Page 64 of The Transfer
“Hi, Reagan. I hope it’s okay that I stopped by.” That voice. I know that voice.
As I stand from the couch and turn toward the door, I find Nora Hart staring back at me with a timid smile on her face. She looks better than when I saw her last, like she’s getting some sleep and there’s a little more life in her eyes.
“Of course, come sit down.” I gesture to her to walk in and join me on the couch, and she does, but first, she grabs me in a hug that almost unravels all the numb composure I’ve been trying to fake my way through.
We settle on the couch, and I lose the ability to speak. I think if one syllable leaves my lips, I’ll burst into tears. Not only over the fact that her son broke my heart but because I’m so sad that she had to lose Joel.
“How are you holding up, sweet girl?” Oh no, a few tears make themselves ready in my eyeballs, and I have to fight to get them to clear away before they fall.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” I ask back because the last thing I want to do is talk about myself.
She waves her hand, dismissing the idea. “Oh, I have so many people checking in on me and taking care of me. I’m doing just fine. It’s a journey I hoped I’d never have to go on, but that’s life and love. I miss my Joel, but he’s finding his way to be here with us.”
Us.Meaning her and Riggs. I don’t know what he’s told her, but I really hope that she doesn’t think I ghosted her son.
“Nora, I—” I start to defend myself to this amazing woman, but she interrupts me.
“Sweet girl, I know that your absence at my house has nothing to do with you and everything to do with my son and his way of dealing with grief. I promised I’d stay out of it, so I will.” I sag a little in relief at that.
“Why did you come here, then?” I don’t really mean to word it so harshly, but she smiles at me.
“I’m glad you asked. Of course, I wanted to check in on you, but I have something for you. Actually, it’s from Joel.”
I freeze at her words. “Joel left me something?” I met the man only a few times, and not enough to form a close relationship.
“Yes, he did.” She reaches into her purse on the floor and pulls out an envelope. When she hands it over to me, my hands are shaking as I try to take it from her.
“I’m confused,” I say because someone needs to make this make sense to me.
“Well, it seems my husband made a lot of preparations before he passed. Riggs received a box full of envelopes like this one. Letters thathis daddy wrote for different life moments he was going to miss.” We both sniffle, and tears escape as I’m unable to fight them anymore.
“That is incredible. I’m glad that he left pieces for Riggs to keep in the future.” I mean that, wholeheartedly.
“Yes, it’s a tender mercy, for sure. But when I found the box, there was this letter on top, addressed to you. I wanted to give it to you myself because whatever is in this is special and important. My husband had the ability to quickly discern the character of people. He thought very highly of you in the short time you spent together.”
Now I’m crying. Nora comes to my side and hugs me to her, consoling me, while she is the grieving widow.
“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s come over me.”
“Oh, sweet Reagan. Don’t you dare apologize. You are such a light, and Joel could see that, just as Riggs does.”
I don’t even speak to that because I don’t know if that’s true anymore.
“I’m not going to keep you, and I certainly won’t invade your privacy by having you share what’s in that letter with me. Knowing my Joel, I already have an idea. But please read it. And if I could ask one favor from you?”
“Anything, Nora.”
“Don’t give up on Riggs. He’s falling back into old habits; all he’s ever known to this point in life. He needs you, even if he’s fighting it.”
That is probably the one promise I wish I couldn’t keep. But my heart knows that it would wait for him, whether she asks me to or not.
I just nod because I can’t say the words out loud.
Nora gives me one more hug before we rise, and I walk her to the door.
Later that night,I am sitting on my bed staring at the envelope addressed to me like it’s going to burn me if I touch it. I have no idea what’s waiting for me in the letter, and as much as I’m scared, I’m also curious.
Taking a deep breath, I grab it off my bed, rip the top open, and pull the paper out. Unfolding it, I find the final words that Joel Hart hasleft me with.
