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Epilogue

Nova

One Year Later

The community center buzzed with warm, inviting energy.

Conversations softly murmured, and laughter occasionally burst. The large banner hanging above the makeshift stage read, Together We Heal , the name of the program Leah and I started.

We chose today to introduce the program to the community because it marked the one-year anniversary of my freedom.

“You look gorgeous,” Leah said, scanning me from my freshly cut hair, which I now wore straight and in a bob, to my black-leather boots.

“Thank you. You look rather gorgeous yourself,” I said, mimicking her movement from her curly shoulder-length hair to her brown-leather boots.

We acted as if we weren’t together when we picked out our outfits.

Well, when Leah picked out our outfits. I still wasn’t the most fashionable one, but I never was, so that wasn’t a surprise.

I did have to admit that I loved the gray sweater dress she chose for me.

I’d been working out every day with Lance, and my body looked even better than it did during my basketball days.

Leah chose a nude-colored fitted dress that fell right above her knees. Her body had always been perfect for fitted clothes. I, on the other hand, had to work to keep mine that way.

Lance walked past me and touched the small of my back.

His touch sent a ripple of tingles across my skin and caused my heartbeat to quicken.

My gaze followed him as he made his way to the front of the crowded room and up to the microphone, where he asked everyone if they could take their seats so we could get started.

Am I ready for this? That was the question I’d been asking as the day drew closer.

I still didn’t know the answer, but I had no choice but to move forward, which had been the theme of my life this past year.

After Lance welcomed everyone, he called Skye up to the podium. I looked around because he was supposed to call me up. “What’s going on?” I asked Leah.

“I have no idea,” she whispered.

The sound system made a loud screech as Skye adjusted the microphone.

She placed her hand over her chest as if the sound had startled her.

Every time I saw her, I had to pinch myself because it was so hard to believe that the beautiful, tall young lady who stood so bold and demanded everyone’s attention with her presence alone was my daughter.

Skye tucked her chin-length hair behind her ear. Quinton still wasn’t keen on her cutting her hair, but what could he do? She was eighteen now, and in seven short months, she’d be graduating and going off to college. A thought that made me want to cry every time it came to me.

“Good evening, everyone,” Skye began, her voice so clear and confident.

“I’m actually not supposed to be a part of the program today, but I had to take the time to say something about the two women who brought us all here.

Two women who have impacted my life in ways I can’t begin to explain.

” Skye smiled as her eyes found Leah and me.

Leah’s hand flew to her mouth and her eyes glistened. I caught a glimpse of her right before my own tears distorted her image.

“Not many young girls are blessed to say that they have two moms, but I can. Both of them have taught me different lessons that I know I’ll use for the rest of my life.

Teeah taught me to never let anyone tell me who I am.

My job is to show them, then demand that they treat me how I’m supposed to be treated.

Even if that means walking away sometimes. ”

I rubbed Leah’s back and bit my bottom lip before I remembered the lipstick that I rarely wore.

“Then, there’s my mom, Nova.” Skye exhaled loudly into the microphone.

“Sorry,” she chuckled. “My mom has taught me to never stop fighting. She’s taught me that times may be tough, but so am I.

In fact, I’m tougher.” She paused again while everyone clapped.

Once the applause died down, Skye continued, “So, I guess I just want to stand here, in front of everyone, and say, Teeah ... Mom ... I love you both so much, and I’m so proud of you.

” A tear rolled down her face, and Leah and I couldn’t get to her fast enough.

By the time Skye was seated, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. I had no idea how I was supposed to speak after that, but I managed to do it.

“You got this,” Leah whispered when she took my hand and stood beside me.

I took a minute to scan the room, which was filled with familiar faces from Bayou and a few reporters from the local newspapers and television stations. Everyone was there, from teenagers to senior citizens, and all sat and waited to hear what we had to say.

Leah stood beside me while I stared at the microphone. I was about to share something with them that I’d never shared before. Three squeezes from Leah, “I-got-you,” was enough to get me started.

“Good evening, everyone.” I paused and willed my voice to stop shaking.

I looked at the people in the front row: Mama, Lance, Skye, Quinton, and Dr. Yvonne. Skye gave me a little nod before I continued.

“I returned home a year ago today, but I didn’t come alone.

I brought with me fifteen years’ worth of hurt.

Had you told me last year that I’d stand here today and share my story with a room full of people, I wouldn’t have believed it.

In fact, it would’ve been more believable if you’d told me I could fly like a bird.

But here I am, standing here, ready to tell my story, and that’s because I wasn’t alone in my journey. ”

The room was silent. All eyes were on me, but not in a threatening or uncomfortable way. In their eyes I saw encouragement, so I continued.

“Dr. Yvonne taught me that healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed.

It means the damage no longer controls me.

My sister and I started this program on the foundation of healing together.

It’s a place for us to speak, to listen, and most important, to understand that no one needs to face their past alone.

Once my family and I could open up and be honest about what we were going through, we realized that we were all healing from something.

” I pointed to Mama. “My mom from losing a spouse and recently a very good friend.” Then I pointed to Quinton.

“Quinton, from childhood trauma and overcoming the guilt he carried when I was kidnapped.” Next, I pointed to Lance.

“Lance, from accusations that, though proven to be false, still had a major impact on his life.” Mama, Lance, and Quinton all nodded as I shared a piece of their story, with their permission, of course.

