Page 136 of Freeing Denver
The world around me changes to a thousand lights. A brightness that doesn’t hurt.
And nothing but space ahead of me.
The ballroom is warm and inviting at my back. My mother laughs, and so does Finn, and I know that Axel is smiling. But Ethan’s right. I’m not supposed to go that way.
“Open your eyes for me.”
Colt’s voice is distant. Too distant. I stare into the open space, into those dancing lights that flicker and hum and paint a picture I can’t quite see?—
“Please, Del. Don’t leave me.”
“I’m not,” I call back, but my voice is taken away by a breeze I can’t feel. “Colt, I’m right here.”
I start walking. Striding. Jogging.
Until I’m running.
It’s only then that the lights form a real picture.
I run through my life. From what was, to what is, to what will be. My future flies by as I follow Colt’s voice, running as fast asI can, my hair and wedding dress blowing behind me as I try to reach him.
And my life is beautiful.
Spectacular.
Colt holding our son.
Then our baby girl.
Dancing with Holly in the living room.
Colt’s arms around me, his voice in my ear.
A life filled with love, and mistakes, and laughter.
And happiness that isn’t fragments.
Happiness that is whole.
“Don’t leave me, Del.”
I run faster, a laugh escaping me, “I’m right here!”
The closer I get, the more it hurts. Like being born, I’m pulled from warmth, and comfort, and safety. It’s cold. It’s too damn bright.
But it’s where he is.
A figure appears in the distance, a shadow of a man I once knew, and I come to a stop before him, breathless and warm.
My dad smiles at me. “Hey, Deedee. Remember what I said?”
I nod excitedly. “Don’t lie. Don’t cheat.”
“Don’t forget,” we both say.
His eyes glisten, but his smile remains real. “I’m so proud of you, Deedee.”
Darkness edges into my vision.
