Page 140 of Revival

I thought his high school graduation was hard. I cried through most of the ceremony. It started when the baby pictures scrolled across the flat screen above the stage. Seeing the graduating class in the form of their younger selves sent me into Spencer’s strong arms only five minutes in. That emotional surge has nothing on this.

“I’m so glad they’ll have each other. This would be ten times harder if I were sending him off alone.”

“I know.” Spencer sifts his fingers through my hair. I love that he doesn’t try to fill the silence while I fight to get my bearings.

“But I’m so damn proud.” My side collides with his, and he wraps his arm around my shoulders.

“You should be. You’ve raised a hell of a kid.”

“Thank you, honey.”

Spencer turns me into his chest and kisses my forehead. His palms rub soothingly up and down my arms.

“Want to get back to the party, or do you need more time?”

I release a weighty breath. “I think I could use the distraction. Tomorrow is going to come whether I’m ready or not.”

Spencer takes my hand tightly in his, giving me a grounding squeeze. “You’re not alone in this. I’m going to be here every step of the way. On the good days and the sad ones.”

“Love you, Spence.”

With a finger crooked beneath my chin, he tilts my head back to deliver a soft kiss. “Love you too, Kitten.”

Together, we rejoin my family beneath the canvas tent. The little ones wander about, kicking soccer balls and chasing bugs, and I’m struck again with nostalgia for the years long gone. It went too fast. One minute, he was learning how to pitch in Little League, and the next, he’s off to college to chase the next adventure.

Mom steps up beside me and pulls me into a hug.

“Hi, Momma.”

“How are you holding up?”

“Is it that noticeable?”

She holds me at arm’s length, her expression crooked. “You’ve looked better, sweetheart.”

The sound I make is a cross between a laugh and a groan. “I thought I was hiding it well.”

“It’s not something you should hide. He might not say it, but he’s going to miss you too.”

“You were lucky. None of us went far from home.” I lean over and tuck my head into her shoulder. The familiar scent of sugar and apples reminds me of warm hugs and the sense of belonging I craved for most of my childhood.

“I have Lee to thank for that. If he hadn’t come up with the idea for the Sanctuary, the rest of you might not have had a reason to stick around.”

“Is he hiring? Maybe it’s not too late for him to offer Ollie a job.”

She laughs and gives my head a motherly pat. “If he could he would, but I’m not sure that’s what Oliver wants.”

“You’re right.” I watch my son jog closer. Spencer strolls a step behind him. “I know he wouldn’t because he thought long and hard about this decision.”

We spent many nights discussing his future in his junior and senior years of high school. The choices weighed on him. It got to the point that he and Spencer would sit on our porch at night and just talk. The two of them grew close over the past couple of months in a way I never imagined would be possible.

“Mom! We have to open the cards. Lincoln and I have to go soon.”

“Where are those boys off to?” Mom asks, scrutinizing her grandson.

“I think they have some girls they need to say goodbye to before we leave tomorrow.”

She catches my eye, and we laugh.

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