“And my sister, Leah”—I turned to Leah—“who you’ll hear from shortly and will tell you of her journey of healing and acceptance. ”

After going into more detail about my will to survive in the room and my life after that experience, I moved aside so Leah could share her story. She talked about accepting that she’d never be able to give birth and how that impacted her life.

“What I’ve learned,” Leah said, “and my sister has learned is that when it comes to healing, there is no definitive end point. Some days, you may feel like you’ve made it.

You’ve reached the end of your healing journey, but then out of nowhere, something can happen that will pull you right back in.

The one thing I stress to my clients is grace.

Give yourself grace during your process and know that there’s no right or wrong way when it comes to healing.

My process looked a lot different than Nova’s.

And Nova’s process looked a lot different than Quinton’s and Lance’s and even our mom’s,” Leah said.

Almost all heads in the crowd, from young to old, were nodding in agreement.

Some people were crying, some were smiling nervously, and some sat expressionless with their hands over their chest as if our words hit them right where they needed them the most. That was when I knew that this idea was bigger than me and bigger than Leah.

It might even be bigger than Bayou itself, but that was where we had to start, because for Leah and me, Bayou was home, and healing should always begin at home.

Afterward, Leah and I were standing around talking with people who kept coming up and thanking us for doing this. Many people signed up for the group sessions that Leah, Dr. Yvonne, and other therapists and psychologists they knew wanted to be a part of. I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

“Hey, can I speak to you for a minute?” Lance asked after a couple I was talking to walked away to get some snacks.

“Sure.” I followed Lance out of the building.

“We had to come out here? This must be serious,” I joked, but not really.

Lance looked at me in a way I’d never seen him look at me before. There was no smile, no frown, just Lance.

“What’s wrong?” I braced myself for bad news that couldn’t have come at a worse time because all I wanted was to hold on to the amazing feeling I’d felt.

“Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s perfect.” His deep voice, as it always did, soothed my soul.

“I wanted you to know how incredibly proud I am of you. When I had the idea to open this place, the only people I thought about were the kids. It never crossed my mind to do something like this for anyone in Bayou, or anywhere, who needed it.”

“Thank you,” I said, determined not to break down any more tonight. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You could’ve done without me because that’s how strong you are, but I’m glad you didn’t.” Lance took his finger and swept my hair away from my eye. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?” He wrapped his arm around my waist.

“Maybe once or twice, but I can hear it again?” I smiled.

Lance tilted his head. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Okay, now you’re stretching it.” I laughed.

He didn’t laugh. Not even a little bit.

There was a time I used to ask God why he hated me so much.

Now, I asked what I did for him to love me so much.

Ever since the night of the bonfire, which would be a year this December, Lance and I had moved way past friendship.

I thought it would be strange being with him and kissing him, but there was nothing strange about it.

It felt right. And the best part was that we still talked way into the night.

We still made each other laugh until we cried.

He was the first person I wanted to talk with every morning and the last voice I wanted to hear before I fell asleep at night.

“Where’d you go?” His deep voice drew me back to him.

I pressed my body into his. “Nowhere. I’m right here with you.”

“Where I hope you plan on staying.” He winked.

“Oh yeah. How long would you like for me to stay?” I teased.

He bit his bottom lip, and my body went wild. Every gesture he made aroused me. I was still trying to get used to that feeling.

“How about forever?” He released me and reached into his jacket pocket.

“What are you doing?” I asked nervously.

He didn’t answer. He pulled out a box and dropped to one knee.

My mouth gaped open.

“Nova,” he began, his voice soft but clear.

“We’ve been through so much together. From scraped knees and frozen-cup summers underneath our special tree.

We’ve always shared our deepest fears and our biggest dreams. Every special memory in my life includes you.

” He lowered his head as if he needed time to gather himself before he continued.

“There is one moment we haven’t shared yet, and there’s no one else on earth I want to share the rest of my life with more than you.

” He released my hand and opened the box.

My eyes fell on the largest, most elegant ring I’d ever seen.

It had to cost a fortune. I was about to protest that it was too much.

That I didn’t deserve it. But I stopped myself because I did.

I deserved all the good things life had for me, but more than that, I deserved to be loved the way Lance loved me.

Through tears I said, “I love you more than I imagined I could ever love anyone again. Someone spent years tearing me down, but it only took months for you to help build me back up again. For us to build each other back up again,” I corrected. “Yes, Lance. I’ll marry you.”

Lance slid the ring on my finger, and out of nowhere a thunderous applause came from behind me. I turned around to see that my family, and the few people who were still there, had made their way out to witness what would become one of the best events of my life.

“Oh my God.” I covered my mouth with my free hand.

We were hugged and kissed by our family and friends, then Lance and I stood with our arms wrapped around each other and waved as the rest of the visitors drove away. The only people left were the five people I loved most in the world.

“Oh my God, would you look at that sky,” Mama said, causing all of us to lift our heads. The sun was going down, and the sky was now a palette of vibrant oranges, deep pinks, and soft purples, all bleeding into the next like watercolor on paper.

“Mama, are you okay?” I asked when I noticed a tear sliding down her cheek.

Mama nodded. “One evening, right before your dad took a turn for the worse, he and I sat out on the front porch and talked for hours. The sky looked like it did now, and we couldn’t get over how beautiful it looked.

He told me if it was God’s will and our prayers weren’t answered the way we wanted, then whenever I saw a sky that beautiful, to remember that night and all the others we’d shared together.

” She looked at me, then Leah. “He’s so proud of both of you.

” She looked around. “Of all of you. We’re family, and nothing or no one will ever tear us apart. ”