Page 97 of Free to Live

Driving down High Ridge Road in Ridgefield, I find the house I’m looking for. I’m not surprised to find there’s a gate. At the box, I hit the buzzer. A woman’s weary voice answers, “Yes?”

“This is Holly Freeman from Amaryllis Photography. I have a package to deliver for Mr. and Mrs. Seth Moss.” There’s an audible inhalation of breath on the other side before the gate opens.

Tapping the accelerator, I drive my Infiniti through the gates. I park at the apex of the circular drive just as the front door opens and Seth and Eden step out. Eden reaches for Seth’s hand and clutches it.

My heart bleeds for the pain Mary’s parents endure, and yet at the same time, I admire them. The events of the past few years rocked them to their core yet there they stand—right or wrong—holding each other as their anchors.

The photographer in me would love to capture that for them one day. The woman in me knows now is definitely not the time to mention it. I pull the acid-free black box on my passenger seat with me when I slide from the car.

My feet crunch on their gravel driveway as I make my approach. Climbing the front steps to the porch, I offer a simple “Hello. I’m Holly.”

They both nod but don’t speak. Eden’s eyes are glued to the box in my hands while Seth’s sad eyes are tracing every inch of my face before he offers me a wan smile.

Joe told me about his meeting with Seth a few days ago, how it didn’t turn out at all what he was expecting. These people aren’t evil; they’re just broken. Even while Joe was talking, I thought it might help them to know their daughter would never be forgotten.

So it was then I decided to bring them the pictures I’ve had waiting in a box since Mother’s Day. I’ll tell Joe at some point when the wounds of the meeting aren’t riding so close to the surface. Right or wrong, Grace is their grandchild. Maybe this will help get them to the place they need to be for her sake.

“Every day, I get to see your daughter through Grace. And through Joe. Sometimes it can be hard to be the woman who loves him first after that.” They’re surprised by what I’m saying, but it’s the truth that I’ve only admitted to myself. “She gave him so many gifts, but the most important one is Grace.”

“We know.” Eden’s voice is wobbly when she finally speaks.

“Most of the pictures in this box are professional ones I took around Mother’s Day, but I printed out some others I took recently.” I hold out the box. Their eyes widen, but they don’t take it. “Please, this is a gift for you,” I encourage them.

“Why would you do this?” Seth asks, releasing his wife’s hand to reach for the box. His eyes widen a bit under the weight.

“Because you’re good people who were hurt. Terribly. You’re not monsters. You deserve to find your way back to happiness.” With that, I turn on my booted heel. I leave them standing on the porch holding a myriad of photos of Grace and Joe.

Hopefully to start them on the right path to healing.

54

Joseph

Ican’t believe Grace is going to turn four in the fall. I’m sitting on the back porch of the Freeman farm watching her cavort around with Kalie, Laura, and Jonathan while Holly, the rest of the Freemans, Charlie, and my parents are littered around. Grace told me she didn’t want to have a party unless she could swim. That gives me about two months to plan it—well before her actual birthday.

“The timing works out perfectly for that, Joe,” Em calls out. “Cori will be back from her honeymoon…”

“What if I don’t want to come back?” Corinna calls out. Colby curls her into his side with a grin.

Em ignores them and continues. “And it’s before we head to Nantucket so Jake and I can do the deed.”

Jake shakes his head. “The romance in that statement is overwhelming, Em.”

I chuckle when Em just glares at him.

Holly drops down next to me. “Speaking of which, did you talk to your boss about getting time off to come with us?”

Shaking my head, I tell her, “Not yet.” Putting down my beer, I call out. “Hey, Pop! Can I have a few days off to go to Em’s wedding?”

He yells back, “Does this look like work?”

“No.”

“Then ask me when I’m behind a desk and you might get the answer you want!”

I turn back to Holly and say, “I should be good.”

The entire group laughs. Holly smooths her hand up and down my back. I relish the feeling, but I realize something is missing as I feel her fingers catch along my T-shirt.