Page 113 of Smoky Mountain Dreams

“Brigid, wishes can’t…they won’t…”

“They’ll work. But you have to mean them.Reallymean them,” Brigid said with a steady gaze.

“Baby, if that was true, she’d be well now. I’ve meant everywish and prayer I’ve offered up. I’ve meant them with all my heart, and I knowyou have too. And Grandma and Grandpa. Even Aunt Ronnie.”

“No, because you don’t love her now. You love him more, don’tyou?”

“There is no ‘more’ here, Brigid. There’s just…reality. Yourmother’s brain is gone. There is nothing there to make her who she was before.”

“You gave up on her. In the book, Sadako didn’t give up. Shemade cranes until she went into a coma and died. If she’d finished them, maybeshe would’ve been healed.”

Jesse stared at his daughter. She was too old for this kindof magical thinking, wasn’t she? Still, she seemed to believe that she held theanswer to her mother’s sickness in her hands.

The door to the kitchen creaked, and Jesse looked up to seeChristopher, face creased by the sofa pillow, and an expression of strickensadness on his face.

“Hey,” he murmured. “I’m sorry to interrupt—”

“This is important,” Jesse said. “I’m sorry, but could youwait in the living room?”

“I…” Christopher looked embarrassed, but he continued. “Ioverheard some of what you guys are saying, and I know it’s not my place…”

Jesse stared at him and almost agreed, but before he could,Christopher went on.

“But I just need to say this. Brigid, I’m so sorry aboutyour mom and I know how much you want her back.”

She glared at him. “No you don’t. If she comes back, thenyou won’t have Daddy anymore.”

Christopher swallowed hard. “I don’t believe in a lot ofthings, but I believe in your dad, and I believe in love, and I believe thatwhen you love someone you give them the benefit of the doubt. Do you know whatthat means?”

Brigid stared with something like shock in her eyes, likeshe couldn’t decide if she wanted to tell him to get out or wanted to hear whathe would say next. Christopher didn’t give her a chance to answer.

“In this case, I think it means that if the person you lovesays they need to do something to heal, then you find a way to help them do it.Even if it doesn’t make sense to you. So, if you need to make these cranes,Brigid, then I want to move heaven and earth to make sure you get them made soyou can try for your wish.”

“Why?” she whispered.

“Because it’s what you need. And if I’m going to be withyour daddy, then one of the most important things in my life will be makingsure that you and Will get what you need.”

“Need is when you’ll die without it. Want is when you justwant something but you won’t die.”

“Well, it seems to me like part of you died when your mamaleft, and if you believe that making these cranes and trying for your wish willbring that part of you back to life, then I want to help.”

“Chris,” Jesse murmured, his throat dry. “Promises aredangerous things.”

“I’m not promising that it will work, Jesse. I’m promisingto help her try.” He turned back to Brigid. “So, I’ll tell you what: I’ll workwith you on the cranes if you’d like. I’ll go into it with my heart set on yougetting what you need most. I believe you’ll get what you need, even if it’snot what you want.”

Brigid looked between Christopher and Jesse like she didn’tknow what to say.

Christopher added, “In other words, I’ll do whatever I canto help you. If you want me to help you fold cranes, I will. If you want me togo away, I’ll do that too.”

Jesse shook his head at that, but Christopher talked on.

“But before you decide, I want you to know that I’m verygood at cranes and I’d truly like to help.”

Brigid stared at him. “I don’t have very many left. I can dothem myself.”

Christopher nodded. “Okay.”

“But you’d help me? Even though if she comes back, you’dhave to go away?”