Page 123 of The Gathered Fragments of Us
Within the hour, our quiet, grief-heavy house had been transformed. The Doyle energy was like a force of nature—loud,warm, and completely overwhelming in the best possible way. Kids were running between rooms, adults were debating the proper way to heat so much food at once, and someone had started a card game at the kitchen table. Brad had come in a few minutes ago and seemed to be blending in, though he appeared to be quiet and reserved, unsure of what to make of all the crazy around him in the midst of his mourning.
I found myself standing in the middle of it all, watching Macy move from group to group, being passed from cousin to cousin, each one making sure she felt included and loved. This was what she’d needed—family, love, fun—a reminder that she was part of something bigger than her grief.
“You doing okay?” Maliyah appeared beside me, shoulder bumping me.
“Yeah, I am.” I nodded my head toward where Macy was helping Tommy’s wife Rachel arrange sandwiches on a platter. “Look at her.”
“The Doyle effect,” Maliyah said with a smile. “They don’t know how to do anything quietly, but they sure know how to be there for one another.”
The front door opened again, and I heard a woman’s voice calling out, “Sorry I’m late! Had to drive around the block three times to find parking with all these cars!”
“Andi!” Macy called out, apparently having already met her at some previous family gathering.
Andi Doyle, Caden’s other cousin, appeared in the living room doorway, wild curly hair escaping from what had probably started as a neat ponytail, carrying what appeared to be to-go boxes of coffee. She took one look at the scene—kids everywhere,adults passing plates of food, conversations happening all around—and grinned.
“Well, this looks about right for a Doyle family crisis response,” she said. “Who needs caffeine?”
“Everyone,” Danny called out from the kitchen. “Especially if we’re going to keep up with this chaos all day.”
“On it.” Andi made her way toward the kitchen, stopping to ruffle Macy’s hair as she passed.
“How you holding up, sweetheart?”
“Better now,” Macy said, and I could see she meant it.
The doorbell rang, cutting through the comfortable chaos. Mike, being closest to the door, went to answer it.
“Uh, Caden?” he called out, his tone shifting. “You might want to come out here.”
The noise in the kitchen died down. Caden appeared in the living room doorway, curiosity written all over his face.
“What is it?” he asked.
Detective Morrison stepped into view behind Mike, looking somewhat shell-shocked as he surveyed the scene—kids everywhere, adults passing plates of food, the kind of organized chaos many never see in their lives.
“Detective Morrison,” Caden said, immediately alert. “What’s going on?”
"It is. I just came to pay my respects."
Relief flooded Caden's face, I don't think either of us could take any surprises at this point. "Please, come in."
With Morrison entering, he made his way around, fitting in well with the family. Turns out, Caden's cousin Danny already knew him since Danny works for the Boston Fire Department.
I approached him with a plate from the kitchen, "I thought I'd make you a plate."
"Thanks, I'm actually starving."
My sister joined us and I introduced them. "Morrison, meet my sister Maliyah. Maliyah, this is Detective Morrison."
"Reed," he said as he reached out to shake her hand. "You can call me Reed." I could swear his cheeks pinked up when he looked at her.
As soon as she placed her hand in his, I could see interest spark in her eyes and a shy smile tip up the corners of her mouth.
Oh boy.
Chapter 49: You're My Family
~Caden~
