Page 50 of Take This Heart
I guess Ava Piper was right—I am trite…and possibly predictable and self-indulgent too.
When I get home, I walk in with my things and everyone is standing there, looking sheepish, even Dad…like they’re up to no good.
“What’s going on here?” I ask, setting my things down. “You’re making me nervous.”
The door opens and Noah jogs in. “Did I miss anything?”
Tully shifts to the side and there’s something big behind them. It’s covered with a big blanket and Camden lifts the blanket to the side slightly, so I can see a large wooden crate with my name written on it.
“Is Dylan in there?” I ask, hopefully.
That cracks them up.
Noah lifts his phone and Dylan waves.
“I wish,” he says. “I’ll be home soon, but not quite yet.”
“We had something shipped to Cox and weren’t sure how we’d hide it from you, so we figured we may as well give it to you now,” Camden says, smiling at me.
“What is it?” I ask, excitement building. “You know I’ll never turn down a present.”
They all laugh.
“Dad has told us how much you’ve been doing, how helpful you’ve been, and?—”
“She rarely leaves my sight,” Dad interrupts Camden.
“Try to sound a little less irritated by that, Dad,” I say, which makes him cackle.
“I love you, buttercup. Only you could make these days fun. I’ve loved this time with you.”
My eyes fill with tears. “I’ve loved it too,” I tell him.
“Okay, enough or we’ll all be crying,” Tully says.
“I’ve already started,” Grandma Nancy says, dabbing her eyes with tissue.
I squeeze her hand.
“Dad said you’re the reason his spirits have been so high, and the whole reason this project has gotten underway so fast is because of all the work you’ve put into it, and we just wanted to let you know that we’ve noticed and we’re grateful.” Camden tugs the blanket off the rest of the way.
I walk over and Milo hands me a crowbar. When I pull off the lid, I gasp. It’s a huge,gorgeouseasel made of walnut. And on the front is a small engraved plaque that says G. Waters.
My hand flies to my mouth. “You guys…” I look at all of them, standing there looking so sweet and vulnerable. Even Milo looks like he’s set his cockiness down for the moment.
“I love it. I love you. Thank you,” I say, my voice breaking.
They swarm around me, hugging me until I’m swallowed up. When we finally break apart, my eyes meet Milo’s. He’s standing a couple feet away from all of us, looking on with a soft expression. His lips lift.
“Thank you,” I say again.
Sometimes feeling seen is all it takes to be okay.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
TO MY KNEES
MILO
