Sam
Present
Villanova, Pennsylvania
Age 25
“AWESOME!” GARRETT YELLS while Kai splashes in the pool. His swim instructor is helping him learn the survival technique that I learned so many years ago. Kai is expertly floating on his back and kicking his legs when he reaches the edge of the pool. He’s able to grab hold and he’s smiling, truly enjoying this game that we’re playing with him.
I clap and splash my feet in the water. The swim instructor takes him to do another exercise and Garrett wades over to me. He grabs hold of my bare legs and threatens to pull me into the water. He kisses my knee and looks up at me.
“You should come in with us,” he says and kisses my other knee. I remain seated on the pavement and swing my legs on either side of him.
“I’m good right where I am,” I say. And I truly mean it. In every possible way.
The past several months have been hectic but amazing. Kai and I have spent almost every moment together when I’m not working, and Garrett is here as much as he can be. It’s like we picked up right where we left off last year. I belong here, and I should never have left.
He stands up in front of me and water cascades down his chest and abs. He’s stunning perfection, perfectly chiseled and lean. He wraps his wet arms around me and soaks me completely. My face is pressed into his chest and he’s laughing. “Now you have to come in,” he says and swiftly pulls me into the water with him, dunking me under.
I jump out of the water and swat at him. “Don’t even think about it,” he says and pulls me into him for a warm kiss.
Kai is giggling and playing in the shallow end of the pool when Garrett takes my hand and lies on his back in the water. He begins to float, and I do the same. We’re both on our backs, our arms outstretched.
We float quietly and peacefully, listening to Kai’s happy laughter echo throughout the pool house.
“Happy birthday,” Garrett says and squeezes my hand.
“Happy birthday to you too,” I say in return.
Things could not be more perfect.
I’M HOLDING KAI’S HAND as we walk through the lush green grass. Garrett lifts him in the air, and he squeals with delight. He loves when we walk and swing with him between us.
“Up, up and away!” Garrett says, and Kai swings higher.
We slow our pace and find the clearing in the lawn in front of us. I approach the headstone slowly and drop a white carnation in front of the grave. Kai runs over and picks up the flower that I dropped, and he hands it to me. “Here,” he says, and I smile.
“It’s okay, Kai. This flower belongs next to this stone,” I say and guide his hand back down to the ground.
“Flower,” he says and crushes it against his nose, inhaling deeply.
Garrett stands behind us, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. He doesn’t say a word, and I don’t expect him to.
I touch the headstone and say softly, “Thank you.”
“Welcome,” Kai says, giggling from the grass. He places the flower back and puts his hand next to mine.
Sadie Moore
April 1, 1991 – August 16, 2014
I turn to see Garrett’s gaze focus on her name. He barely knew her, yet she gave him a tremendous gift of a son. Despite all of her problems, she did the right thing before she died. She found Garrett. Even though she was an addict, she knew what she had to do. She ensured that despite her sins, her son would have a chance at life. Garrett shakes his head and shoves his hands into his pockets. He walks a little closer and leans into my side, kissing me softly on my cheek.
“Let’s go, Kai,” I say and lower my hand. He takes hold, and I help pull him to his feet. We turn and walk back toward the SUV. I realize Garrett isn’t next to me, and I see him touching the headstone with his head bowed, as if in prayer. He mouths a few words, but I’m out of earshot. I hope he’s making his peace with the troubled woman who gave us Kai.
“Are you okay?” I call out to him.
He lifts his head and smiles, the sun shining behind him.
“I’m perfect,” he says and jogs to meet us. He sweeps Kai off the ground and holds him in one arm while he throws the other around me.
“I love you,” he says and kisses me tenderly on the lips.
My cell phone rings and I see Cassie’s name pop up. I answer it, and she immediately starts babbling.
“We’re all here. Where are you?” she asks.
“We’re on our way,” I say and hang up.
“Let’s do this.”