Page 19 of To the Moon and Back
The couple nodded. This was what they held on to. The possibility that Jimmy might’ve been Brady’s friend. And in that case, somehow seeing Brady was almost like seeing Jimmy. Grown up and happy and whole. That was the gift Brady gave them whenever he came around.
Even if only once every April.
He stood. “I have to go.”
“Brady.” Rodney stayed seated. “Let us pray for you. At least that.”
This hadn’t happened last year or the year before. He’d told the Fishers long ago that he wasn’t a praying man. Didn’t want to talk about God or open the Scriptures. They respected his wishes, but today . . . well, today, there was an urgency in Rodney’s voice.
Brady stifled a sigh. “Yes, sir.” He sat back in his chair and clasped his hands again.
“You and God still on the outs?” Rodney narrowed his eyes, like he was trying to see through Brady’s soul.
“Yes, sir. I guess you could say that.” Brady looked at the man. “But thank you for praying. I know it matters to you and Mrs. Fisher.”
They were both quiet. Cheryl spoke first. “It does matter, Brady. It matters to God.”
Brady couldn’t take much more of this. Not on the anniversary. He bowed his head. The signal was clear, the discussion finished. Across from him Rodney led the prayer. Something about healing a little more every year and asking God to watch over Jimmy and Cheryl’s sister and, of course, Brady’s mama.
Then at the end the man prayed something he hadn’t before.
“Whatever it takes, God. Please. Get Brady’s attention. So that when You do, he’ll know it was You. Because only God could have done it. Whatever that might be.” When Rodney finished, they shared their usual goodbyes and Brady made his annual promises to come around more often. Before he left, Cheryl stood in front of him and took hold of his hands. Hers were gentle, but firm.
The way his mother might’ve held him.
“Brady.” She searched his face. “Nothing good ever came from being on the outs with God.” Her eyes were damp again, imploring him to see her. Hear her. “Let this be the year. Please.”
He stared at the ground and gritted his teeth. A slight nod and he looked at her again. “Yes, ma’am.” He kissed her cheek. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“We love you.” Rodney hugged him next.
Brady couldn’t say a word. His throat was too tight, his heart too broken. He turned and walked to the front door. A look back at each of them, a quick wave and Brady was gone.
On the ride back to the freeway, he couldn’t stop reliving Rodney’s prayer. He wanted to forget the words but he couldn’t shake them. Rodney had asked for a sign from God, and that He would look out for Jimmy and Cheryl’s sister and Brady’s mama. In heaven. Which left Brady with just one question.
Why hadn’t God done that before? While they were still on earth.
• • •
ASHLEY HADN’T LOOKED at the letter. The kids wanted lunch, so the five of them ate at the hotel restaurant. Landon had texted her: They were still a few hours from leaving Frontier City.
Not until they were headed back to the room after eating did Cole come up with a plan. “A cousin plan,” he called it. The three cousins would meet in Cole’s room and watch a movie. They were worn out from the day.
“Something happy.” Amy made the suggestion.
“I love it.” Ashley nodded. “You’re right, Amy. A little laughter would be perfect right about now.”
Fifteen minutes later the kids were settled, and Ashley met up with Kari in her room. As soon as Ashley shut the door, her sister was on her feet. “Okay, what happened? Tell me everything.”
“It’s no big deal. I took a picture.” Ashley pulled out her phone and called up the photo. “I haven’t read it.” She dropped on the bed opposite Kari. “It’s a little blurry.”
Kari sat cross-legged, facing her. “I still can’t believe you took the guy’s letter off the fence.” She hesitated. “Or that you took a photo of it.”
“Maybe I can help him.” Ashley felt completely justified. The stranger could’ve picked any section of the fence to leave his letter. But he chose that spot. Right next to Ashley. She squinted at the photo and made it larger with her finger and thumb. “There it is. I can read it now.”
“You don’t feel guilty?” Kari’s mouth hung slightly open. Like she was incredulous.
“Not at all.” Ashley looked at her sister for a second or two. Kari was the cautious one. Following orders. Coloring inside the lines. Ashley was the risk taker. It was what had gotten her in trouble when she went to Paris after school. But this wasn’t like that. Ashley drew a quick breath. “I didn’t take the letter.”
