Page 136 of 2204 Hunter Lane
They walked across the field, disappearing behind the farmhouse as I quickly snagged the unopened Johnny-Walker and followed suit.
After helping my dad lift an old box of toys out to the front, I planted my ass down on the steps, watching the kids run around with my girl by my side.
We sat, hand in hand on the porch, inhaling the fresh smell of blossoming flowers and clean air. Her head lay nestled in the crook of my neck as she huddled in closer.
“You know what’s weird, Hunter?” She murmured.
“Hm?”
Her arm extended out as she pointed to the white sign up in front of the farmhouse. “2204.”
I let out a low laugh cause I had zero idea what she was hinting at. “Yeah? What of it, Bambi?”
“2204.” She repeated, meeting my eyes with a softened gaze. “April 22nd.”
She didn’t need to say another word for me to fully understand the coincidence of our address. “April 22nd…” I huffed, utterly flabbergasted.
My mind wandered to that day, the day she passed. The 22ndof April eight years ago. Jesus Christ, that was fuckin’ something wasn’t it.
All these years, living on this land, I hadn’t even noticed it. That never clued into me, not ever. But seeing the sun shine down onto that sign, the breeze drifting this way and that like a wave from the wind, I knew it was no coincidence.
My heart pumped faster as I pressed my lips to Bambi’s forehead, taking in the breath of being alive as I looked up into the sky to see a cloud shaped like a sailboat.
In that moment I knew. I knew she was there. She was always there, and I didn’t need to be gone to feel her presence. My fingers wrapped around the stem of the unopened scotch as I took in a breath, and flicked off the cap.
Lifting the liquor up in the air, I nodded forward and pressed my lips to the brim. “Here’s to you,” I smiled, taking in the moment belonging only to us. “Cheers, Mom.”
The End
