement.

“Why don’t you try it?” Clay urges, standing up and stepping back to give Rose some space.

She nods and moves closer to the tombstone, putting her hand over it. “Daddy, it’s Rose. Daddy Clay bought me a pony yesterday. I named her Jessie. She’s pretty.”

I smile even as I wrap a hand over my throat where a lump has formed.

“I’m going to be good at riding horses just like you,” Rose goes on, stroking the stone. “Oh, and I’m going to take care of your horses but I think they’re sad. They miss you.”

My chest grows tight.

“I miss you,” Rose goes on, sniffling. “Why did you have to go? You promised you’d teach me how to ride a horse.”

Unable to just stand and watch any longer, I kneel behind her, hugging her tight. She buries her face in my chest and cries, letting out her tears.

That’s it. Grieve for your father, Rose. That’s the only way you can say goodbye.

I wait silently until she’s done, rocking her back and forth. When she is, I reach into my purse for the wad of tissues I’ve brought, somehow anticipating this would happen, using them to wipe her tears and let her blow her nose.

I offer it to Clay as well but he hasn’t shed any tears, effectively holding them back.

He kneels beside Rose again, patting her on the back.

“What did your Daddy say?” he asks.

Rose sniffles. “That I have to be careful not to fall off my pony.”

Clay smiles. “That sounds like him, alright.”

“And I have to be a good girl,” Rose adds. “And that he loves me.”

“Of course, he does.” Clay strokes her hair then touches the tombstone. “And I promise you, John, I’ll always remind her of that and I’ll take good care of her.”

Just then, our sentimental moment is interrupted by a scream, followed by bouts of laughter from a small group of teens on the horizon.

“Teens,” Clay scoffs. “They’re probably getting ready to get in trouble this Halloween.”

“Is it Halloween already?” Rose sits up.

“Almost,” I answer.

“Daddy and I used to have a party every year on Halloween,” Rose says. “Just for the two of us. We’d dress up, play games and eat lots of candy.”

“Sounds like fun,” Clay says.

“Can we have one this year?” Rose asks. “Just for the three of us? Please?”

Clay looks at me and then at Rose. “I don’t see why not.”

Rose smiles.

I smile, as well. “One Halloween party coming up.”